Customer Reviews

Pocket Symphony

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I am happy with "Pocket Symphony". With their 2007 comeback album, the French duo has managed to combine their sound from "Talkie Walkie" with their earlier work, yielding an album that has a crisp electronic sound hovering lush ambient soundscapes in the best Air style ever.

Now, I must admit the first listen to it didn't quite sink in, and there are still (after numerous listens) tracks that I don't enjoy too much ("One Hell of a Party" and "Napalm Love" being the top two). But the rest of the album has so many GREAT moments that it is bound to offer listeners music for the ages. The opening and closing tracks are two such cases, which are among the best music to come out in 2007.

Ever since Air's instant-classic debut album, 1998's "Moon Safari", the French duo has sought to try and follow up to and meet that high standard. Their output since then has divided the fan base. I, for one, absolutely love the often-maligned 2001's "10,000 Hz Legend" album, but was disappointed with 2004's "Talkie Walkie" album. Now comes the new album.

"Pocket Symphony" (12 tracks, 48 min.) is as atmospheric as Air will get while not making a movie soundtrack. The instrumental opener "Space Maker" sets the stage. First single (in the UK--can you imagine Air getting a single released in the US?) "Once Upon a Time" is a beautiful dreamscape. Jarvis Cocker is the vocalist on "One Hell of a Party", which reminds me almost of cabaret-style music. Another instrumental "Mayfair Song" flowes into "Left Bank", bringing the duo back home. "Mer du Japon" ironically enough does not feature some of the Japanese sounds found on several other tracks here (such as the beautiful "Somewhere between Waking and Sleeping" and "Redhead Girl"), and in fact I find this song to be somehwat out of whack with the rest of the album. The instrumental closer "Night Shift" is the perfect ending to this album.

Is this album as good as "Moon Safari"? No, but Air may never be that good again, who knows. That said, "Pocket Symphony" is a fine album, which I have been enjoying ever since its release a few months ago. I happen to catch Air at Coachella in late April, and due to technical difficulties they only put on a brief set, which was very disappointing. I'd love to see them again in concert in better circumstances.

Air have definately taken a new direction with their latest release, 'Pocket Symphonies'. Abandoning the more 'lounge/pop' feel for a more lush and vibrant form of ambient/pop, 'Pocket Symphonies' is a soothing and totally captivating piece of work.

It does take a few listens to fully appreciate this one.. First you have to get use to the new vibe, then you have to listen to the album in its entirety to understand its low-key focus. This album is very minimalistic, focusing heavily on atmosphere and less on the pop tunes that formulated older albums. Most ambient albums tend to wander off into obscure territory, but Air keep everything relatively short and too the point; though nothing is too short, or too direct. There is just enough variety to keep you captivated, and enough soothing melody to keep your eyes closed and your brain completely tranquilized.

This is an absolutely stellar album to meditate, read, do homework, drive or just relax to. 'Pocket Symphonies' is definately one of the top albums to be released in '07 so far. Some are bound to lack appreciation of this album though, because it is not immediately accessable, and a bit more challanging than previous Air efforts. Reguardless, a stellar album in my book.

I just never really got grabbed by this album. Other than Mer du Japon, the songs were way to atmospheric. Some of Air's songs really grab me, but many don't. Nothing "catchy", but I can tell from the other reviews, many are quite happy with this.
:)

Air can be relied on to stick to a signature sound -- lush and dreamlike -- and still be able to wedge in a bit of new material.

In the case of "Pocket Symphony," they stick pretty much to the same formula as their previous release, "Talkie Walkie" -- sweet, slightly symphonic electropop that sounds like something to dream to Yeah, same ol'. Yet somehow that does't interfere with the enjoyability of this pretty, satiny music.

It opens with a hollow tapping and a soft acoustic riff melted into a piano melody. By the time the soft waves of synth kick in, the little melody is quietly hypnotic, as it expands into a shimmering little piano-synth epic... only to coil back up into its piano melody and hollow drumming.

That's "Space Maker," and it's only the warmup for the remaining songs. Air trips softly through a series of songs that are mainly gentle electropop, but with a few classical flourishes sprinkled throughout it. Piano, strings and a bit of horn all make their way into the music.

