Review Summary: A beautiful landmark album in ambient music
The genesis of "ambient" music dates back to the early 20th century when composers like Satie were creating a more minimalist approach to classical music. "Gymnopédie No.1" is a good example of this with it's slow, delicate, spacious melody, and was referred to at the time as "furniture music"(background music) by Satie. It was not until the 70's that Brian Eno was credited with coining the term "ambient music", and sought about creating his own sound through synthesizers and various studio techniques such as tape looping. Eno of course wasn't the first artist to experiment with tape manipulation. Many artists including The Beatles, Stockhausen, Reich and the pioneering Terry Riley were experimenting years before Eno incorporated such techniques into his own vision.
Music For Airports is first in a series of four ambient albums that Eno created. The beauty of the album is not only with music, but with how it can be listened to, with full attention or letting it wash over you subconsciously. Listening to the album in an airport you clearly feel what Eno was trying to achieve. "1/1" gently glides with simple piano and synths that wrap around the electric piano. The dreamy, stark nature of the piece is beautiful and you get lost in atmosphere Eno created. The same can be said with regard to "2/1". A vocal only piece that has a sublime lush sound that fades in and out at various times throughout.
"1/2" is the start of the second side that continues with the looping vocals and has light piano playing from Robert Wyatt. Interesting like the previous "2/1", the vocals intermingle four tracks that loop back on themselves, which creates different time changes when the vocals enter at each pass. The piano is played in little flourishes with the vocal rising in and out throughout the track like on "2/1". The closing piece "2/2", has a synth sound reminiscent of a french horn, that gives the sound of a more minimalist classical feel, along with the soundscapes. A sense of peace is created within the music, which like the first of the album, is breathtaking.
Music For Airports is a hypnotic and ethereal work. Through the music, Eno evokes a place of calmness, that is wonderful to listen to when watching the world go by. It's music you get immersed in. A truly, beautiful timeless classic.
