Simple Things is the debut studio album by English duo Zero 7, released on 23 April 2001. It peaked at number 28 on the UK Albums Chart, staying on the chart for 56 weeks. In the U.S., it peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums. Five singles, such as "Destiny" and "In the Waiting Line", promoted the album prior to its release.

Critical reception

Tim DiGravina of AllMusic gave the album 4 stars out of 5, calling it "an accomplished slice of soulful genius that rewards frequent spins."

  • "In the Waiting Line" appeared in the season 6 episode, "The Domino Effect" of Sex and the City, in the season 3 episode of House "Needle in a Haystack", and in the 2004 film Garden State and on its soundtrack.
  • "Destiny" appeared in the 2002 film Blue Crush, as well as the 2009 film Obsessed.
  • “Give It Away” was used as a background track on the CBBC show SMart when sharing viewers' artwork that had been sent in the previous week.

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.

  • Zero 7 – production, mixing
  • Demus – mixing (3, 5)
  • Mozez – vocals (1, 5, 10)
  • Sia Furler – vocals (3, 7)
  • Sophie Barker – vocals (3, 8, 14)
  • Philani Mothers - vocals (11)
  • Dedi Madden – guitar (1, 7, 8)
  • Allan Simpson – guitar (3, 4, 6)
  • Phil Thornalley – guitar (9), bass guitar (9)
  • Pete Trotman – bass guitar (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12)
  • Max Beesley – Rhodes piano (5)
  • The Brilliant Strings – strings (1, 4, 5, 6, 12)
  • Sally Herbert – violin (1, 7, 10, 11)
  • Graeme Stewart – trumpet (4, 6)
  • Simon Elms – trumpet (9)
  • Dan Litman – flute (6)
  • Jeremy Stacey – drums (1, 8, 12)
  • Miggi Barradas – drums (4)
  • Ollie Savill – percussion (2)
  • Jenny Arrel – percussion (11)
  • House – design

Charts

Weekly charts

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

!scope="col"| Chart (2001)

!scope="col"| Peak<br />position

|-

!scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)

| 28

|-

!scope="row"| US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)

| 4

|-

!scope="row"| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)

| 20

|-

!scope="row"| US Independent Albums (Billboard)

| 21

|}

Year-end charts

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

!scope="col"| Chart (2001)

!scope="col"| Position

|-

!scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)

| 119

|-

!scope="col"| Chart (2002)

!scope="col"| Position

|-

!scope="row"|Canadian Alternative Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)

| 101

|-

!scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)

| 123

|}

Certifications and sales

References