AIR
THE VIRGIN SUICIDES
ALBUM RECORD MAKERS, VIRGIN RELEASE: FEBRUARY 14, 2000 REVIEW: FEBRUARY 4, 2000


The film "The Virgin Suicides" stems from Jeffrey Eugenides cult novel about the tragic story of five Lisbon sisters.
While writing the script, director Sofia Coppola listened endlessly to the French duo Air's first album "Moon Safari". Later, when the filming was finished she approached the band, asking them to write the soundtrack for it. Air said yes and got two months to complete the whole motion picture score, while the film was edited.
The outcome is now compiled on a 40-minute CD with 13 pieces of lovely and flowing music.
The album is not only working as a score should - complementing and intensifying the feeling of the pictures - but also as a brilliant soundtrack for your own daily life. You can easily let it be a part of your environment when you're pottering around the house, as well as you can sit down and dedicate yourself entirely to it.
Since the film takes place in the mid-70's, Air has chosen to base their work on organ, bass and drums, but they are - musically - still somewhere in the same dimension of minimalistic French electro music as they've been before.
There are admittedly no hits on "The Virgin Suicides" similar to “Sexy Boy” and “Kelly Watch the Stars” on the debut. But especially the last song "Suicide Underground" - one of three tracks non-instrumentals - makes a lasting, and certainly moving impression anyway. In a slightly distorted and pitched down voice you are told the fatal tale that are the fundament of both the film and the soundtrack. It captivates and remains for a long time in the back of your head...

SUSSI PETTERSSON