Zero 7 When it Falls (Ultimate Dilemma) Despite a name that suggests otherwise, the concept of 'chill out' music is now staler than that rotting head of broccoli at the back of the fridge. So, it's a phrase to be avoided from here in - let's just call it 'slow music,' because there are a handful of superb moments on When it Falls. Always the bridesmaids and never the bride, London duo Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker have usually ended up on the wrong side of the tracks as far as credit for their music goes. Accused of filching Air's La femme d'argent and re-writing it every time they knock out a tune, Zero 7's music does have an obvious blueprint of shimmering keyboards, the odd pluck of the guitar string and the occasional sweeping orchestral manoeuvre. But if they were a rock'n'roll band you wouldn't hear anyone complaining. To this extent, the likes of The Darkness and The Thrills have got away with murder if Zero 7 are getting pilloried for lack of ideas. They beat a retreat to sunny Spain to record this, their second effort. The first three tracks, in particular, are superb - full of moody hooks that eclipse even Morcheeba at times. Unfortunately, the same premise is then taken on and spread a little too thinly over the rest of the album, and at times the warm melodies and honey-rich vocals stray dangerously close into touchy-feely, Harvest for the World territory. Give this album a few months, some decent sunshine, and everyone may well want a slice.
