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Air - Pocket Symphony Audio CD

A fair review of the Air "Pocket Symphony" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Air reviews here, or go back to the Air tabs.

Air Band: Air
Title: Pocket Symphony
Rating:
Release Date: 2007-03-06
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Space Maker 2: Once Upon A Time 3: Hell Of A Party 4: Napalm Love 5: Mayfair Song 6: Left Bank 7: Photograph 8: Mer du Japon 9: Lost Message 10: Somewhere Between Waking And Sleeping 11: Redhead Girl 12: Night Sight

Different But Worthy Offering From The Chill Kings
It has a darker, more brooding sound and a bassy production that makes use of more exotic instruments. This album has a different sound from their seminal Moon Safari. It flows very well from start to finish, and the cohesive production creates an otherworldly feel that transports the listener into the world of Air. They have a knack for accentuating music with simple, yet evocative riffs and themes from a variety of soft instruments that move without jolting.

This is more for chill enthusiasts though. People expecting anything else might be disappointed because the music is that different. Where Moon Safari has a melancholy, uplifting sound throughout, this entry alternates between menacing, driving and brooding. A great listen though and it gets better and better with more listens.

I prefer the second half of the album. Starting with Left Bank, the music becomes deeper and more engaging. It's not that the first half is bad, the 2nd half just draws me in more. Highlights:

Space Maker
Left Bank
Mer Du Japon
Lost Message
Somewhere Between Waking And Sleeping

Highly Recommended

.


Drab
It would have been better if it rocked more like their previous albums. This album is very drab and downtempo. Air needs to rock more.


Pocket Sized
It's probably unfair to compare POCKET SYMPHONY to MOON SAFARI; MOON SAFARI being probably the most influential and well loved ambient album of the last decade and possibly even longer. It's hard to write a review of anything ambient/electronic/trip hop (and especially an album by Air) without getting into a discussion of the genius level quality of Air's best album Moon Safari. After all, even a band with icon status like U2 produced some poor albums--Pop for example. After all, even a relatively uninspired album from a solid group like Air is worth the time to listen to.

All that said, this not Air's finest album, and it probably ranks as my least favorite in their collection (their bizarre cooperative effort with an Italian novelist is awful, but not really an album either). It is a slow-burn of an album with many tracks that never resolve. It is missing a driving rhythm and attention to melody that makes their better stuff so riveting. "Somewhere between waking and sleeping" is a great example of the problem with this album: dreamy ambient without anything compelling to latch unto.

There are a few solid tracks that I actually quite like. "Napalm Love," is strange and oddly lovely. "Mayfair Song," reminds me a bit of their excellent The Virgin Suicides OST. "Space Maker" has an interesting sense of style, melancholic vibe, and percussion that makes the song. It's not that there are no good tracks on the album, only that they've got to be mined from a rather uninspired whole.

2. 5/5 Stars. If you're a serious Airhead you should buy the album. If on the other hand you're only passively interested in Air or ambient, get their much better MOON SAFARI, THE VIRGIN SUICIDES OST, or even Talkie Walkie. Each is a much better place to start (or expand) your exposure to Air. .


The best chill cd around
This album however is different and not for everyone, even some Air fans. I started to listen to Air around Moon Safari and have always loved their electronic pop. It is very mellow and relaxed, however if you are patient and just relax and enjoy this music it is great fill music. I listened to this all last summer and the summer before, I plan to do the same this summer. It is great to listen to with the wind blowing in your hair, or laying out in the sun, that put me to sleep. The truth is it is rather boring, but not everything is Coldplay or Spoon, not everything has to be catchy music. Music can produce many different feelings and atmospheres we do not need to limit to music that gets us dancing or singing. Air produced a very mature album and I hope they continue to create great albums. .


3 1/2 stars. Listenable, but not their best.
While there were no bad tracks, I didn't find anything (except Mer du Japon) that excited me as much as Premiers Symptomes. I listened to the entire album over on Lala. 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. .


You can see a complete list of all Air discography, or go back to the Air tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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