Pocket Symphony
by Air
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

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  1. TimE
    Mar 7, 2007
    5
    I was egarly anticipating the release of this album and was pretty much first in the queue to pick it up on day of release. As much as i am trying to love it, i just can't, it is instantly forgetable. i'm trying to think of a highlight or stand out track, but nothing comes to mind. Not that it is a terrible album, the sounds produced are at times very beautiful and occassionally I was egarly anticipating the release of this album and was pretty much first in the queue to pick it up on day of release. As much as i am trying to love it, i just can't, it is instantly forgetable. i'm trying to think of a highlight or stand out track, but nothing comes to mind. Not that it is a terrible album, the sounds produced are at times very beautiful and occassionally reproduce a moment reministant to 'virgin suicides'. This album is far too chilled out and sadly will be over looked (in my opinion) by the destinctive sounds of their previous work.… Expand
  2. Blair
    Jun 8, 2007
    6
    Though there are a couple fantastic tracks here, there are more bad, pretentious or boring tracks too.
  3. Justin
    Feb 25, 2007
    6
    It's certainly not exceptional, but it's a consistent. pleasant listen that is pretty perfect for nondescript, rainy days.
  4. Quixotic_07
    Mar 12, 2007
    6
    Where is the magic from Moon Safari, the beauty and the groove from 10'000 Hertz, the droning depth from the Virgin Suicides ? All that is left here is Air's squeletton, from the elegant clothing to the skin, almost everything's gone, and Brian Eno already made it 3 decades earlier, and better.
  5. AlexA
    Mar 20, 2007
    4
    This is not the Air I love.
  6. DanS
    Mar 5, 2007
    5
    Air sounding regressively like themselves. One of my favorite bands executes a misstep.
  7. JoeL
    Mar 6, 2007
    4
    Way too sleepy....
  8. mikes.
    Mar 7, 2007
    5
    alright, this air album is actually a step backwards for air. why? It seems they are recycling old moon safari melodies and the production is nothing fresh. Not a bad album, but a forgettable one. Nothing new or original. Darkel's album was much better, at least it was something different and more pop oriented.
  9. KidA
    Feb 27, 2007
    5
    Even with Nigel Godrich's production it can't but suffer from being just flat out uneventful
  10. LeoF
    Mar 5, 2007
    5
    too bland.
  11. 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 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 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
  12. Pendepomo
    Apr 9, 2007
    6
    they're loosing the spark that made theme shine in the first place, so it's like the same the whole time
  13. BrianW
    May 24, 2007
    6
    I've been a fan of Air since the 90s, but this album feels a lot more bland than their last ones, especially "Talkie Walkie." It's not bad, but the songwriting's definitely taken a dive.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. Amazon.com
    60
    Pocket Symphony won't yield any pop hits, but it could be the soundtrack to endless rainy afternoons.
    Read full review
  2. 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]
  3. Urb
    60
    A big, heaping spoonful of bland. [Mar 2007, p.96]
See all critic reviews »