Air French Band
You guys have probably had your fill of Britney this week. So here goes the post where I gush about one of my favorite bands.
My introduction to Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel came when the "Sexy Boy" video debuted on MTV's Amp back in January '98 (I have a freakish memory for release dates). I was intrigued that they were French (I mean, how much do the French really contribute to modern pop music?). Curiously, I wasn't blown away by the music, but the video was totally hypnotic. Later that week when I spotted Moon Safari in the electronica bin of my horrible collegetown "discount" record store, I bought it 'cause the cover looked so damn retro-futuristic-watercolor-cool.
Fortunately, every song on the album was much better than "Sexy Boy." "Talisman" was so haunting, I didn't even cringe when they threw on the Go soundtrack (although "La Femme d'Argent" in that stupid shampoo commercial was sorta lame). The Moog Cookbook did a 9-minute remix of "Kelly Watch The Stars" that Fatboy Slim often spun to wind down the crowd after clubbing all night. Musically, it goes in a million different directions; try to find a copy on your preferred P2P network. I really wanted to buy a used Moog at this point, but the eBay shipping alone would've been $100.
Needless to say, the album didn't leave my stereo for the 6 months after I first purchased it. It can be good to buy CDs on a whim for totally superficial reasons. Moon Safari is a classic. And Air may never put out anything as beautiful (though they've come close).
Two years later, the disc was still playing at every hip shoe store in SoHo, and Air started receiving buzz for their new Virgin Suicides soundtrack (download an MP3 of "Playground Love (Vibraphone Version)" here). That's when I learned that the Moon Safari artwork, the weird "Sexy Boy" clip, the strangely compelling "All I Need" video, and most of the band's other non-music media were the work of Mike Mills, a fantastic graphic designer.
This week Ready Made gives him due props in an article appropriately titled How Did You Get That F*&%ing Awesome Job?
You can watch Mike Mills' greatest videos, commercials, and assorted goodies here. He's done great vids for Les Rythmes Digitales, Moby, and other hot knob twiddlers, but definitely check out the Air clips.
And if you weren't aware, the band has a new album Talkie Walkie dropping 1/27. I've been playing it for my coworkers and reactions have been mixed. I think Ray was the one who said it made him feel like he was in Brookstone. And my friend Lauren just asked if it was Enya. Grrr. It's not that sleepy. Really. They've dropped the whole Pink Floyd vibe that marred most of 10,000 Hz. Legend and have gotten back to their roots: Burt Bacharach meets Daft Punk is the best way I could describe it. They've even dedicated a song to Mike Mills:
Seriously, buy the new Air CD.
If someone from Astralwerks is reading this, I think you'll agree you owe me free promotional crap.
Oh, and if you're wondering where this blog got its name ... Click.
Posted at 4:19 PM
Tags: Air
Scott, you forgot to mention how much "10,000 Hz Legend" blew, or how "Premiers Symptomes" is much better than the Virgin Suicides soundtrack. You're clearly not a true Air fan, are you?
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Have they released a DVD? I love the video for "Le Soleil Est Pres De Moi" but can't find it anywhere...
God, I remember the frenzy when I was in Paris and 10, 000 Hertz Legend came out. And the video for "How Does It make You Feel." I could ramble on about Air forever. I think I will, blah blah blah blah.
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i have been an air fan for years as well and i think i will finally get to see them as they are rumored to play at this years coachella festival.
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Hey, I liked 10,000 Hz Legend...I guess I'm the only one.
Cameron, they have released a DVD but I think it only has the videos from Moon Safari on it. Maybe they'll release another one after Talkie Walkie comes out.
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I love the new Air album but I am one of the others who like 10,000Hz legend. I think they have a DVD which came out a few years ago.
For those into this sot of music, you might wanna check out Zero 7, who also have a new album coming out.
over and out.
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Scott, your website cracks me up: I post god knows how many comments in a vain attempt to fan the flames of political debate, yet it's a remark I make about "10,000 Hz Legend" that takes the most heat. Bizarre.
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I like the new album too, but I have to disagree with the comments above about the Virgin Suicides Soundtrack—that album is sublime.
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I've been in love with Mike Mills for a while. His Paperboys short docu and this other short he did are stunning. I've been hoping that the next installment of the Directors Label dvds will be Mills' work...It could happen too, since he's all buddy buddy with Spike (or so I think).
