Air Album: “Premiers Symptomes [Limited]”

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE ALBUM!!!

it's just amazing hearing these singles compilation from AIR, one of my best bands in this genre, the music is so groovy and chill...is excellent to getting relax at work or home or even for a background music for a social gather with friends or even for getting intimate with your couple!!

Very nice ambient music, it's really a jewel, an electronic masterpiece, must get your copy if you're in this kind of electronic music (kinda trip-hop)...these french dudes from AIR really rules!

Very smooth and tranquil textures that embrace your mind right away! Almost brainwashing you to sit down and enjoy a glass of wine and a nice smoke while sitting in your recliner or having a delicate moment with that special someone. This is a must have for those who love the experimental genres of music from all over the world.

I, as well, have been waiting a VERY long time for this one, and I had a hard time harassing my local record stores to get it in! Definately more "background music" than even Moon Safari, the first two tracks are nice calm instrumentals, followed by "Les Professionels", which I was delightfully surprised to disover its chord progression to be an early version of "All I Need". Track 4 begins with a beautifully done keyboard part which eventually probably grows too heavy and would serve better as a slower, more mellow song. Beautiful nonetheless. "Le Soleil..." is simply a throwaway that sounds very primitive compared to their deeper masterpieces like "Kelly Watch the Stars" and "Remember". And "Californie" is Air at thier funkiest and prettiest, with a cool jam intro which leads into a breathtakingly beautiful piano section, with the sound of the ocean as an overwhelmingly grand soundscape. Definately one to lay back and close your eyes to. I only wish the outro went on longer. Check out the enhanced version with a cool tour documentary, as well as the vinyl version which has cool packaging as well. All in all, if you like music, Air will blow your mind- My favorite band, the most unique and original artists in music today. STANDOUT TRACKS: "Californie", "J'ai Dormi Sous L'eau". ----Sam's Myth [ApclpseBoy@aol.com]

This CD -- translated as First Signs -- represents the earliest material of the French duo Air (Jean Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin). Comprised of songs composed before the release of the highly successful Moon Safari, elements of the duo's lounge leanings are still apparent (the soft synthetic horns of "Casanova 70" and "J'ai Dormi Sous L'Eau") but instead of the nonstop martini vibe of Moon Safari, Premiers Symptomes reveals funkier, bass-inflected roots. "Modular Mix", the CD opener, is moody, bouncy and atmospheric -- kind of like opening credit music for a tres chic heist film directed by Luc Besson. But it's "Brakes On", the closer, that's the standout track here -- literally as well as figuratively. Airy female vocals float over a distorted bass and four-on-the-floor beat as analog keyboard effects swirl in and out. By far, it carves its own unique identity out among this collection of songs, as well as hinting at an alternate direction Air might have taken -- kind of like a blissed-out mellow Chemical Brothers -- instead of the heavy lounge leanings of Moon Safari. Although painfully short (33 minutes!), Premiers Symptomes is a nice addition to the chill-out collection for big-time Air fans and newcomers alike.

While I've heard of Air before Premiers Symptomes provided my with my first taste of their magical musical tapestries. I was hooked instantly with the hauntingly surreal melodies of Modular mix. The mix of traditional instruments not usually associated with electronic music gives this Cd an edge over other electronic endeavors.