Air are, of course, one of the better bands to come around in the past 20 years. They blessed us with 3 albums full of some the best synth work ever recorded (I don’t particularly care for most of their latter day work). My favorite album is a collection of singles released between 1995 and 1997 entitled Premiers Symptômes. Words can’t describe this, so just have a listen. I am sure most of you have heard this album, but it’s so good I thought it warranted a post even 11 years after the fact. And the album cover is so amazing, it should get a post all to itself
Also, click the live shot below the cover for a very cool short documentary entitled Eating, Sleeping, Waiting and Playing: A Film About Air on Tour: Soundcheck, New York via Pitchfork.tv.
Air – Les Professionales
[audio:air.mp3]
I LOVE premier symptomes – one of my fave albums of all time and definitely my favourite Air album.
My only gripe with it is the last track – it lets the album down imho.
Good tunes though – I’m gonna stick the album on now 🙂
Crazy. I’m listening to this album RIGHT NOW at work as this post popped up in my RSS reader. The cover is simply brilliant, too. I have the original slip case version with the die cut circles (I think year’s later they did a reissue with a flat print in a jewel case).
I love all of AIR’s work, but I too prefer the earlier, space age bachelor pad sounding stuff. In recent months, I think the “Virgin Suicides” score is my favorite complete album from AIR.
…this reminds me, that “Moon Safari” Collector’s edition thing came out today.
Ah AIR! I love their music, it’s perfect for a relaxing day. Thanks for the tip on Premiers Symptomes, I’ll definitely have to pick that one up. Now, off to listen to some Moon Safari.
Air is one of my favorites! But for me “Moon Safari” is their best album yet. It just kills me everytime i hear it!
There is some sort of collective sub-conscious thing going on as I listened to Les Professionales on my way into work this morning. I have loved this album since the first time I heard it over a decade ago.
Air is our national ambient band :p
I love Air and I think 10 000 hz legend or Moon safari are better than premiers symptomes.
kiss from france :p xD
Air is a staple of almost any electronic diet, its so accessible — 2 songs will always hold permanent spots in my heart:
– Kelly, Watch the Stars — Brings me right back to my claustrophobic dorm room in Litchfield Towers, freshman year, exploring and discovering all kinds of new music and just beginning to discover myself as a person.
– Alone in Kyoto — Yes, from the Lost in Translation soundtrack, the movie is one of my favorites, and I can almost capture Scarlett Johansson’s emotions when I listen to this song in any unfamiliar or foreign locale.
Premiers Symptomes is a gem, agreed. J’ai Dormi Sous L’Eau might be my favorite. I was stoked to hear it live when they came to Bimbos365 a few months back (http://www.flickr.com/photos/amoeba/1413440931/). You’re not into the newer stuff? It definitely grew on me. Of their newer work, I’d have to say Universal Traveler has some of the most beautiful synth work.
Great hearing you at NASA last weekend. Your music sounded super sweet through that sound system. I was playing air-keyboard to your melodies.
Premiers Symptomes is great, but I find Moon Safari to be a bit better.
I also want to chime in and say that their latest stuff is great! Why the lack of love, everyone? I’d recommend “Photograph”, “Napalm Love”, “Once Upon A Time”, and “Left Bank” from Pocket Symphony – they’re all amazing tracks!
Oh, the cover art for Pocket Symphony is great too, featuring sculptures by Xavier Veilhan. Really amazing stuff.
http://www.veilhan.net/
an interview with Alex Courtes, the designer of Air’s album cover (among many other bad ass projects)
http://prettycoolpeopleinterviews.submarinechannel.nl/interviews/item/28
This was one of the few albums I’ve ever bought simply based on the cover art. Its still in heavy rotation in my headphones (has it been 10 years already? geez) I skip “Brakes On” its not a bad track, just kills the mood.
As for Pocket Symphony, I’m still struggling to like the tracks with singing. When I listen to Night Sight, its over, my head is in the clouds 🙂
I have to disagree with everyone here. Premiers Symptomes is fantastic, but Talkie Walkie is simply brilliant. A near perfect pop electronica confection.
J’ai dormi sous l’eau is my favorite song on that album i dont really like when they sing, so talented i wish they did more stuff like alone in kyoto
Air is a great band… Good live performances as well (I’ve seen them twice in french festivals)…
For the title of your post : en français, “Les Professionnels”.
Anyway, Scott, I love your work!