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Life & Arts

Fresh Air will put you to sleep

Electric duo's ‘Pocket Symphony' fails to inspire 
previous work's response 

by CHRISTIAN OCHOA
The Daily Cougar 

The French duo Air has always been associated with a soft, gentle sound. Occasionally, though, this electric duo has turned out some haunting songs, such as "Playground Love" on The Virgin Suicides soundtrack or the space-age atmospherics of "Sexy Boy" and "La Femme D'Argent" from Moon Safari. And while "Space Maker," the first track in Pocket Symphony, reels you in with the standard moody melodies of Air, it only marks the beginning of a detached album that won't leave a lasting impression. 

It isn't Earth-shattering; it isn't a breakthrough; it isn't a must-have. Pocket Symphony is worth a spin or two, but don't expect to wear any scratches on the CD. 

Rarely does the album go beyond its laid-back parameters. The repetitive pianos and guitar chords and the ever-present Eastern influence are the only dynamicsthat stand out.

Pocket Symphony isn't exactly boring -- just monotonous. 

When vocals are present in some songs, they're hardly audible. On "One Hell of a Party," guest vocalist Jarvis Cocker of Pulp fame isn't quite smoldering. 

Even with the deep meaning behind the song (a hedonistic party is used as a metaphor for a relationship with damaged goods), the production ruins everything -- it's too soft to appreciate. 

While diehard fans could excuse Air's lethargy in coming up with something to compare to its previous albums, it's also easy to blame the duo's attempt to please a pop base. "Once Upon a Time," the first single, is a drowsy attempt to score some radio play. 

The rays of hope that "Left Bank" and "Mer du Japon," a song that stands up to the band's past work, offer in Pocket Symphony are about as close as this album will reach to the status of Talkie Walkie. 

When the final track of Pocket Symphony ends, it's clear the true strength of the album is its cohesive, calm sound. 

Unfortunately, that's not enough to seal Air's new album in listeners' heads -- it just floats like hot air into one ear and out the other. 

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