10,000 Hz Legend

10,000 Hz Legend

ASIN: B00005IABM

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Previously Air's Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin made softcore collages of Pink Floyd-ish synth tones and droning French lounge pop. 10,000 Hz Legend goes further out, attaining new heights of cheesy, Space Odyssey-like computer music. Like Kraftwerk skinny-dipping with French nymphet Jane Birkin and Star Wars's R2D2, Legend swells with mad robo-love, following a computer romance amid droll tributes to vacant pop culture. Beck's appearance on "The Vagabond" proves the Loser only works well solo, making Air disappear on their own album. The absurd "Radio #1" and the sappy chorus in "How Does It Make You Feel?" could snuggle beside Celine Dion's latest yawner. But there is magic: "Radian" is a Cluster-like orb of cooing flutes, gentle rhythms, and a ghostly vocal. "Electric Performers" offers clunky electronic beats and the lines "We are the synchronizers / Machines give me some freedom." The catchy "People in the City" sounds like Mirwais producing Serge Gainsbourg, while "Don't Be Light" recalls electro Krautrockers Neu! Feeding us Moog merengue and Reese's Pieces rhythms, Air remain sweet computer boys to the core. --Ken Micallef

From URB Magazine
After the runaway success of their Moon Safari debut, Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoit Dunckel surprised many with their score of Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides. The yin to Safari's yang, Suicides disappointed fans of Air's lighter, more accessible side. 10,000Hz Legend takes Moon Safari's pop sensibilities and Virgin's claustrophobic cinematics and mashes them together into an album of thickly layered soundscapes topped off by typical Gallic charm.

The opener, "Electronic Performers," is vintage Air, all swelling synths, gloomy piano, distorted vocals and random bleepy bits. "How Does It Make You Feel" swiftly follows, a dash of Spiritualized-meets-Pink Floyd heroin rock with what sounds like Stephen Hawking on vocals. Collage cowpoke Beck turns up on "The Vagabond," adding his drawling vocals in a murky mix of harmonica, acoustic guitar and Midnight Cowboy blues. They explore Far-Eastern soundtracking on the first half of "Radian," switching gears to grind into some sexy machine funk on "Lucky & Unhappy" and then shifting into fuzz-rock guitar with "Don't Be Light."

"People in the City" is a metallic slow-grind, like the tango done at half speed by a couple of drunken Pentium computer chips, while on "Caramel Prisoner" we get a dreamy comedown of half-remembered refrains, plundered riffs and washed-out chords. Throughout, Air manages to be melancholy and uplifting in equal measure. Living up to that old adage "talent borrows, genius steals," they seem to nick bits from everybody and nobody, producing songs that mix a disparate collection of familiar bits and pieces into a fresh and original blend.

Kieran Wyatt

Tracks:

Electronic Performers
How Does It make You Feel?
Radio #1
The Vagabond (Featuring Beck)
Radian
Lucky & Unhappy
Sex Born Poison (Featuring Buffalo Daughter)
People In The City
Wonder Milky Bitch
Don't Be Light (Featuring Beck)
Caramel Prisoner

Amazon.com

Previously Air's Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin made softcore collages of Pink Floyd-ish synth tones and droning French lounge pop. 10,000 Hz Legend goes further out, attaining new heights of cheesy, Space Odyssey-like computer music. Like Kraftwerk skinny-dipping with French nymphet Jane Birkin and Star Wars's R2D2, Legend swells with mad robo-love, following a computer romance amid droll tributes to vacant pop culture. Beck's appearance on "The Vagabond" proves the Loser only works well solo, making Air disappear on their own album. The absurd "Radio #1" and the sappy chorus in "How Does It Make You Feel?" could snuggle beside Celine Dion's latest yawner. But there is magic: "Radian" is a Cluster-like orb of cooing flutes, gentle rhythms, and a ghostly vocal. "Electric Performers" offers clunky electronic beats and the lines "We are the synchronizers / Machines give me some freedom." The catchy "People in the City" sounds like Mirwais producing Serge Gainsbourg, while "Don't Be Light" recalls electro Krautrockers Neu! Feeding us Moog merengue and Reese's Pieces rhythms, Air remain sweet computer boys to the core. --Ken Micallef

Customer Reviews:

AIR's BEST ALBUM!!!!!.......2007-04-26

Critics didn't like this album at first. This is not one of, but Air's best album!

One of their most groundbreaking releases.......2007-03-03

Thats just my opinion. I'm more inclined to enjoy experimentation because I listen to quite a bit of IDM which is known to try different approaches to electronic music. I'd say I enjoyed 3/4 of the album which proved to have enough variety to keep my interest piqued. If you have 3 Air albums to buy go for Premiers Symptomes , Talkie Walkie and 10,000 Hz Legend.

Best tracks on the album -

Electronic Performers
The Vagabond
Radian
Sex Born Poison
People in the City
Don't be light
Caramel Prisoner

Dreamy tenderness.......2006-07-30

Moving from their initial soft spoken and poetic vibes, the French quiet duo of Air steer us toward electro-pop nostalgic ballads. The fakely naive choruses indulging in a touching "tackyness" ("How does it make you feel"), the acoustic guitar, breezy vocals, and dashes of electronics are all used with Air's systematic organic touch. Their singing is at times voluntarily hesitant, it's also supported by rougher tech like rythms ("Lucky and unhappy"), childish tones (Sex born poison), robotic emphasized chorus, always soft though ("People in the city"). The tunes are rich with spaghetti western accents ("Wonder milky bitch"), wandering keyboards, live "acoustic" drums (Radio #1), a fat and lugish bass, a harp, and even folky "Beck" tinted airs ("The vagabond").

The overall impression is a smooth listening experience for dreamy stare-through-the-window moments, letting your mind wander and smiling at a its kid like simplicity. Air's strength is to maintain through all these fancy techniques and instruments the essence of what poetic music is, touching by its soul reaching wispering voice and caressing tenderness.

Underated.......2006-07-01

This is one of the most underrated electronic albums, in my opinion. The whole album sounds down tuned as if in a different key. There isn't much flow from track to track, but it is different than anything else. I would start with Talkie Walkie, but if you are a true Air fan, you will dig this album as well.

Brilliant, Passionate, Strange Music.......2006-03-08

This album is dark, yet full of beautiful emotion. It is sarcastic and clever. It is an exploration of technology and modern human life, a juxtaposition of logic and love. It is a canvas splashed with lust, confusion, longing and love brought forth in strangely beautiful electonica melodies. Brilliantly and passionately executed.

Everybody Hertz - 10,000 HZ Legend Remixes

Average customer rating:

A Good Review
too much filler
Stay away from this one
Boy do I hate this album
air remixes - both good and bad + 1 new track + 1 great vid

Everybody Hertz - 10,000 HZ Legend Remixes
Air
Manufacturer: Astralwerks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

10,000 Hz Legend
Surfing on a Rocket
Pocket Symphony
Premiers Symptomes
The Virgin Suicides: Original Motion Picture Score

ASIN: B00005Y1J3
Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

Don't Be Light (edit)
Don't Be Light (Mr. Oizo Remix)
How Does It Make You Feel? (Adrian Sherwood Version)
Don't Be Light (Neptunes Remix)
People In The City (Modjo Version)
Don't Be Light (The Hacker Remix)
How Does It Make You Feel? (edit)
Don't Be Light (Malibu Remix)
People In The City (Jack Lahana Remix)
The Way You Look Tonight

Album Description

10 track collection of remixes & rarities. Also features enhanced content. Astralwerks.

Customer Reviews:

A Good Review.......2004-09-09

everybody hertz.
i remember hating this release too. it was cheap when i bought it, so i didn't care much. it being years later now, i think it truly deserves a second listen.
first off, there's a neptunes remix on this thing; don't be light. which was out before they're (~)household-name like status these days.
the oizo mix of 'light' is fantastic. when beck comes in, the beat is more than addictive.
i admit that jack lahana's remix is over the top.
but the modjo cover of people in the city does a good job in helping make up for it. it's a lounge track, sort of, with full instrumentation and a lush breakdown.

listen again. or respect their process as innovaters.

too much filler.......2003-12-07

The edits are a waste of space, and B I T C H E S in the C I T Y is kinda lame. I like the ozio remix of How Does It Make You Feel, and The Way You Look Tonight is one of my favourite Air songs. But even that song doesn't sound like its finished. I think some of these tracks would have made good b-sides to compliment singles, while sparing us of the trash and filler that takes up half the cd.

