Labels

Air


Formed: 1995
Location: Versailles, France (11 miles from Paris)
Genre: Downtempo, Electronic Pop
Years Active: 1995 - 2014
AKA: Rainbow Brothers
Meaning of the Name: Stands for "Amour, Imagination, Rêve"* or in English "Love, Imagination, Dream". So, technically, in English, their name is LID. *The band have since retracted the Amour, Imaginarion, Rêve definition.
Core Members: Jean-Benoît Dunckel, Nicolas Godin
Way of Working: Collaborative duo
Style: Imaginative music with great production, melody and textures
Associated: Kristin Hersh, Charlotte Gainsbourg

Essential Releases

Dummy

Premiers symptômes
EP (1997)

Early release showcasing the group's promise. Chilled. Music for dreaming.

Album Title 2

Moon Safari (1998)

The record that changed their lives. Melodic, fun, relaxed.

Album Title 3

The Virgin Suicides
OST (2000)

Soundtrack for a depressing film. Low-key and sentimental.



Prepare to embark on a journey through sound with Air, the sci-fi obsessed electronic duo whose music escapes to faraway places, where their imaginations can run wild.

In the mid '90s, Jean-Benoît Dunckel and Nicolas Godin were poor people living on the outskirts of Paris, unable to partake in the rich culture of the city. From his window, Dunckel heard electronic music emanating from the nightclubs and bars. Those lively halls of noctural delight might as well have been the moon, visible, demanding of his attention, but out of reach.

Instead, he wrote... and composed... and dreamed of a better life full of riches, not for his own sake, but to provide for his newborn son: Solal (b. 1996).

Air reached their destination two years later, with their aptly titled debut album Moon Safari achieving breakthrough success. The LP, which features a song dedicated to Solal ('New Star in the Sky'), was eventually certified double platinum in the UK.
"My baby blue is a new star in the sky... the world just for you, for nobody else"
As well as their determination to succeed, the unique flavour of Air's work comes from their broad range of influences. The band members played in indie (Orange), soul, and house outfits, styles they would later combine into their distinctive recipe. Today, Solal Dunkel continues his father's legacy, as a Future Bass musician known as Tomsize.

Skills

*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?
70

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.
55

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.
80

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.
85

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?
35

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.
55

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.
90

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.
70

Texture

i Technical attributes.
85

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.
85

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?
65

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.
75

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.
65

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?
65

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.
60

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.
45

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards

Certifications >>>

  • Gold Album: Premieres Symptomes (1997) in the UK
  • Platinum Album: Moon Safari (1998) in Belgium, Denmark, Holland & the UK (x2)
  • Gold Album: The Virgin Suicides OST (2000) in France & the UK
  • Gold Album: 10,000 Hz Legends (2001) in the UK
  • Gold Album: Talkie Walkie (2004) in the UK

Charts >>>

  • Album Charts: Moon Safari (1998) - Number 6 in the UK
  • Album Charts: 10,000 Hz Legends (2001) - Number 7 France, UK
  • Album Charts: Talkie Walkie (2004) - Number 1 in Ireland, Number 2 in the UK, Number 3 in France & Norway

Critics >>>

  • Pitchfork: Talkie Walkie (2004) - Best Album of 2004: 20th

CONTROVERSY

  • Live performances often take place without a vocalist. Fans understand it wouldn't be realistic for the likes of Beth Hirsch to appear at every gig, but they would appreciate a real voice, even if it was provided by a stand-in.


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