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Darkel
by
Darkel Image
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

  • Summary: 'Darkel' marks the solo debut for Air's JB Dunckel.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Prefix Magazine
    80
    What Darkel does offer is more of a good thing: songs that sound like the follow-up to Moon Safari, if Air weren't so progressive.
  2. AllMusic
    70
    Sometimes Darkel seems in danger of floating away on its flights of fancy, suggesting that Godin gives some of Dunckel's more whimsical ideas some grounding when they work together as Air. Nevertheless, this is a lovely working holiday, full of songs as shimmery and delicate as bubbles, and their slightness doesn't make them any less enjoyable.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    The whiff of soft-rock schmaltz is occasionally close to overpowering. [16 Sep 2006, p.36]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Stylus Magazine
    50
    When Dunckel moves away from pop immediacy, the results are often puzzling.
  5. Pitchfork
    47
    Even when Dunckel stays closer to type, here he usually relies on unremarkable downtempo beats to support unfortunate space-hippie mewlings.
  6. musicOMH.com
    40
    Sometimes moody, sometimes optimistic, this doesn’t feel sure of what it wants to be and instead feels a little like an Air outtakes album.
  7. Delusions of Adequacy
    30
    The lack of complexity, tension, and propulsion in most of these songs is a big disappointment because the soundscapes are not grand and glorious enough to overcome the simplistic musical lines and repetitive nature of the lyrics.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. baronbaron
    Sep 21, 2006
    10
    This album is so much fun! Super gay, but lots of fun.
  2. patip
    Dec 14, 2006
    9
    i know that not everybody liked it. but when you are a strong fan of Air, you can notice that this album is what it would be a step forward i know that not everybody liked it. but when you are a strong fan of Air, you can notice that this album is what it would be a step forward in Air's sound, if they published a new work. please, hear it with more attention. it sounds strange, maybe kitsch, but not exactly repeating Air. really! ... uh, Sorry.. i love this album ;0). pati from Mexico City… Expand
  4. PatricioE
    Dec 27, 2006
    9
    I think its a great work, if u are a big fan of air, you can notice the influence he has on air´s music, the complete album is very I think its a great work, if u are a big fan of air, you can notice the influence he has on air´s music, the complete album is very relaxing, perfect for a rainy afternoon!! greetings from monterrey, mexico.… Expand
  5. Dan
    Sep 21, 2006
    8
    Maybe I'm just a total "Air"head, but Darkel makes me happy. It is at the very least a nice hold-over until another Air album, but I Maybe I'm just a total "Air"head, but Darkel makes me happy. It is at the very least a nice hold-over until another Air album, but I think it holds up on it's own.… Expand
  6. mikes.
    Sep 21, 2006
    7
    Darkel is a pleasant surprise, and i'd say its on par with other Air albums. I'd disagree with most of the reviews thus far on this Darkel is a pleasant surprise, and i'd say its on par with other Air albums. I'd disagree with most of the reviews thus far on this site. Album is lush, dreamy pop music; and is t more focused than the last 2 Air albums. It's not as ambitious, but in a good way. Darkel seems like a comfortable fit for the this air member's solo debut and is refreshing, fun, and gentle at the same time.… Expand
  7. AlexA
    Nov 12, 2006
    6
    For Air fans only.
  8. JD
    Oct 4, 2006
    3
    The first track "Be My Friend" is fantastic. If the album kept this sort of sound and quality for the other 9 tracks, we'd have a winner The first track "Be My Friend" is fantastic. If the album kept this sort of sound and quality for the other 9 tracks, we'd have a winner here. Unfortunately, the other 9 tracks are aimless boring meandering bland exercises of empty-headed wankery. Also of note, only the first track consists of any decent synthwork, the rest of the album is mostly piano and guitar. This is just a boring ego-trip, don't waste your money. Darkel is absolutely NOT Air quality material. Is Godin the real Air?… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

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