Dave Chamberlain

It's become quite clear that the French duo that composes Air, Jean Benoit-Dunckel and Nicholas Godin, won't likely surpass the dreamy sweetness of their 1998 debut, "Moon Safari." Nor will they even approach the electro-pop perfection of their compiled singles, "Premiers Symptomes." But with the band's latest, "Talkie Walkie," Air at least returns to what they do best after a stint (read: one record) of overly garbled experimentalism. Though "Talkie" is best absorbed as a whole to allow the shimmering, ethereal pop to wash over you, the clear standouts on the record equal the depth of Air's prior efforts. "Cherry Blossom Girl," with its melancholy hook, orchestrated arrangements and touched-up, manipulated vocals was the "hit" from the record, and deservedly so. But the last track, "Alone in Kyoto," a song written for the score of Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Translation," proves the duo to be superior songwriters; like the film, there's an aura of bitterness and bewilderment to the acoustic-led narrative, but in the same respect, a little peak of sunshine appears from deep inside the fold. The track won't ever break into the clubs (like much of Air's work), and nor will it sell records in and of itself. But it's a revealing look into the maturation of a band defined by the candied sweetness of electronic pop, and a tangible look at its possible, organically propelled future.

Air plays April 20 at the Riviera Theatre, Broadway and Lawrence, (773)275-6800.

(2004-04-14)

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