10 000 Hz Legend is the second studio album by French electronic music duo Air, released in France on 28 May 2001 by Virgin Records and in the United States on 29 May 2001 by Astralwerks. On this album, tracks are longer and more electronic-oriented than on their previous records. These experimentations find the duo expanding their capacities and working with other artists including Beck and suGar Yoshinaga of Buffalo Daughter.
The album artwork was produced by Ito Morabito. It features Monument Valley, located on the Arizona–Utah border.
Critical reception
10 000 Hz Legend received generally less favourable reviews from critics than had their previous albums; however, Q listed 10 000 Hz Legend as one of the 50 best albums of 2001. Most reviewers were dissatisfied on the group's departure from the sound of 1998's Moon Safari, although the soundtrack album The Virgin Suicides (2000) had a similar mood and sound.
The American music website Stereogum takes its name from the lyrics of the song "Radio #1".
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from the liner notes of 10 000 Hz Legend.
Musicians
Air – arrangements Brian Reitzell – drums ; drum sounds Justin Meldal-Johnsen – bass ; solo vocals ; drum sound Roger Joseph Manning Jr – keyboards ; vocals Beck Hansen – vocals ; harmonica Jason Falkner – vocals Ken Andrews – vocals Buffalo Daughter – vocals Lisa Papineau – vocals Jean Croc – whistle Elin Carlson – solo soprano Barbara Cohen – voice Corky Hale – harp Julia Sarr – background vocals Olyza – background vocals Thomas – hand claps Annabel – hand claps Jean-Benoît Dunckel – hand claps Roger Neill – string, choir and flute conducting, arrangements
Technical Air – recording, production Julien Marty – sound engineering Julien Doubey – sound engineering Pascal Garnon – drum recording Brian Kehew – sound engineering Bruce Keen – sound engineering, editing Tony Hoffer – additional production, editing, mixing Julien Delfaud – mixing assistance Nilesh Patel – mastering Stéphane Elfassi – executive production Marc Teissier du Cros – executive production
Artwork Abake – Air logo, layout Ora-Ïto – concept, design Arno Bani – photography
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for 10 000 Hz Legend Chart (2001) Peakposition European Albums (Music & Media) 8 Japanese Albums (Oricon) 86
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for 10 000 Hz Legend Chart (2001) Position UK Albums (OCC) 195
Certifications and sales
References