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, Imaginarion, Rêve" or in English "Love, Imagination, Dream". So, technically, in English, the band's name is LID. *The band have since retracted the Amour, Imaginarion, Rêve definition.
Core Members: Jean Benoit Dunckel, Nicolas Godin
Way of Working: Collaborative duo
Style: Imaginative music with great production, melody and textures

Essential Releases

Dummy

Premiers symptômes
EP (1997)

Early release showing what the groups promise. Chilled out.

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. More low key and sad but also sentimental.



Prepare to embark on a journey through melody and rhythm with Air, the sci-fi obsessed French electronic duo who use music to escape to far-off places where their imaginations run wild.

In the early nineties, Jean Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin were poor people on the outskirts of Paris, who couldn't afford to partake in the rich culture of the great city. They could hear electronic music coming from the clubs but they couldn't get in. Those dens of noctural abandon might as well have been the moon, visible, demanding of their attention, but out of reach.

Instead, the pair wrote... and composed... and dreamed... of a better life where they had money and could do all the things they wanted, which, in the case of Dunckel, included providing the world for his young son.

In 1998, Air reached the moon at last, with their aptly titled debut album Moon Safari planting a flag firmly in the ground of electronica.

The unique flavour of Air's work comes from their broad range of influences. Before forming, the members played in indie, hip hop, soul, and house outfits, styles they would later fuse together in their own distinctive way.

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?
60

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.
65

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.
60

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?
55

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.
55

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

Charts >>>

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

Critics >>>

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

CONTROVERSY

  • Several of their tracks have vocalists that don't appear when Air play live. Fans understand it wouldn't be realistic for the likes of Beth Hirsch to appear at every gig, but they would appreciate hearing a real voice, even if it was provided by a stand-in.


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