Released in early 2007, POCKET SYMPHONY finds Air once again working with outside singers, as the French electronica duo did on '01's 10,000 HZ LEGEND. This time around, the guests are British vocalists Neil Hannon (aka the Divine Comedy) and Jarvis Cocker (formerly of Pulp), with the latter lending his signature droll charm to the woozy "One Hell of a Party."
The Hannon and Cocker tracks aside, SYMPHONY largely serves as a fine companion piece to the supremely laid-back TALKIE WALKIE, with Nicolas Godin and J.B. Dunckel once again tweaking their own half-whispered vocals under the guidance of producer Nigel Godrich (Beck, Radiohead), most notably on the dreamy, drifting "Once Upon a Time" and "Redhead Girl," which comes across as an ambient cousin to WALKIE's "Cherry Blossom Girl." While Air fans hoping for upbeat tunes like "Sexy Boy" and "Radio Number 1" will be left empty-handed, POCKET SYMPHONY reinforces the notion that Godin and Dunckel are most fascinating when thoroughly at ease.
Air (France): Nicolas Godin (vocals, guitar, koto, shamisen, piano, bass synthesizer, glockenspiel, bass guitar, drum machine, tambourine); J.B. Dunckel (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer, vibraphone, glockenspiel, xylophone, percussion, sampler); Tony Allen (vocals, drum); Magic Malik (flute); Joey Waronker (drum, percussion).Spin (p.86) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he tunes occupy a hushed netherworld between classical minimalists like Erik Satie and Timbaland." Q (p.117) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T[he ethereal vocals and lush synths on 'Photography' and 'Napalm Love' are beautifully crafted..." CMJ (p.42) - "[F]amiliar Air, but with a decidedly more pop/rock feel. The synths still sparkle..." No Depression (p.86) - "POCKET SYMPHONY is an exercise in mournful minimalism....The great, torpid 'One Hell Of A Party' serves up the world's saddest piano..."
Very moody. This album delves far into the deepest, darkest corners of our psyches and dresses those elements up in the glossy melodic electronica pop that Air is most famous for. When you listen to this album, all of those demons surface in your emotions and face you as you listen. This is not a happy album, unlike Air's debut, "Moon Safari", which was jovial as well as experimental. It's also slower, rarely if ever coming out of a slow tempo. An interesting observation somebody, I forget who, made was that Air is the perfect band to make movie soundtracks out of. After listening to this album, I feel inclined to believe that person. What an interesting evolution for a band that makes such interesting music. Worthy for fans, but don't expect constant "WOW"-ing. You'll feel more like "Omigawrsh, WHAT HAPPENED in that song?" Submitted by Galen (Anchorage, AK, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
How do you say genius in french? All of their albums have wowed me and this one is no different. Another reviewer was right in saying it is subtler than their other albums and the first listen I wasn't very impressed but now I listen to it constantly. Mer du Japon while having simple and repetitive lyrics is an infectious and beautiful song and has been stuck in my head for ages. I love it. Submitted by ufckhtis (Portland, OR, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Not something that will blow you away This record requires multiple listens to discover its high points. On first listen no track really stands out. It is quite unlike their previous records. It is subtler and more of a complete record. Not their best but not bad. Submitted by Go Flames Go! (Calgary, AB, Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Very moody.
How do you say genius in french?
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