Air - Pocket Symphony

3 1/2 stars. Listenable, but not their best.

I listened to the entire album over on Lala. While there were no bad tracks, I didn't find anything (except Mer du Japon) that excited me as much as Premiers Symptomes. Granted, Air has moved on to a different style. Apparently it is a style that I don't like as much. For one, if they're going to have lyrics, they need to find a better lyricist. Second, the synthesized vocals sound like an emasculated (i.e. castrated) man. I have nothing against castrati personally, but the sound does not appeal to me in pop music. Finally, the compositions themselves, while many are pleasant dreamy tracks that may inspire daydreams and induce calm, did not hold my attention. Perhaps there is some musical subtlety that I'm missing, but I don't think so.

It all depends on what you're looking for. I think I will buy Talkie Walkie, which isn't perfect, but has a greater number of quality tracks that draw me back to them again and again. As for this new CD, I believe I will pass. However, if your tastes trend toward ambient music, this may have more appeal for you. June 9, 2008

Oh dear

I was hoping for some more of the same fluent funky yet sultry smooth jazz but unfortunately got a bunch of pots and pans being banged together. I tried listening to it a dozen times but couldn't bear myself to listen any more. I have since disposed of the CD. What a shame. April 8, 2008

Decent but rather dull!

I own most of Air's cds and would say this latest effort sounds alittle lifeless flat and uninspired. Its a decent rainy night listen but there seems to be a pretty sharp downturn in production and in overall songwriting. Many of the songs sound the same - the piano is used alot but played rather lethargic. The first track was pretty good as are the guest vocalist tracks but atleast half the album sounds like ambient brian eno-esque bsides. Ive given it a chance and do play it at night but find myself not really paying attention to most of it. You could do worse but for Air this is a rather tepid affair. January 12, 2008

Not their best, but still a worthy purchase

I only got into Air this year, after the endless comparisons to Zero 7 (whom I've been enjoying since 2005) pushed my curiosity over the edge. This is the 6th CD of theirs that I have purchased.

Space Maker is an awesome song, the best on the CD. It's a wonderful crescendo, but it builds up to something that never happens. Shame too, because this track could be the perfect opener for any CD of this genre. Not that the album is bad by any means, but comparing it to Moon Safari or Talkie Walkie makes it seem wanting.

Once Upon a Time is a beautiful track also. "No time before it's too soon, no time after it's too late," almost a haunting reflection of our extremely short lives on this old and ongoing world.

It seems that some are not thrilled with One Hell of a Party, and to be honest, I wasn't either at first. But as I listened to it more, and caught the Japanese undertones, I began to relate the song symbolically to the bombing of Hiroshima, and not literally as a hangover. If you listen to it with that context in mind, it may well have a stronger effect on you.

Mayfair Song, Somewhere Between Waking and Sleeping (somber, scary song about death), and Redhead Girl are the other tracks I like a lot. Napalm Love and Photograph just seemed out of place.

Alone in Koyoto (from Walkie) spoiled me, I guess. It would be hard for anyone to follow up with a better closing track, so Night Sight just didn't serve as a spellbinding ending.

I give it 4 stars nonetheless, because when it's good, it's damn good, and definitely worth owning if you love Air. December 26, 2007

Pocket Symphony; CD may be the wrong medium for you.

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!!!! November 2, 2007

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