Zero 7 is band from the UK, founded by the duo of Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns, who as engineers worked for artists including Robert Plant and Radiohead. They are "classified" as a downtempo (trip-hop/acid jazz) group, much of which is groove-oriented at slower tempos, in the style of Air or Massive Attack. Their albums are divided up into instrumentals and vocal-oriented tracks, with some really great guest vocalists including: Mozez, Sophie Barker, Tina Dico, Jose Gonzalez, and Sia Furler (my personal favourite). I like this bands attention to ambience and musical textures, often with washes of Fender Rhodes, strings, synths, acoustic guitar and occasionally horns which give much of the music a warm atmosphere. Their harmonic sense is also a lot less conventional than many bands, but in many of their songs they still have great vocals with strong melodic sense and "pop hooks". They've released three albums, all worth checking out, though my favourite is probably their debut "Simple Things". Their latest "The Garden" was nominated for a Grammy Award, and though it is more uptempo than their previous efforts, I think there are brilliant moments as well as songs that fall flat in comparison. So it would be cool to hear your thoughts if you are into the band, if not you should check them out, here's a few videos to get you started: "Distractions" live at Lowlands 2006 w/Sia...I can't think of anyone in the "popular music" world that can match her voice and expression!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqTnpl0TW8s One of my favourite songs from "The Garden", "Waiting to Die", featuring Sia again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6g3wgn4JT4 "I Have Seen" live at Glastonbury 2004 w/Mozez: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgIkQ2wcSig "Look Up" live at Glastonbury 2004: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f05CexQu2uc
I'm a huge fan of Zero 7. The first song I ever heard by the group was Destiny. [youtube]INn1C6ImJKg[/youtube]
Yeah that's another great Sia tune, and Sophie Barker of course! There's a really good "live" on YouTube called "Destiny (Live and Acoustic)" which is really killer...everything is bit more alive in that kind of setting than in studio versions, obviously! And have you checked out Sia's solo stuff? Here's a version of "Distractions" that she did on a session for an LA radio show in '07...check out the whole show, her original stuff is really good too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfK7HgzjBks
I haven't heard anything from this band aside from In the Waiting Line, because it was in garden state. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj6yXxVc21Y I actually like this song so I'll have to check em out some more.
Barnes -- yeah thats a good tune, really chill even by their standards! I haven't seen the movie however...maybe I should. Dragon ninja -- Jose has a really nice voice! Contrasted well with Sia on "The Garden", I liked his work on "Futures" especially.
I absolutely love the movie... and I'm a guy. I don't really view it as a chick flick although it has a lot of the elements of a chick flick. If you hate zach braff of scrubs, you will probably hate it though considering he wrote, directed, and stars in it... Its really a dry humor movie and most of the touching scenes are actually pretty lame if you put it into reality, but i think the way it combines dry humor, social awkwardness, and tons of life lessons and morals into one film is great. I actually draw a lot of inspiration from the serious scenes.