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Album Reviews
Album Review: Air France – No Way Down (Something In Construction)
By CMU Editorial | Published on Monday 23 March 2009
It might be a cold and wet January but Stockholm’s Air France would almost have you believe it’s the final days of August as they soundtrack the late Summer comedown. Influences range from the original, non-conventional indie of fellow Swedes Jens Lekman and The Tough Alliance and electronica of ‘Screamadelica’-era Primal Scream and Avalanches. Opening track ‘Maundy Thursday’ sets the tone, a building instrumental track that incorporates sampled brass and intermittent piano; its effect drowsy and hypnotic. This typifies the place from which Air France’s sound comes; an idyllic environment that probably never existed but inspires them regardless. ‘Collapsing At Your Doorstep’, one of Pitchfork’s singles of 2008 wears the influence of Avalanches more than anything else; a repeated spoken word mantra of “It’s all like a dream, isn’t it? No, better” is heard over a minimalist opening before a sudden rush of energy with frantic piano and percussion; the track then alternates between contrasting sounds. ‘No Excuses’ employs vocal samples from French films and an urgent string section at its heart, contrasting sharply with the track that immediately follows, ‘No Way Down’, a track which sounds as if influenced by Chicago House and could easily have been spun at the Hacienda in the late 80s. ‘No Way Down’ is certainly an impressive record, informed by two completely different musical styles but settling on an agreeable balance between the two. KW
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