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James, don't hit us with that pretentious crap. Obviously you are trying to insult the people expressing their views on an album instead of paying homage to your ego. Nice cover, though.
10,000 Hz rocked, by the way. Open your mind. Or at least try.
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"James, don't hit us with that pretentious crap."
Huh? What, because I don't think much of "10,000 Hz" I'm somehow pretentious? What crown do I pretend to wear here? I merely challenged Stereogum's adoration of Air's fourth record. Relax.
"Obviously you are trying to insult the people expressing their views on an album instead of paying homage to your ego."
No, Eythan, if I wanted to insult you, it would be a lot more obvious than a couple of saccharine remarks about Air.
"Nice cover, though."
Eh? What't with the qualifier "though"? You mean the album sucks, but has a nice cover? We agree.
"10,000 Hz rocked, by the way. Open your mind. Or at least try."
A charming ad hominem attack, Eythan. I'm not sure that I necessarily subscribe to your dubious philosophy that by listening to second-rate Air records for evidence of said band's "rocking" I will "open my mind". Good Lord, I would have thought that an awareness of "10,000 Hz"'s failings was itself indicative of an open mind. Be careful what you say to others, Eythan, lest the mantle of hypocrisy come back to haunt you.
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Hella-nice :)
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does any one have any idea what the equations on the album cover of talkie walkie mean? Are they general relativity equations?
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I just picked up the new Air CD/DVD Talkie Walkie and enjoy track 8 the most. Air is coming to Motown on April 18th. They'll be downtown and I can't wait, it'll be the second time I've seen them. What impressed me the most is their extensive use of REAL instruments !!! The opening artist (Sebastian Teller) even had a woman playing a Theremin when I saw Air in 2001.
I would LOVE to see them in an outdoor theater in the summer, as most of my listening comes in between 11:00pm and 5:00am at 50 MPH, in 70 degrees with the top down, streaming through TOP NOTCH A/D/S/ equipment (think instruments, NOT speakers). Now I know why I spent SO MUCH on the convertible's stereo, AirMusic!!
Seroiusly, consider a convertible with a real stereo and a summer night with beautiful company to enjoy this music. You'll never forget it !!!
The person's comment regarding Zero 7 was RIGHT ON !! Behind Moon Safari, Simple Things is my second desert island disc. Get it !! I heard Zero 7 was criticized for sounding "too much" like Air. Hogwash, when something's this good, I'll take (as The Sisters of Mercy say) More !!!
Lastly, here's some other CD's to get (in no particular order) if you love Air's Moon Safari.
Nightmares on Wax, Carboot Soul
Zero 7, Simple Things
Boards of Canada, Music Has The Right To Children
Roxy Music, Avalon
Everything But The Girl, Amplified Heart
Enjoy, and if you're near Detroit, MI in mid-April 2004, stay for the Air show at the State Theatre, downtown on the 18th.
Beautiful company, music and love to all.
Detroiter Mark.
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I recently discovered AIR,
led there by way of Zero 7 actually,
(came at it from the other direction).
The first AIR I heard 'Talkie Walkie' is also what I still enjoy most. Although I DL'ed the 'Radio #1' and 'How does it make you feel?' videos(off the 10,000 hz Legend album),and I found them quite nice in a disturbing/trippy sort of way, in fact as a graphic design student myself, my next stop is a Mike Mills site.
If anyone is interested I would also like to throw another couple of possibly enjoyable bands out there:
Lemon Jelly (try 'Lost Horizons' album)
Hint (try 'Portakabin Fever' album)
Hey Detroiter Mark,
I live up in the tri-cities (MI),
so if I can convince my wife to go-
I may be groovin to AIR in April as well.
Take it Easy all,
GeckOblue
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Saw Air play Southampton here in the UK last month. They were amazing. Here's the set list from the night:
Radian
Venus
J'ai Dormi Sous L'Eau
Surfing On A Rocket
People In The City
Cherry Blossom Girl
Talisman
Alpha Beta Gaga (yes, JB did the whistle!)
Another Day
Hurricane/Lover
Run
Kelly Watch The Stars
Bilological
Sexy Boy
La Femme D'Argent
10,000 Hz Legend is a great album - I love Radian and Vagabond, the track Beck sings on, superb.
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I am going to see Air on Thursday the 8th and maybe on Friday the 9th at the 930 Club in DC. I am so excited to see them. They are one of my favorite bands in the world. My friend works at a record store and managed to snag me some of their merchandise. Hahaha. I see that some of you have been bickering about 10,000 Hz Legend (which I loved) but it's not worth it coz Air is all about love and amazing music. So let's take this time to play Talisman and Cherry Blossom Girl, and just relax with some AWESOME AWESOME music:)
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I loved 10,000 Hz Legend and I'm very pleased to read that some others out there loved it as well. The only Air album that I am iffy on is "City Readings". Of course the music is beautiful, but it is near impossible to get through the entire album without getting sick of that author's voice. It'd be nice if they had a Karaoke version - just the music w/o the author reading his book.
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I am just wondering if anyone knows who managers air... i would love to bring them out to australia... if anyone could help it would be much appreciated... cheers
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Yes!
Bring them to Australia!
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Jason -
I'm a student in Boston at Berklee College of Music and I heard that AIR was coming to play... I simply e-mailed Astrelwerks to see if I could do an interview for the paper, unfortunately they had no time... however I did get put on the guest list. The people at Astrelwerks seem to know how to do business, so I'm sure if you wanted to you could ask them directly, you can find their e-mail somewhere on AIR's site.
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For what it's worth, I just posted some thoughts on seeing them at a live radio performance today (check my URL). Good darn stuff.
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I had the great fortune to see AIR in Tempe, Arizona on May 1, 2004 and they were wonderful! I met them after the show and they signed my copy of BPM magazine (issue 52). My daughter, Brooke Nuñez, did the illustration that was featured on the front cover. Not only do they make fantastic music, a style all their own, but they are also very nice young men. It was an evening that I will never forget. THANK YOU, AIR!!!
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Yeah...I Saw Air at the Paramount theater in Seattle. It was the best thing ive EVER seen ad heard. I just wish they played Modulor for old times sake. Also the Mosquitos opened for Air and they were pretty good too.
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I saw AIR play live in Århus, Denmark yesterday (24 june 2004). They were fantastic. Is there any AIR merchandise (t-shirts) available somewhere ? I haven't found anything yet.
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You can get an autographed copy of this cd and a poster, along with a Mosquito's signed cd up for auction by visiting www.amnestyusa.org/musicforhumanrights/index.do and clicking on go to the auction. The auction ends on Thursday(9/16/04) so hurry and place your bids!!
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Mike Mills, it makes me think of a rainy rainy day in northern germany, driving my 5-series at 125 and holding. but, then again i listen to stuff thru plug-ins on winamp.
sometimes i play stuff like this so loud my neighbors muct think iam mad king Ludwig reincarnated or something.
i really am crazy, though.
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I thought it was Anya as well when I heard Talkie Walkie for the first time.
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wtf?
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ALL of AIR's albums are abnormally amazing i was born to listen to those guys...
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I'm proud to say that I am a HUGE AIR fan. I have met both J.B. and Nic on a couple occasions and they are very interesting french men. I first got tuned into AIR when I heard Godin's Modular MIx (in 95 i think) and was floored. I chewed my fingernails for a couple years waiting for Moon Safari to release and it was everything i wanted and more. I was just developing my musical tastes and like many here, i latched on.
I have been reading on this thread about fans whom dislike 10,000mhz. I think it is outstanding. It does take a while to get used to, being such a departure from moon safari, but as the band has evolved you can see they have steered toward that sound. If you have seen AIR live, then you might have a new appreciation for 10.000mhz legend. I also feel the same about city reading. Call me names, but I actually cried the first time I read/listened to the album. I think i would sell my fingers to have seen that live.
I also am a proud owner of a set called Deck Safari. I am a DJ and it was sent as a promo for Moon Safari. It is a 4 disc mix of tracks that AIR used to inspire/make Moon Safari. It is the prize of my CD collection and if you can get your hands on a copy. Do it. For the love of God, DO IT!
Anywho, Pocket Symphony will be realeased on my birthday, March 5th. It is the best gift I will recieve this year. Much love to the french Duo AIR.
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