Air "Pocket Symphony" (Mar./07) [by Michael]

Every time Air releases a new album I'm pretty excited. When "Moon Safari" broke out in 1998 I didn't like them. My first reaction to that album was that is was the soundtrack to the posturings of beautiful jet-setters, and I dismissed it for six months. Later I found myself able to listen to it without the entanglements of those impressions, and quickly it became a favorite of mine. I still get that impression from Air, though. A lot of the time that side of the music amuses me and adds to the ambiance and appeal, sometimes it detracts. The songs can sometimes have the feel of an affected but engaging conversation at a party; they can feel vapid. Their music is so well done, though. "Pocket Symphony" is no exception. Obviously the ultra-hip slickness is part of the whole concept of Air; sometimes they pull it off better than others. I think "Pocket Symphony" is better than than "Talkie Walkie" or "10,000 Hz Legend" and possibly better than their work on Charlotte Gainsbourg's recent album "5:55". This may have to do with the fact that I'm listening to it on headphones. Air certainly has a high appreciation for production and I imagine their albums are recorded to be played on high quality stereo equipment. Maybe the acoustics in my apartment aren't as good as they could be, but this album could fall into the catergory of 'headphone music'. They use their usual bag of tricks superbly on most of the album, and as usual there are no bad tracks. Everything is all warm and full, smooth, gliding and sexy. I really think Air are a great band, one of the best around today.