In Praise of Airports

Ambient 1: Music for Airports, that is.

Brian Eno's 1978 recording literally coined the term "ambient" as it pertains to music, and actually was intended to be played as a continuous loop in airports in an effort to defuse the often tense, impersonal feel of the terminal. Four tracks, 42 minutes and 20 seconds of alternately sparse and lush "melody," for lack of a better term. Music that grabs at you without ever really grabbing on, in the same way that being in an airport isn't really being anywhere. Transient calm, if that makes sense.

I have probably listened to this more than any other record I own. I have the LP, a CD, a version played by an entire band (Bang on a Can) as opposed to the studio assembly of the original, and a live version by the same band. Those last two are particularly interesting, as they required the band to figure out the score--it didn't exist in a written format.

Ultimately, though, it is the music that matters. Track one is a simple interlocking piano melody, notes that repeat continuously, always seeming to arrive at a resolution, but never quite making it. Track two is vocal, a gorgeous wash of "ahhhhh" that twists and turns back on itself. Track three combines elements of tracks one and two. But track four is what you wait for, as it may be one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever created. I can only describe it as the sound of the universe turning out the lights, saying goodnight, and going to sleep.

Enjoy.