Terça-feira 9 Ago 2005, 16h:42
Coming off their previous release, 10,000 Hz Legend¸ Air is out to prove themselves worthy of the praise they received for their earlier work. Air were first noticed with the release of the EP Premiers Symptomes, but it was their debut album, Moon Safari, that demanded the attention of critics and listeners alike. Their unique blend of Moog, vocals, and organic instrumentation created a dreamy synth-pop landscape that many people found instantly captivating. One of those people was Sofia Coppola, who hired them to compose the score to her movie, The Virgin Suicides. Air took this opportunity to create rich mood music that willingly faded into the background. After this effort, Air finally started work on their sophomore album, 10,000 Hz Legend. Air changed directions by concentrating on crafting pop songs out of their sound, employing more organic instruments and even using Beck on vocals. Despite being bold and well developed, the album was rejected by most fans. Talkie Walkie is now where these fans will judge Air.
Like 10,000 Hz Legend, Talkie Walkie features the pop song structure, but what will draw back the old Air fans is how they incorporate their classic dreamy soundscapes into the songs. Fans of Moon Safari will particularly enjoy Alpha Beta Gaga, an instrumental bit that employs the groovy bass lines that drive most of the debut. Despite that, the stand out tracks on Talkie Walkie include Cherry Blossom Girl, in which Air finally successfully blends acoustic guitar lines with their whimsical synth jams, and Run, which explores using vocal sampling and synthesized strings to create a song with a new age feel. Air rekindles their relationship with Sofia Coppola by providing the track Alone in Kyoto for her movie Lost in Translation. This slow, oriental themed ballad closes Talkie Walkie gracefully. Its style is unprecedented by Air’s previous work, and perhaps a sign of things to come. Talkie Walkie is a solid blend of their previous work, and a great build upon the cosmopolitan synth pop that has helped them become one of the most respected names in electronica today.