Customer Reviews

Chronologie

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jean Michel Jarre has created one of the most memorable albums I have ever heard. I am one who is open-minded. I buy a lot of classical music, plenty of new age music as well as pop-rock music, and I have to say, nothing compares to the sound of Jean Michel. The album goes through phases.

I often compare it to ones birth until one's wedding day. Listen to it and see if you agree. Rivals his other great albums (Choose your own, he has no flop). I have had the CD since it was released back in 1993. I have listened to it over a hundred times. It never dissapoints.

The first movement is relaxing and turns into the upbeat second movement. Tracks 5 and 7 are more transitions between the other tracks. No bad tracks. Everything is incredible. And because there are no lyrics at all, one can dream what they wish, provided you have any imagination at all.

This to me, is Jean-Michel Jarres best album. Chronologie tells the tale of Earth's history from it's creation to the world of today. Not only is Jarre's mastery of sythesizers incredible (as always), but the different musical styles he uses this time are incredibly varied. From the majestic hymns of the genesis to the rap-like beats of the modern world, Jarre manages to capture each era in one wonderful album. And if you're reading this, you MUST listen to Chronologie part IV on this page, it's fantastic!

Jean Michel Jarre has been recording and performing live for more than 30 years. If you like Klaus Schulze's 1970's work, then you should check out Jean Michel Jarre's innovative electronica.

This is my last favorite album from Jean Michel Jarre. I would think that he would have the sense to know this too. This album represents all that we've loved about Jean Michel Jarre's music. He can proudly endorse this sound as his own.

The best way to start to buy Jean Michel Jarre albums, is to start with his greatest achievements. "Oxygene" (1976), "Equinoxe" (1978), "Les Chants Magnetiques (Magnetic Fields)" (1981), and then jump to "Chronologie" (1993).

One thing that I loved about the 1970's is that artists all had the liberty to do whatever they wanted to do. Nobody was told that they had to make music that sounded like whatever was popular at the time. If you were really different, then you were given that chance to expressive your own new concept of sound art. Today, if you try to do something different, then you get immediately categorized, and probably end up in the "not likely to sell" file. Today, record companies seem to be very selective on what they are willing to invest in and record. That's probably why we have so many independent labels now. The big recording industries like Columbia, Capitol, and RCA are probably just relying on the sales of repackage hits of their former successful artists.

Anyway, Jean Michel Jarre was one of the outsiders who was entering the spacy soundscape concept similar to Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Tomita, Mike Oldfield, and even Vangelis. I love the innovators of electronic music of the seventies, and Jean Michel Jarre became my favorite when I first started buying CD's in the eighties. The new compact disc concept was perfect for re-introducing electronic music. The album of "Oxygene" was one of my first CD's that I bought in 1984. I've never played another cassette tape again, although I've made cassette tape recording to give to friends so I could introduce them to Jean Michel Jarre, and other electronic artists, too.

However, Jean Michel Jarre must truly have been struggling these passed 15 years. He has his own unique sound, and yet he's been trying to stay alive for more than 30 years. I can see his confusion though. His most loyal fans have a particular expectation of what music he creates. And nobody can be expected to just continue to do the same thing over and over again. "Oxygene", "Equinoxe", and "Magnetic Fields" were the albums that set the stage for what was Jarre's fabulous unique sound. But, all through his career he seemed to want to re-create himself. He did a weird soundtrack album in 1973 called "Les Granges Brulees" which only recently got released on CD a couple of years ago. I didn't like it and I'm sure Jarre himself is not too fond of it. However, in 1976, his illustrious career began with "Oxygene", which is probably still his most famous album. Anyone who has "Oxygene" probably has "Equinoxe" as well. Anything he released after this, we couldn't wait to buy. Then, he caught us all off guard in 1984 with "Zoolook" This took a little while to grow on me, but eventually, it did. It also made me a little hesitant about his next album. In 1986, he put out "Rendez-vous" and redeemed himself, and our expectations. Then, it seemed like he was beginning to get sloppy. He has released a lot of live albums and I thought that he was just killing time with all those unnecessary releases. I enjoy 1982's "The Concerts in China", and I've kept his other double live CD of 1994's "Hong Kong". But he has several other live albums that just seemed to repeat the same sound as the previous studio releases, but with half-hearted applause from the listening audience.

