AIR - "Sexy Boy" CD Single

AIR – Sexy Boy

CD Single, 1998

Caroline Records

To this day I have never fully heard the lyrics to “Sexy Boy.” But I always think of it as a children's song, due to the sweet catchy melody. There is nothing menacing about the 'sexy boy' in this context, it is part of nature. But once in awhile while I listen to this song, I sense an urge of evil of some sort. The beauty of a classic pop song or recording is that it conveys different moods, and I think it is more in the head of the listener than anything else. So if I feel sinister that is what I hear. But mostly when I listen to Air's “Sexy Boy” I think of lost innocence of some sort. I imagine an older gentleman singing this song, with some regrets about their life.

The Sex Kino Mix by Beck is also charming. The munching of a carrot in the beginning gives the song a cartoon touch - perhaps Bugs Bunny?

AIR - "Moon Safari" CD Album

AIR – Moon Safari

CD Album, 1998

Astralwerks

The first Air album for me. A grand introduction to their seductive world of floating melodies, and pretty images that one gets in their heads. Psychedelic music for those who don't indulge. And I don't, so I need music like this. Its a world that is made-up, fluffy, and everything is beautiful. I think the fact that my life is beautiful makes this music a perfect fit for me. Anytime I have a sense of doubt or I can't make it, just play “Sexy Boy” and the world is all of sudden all right again.

Pop music has many purposes, but I think Air understands how music can affect one's mood whatever its happiness or sadness. Basically if you think about it, its really the one and the same. Music used as a soundtrack to one's life is something that goes beyond the sense of mood. I have always felt a sense of dread, and this music as well as its happiness, can easily reflect the sadness in life as well. I don't understand how any one can not like this album. You don't have to love it, but to hate it – I would think that's impossible.

AIR - "The Virgin Suicides OST"

AIR – The Virgin Suicides OST

CD Album, 2000

Virgin

Love the album, I think mostly because it reminds me of one of my favorite soundtrack albums Emmanuelle. Here you have one song and then the rest of the album is incidental music. Its very lush, minimal, tune-full, and very beautiful. There is no mistaking it for it not being a Soundtrack album. The leading song “Playground Love” is nice, but I much prefer the following songs that sort of play with the leading melody. The sounds are sensual and velvety, it is almost a record that you want to take your shoes off before entering its world. Outside it's too dirty, but in here, you're perfectly safe, clean and OK. 

AIR - "Radio #1/Radio #1 (Senior Coconut Remix) /Radio #1 (Call Out Hook #1)

AIR – Radio #1 / Radio #1 (Senor Coconut Remix) / Radio #1 (Call Out Hook #1) ' Radio #1 (Call Out Hook #2)

CD Single, 2001, US Promo 4-track CD

Astralwerks

One of those perfect singles. Radio #1 is a radio hit, even if there are no more radios. Dreamy melody but the song almost rocks which makes it perfectly charming. The lyrics flirts with psychedelic imagery. The whole AIR motif is one where it reminds you of another era, but that era is sort of an imagined one, it may have never existed. Which gives their work a certain amount of sadness.  

Air - "Premiers Symptomes" CD Album

AIR – Premiers Symptomes

CD Album, 1999

Astralwerks

Only if all airport terminal music can sound like this. Dreamy, relaxing, and not a sign or a sigh of stress or tension, just the need to float with the music. Air, the dynamic Parisian duo, has made a recording that is ambient to a point, but also has close ties to easy listening music of the early 60's or late 50's. Done on vintage electronic instruments there is something so pure about it all. And that may be its overall weakness, but still, it is like eating an over-sweet candy or a surgery alcoholic cocktail – it goes down well, but maybe too much of it will give you a bad headache or tummy ache.

But all of that aside, it is music that is hard to put-down. For one, these are guys who know their music history. There is nothing causal about the music, it is very much a focused understanding of the nature of ambient electronics, european soundtracks, and the beauty of slight stereophonic sounds.

And come to think of it the music will work well as background for making-out. So its a win-win album.