Spring Break
CD Review: Air
"Pocket Symphony"
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: The Edge
- Page 1 of 1
The description of this band is probably one of the most detestable combinations for American audiences: An electronic-based duo from France.
Somehow the group has found moderate success in the U.S., thanks to its simple songs, pop sensibilities and frequent appearances in the backgrounds of movie soundtracks. Air's first three albums have been all been drowsy, nighttime versions of electronica. "Moon Safari," Air's debut album, is generally considered by critics and fans alike to be a simple masterpiece. It sounds just like a Vicodin pill and a glass of wine feel.
"Pocket Symphony" is no different. Full of songs with gentle, waterfall synthesizers and sleepy tempos, this album is meant to be just what the title says: a symphony that fits in your pocket - simple, basic compositions to take with you on a late-night stroll. It's an album meant for recliners, beds and rainy Tuesdays.
It's smooth, but not so slippery that it sounds like android-created smooth jazz. Despite all the effects on the vocals and the emphasis on the electronic, it still sounds human (an issue most electronica artists struggle with at times).
It's almost trance-inducing, but not like the trance genre of techno, which relies on peaky speed for a hypnotic effect. "Pocket Symphony" produces a wavy, spacey trance achieved by "trippy" atmospherics and repetition.
Unfortunately, (and this is the only major detractor from the album), there are no memorable songs on this album. Listening to this disc is really like being hypnotized because you won't remember what happened during the course of it. Even though the songs on "Pocket Symphony" are fantastic examples of the genre, you'll be hard-pressed to remember them.
At times, the day-dreamy mood is so well established that listening to the album is difficult.
But if you are in the mood for this type of music, Air fills its particular void better than anyone else out there.
-Chris Rossett
edge staff
Somehow the group has found moderate success in the U.S., thanks to its simple songs, pop sensibilities and frequent appearances in the backgrounds of movie soundtracks. Air's first three albums have been all been drowsy, nighttime versions of electronica. "Moon Safari," Air's debut album, is generally considered by critics and fans alike to be a simple masterpiece. It sounds just like a Vicodin pill and a glass of wine feel.
"Pocket Symphony" is no different. Full of songs with gentle, waterfall synthesizers and sleepy tempos, this album is meant to be just what the title says: a symphony that fits in your pocket - simple, basic compositions to take with you on a late-night stroll. It's an album meant for recliners, beds and rainy Tuesdays.
It's smooth, but not so slippery that it sounds like android-created smooth jazz. Despite all the effects on the vocals and the emphasis on the electronic, it still sounds human (an issue most electronica artists struggle with at times).
It's almost trance-inducing, but not like the trance genre of techno, which relies on peaky speed for a hypnotic effect. "Pocket Symphony" produces a wavy, spacey trance achieved by "trippy" atmospherics and repetition.
Unfortunately, (and this is the only major detractor from the album), there are no memorable songs on this album. Listening to this disc is really like being hypnotized because you won't remember what happened during the course of it. Even though the songs on "Pocket Symphony" are fantastic examples of the genre, you'll be hard-pressed to remember them.
At times, the day-dreamy mood is so well established that listening to the album is difficult.
But if you are in the mood for this type of music, Air fills its particular void better than anyone else out there.
-Chris Rossett
edge staff
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