Main menu
Fretplay home Submit tabs

Air
Air tabs Air discography

Channels
Guitar channel Bass channel Guitar videos Reviews

Message Forum
Guitar forum Bass forum Bands and artists Promote your band Recent discussions All categories

Fretplay.com

Air guitar tabs

CD reviews

Talkie Walkie [Limited Edition with Bonus DVD]

Air - Talkie Walkie [Limited Edition with Bonus DVD] Audio CD

A fair review of the Air "Talkie Walkie [Limited Edition with Bonus DVD]" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Air reviews here, or go back to the Air tabs.

Band: Air
Title: Talkie Walkie [Limited Edition with Bonus DVD]
Rating:

Release Date: 2004-01-27
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Venus 2: Cherry Blossom Girl 3: Run 4: Universal Traveler 5: Mike Mills 6: Surfin' On A Rocket 7: Another Day 8: Alpha Beta Gaga 9: Biological 10: Alone In Kyoto 11: Electronic Performers 12: J'ai Dormi Sous l'Eau 13: Don't Be Light 14: People In The City 15: La Femme d'Argent

keep getting better
great music! . this is one of those cd's that you can pop into the player and let go without skipping from song to song.

The best Version of Air's Sublime Talkie Walkie Album
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. 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). 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. .

Listen twice before you judge!!!!
Surfing on a Rocket & Alpha Beta Gaga stand out immediately. When first listening to this CD, I thought this is a good Air Cd. After listening to this CD again, I feel this is one of the best CDs I own!!! Universal Traveler being one of the best songs I've ever heard. Put this disc on and chill.
.

Essential Air
Although usually lumped in the same broad category as Massive Attack and Zero 7, Air's music is usually far more subtle and romantic than their closest downtempo cousins. "Talkie Walkie" is the latest CD from the French duo known as Air, and it's exactly what Air fans look for from their music. Despite the vintage synthesizers heard on several tracks, Air rely more heavily on traditional analog and acoustic instrumentation than do other chillout acts. Despite this production choice, Air do not come across as ironic or retro - this is clearly a CD intended for the 21st Century. It's psychedelic without being trippy or kitschy. Although none of the songs on "Talkie Walkie" can be considered crossover pop or rock material, all are soothing, ingenious pieces of mood music. ('Surfing on a Rocker' is the closest they come to a hit here) It's as challenging or as relaxing as you, the listener, choose it to be. Don't expect to dance to this; expect to reflect on this. It would be perfect as the soundtrack to a arty film about relationships.

The bonus DVD consists of a bewilderingly edited concert performance. Live, doing material from Moon Safari, Air almost come across as an updated version of Pink Floyd's Pompeii years. Unfortunately, the concert footage is intercut with shots of the touring band on the road and interviews. Still, this is a great bonus, and makes the CD an even better value!

If you enjoy Air, this CD is a must-have. I only wish there were more songs collected here, since all the songs are of a similarly high quality.

wonderful album
Great band. Great CD. Gotta have it. We never get tired of this music that will draw you in.

You can see a complete list of all Air discography, or go back to the Air tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.