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Pocket Symphony
by
Pocket Symphony Image
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 50 Ratings

  • Summary: Nigel Godrich produced this latest set from the French duo, who are joined by guest vocalists Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) and Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy).

Top Track

Mer du Japon
Air Pocket Symphony Mer du Japon J'en perds la raison (I lost my mind) Dans la mer du Japon (in the sea of Japan) J'en perds la raison Dans la mer... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

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. 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.
  3. 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]
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  4. 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]
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  5. PopMatters
    60
    Pocket Symphony is downright somnolent, like Talkie Walkie on Quaaludes.
  6. Rolling Stone
    50
    Pocket Symphony reverts to the textured beat-and-bass-line rifflets of Air ordinaire. [8 Mar 2007, p.82]
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  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    20
    'Pocket Symphony' sure does drift over you like a duvet of mood-stabilising drugs.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 39
  3. Negative: 3 out of 39
  1. KidB
    Mar 5, 2007
    10
    By paring down to acoustic guitar, piano, plinky beatbox and whispered vocals Air have risen to a new height. Moon Safari and Talkie Walkie By paring down to acoustic guitar, piano, plinky beatbox and whispered vocals Air have risen to a new height. Moon Safari and Talkie Walkie were both excellent albums but often relied on the retro-chic of their oh-so-cool sound: on Pocket Symphony the song-writing is the dominant factor, and in time I reckon the people who didn't 'get' this record on the first couple of listens will realise it is Air's best yet.… Expand
  2. NeilL
    Mar 7, 2007
    10
    This may not be their best work, but for a group such as Air -- anything is going to be miles beyond all other artists around, and Pocket This may not be their best work, but for a group such as Air -- anything is going to be miles beyond all other artists around, and Pocket Symphony still contains some of their best tracks (such as Mer Du Japon, One Hell of a Party, and Night Sight). I think people should give this album a chance... it's not going to produce any pop hits, I feel that's a given, yet it may make you weep silently in the night. And actually, you won't mind at all.… Expand
  4. 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.
  5. Russell
    Mar 7, 2007
    8
    It is somber and subtle effort, but I like where Air have gone with their sound. They are braving new ground with their sound instead of just It is somber and subtle effort, but I like where Air have gone with their sound. They are braving new ground with their sound instead of just mining the past.… Expand
  6. Blair
    Jun 8, 2007
    6
    Though there are a couple fantastic tracks here, there are more bad, pretentious or boring tracks too.
  7. JohnnyS
    Mar 5, 2007
    6
    With their latest release, it must finally be conceded that the once mighty Air is descending slowly into mediocrity. Not that this album is With their latest release, it must finally be conceded that the once mighty Air is descending slowly into mediocrity. Not that this album is horrible, not by any means, in fact I think songs like Mer Du Japon and Left Bank can (almost) stand up to their best work. But they're long past the point of pushing musical boundaries and nowadays are seemingly content to rehash old ideas with slightly different new ones. Of course there will be fans like myself who will always hope they will one day return to the inspired genius of their first few efforts but I'm afraid that the hunger may now be gone.… Expand
  8. MarkW
    Mar 6, 2007
    0
    A disappointed record from a super band, very boring album, nobody deserves this.

See all 39 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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