Stay away from this one.......2003-02-10

This album is a really crummy deal. It contains remixes from the previous album "10.000 Hz Legend". And bad ones at that. If your idea of fun is five different versions of "Don't be Light", then by all means, buy the album. If not, then stay away from it. Let's just hope it's the evil record corporation and not the boys in the band who've come up with this scam.

Boy do I hate this album.......2003-01-06

First came the brilliant Moon Safari, then the excellent Premiers Symptomes, then the wierd but vaguely interesting Virgin Suicides. Then Air released 10,000Hz - tolerable but not very good... and now this! Yuck. This album is just terrible. Amazingly bad. Most of it is insanely repetitious and boring. That which rises above boring is downright unpleasant. I had to turn it off 3/4 of the way through because it was giving me a headache.

Avoid at all costs. Dont even accept this disk for free, unless you need a coaster.

air remixes - both good and bad + 1 new track + 1 great vid.......2002-02-21

this particular compilation of remixes, remakes, and covers of a few of air's tracks off of 10,000 hertz legend is all right. the track remixed are: 'don't be light', 'how does it make you feel?', and 'people in the city'. mr. oizo gets things started with his remix of 'don't be light', which is simply amazing. using his glitch dub tactics, he filters any cuteness from the track, and throws it in the french gutter where he resides and likes it. the eerie ending with the vocal part is disturbing. adrian sherwood and modjo provide some nice covers of 'how does it make you feel?' and 'people in the city' respectively. the neptunes tear up 'don't be light' for their own maniacal purposes. the hacker develops a return to the rave with 'don't be light', and the malibu remix is a nice, flowing piece of electronic brilliance. these are the gems of the ep. however, astralwerks still doesn't seem to understand that no one likes edits, as they place two edits on this ep for 'don't be light' (as if the fact thomas bangalter doing the editting grants any kudos) and 'how does it make you feel?' they waste track space. also, jack lahana's remix of 'people in the city' is just shock rock at it's worst. poor production, horrible lyrics (b.i.t.c.h.e.s in the city is not funny after a minute), and it's way too long. however, the cd rounds out nicely with 'the way you look tonight', a return to the mellow for air and very well produced. the live video is nice for all your air fans, and does the track ('people in the city') justice.

Average customer rating:

10,000 Hz Legend
Air
Manufacturer: Source
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000LYR7UQ

Average customer rating:

AIR's BEST ALBUM!!!!!
One of their most groundbreaking releases
Dreamy tenderness
Underated
Brilliant, Passionate, Strange Music

10,000 Hz Legend
Air
Manufacturer: Astralwerks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Ambient Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Premiers Symptomes
Moon Safari
The Virgin Suicides: Original Motion Picture Score
Talkie Walkie
Pocket Symphony

ASIN: B00005J7AN
Release Date: 2001-05-29

Tracks:

Electronic Performers
How Does It Make You Feel?
Radio #1
Vagabond - Air, Beck
Radian
Lucky and Unhappy
Sex Born Poison
People in the City
Wonder Milky Bitch
Don't Be Light
Caramel Prisoner

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

AIR's BEST ALBUM!!!!!.......2007-04-26

Critics didn't like this album at first. This is not one of, but Air's best album!

One of their most groundbreaking releases.......2007-03-03

Dreamy tenderness.......2006-07-30

Underated.......2006-07-01

Brilliant, Passionate, Strange Music.......2006-03-08

Average customer rating:

How Does It Make You Feel?

10,000 Hz Legend
Air
Manufacturer: EMI Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005HYIP
Release Date: 2001-05-23

Tracks:

Electronic Performers
How Does It Make You Feel
Radio #1
Vagabond
Radian
Lucky and Unhappy
Sex Born Poison
People in the City
Wonder Milky Bitch
Don't Be Light
Caramel Prisoner
Way You Look Tonight [*]

Album Description

Japanese edition of the highly anticipated second proper album from the Parisian duo includes one bonus track, 'The Way You Look Tonight' which is unavailable on any format for their first single, 'Radio #1'. 12 tracks in all.

Album Details

Japanese version featuring a bonus track: 'The Way You Look Tonight'.

Customer Reviews:

How Does It Make You Feel?.......2001-10-04

Me, it makes me feel light, it makes me feel flying. But it also makes me feel sad in some way.

This Air album is really something special. Even though this musical genre is usually NOT among what I appreciate and like listening to, I was impressed by Air from the first time I listened to it.

