Pocket Symphony

Artist: Air
Label: Astralwerks
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 094638376125
EAN: 0094638376125
ASIN: B000KGGEUE

Release Date: 2007-03-06

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Tracks:

Space Maker
Once Upon A Time
Hell Of A Party
Napalm Love
Mayfair Song
Left Bank
Photograph
Mer du Japon
Lost Message
Somewhere Between Waking And Sleeping
Redhead Girl
Night Sight

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Customer Reviews:

Pocket-sized symphonies can be nice..........2007-03-22

One thing I can tell you about Air's fourth non-soundtrack/comp LP is that it's not really a "first listen" album. Sure, it's way more consistent than "10,000 Hz. Legend," but it's also not as poppy and catchy as "Talkie Walkie" or as immediate as "Moon Safari." This isn't one of the more happier albums from the band, but it isn't a totally dark one either, unlike the "Virgin Suicides" score. The record takes a few listens to get into it but I think that it is totally worth it. Combined with the production, some of the songs here are amazing. Having Jarvis Cocker guest on here was something that worked in his favor; his vocals complement the songs very well. The JB-sung tracks are okay, but one thing I've always felt with Air is that the instrumentals are usually the most important thing in their music. My favorite songs here are "One Hell of a Party," "Lost Message," and "Between Waking and Sleeping." I recommend it, although maybe not so much as a starting point.

Sadly Dissapointed.......2007-03-21

I'm a huge fan of Air but this album left a lot to be desired. It's not a total loss but lacks a lot of the Air flair. The album seems to all run together into one song. There's not much to distinguish one song from the next. Air has again captured their unique sound and you'd have no problem recognizing the music as Air's creation, but I think they moved towards more publically acceptable sounds. Are they selling out to popularity...I doubt it, I just think they missed it this time around. The two most notable things are as follows: 1. As I said above, there's nothing to distinguish one song from another, they all sound very similar to me. 2. They lost the use of their brilliant driftiness within each song. Meaning that each song seems very structured, not allowing any momentary breaks within the songs that used to send us into a short electronic daydream before bringing us back down to earth and finishing the song.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that they've lost a lot of the querky and spacey electronic substance that was so powerful in 10K Hertz and Talkie Walkie.

a dream come true.......2007-03-20

The latest from Air is amazing! I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome and can't stop playing it. It's dreamy and mellow and less electronic than their other releases. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. "Once upon a time", "Photograph", "Somewhere between waking and sleeping", and "Mer du Japon" are some stand out hits. Oh Air, how I love you so! :)

Between waking and sleeping.......2007-03-17

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.

How tough is your love?.......2007-03-16

How tough is my love? For Air, not very. They have managed to etch a soft spot in my heart for almost a decade, and this new release doesn't disappoint. Though a bit more acoustic and somber in approach, this is another solid effort by Air with all of the familiarities and just enough surprise to stay interesting. The guest vocals in this one have been substantially criticized, but I think they work well and provide a superb finish to the album. My only complaint would be that it follows a tad too closely in the footsteps of Talkie Walkie, where previous new Air releases have been greater departures from their prior efforts (10,000hz Legend especially). But despite the recycled sounds and ideas here and there, this is definitely a solid effort for any Air fan to enjoy. Everything is well-executed and polished, the audio quality is fantastic, and Air fans are sure to enjoy their favorite trademarks: hip campiness, subtle sophistication, soothing vibes, memorable melodies. In a nutshell: It's a worthy new Air release and little more, but certainly nothing less.

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