Album Reviews

Based on this uneven, less than memorable effort by Jean-Benoit Dunckel (who calls himself Darkel here), the whole is greater than the sum of the parts of the French minimalist electronica duo known as Air. With his partner Nicolas Godin, Mr. Dunckel produces some of the most arresting, three -dimensional, self contained electronic and acoustic soundscapes you’re likely to experience.

Moon Safari, Talkie Walkie and especially the psychedelic Pink Floyd-ish soundtrack to Sofia Coppola’s film “The Virgin Suicides,” present a musically eclectic and sonically sophisticated picture of the duo’s collaborative effort. Left on his own, Mr. Dunckel has pop star intentions but his efforts fall flat as the songs are mostly shallow musically and lyrically trite.

There are a few worthwhile efforts, but not enough to justify a recommendation to buy, even if you’re a big fan of Air. Much of this sounds like scraps left over from previous efforts that failed. Some of it sounds like bad disco-pop, which is something Air manages to avoid, while flirting close to the edge.

Meanwhile if you are unfamiliar with Air, it’s easy to recommend Talkie Walkie (American AstralWerks 96600 1 LP) for it’s exquisite, delicate sonics and soothing, magical, inviting atmospherics. Nigel Godrich provided additional recordings at Ocean Way and mixed it there, if that helps indicate the quality. Bob Ludwig mastered (but not the LP, which was cut by A-nonymous). Many Air aficionados prefer the earlier Moon Safari (French Virgin V2848 LP). If you like one, you’ll want the other as well as the moodier The Virgin Suicides (American Astralwerks ASW 48848 REC-1 LP). Get those, pass on this unless you’re an Air completest.