The song used for the title line of this review has its own atmosphere, its own soul. An avantgardistic composition and one of the highlights of '10 000 Hz Legend'. Along with the next track 'Radio #1', it has some 1970s electronic feel to it, and yet it's avantgarde.

But where you REALLY get to breathe Air is on 'The Vagabond'. Though the electronic base is kept, the harmonica and the acoustic guitar stand in the foreground! And the chorus is absolutely beautiful, making 'The Vagabond' this album's best song.

'Radian' is another wonderful example, and very symbolic for Air's music, of how synths and acoustic instruments like guitar or piano can create a symbiotic beauty. At the other end of the scale we find the purely synthed and nearly epic 'Sex Born Poison' - a mystical voyage into the orbit AND to the heart of what Air's music is all about.

The hit 'People In The City' gives connotations to the brilliant Air album 'The Virgin Suicides', as well as to 1970s/1980s synth bands, and is again a nice example of how vocals, synths and acoustic instruments can work together. I somehow see this song as a 2001 interpretation of Pet Shop Boys' 'West End Girls'...

And if you want to DANCE to Air, another single hit, 'Don't Be Light', is it!

OK, to be fAir, an entire album is not for someone who's in the mood for joyful music or easy listening. This music requires calm surroundings, and a little concentration. Once these are present, you will enjoy '10 000 Hz Legend'. A few songs less would have done the trick, since 11 of them makes it all a bit too cold and almost melancholic.

But do try some Air! Even if you tend to avoid too electronic music!

10,000 Hz Legend/Moon Safari/Premier Symptomes
Average customer rating:

Legend safari

10,000 Hz Legend/Moon Safari/Premier Symptomes
Air
Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00027X3KU
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

Modular Mix
Casanova 70
Les Professionals
J'ai Dormi Sous L'eau
le Soliel Est Pres De Moi
Californie
Alex Gopher 'Gordini Mix'

Tracks:

La Femme D'argent
Sexy Boy
All I Need
Kelly Watch The Stars
Talisman
Remember
You Make It Easy
Ce Metin La
New Star In The Sky
Le Voyage De Penelope

Tracks:

Electronic Performers
How Does It Make You Feel?
Radio Number 1
The Vagabond
Radian
Lucky And Unhappy
Sex Born Poison
People In The City
Wonder Milky Bitch
Don't Be Light
Caramel Prisoner

Album Description

Limited edition box-set combines the French electronica act's 2001 & 1998 albums with their 1999 compilation 'Premier Symptomes'. EMI.

Customer Reviews:

Legend safari.......2005-02-18

Air is one of those downtempo electronica bands who specialize in exquisitely pretty music. Now their earliest albums are gathered together in the three-pack that includes "10,000 Hz Legend," debut "Moon Safari" and early singles compilation "Premier Symptomes."

"Premier Symptomes" is a collection of Air's early singles; while it's only the length of an EP, it sounds longer. The original five songs are sweet, slow and languid, almost dreamy, and remarkably polished for a new band. Two extra songs are put on the American release, and while they don't quite mesh with the original five songs, they are fun and funky.

Their debut "Moon Safari" is the stuff of electronic legend -- pretty, fragile and airy, but with pop sensibilities and jazzy rhythms woven in. Listening to it is a bit like floating on a cloud. They include a few dancey fun numbers like "Sexy Boy," but Air seems to be solidly sitting in the clouds with their soothing, soft music.

"10,000 Hz Legend" broke away from the formula that made their debut such a roaring success. Their music suddenly became darker and moody, with echoes of prog rock and futuristic robot electronic. In other words, totally different as space-pop goes. Though this musical style didn't stick with Air, it's interesting to hear them experimenting.

The odd duck out here is "10,000 Hz Legend" -- "Premiers" and "Safari" mesh together almost seamlessly, which makes them perfect together. "10,000 Hz Legend" just doesn't fit in with them; its up-mix of electronica and lack of internal flow make it a whole different animal. You may like it, but it won't fit with the other two.

Despite that, all three are excellent works when taken on their own, whether they are offering darker electropop sung by a Mac or airy trip-hop. Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin (the two men who make up Air) puttered around with different moods, different sounds, and different ways of making music, and the results are (mostly) rewarding.

Air's first three albums are proof positive of their talents, whether making dark, eerie songs, funky pop or exquisite trippy electronica. Definitely worth getting.

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