Pocket Symphony

Air | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: March 5, 2007
• Release Date: March 6, 2007
• Label: CAROLINE ASTRALWERKS - CAT
• Copyright: (C) 2007 Aircheology license exclusive Virgin Music une division EMI Music France
• Total Length: 52:29
• Genres:
• ASIN: B000SXJGD6
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,884 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of 2007: Grows on you, March 22, 2007

By 

Manny Hernandez "@askmanny" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Pocket Symphony (Audio CD)

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sit back and enjoy... (not for anyone in a hurry), June 4, 2007

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pocket Symphony (Audio CD)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, April 11, 2007

By 

Avernus "Ogne Speranza, Voi Ch'intrante" (Weatherford, TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pocket Symphony (Audio CD)

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.