Album Review – Air
Air – ‘Love 2′
UK Release 5/10/09 (Virgin)
Whilst ‘Pocket Symphony’ was certainly not deserving of some of the fierce criticism it attracted (a big hello to Priya Elan of The Guardian) it was barely a progression from the previous album (2004’s ‘Talkie Walkie’), and left all but the most sycophantic Air fans feeling that another about-turn was due. For ‘Love 2′ Messrs. Dunckel & Godin have certainly taken a big risk in jettisoning experienced producer Nigel Godrich and taking the reins by themselves. The result of this is their most multifarious record in years, but still maintains the plushness and melodic beauty of their previous works.
Any fears one may have had about Air resigning themselves to discerning elevator music will be eradicated after the first 30 seconds of opening track ‘Do The Joy’. The fuzz-driven guitar and intrusive spoken-word extracts are put at odds with the imposing melody line and minor-chord changes (something of an Air trademark) to create a piece that’s challenging yet comforting at the same time, something’s that true of Air’s more experimental work of the past. Elsewhere there’s a dark driving anthem called ‘Be A Bee’ (imagine the theme to ‘The Professionals’ covered by The Cure circa 1980) and a meandering, extravagent number that serves as a centrepiece to the album (‘Tropical Disease’). In many ways this track serves as the most definite proof that ‘Love 2′ is not a record that wants to stand still. It’s gentle, space-lounge introduction gives way to a driving bassline, but the piano accompaniment, lushful melody and wonderful use of flute in the ‘chorus’ makes it an almost describable joy – this is true ‘easy’ listening’ is the most magnificent sense. Yet the song still has time to come down with an naughtily erotic coda, very worthy of leurs compatriotes de la 70s Space. In many ways this album serves as a potted history of their inflences, and of Air themselves, offering a glimpse into their many musical styles that have graced their records for over a decade.
‘Love 2′ also has its weaker parts, most noticeably it’s guilty of petering out a little. ‘Night Hunter’ doesn’t really have a tune, neither does ‘African Velvet’ and its position at the end of the album gives it a feeling of -music-played-over-the-PA-when-the-gig-is-over. Priya and the naysayers will no doubt point to ‘You Can Tell It To Everybody’ as evidence that Air are stuck in a creative comfort zone, it’s similarity to the lesser tracks on ‘Pocket Symphony’ won’t win any converts. But on the whole it’s another copacetic listen from a group that has experiences a number of artistice fluctuation, but yet to produce a truly bad record.
****
Gavin Midgley
