Pocket Symphony
by Air
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 36
  3. Negative: 2 out of 36
  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    What's most impressive is how guileless Dunckel and Godin make it sound. They're aiming for a kind of naïve beauty, and they hit it consistently here.
  2. Dot Music
    90
    It is beautiful, uplifting stuff.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    80
    Most of these songs are melancholy and soft, waiting for a darkened sky to play to.
  5. Village Voice
    80
    The mood is lulling, narrative, and pictorial even when the lyrics disappear—all subtly melodic and gloriously smudged.
  6. AllMusic
    80
    Musically and thematically, this is some of Air's most elegant, mature music; it does what it does so compellingly that any attempts to be "poppy" would miss the point.
  7. The Guardian
    80
    Pocket Symphony most recalls their influential 1998 Moon Safari - only it sounds older and wiser.
  8. Hot Press
    80
    Pocket Symphony... contains more than its fair share of inspired moments.
  9. No Ripcord
    80
    Not as poppy as either Moon Safari or Talkie Walkie, not as out there as 10,000khz Legend, Pocket Symphony instead boasts songs that deserve more attention than previous numbers without performing the prog histrionics often found on their more experimental works.
  10. Filter
    74
    This new Air CD bcomes their decade-in, it's-all-about-your-collaborations inevitability. Genuine fans will hardly be shocked that they pull it off with style and grace. [#24, p.89]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Under The Radar
    70
    Sadness and longing aren't new to the Air universe, but never have we had so many downtrodden tracks on one release. [#16, p.89]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. Billboard
    70
    It introduces enough intriguing new elements (Japanese instruments, British guest vocalists) to earn its place in the Air canon. [10 Mar 2007]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Tiny Mix Tapes
    70
    It isn’t life-changing, genre-defining, seizure-inducing, or any other clever hyphenated compounds, but it is a thoroughly enjoyable, rewarding listen.
  14. BBC collective
    70
    Godin and Dunkel are peerless at conjuring a mood, and sonically this is typically impressive, but it needs more foreground, more focus.
  15. Pitchfork
    66
    Pocket Symphony winds up feeling strangely transient, accomplished and genuinely likeable but also forgettable.
  16. cokemachineglow
    65
    Pocket Symphony is pleasant but not striking.
  17. Amazon.com
    60
    Pocket Symphony won't yield any pop hits, but it could be the soundtrack to endless rainy afternoons.
  18. Urb
    60
    A big, heaping spoonful of bland. [Mar 2007, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  19. Spin
    60
    Occup[ies] a hushed netherworld between classical minimalists like Erik Satie and Timbaland (without the beats). [Mar 2007, p.86]
    All this publication's reviews
  20. PopMatters
    60
    Pocket Symphony is downright somnolent, like Talkie Walkie on Quaaludes.
  21. Hartford Courant
    60
    An atmospheric downer.
  22. Slant Magazine
    60
    The worst of Pocket Symphony is dull and overly familiar; the best is familiar and gently gorgeous.
  23. Uncut
    60
    Pocket Symphony drifts inconsequentially along. [Apr 2007, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  24. Mojo
    60
    It's impeccably stylish, idiosyncratic stuff, as ever, but is a little more heart too much to ask for? [Apr 2007, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  25. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    This is meant as a return to the film-score sounds of Safari. Unfortunately, "hummability" is missing fromthe formula. [9 Mar 2007, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  26. Prefix Magazine
    55
    Symphony may have more of a cinematic steadiness and flow, but the absence of songs as hauntingly memorable as "Cherry Blossom Girl" or "Surfing on a Rocket" does not make for a better work.
  27. Alternative Press
    50
    The baby-making music never reaches above its already-set guidelines to become something truly special, preferring to explore already charted (and re-charted) territory. [Apr 2007, p.180]
    All this publication's reviews
  28. Rolling Stone
    50
    Pocket Symphony reverts to the textured beat-and-bass-line rifflets of Air ordinaire. [8 Mar 2007, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews
  29. Boston Globe
    50
    Where "Pocket Symphony" springs to life are tracks when Nicolas Godin and J.B. Dunckel dabble with 1960s-influenced folk-pop.
  30. Playlouder
    50
    'Pocket Symphony' fails to grab in the same way that previous Air albums have and places too large an emphasis on mood, texture and composition to ever really be anything other than polite background music.
  31. Q Magazine
    50
    This is music so guarded it's all but impenetrable. [Apr 2007, p.117]
    All this publication's reviews
  32. Austin Chronicle
    50
    The heart of Pocket Symphony is simplicity, like wind chimes echoing the breeze's sentiment.
  33. Drowned In Sound
    50
    File under "Music for Somnambulists".
  34. NOW Magazine
    40
    There are some pretty moments, and the production is immaculate, but it's plodding and dull for the most part.
  35. Blender
    40
    What was once joyful, now sounds careworn and overly precious.
  36. Stylus Magazine
    33
    This is the band’s most listless, amelodic effort to date.
  37. New Musical Express (NME)
    20
    'Pocket Symphony' sure does drift over you like a duvet of mood-stabilising drugs.

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Most Discussed Album of 2007
66
#66 Most Shared Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 50
  3. Negative: 3 out of 50
  1. Nbktginger
    Oct 31, 2021
    9
    In my opinion this is the Air album which remains the most "current" 15 years after. As a good symphony, there is something completely out ofIn my opinion this is the Air album which remains the most "current" 15 years after. As a good symphony, there is something completely out of time in this album. Space Maker is a magic opening and prepares us for the record. Once Upon a Time and One Hell of a party are fine, introducing us to new instruments in Air music. For me however, the 4 following titles make the album come into an other dimension : Napalm Love, Mayfair Song, Left Bank and Photograph are just incredible for your ears. The remaining 5 titles are fine, with a plus plus for "Lost Message" and the "somewhere between waking and sleeping". It is an absolute 9, as an overall magic wedding between melancholy, clinical arrangements and pure sound quality. Why not 10 : in my mind this album is missing a typical "hit" to be complete, "Mer du Japon" falling a bit short in my view. This is a great album, and our ears would be so thankful if Air could release soon an other album of this quality. Note : this album is to be heard with a very good sound system or good headphones to take the upmost of it.… Full Review »
  2. RyanC
    Apr 25, 2009
    10
    Atmospheric, ethereal, and dreamy, Pocket Symphony makes up for its lack of pop appeal by perfecting the sound that Air is so famous for.
  3. Earth74
    Oct 6, 2008
    10
    The thing that I like so much about AIR is that they are creative and quite 'subliminal'. Pocket Symphony is something that will The thing that I like so much about AIR is that they are creative and quite 'subliminal'. Pocket Symphony is something that will grow on you... it communicates in a sub-conscious level. Quite intense experience for me.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »