Air fans New & Old should visit this beautifully judged gem

The group "Air" which consists of two frenchmen "Nicolas Godin" & "Jean-Benoit Dunckel", have had something of a turbulent series of studio albums, which saw them peak immediately with 1998's untouchable debut "Moon Safari", and then follow that up the next 1999's sublime instrumental compilation "Premiers Symptomes" (Which was a collection of early material). But since then, It's been largely regarded that the pair have released successive albums that haven't been able to recapture that unmistakable magic from their debut. With both 2000's "The Virgin Suicides" & 2001's "10,000 Hz Legend", being largely disappointing, with 2003's "City Reading" being purely in Italian, therefore being largely impenetrable to most listeners. So there obviously, expectations wasn't too high for 2004's "Talkie Walkie", but surprisingly (probably to even "Air" themselves"), they delivered one of 2004's most notable albums.



The stomping crashing piano chords of "Venus" are by and large a surprise, especially considering the usual subtle nature of Air tracks , sounding for all it's worth like a melodic paced Funeral arrangement, deep in melancholic temperament & strangely reflective. Even more of a suprise is the fact that instead of using various vocalists like they have in the past, the duo handle all the vocal duties on this album, and remarkably, even though their voices have been electronically enhanced, make a superb stab at giving a sense of romanticism to the track intoning: "You could be from Venus, I could be from Mars, We would be together, Lovers forever..." Lead single "Cherry Blossom Girl" opens with a gorgeously hypnotic keyboard melody, that evokes memories of 'Moon Safari-era' Air, delightfully upbeat electronic pop is the order of the day here and although it's all Gallic cool, mixed with naive whimsy and lyrically showing uneasy love ("I don't want to be shy, Can't stand it anymore, I just want to say 'Hi', To the one I love.....Cherry blossom girl"), their use of vocoder, is also hugely impressive in it's simplicity, and it's proably amongst the finest singles Air has created in years.



"Universal Traveller", opens with a gorgeous string section, that then leads into delicate whispered vocals: ("I know so many Places in the world, I follow the sun, In my silver plane.... Universal traveller!!"), with the gentle humming of keyboards & plucked guitar, combining to make a remarkably intimate downtempo Pop. The instrumentals on this album are beautifully judged efforts, as on the matured textured sounds of sadness and contemplation of "Mike Mills" , and the glowing superbly catchy whistling of "Alpha Beta Gaga", with its use of swirly, keyboards fluttering in and out of the sound, which show that Air haven't forgotten the fine art of making music, without vocals that admirably stands on it own two feet.



"Biological" even has the gall to use a banjo in its arrangement (subtly/beautifully used by the way), with the plodding synth's, and drifting, wistful melodies bringing images interexploration travel & moonbased love, with an knowingly-insular chorus of ("Biological....I don't know why I feel that way with you??....Biological, I need your DNA!!"). but personally speaking, the finest track on here is the truly breathtaking instrumental that is "Alone in Kyoto". (taken from the "Lost in Translation" film), a truly stunning example of giving the feeling of being lost in a strange cosmopolitan town, completely in solitude.....drenched in string laden-ed glory, with it's delicate keyboards and intimately plucked guitar, it a movingly slow and hugely melodic tune, that doesn't move with any real pace, but feels so deeply personal and detached, it feels like its moving in a universe all of its own. And (for me) arguably the best thing Air have done since 'Moon Safari'.



For those that fell with love with Air's music via "Moon Safari" (and who didn't??), and have been disappointed with their recent output, this is clearly the best thing they've done since then. But as truly worthy of 5 Stars that this album is, It's NOT a replacement (or indeed a better album) than "Moon Safari". The decision to use their own vocals was indeed a brave step, and has largely worked, but they can't quite match the trained vocalists on Safari, and there isn't anything quite of numbingly unique, impressionistic or atmospheric as "Sexy Boy", "All I Need", "You Make it Easy"..(although "Alone is Kyoto" & "Alpha Beta Gaga" are amongst their finest instrumentals). But even though this album doesn't quite match the majesty of "Moon Safari", it is (with the exception of 'Premiers Symptomes') easily the best thing they've done, and is justifiably a good enough album to pick up a whole new set of fans.

Blissful sounds

There is something quite dreamy, ethereal, and indeed blissful in the music of Air, and in particular on this, their third album. Whether as soothing, quiet background for working or relaxing, or as something to be turned up loud, the electronic mood music of Talkie Walkie makes for wonderful listening. Give it a listen, and it will bring you joy and make you feel like you are slowly floating within the most beautiful garden in the world.

Like cotton candy...

...it's kind of sweet, but has absolutely no substance whatsoever. This reminds me of early 80's avant garde electronica, with muzak-sounding instrumentals and ridiculously repetitive lyrics. Additionally, the vocals are irritating and show absolutely no depth at all. I'm astounded that so many other reviewers have given this four or five stars, all I can compare this to is annoying elevator fare.