CD

Air is a French duet of Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Nicholas Godin. I first heard about them from a friend who recommended "Moon Safari" their debut album to me. I listened to it and immediately fell in love with the music. It is a perfect music to relax after a long day or to chill out after a party. That got me interested in them and so I got their second album "10000 Hertz Legend" which disappointed me a bit since it offered a recycling of "Moon Safari". In my opinion "10000 Hertz Legend" was a step in the wrong direction for the band. It sounded like the band was forced to make it so they didn't even try to make it interesting.
I was reluctant to buy this one but decided to give them another chance since the first album was excellent. This time they didn't disappoint. "Talkie Walkie" is a beautiful electronic album. Album contains 10 songs, most of which are very slow and soothing with similar feel, and in some ways, the sound to the first album.

It all begins with the song "Venus" which is beautiful slow and makes a perfect intro to the album. Subdued vocals are accompanied by hauntingly beautiful sounds of the synth.

"Cherry Blossom Girl" is another very slow song but this time with a beautiful female voice singing in French and English language. The song contain a bit of jazz-influence with the flute which adds to the richness of the sound.

This is followed by "Run". Even though the title suggest otherwise this is another very slow song again with female vocals. This is a bit more extreme electronic sounding with countless repetition of word run which I fond to be irritating on first listen but a few listening later I discovered a beautifully relaxing quality about it.

Then there is "Universal Traveler", another very slow song with beautiful melody performed on a acoustic guitar and accompanied by synth. Again using vocals more as an instrument like in a previous song.

"Mike Mills" is a little bit faster with the acoustic guitar thrown in amongst all the electronic sounds. A little simpler sounding than the previous song but still very enjoyable.

"Surfing On A Rocket" much faster and probably the most "pop-sounding". But still retains all the Air charm and quality not allowing it to become just another hit song.

After this it is again time to slow down. "Another Day" dramatically slow rhythm again returning to familiar relaxed territories of Air tranquillity.

"Alpha Beta Gaga" after the very slow previous song this sounds incredible fast and light. The melody is whistled accompanied by a fast rhythm on a rhythm machine and a whole array of other electronic sounds and even a hint of banjo attack your ears. Fells like it don't belong on this album.

"Biological" is a strange sounding mix. Rhythm almost mimics a human heart accompanied by sampled violins and the duos vocals. Again very slow and relaxing. A welcome return after the previous song.

"Alone In Kyoto" is another beautifully slow song with a hint of Japanese rhythms and an acoustic guitar. Almost without words, an excellent closure to the album.

CD is packaged in a standard plastic box together with a DVD which is good. I don't like those paper packages which are more and more popular at the publishers and because of which I had to custom build my shelf. This box fits nicely in any CD holder or shelf. It contains an eight page booklet. In the booklet you get all of the words for the songs and basic information about the album and not much else.

DVD

Electronic Performers "Air" a movie by Bruno Dunckel, 35 minutes, basically 5 songs performed live at various concert venues. Songs are Electronic Performers ("10000 Hz Legend"), Talisman ("Moon Safari"), Don't Be Light ("10000 Hz Legend"), People In the City ("10000 Hz Legend") and La Femme D'Argent ("Moon Safari"). Songs actually sound better than on the albums and you get a view at the reaction of the crowd.
Movie was filmed during European tour in the summer of 2002, specifically at Montreaux jazz festival July 17th, Wiesen festival July 19th and Gurten festival July 20th. Songs are filmed like live video spots. Between songs there are some backstage shots with the band and a few very short interviews.
You get a peak in their lives on the road but it is very short. Film is nicely done in tune with the music, relaxed, slow almost psychedelic at times.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Going to Sleep