Number 13! Unlucky for some – which includes me, because I’ve
come down with a stinking cold!
That means, this is a perfect time to try out something
new! As you may know (if you’ve read any of my previous blogs) I usually review
each song separately, and it makes the post very long. Well – this time, I’m
going to listen to the album, and then write a review about the whole thing all
together, then mentioning separate songs in places.
It means it won’t be as long, which means it won’t take me
as long to write it, and won’t take you as long to read it!
So….let’s get this party started!
I’ve been listening to ‘Moon
Safari’ by Air.
The artwork for this album really stood out for me – with
it’s bold colours and quirky drawing style. Also the fact there seems to be a
zombie convict in the background, and that they’ve put “FRENCH BAND” next to the name – just to make sure that you
don’t mistake them for being English, because god forbid if anyone did!
The blue in the background
reminds me of the art movement; De Stijl,
where artists painted large blocks of solid colour. But then this is a lot more
abstract and untidy, and uses blues and greens whereas in De Stijl, they used mostly reds, yellows and whites (which I guess
is just blank canvas). They also used straight black lines to create the blocks
of colour – which now-a-days seems really simple, but in the early 1900’s was
out of this world and very controversial. Today, anyone could go on Paint and
recreate the exact same pieces of art. But back then, they only had real paint – not a computer program. So
they had to carefully draw a perfectly straight 2m long line in black paint.
However, after educating you in
what De Stijl is. I can now tell you
this isn’t anything like it. If De Stijl
was meant to stand for peace and order. This stands for anarchy and disorder.
Which then leads back to the
zombie convict.
Anyway – enough about the cover –
I want to listen to music!!
This whole album is very chilled out and laid back – the first song ‘La Femme D'Argent’ proves that instantly! With it’s very ethereal sounds from synths and bass guitars – it’s the definition of ‘chill’.
This whole album is very chilled out and laid back – the first song ‘La Femme D'Argent’ proves that instantly! With it’s very ethereal sounds from synths and bass guitars – it’s the definition of ‘chill’.
I’m getting cold listening to it…that’s how chill it
is!
It’s also one of those songs that a lot of people will
listen to and go “Oh….I’ve heard that
somewhere before!”. Because I certainly have! No idea where though. I think
it’s one of those many laid back songs that they over use in TV adverts as
background music. Probably for a bank or something.
In fact I think a lot of these songs are on adverts. The next song; ‘Sexy Boy’ definitely is. I think this one is more of a perfume advert….or a car.
Like when Renault went through it’s awesome advert phase – I’m sure 80% of people reading this know what I’m talking about.
If not, go to Youtube and type in…………dammit – it’s Citroen. Ok. Go to Youtube and type in ‘Citroen robot dance’ – watch it, and then come back and keep reading.
In fact I think a lot of these songs are on adverts. The next song; ‘Sexy Boy’ definitely is. I think this one is more of a perfume advert….or a car.
Like when Renault went through it’s awesome advert phase – I’m sure 80% of people reading this know what I’m talking about.
If not, go to Youtube and type in…………dammit – it’s Citroen. Ok. Go to Youtube and type in ‘Citroen robot dance’ – watch it, and then come back and keep reading.
See! Advert used to be great!
Ok, now type in ‘Renault shaking’
Ok, now type in ‘Renault shaking’
Ah I could do this all day!
But I won’t – but, if you took part in that exercise,
you’ll see what I mean.
I also think a couple of these songs were used in films as background music, but I can’t be sure – and right now can’t be bothered to research it for a few hours. Also, it’s nice to have a bit of mystery in life every once and a while!
If I knew every film this music was in, it wouldn’t be a surprise when I watch the film and hear the music. So where’s the fun in that?!
I also think a couple of these songs were used in films as background music, but I can’t be sure – and right now can’t be bothered to research it for a few hours. Also, it’s nice to have a bit of mystery in life every once and a while!
If I knew every film this music was in, it wouldn’t be a surprise when I watch the film and hear the music. So where’s the fun in that?!
This whole album is very 90’s sounding….which is a
stupid thing to say considering it’s from the 90’s, but that’s how obvious it
is!
It’s very Moby / Fatboy Slim / Groove Armada. With an almost entirely synthetic sound, with only a handful of ‘proper’ instruments – but I like it!
Music isn’t just about how well you can play an instrument or how well you can sing. It’s making beautiful sounds with what you have!
And in this case – it’s a computer and synthesizer, with the odd bass, guitar, piano, drums and other little bits.
I actually think the most acoustic sounding song is ‘Ce Matin La’, and that’s only because the whole song is pretty much just an orchestra. It starts off with a few weird submarine sounds, but is soon taken over by a flock of violins and a horn. Just 1.
It’s very Moby / Fatboy Slim / Groove Armada. With an almost entirely synthetic sound, with only a handful of ‘proper’ instruments – but I like it!
Music isn’t just about how well you can play an instrument or how well you can sing. It’s making beautiful sounds with what you have!
And in this case – it’s a computer and synthesizer, with the odd bass, guitar, piano, drums and other little bits.
I actually think the most acoustic sounding song is ‘Ce Matin La’, and that’s only because the whole song is pretty much just an orchestra. It starts off with a few weird submarine sounds, but is soon taken over by a flock of violins and a horn. Just 1.
The lone hornsman.
Tooting through the night.
‘New Star in
the Sky’
is also mostly acoustic – and has a guitar part at the beginning which sounds strangely
uncannily like ‘Space Oddity’. It
even has the same ‘pings’ and windy noise! I swear it could actually go
straight into the song at any point!
Ok – I think it’s actually the second part to Space Oddity. That’s the only
explanation. Even so, David Bowie should’ve sued the crap out of them for it!
If Led Zepplin can be sued for 4 chords in one of the most iconic songs ever written, then Mr Bowie could’ve said “they took my song and removed the vocals, and now claim it as theirs” – none of this “THOSE ARE OUR CHORDS!” bollocks. I mean, how many nice sounding chords can you play on a guitar?
If Led Zepplin can be sued for 4 chords in one of the most iconic songs ever written, then Mr Bowie could’ve said “they took my song and removed the vocals, and now claim it as theirs” – none of this “THOSE ARE OUR CHORDS!” bollocks. I mean, how many nice sounding chords can you play on a guitar?
I swear it’s only like 10…
Overall, I really enjoyed listening to this song. It
was nostalgic in places because I remember hearing a couple of songs somewhere
before.
It’s a nice mixture of instrumental and electronic, and
a really great choice of instruments at that! Saxophone, violin, bass, guitar
and of course…BONGOS!
5 STARS! *****
10/10!
WOULD LISTEN TO AGAIN!
Do you agree/disagree with
anything I said? Like / dislike the review? Any constructive criticisms?
Please leave a comment below! Would love to hear from you. Also, if you
have any recommendations of albums I should listen to and review (as long as
the artwork is awesome), let me know.
Thanks for reading, keep tuned
for the next blog.
I will be reviewing another single as I’ve been busy moving house - I might also go back to my old way of reviewing...don't know, let me know what you think!
Don’t forget to check out my
website, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube below.
I’m doing these blogs alongside
my better half; Fern Teather – she is listening to a new album (doesn’t matter about the artwork, she’s trying to expand her musical knowledge
and listen to new artists!). She’s also keeping a blog, and it’s nowhere near
as long as this one, so go give it a read!!
Check it out here: 52-albums.blogspot.com
Check it out here: 52-albums.blogspot.com
Hopefully blog you all soon!
Sam
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