No Way Down [Import]

Air France | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: 101 DISTRIBUTION
• ASIN: B001AI6ZMS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,090 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Air France use elements of both Balearic and pop to create their sumptuous, sincere fantasy world. In that respect, Air France's No Way Down-- currently import-only outside of Sweden except as 320 kbps mp3s-- is reminiscent of the Avalanches' dazzlingly great Since I Left You, another record that finds wide-eyed delight in silly stuff like truth, beauty, and fun, as well as Jens Lekman's Night Falls Over Kortedala and the Tough Alliance's A New Chance. It imagines an impossibly idyllic place through sounds that probably could never have been performed that way in real life. Though it's been said, many times, many ways: Welcome to paradise. --Marc Hogan - Pitchfork

Product Description

CD EP from the Swedish. This release is a delight, combining the immaculate Scando-Pop of Club 8 with the blissful easy listening samples of Jens Lekman, throwing in the best of St. Etienne along the way for good measure. 'Collapsing At Your Doorstep' is a thing to be marveled at, condensing an entire summer's worth of unadulterated joy into a single Pop song, stitched together with rough, grainy plunderphonics and waifish C86-style lead vocals. Six tracks.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Flying high with Air France May 2, 2009

By Nse Ette TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Air France are a Swedish duo and "No way down" is their second EP. Comprising relaxing ambient electronic soundscapes especially displayed on three instrumentals, opening cut the ominous sounding "Maundy thursday" (could be used on the soundtrack to some thriller), the simply stunning guitar festooned title track "No way down" (which incorporates whistling and crowd sounds to charming effect), and closing cut the tinkling piano-driven "Windmill wedding" (with a lovely acoustic break).

Comprising just six tracks, the other three have an ever so light Dance feel; "June evenings" (with some airy sounding female), "Collapsing at your doorstep", and the delightful string-swathed "No excuses" (with some spoken French), all three featuring some vocals.

Their style reminds me of french pair Air or Norwegian pair Röyksopp (it seems great electronic music these days is made by duos?). Sparkling and refreshing. Shame it's only 6 songs.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great EP September 24, 2008

By J. Schnaidt

Format:Audio CD

It's got a great sound, it's not missing anything, and it's not working too hard to do what it needs to do. Great vocals thrown in with excellent samples, guitar, bass, and house-oriented drumwork/synths. There's an element of dance but it's not the kind of music you get up and thrash to like Justice; sit down with some headphones and relax with this, or take it on your way to work to clear your head. Even at its hardest moments it still feels pretty gentle to the ears - i.e. the strings in "No Excuses".

If you like Panda Bear but you're a bit turned off by the oversampling, check this out. Last couple of songs are a little disappointing, but only because the first 4 are so strong.

I'm looking forward to the LP...not sure if it's in the works yet but as far as I know they have 2 EPs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Idyllic Trip to Ibiza October 2, 2009

By M. Schindler

Format:Audio CD

Like a warm summer breeze washing over you this album transports you to a bliss state. This album is the soundtrack for a trip to Ibiza on a yacht with a beautiful woman. Many of the melodies are at a horses gallop pace and have a playful/joyous appeal which inspire nods of the head, tapping of the feet etc. Just a pleasant, although short sonic vacation to paradise. Highly recommended.