And they manage a few odd twists, which break the music out of its somnolent sound, and keep it from sounding monotonous -- rippling piano laced with twinkly synth, twisty synthpop, glitchy balladry, and an acoustic ballad or two with some soft keyboard. They even have the spare, twangy Asian-inspired sound of "One Hell of a Party."

Basically, "Pocket Symphony" has Air's trademark sound, which hasn't change substantially since the less soothing electronics of "10,000hz Legend," but they can spice it up with some unexpected twists and new sounds. Not a huge surprise, but very beautiful and soothing nonetheless.

The music itself is a shimmering weave of instrumentation and synth. The latter is pretty flexible, providing some ragged glitches, smooth waves, twiddles and twinkles. And it's wrapped around like a satin blanket over the soft guitar, a dash of horns and bells, and a sweep of soft strings just under the synth.

Not to mention that brilliant piano -- it can jab and ripple through the music. And the musicians have gained some new skills as well. Apparently Nicolas Godin learned to play some Japanese instruments, the koto and the shamisen, which add an exotic, angular edge to the smooth melodies.

"Pocket Symphony" doesn't go many new places, but it upholds Air's reputation for smooth, sophisticated electropop with the odd little moment of experimentation. Definitely a good listen.

Its also I really nice chill out album. To be honest, like most AIR CDs, a few tracks seemed effusive -almost cheesy- but after repeated listens they really grew on me. That being said I found 2,3, and 4 to be a little over the top at first. I have found the rest of the album, however, to be incredible from the very first listen.

I have always been impressed that AIR plays alot of their own instruments instead of just sampling everything - and their new introductions of Japanese instruments works wonderfully. Track 10 - Between waking and sleeping is my favorite.

Like another reviewer, I agree that its like Moon Safari. Its an experience that has to be 'ridden' the whole way through. Its less poppy though, more sauve, more introspective - even sexier in a dark hypnothesing kind of way.

Overall a great CD for doing school work, work work, driving, or simply laying back and actively listening.

Highly recommended

4.5/5.0

I have owned Pocket Symphony on CD for about 2 months now, and I have given it many listens. The first track to make itself noticed was Napalm Love, having an exotic appeal. I could have lied to myself and said that it was their best album at the time, but I didn't truely believe it, but now I know. The beauty lies deeper, much deeper, in fact it is very hard for me to access the true substance of the album on CD. I urge all of you who are either about to buy the album, or have already purchased the CD to buy the vinyl. Pocket Symphony could easily be compressed and fit onto one record, but it isn't. Air split up the album into 4-sides (2 records) which allows for the most open, ambient sounds. The bass sound is very open clear, when heard on the right medium, you'll NEVER go back. The vinyl has COMPLETELY changed the way I listen to Pocket Symphony, which by the way is a masterpiece! I give the CD 4 stars, but the vinyl 5!!!!

If you're looking for scintillating melodies and catchy grooves like those found on Talkie Walkie and Moon Safari, you won't find it here. What you will find are lush, soothing pieces that put one in a state of relaxation and sweep away the troubling thoughts of a cluttered mind. Many of us have been spoiled by Air's past triumphs, and in comparison albums like this and 10,000 Hz Legend may seem like dismal flops. However, for the patient listener there is something of value here - just not what we've come to expect from Air.

As a general FYI to all customers, US labels abandoned copy protection technology over a year ago. Several customers have complained about this record not loading in their computer. The disc features OpenDisc technology which is actually just a hidden weblink to an exclusive content area on the band's website. I think they are actually trying to ADD to the experience of buying the CD rather than taking anything away. I loaded my disc onto iTunes with no problem at all. I recommend you have iTunes open when you put the disc into your compuetr drive otherwise the Opendisc feature will launch first.
Musically, well, to me it is some of Air's finest compositions but maybe not their most pop-oriented. They have pretty much given up on the original sounds that brought them acclaim (Fender Rhodes, Moogs, etc) but instead they have matured into fine composers and they are still one of a kind. I appreciate them for that. Too bad your computers can't read them.

One good thing about air is they never stray away fron their signature sound. You can always count on them for cinematic lush soundscapes. My only problem with this new album is jarvis cocker on vocals. Airs fluffy music simply cant accomodate his rough voice. The album would flow much better without the use of male vocals. Overall the album is easy listening and worth the listen.