Three pack of special stuff

Air is one of those downtempo electronica bands who specialize in exquisitely pretty music. Now their earliest albums are gathered together in the three-pack that includes "10,000 Hz Legend," debut "Moon Safari" and early singles compilation "Premier Symptomes."



"Premier Symptomes" is a collection of Air's early singles; while it's only the length of an EP, it sounds longer. The original five songs are sweet, slow and languid, almost dreamy, and remarkably polished for a new band. Two extra songs are put on the American release, and while they don't quite mesh with the original five songs, they are fun and funky.



Their debut "Moon Safari" is the stuff of electronic legend -- pretty, fragile and airy, but with pop sensibilities and jazzy rhythms woven in. Listening to it is a bit like floating on a cloud. They include a few dancey fun numbers like "Sexy Boy," but Air seems to be solidly sitting in the clouds with their soothing, soft music.



"10,000 Hz Legend" broke away from the formula that made their debut such a roaring success. Their music suddenly became darker and moody, with echoes of prog rock and futuristic robot electronic. In other words, totally different as space-pop goes. Though this musical style didn't stick with Air, it's interesting to hear them experimenting.



The odd duck out here is "10,000 Hz Legend" -- "Premiers" and "Safari" mesh together almost seamlessly, which makes them perfect together. "10,000 Hz Legend" just doesn't fit in with them; its up-mix of electronica and lack of internal flow make it a whole different animal. You may like it, but it won't fit with the other two.



Despite that, all three are excellent works when taken on their own, whether they are offering darker electropop sung by a Mac or airy trip-hop. Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin (the two men who make up Air) puttered around with different moods, different sounds, and different ways of making music, and the results are (mostly) rewarding.



Air's first three albums are proof positive of their talents, whether making dark, eerie songs, funky pop or exquisite trippy electronica. Definitely worth getting.