In 1988, his album "Revolutions" had some great short passages, and then some rather dumb child-like sound concepts. Then in 1990, his album "Waiting for Cousteau" had two fabulous instrumentals called "Calypso 2 and 3" (I didn't care for Calypso 1") and then his title track is his first truly ambient sound passage. He did a nearly 47 minute soundscape which simulated lying on the ocean floor and listening to the sounds of passing sea mammals and other underwater sound effects. I do like it, but I gotta be in the mood to listen to it. When I'm tired and I want to sit in the dark and listen to something, this track is pretty soothing and relaxing.


Then, in 1993, he puts out an album called "Chronologie". To me this is his greatest album since his first three albums. This is one of my top five favorite albums from Jean Michel Jarre. I was thinking: "Yes! The Jean Michel Jarre that we all knew, is back!" But, then, after this album, I think Jarre was beginning to get confused. He didn't quite do anything for a while. Maybe he was basking in the glow of his new latest sound achievement, and now he didn't know how to follow up on it. Two years afterwards, he releases another double live album called "Hong Kong". I like it because he incorporated a band to add more energy to his familiar music of the past and so it was nice to hear a concert that featured the music of all his best albums. I wish this concert was filmed for video. What a loss that is.

A year later, somebody tampers with Jarre's music and created a various remix album called "Jarremix". I don't think Jarre had much participation in creating these remixes other that just the rhythms of certain tracks. This is another CD that I have to be in the mood for. I seldom ever care to play this CD.

With Jarre suddenly realizing that he's tapped into a multitude of different directions, he came to a halt on his creativity. So, check this out. In 1997, he releases an album called "Oxygene 7 -13". This album sounds like he's trying to resell his most cherished album by simulating some of the sounds of the original album. It's a keeper, but I don't know why Jarre felt like he had to do this. Maybe he knew that it couldn't help but sell well because he IS Jean Michel Jarre and "Oxygene" WAS he greatest selling album. You know, Mike Oldfield did this too. In 1973, his first album "Tubular Bells" was his greatest selling album, with his career continuing a moderate downward direction of appeal, in 1992 he released an album called "Tubular Bells 2" which brought his earlier fan base back (including me). And in 1998, he even did a "Tubular Bells 3" and then he did "Tubular Bells 2003" which proves that he has lost his grip with what he wants to put out for his fan base. Anyway, I was wondering if Jarre was going to put out an album called "Equinoxe 9 - 17". He may as well, I'm sure it would sell.

I have mixed opinions about Jarre's new millenium album called "Metamorphoses". The long album side soundscapes are no more. He's starting to stick to just a bunch of short songs. And he incorporates female voices in many of the songs. It's hit and miss with these tunes. Mostly miss. Then he comes out with "Sessions 2000". This album does not sound like Jean Michel Jarre at all. This whole boring concept sounds like the sounds you could invent in your own head if you were sitting forever in a waiting room, or you were in silent solitary confinement. Then his next album "Geometry of Love" continued the same dull concept. Two bland, boorish, CD's in a row and neither one even worthy of being released in a regular jewel case.

Yes, the days of Jarre's greatest moments are all truly over. I believe it ended with "Chonologie." If you're new to hearing Jean Michel Jarre's music, start with "Oxygene", "Equinoxe", "Les Chants Magnetiques (Magnetic Fields)," and the "Chronolgie". You won't be disappointed. But it's up to you where you go from there.

Jarre was my introduction to electronic music and I can be characterized as one of his hardcore fans. I have almost all albums and have heard them hundreds of times, studying the composition techniques, the sound selections, the use of samples etc etc.

After all these years, Chronologie stands out from everything else as his top creation. This album goes from classical orchestrations to typical jarre style as per the old albums, and even to pop and dance music experiments. It is an amazing masterpiece and a cornerstone in electronic music.

A lot of the purists prefer his "analogue monsters"... but for me, this album is the one I listen to the most. I don't know how hard he worked on it, or how he feels himself about the resulting masterpiece: but the sheer emotions rasied by the sounds of the synths and the subtle guitars - played by fellow Frenchman Patrick Rondat [now with Elegy] - are unmatchable.
Part 4 was quite a big single in France I believe, and it is kinda "short and catchy" in the same way that Oxygène 4 was back in its day... but there are some lengthy numbers that just take their time (oh I'm so funny) and produce extreme listener satisfaction.
If you're missing a few Jarre albums, or you're still thinking about which one to buy first - look no further! This's the one you want!

Chronologie is the 11 CD & it's like Oxygene & Equinoxe. The CD was the 1 st in the TOP10 of France & U.K in '93. If you are a New age listner, you must have this CD ...

Modernization is a treat a musical genius like Jarre can most certainly afford, and it shows pretty nicely in Chronologie. This album features some really rhythmatic and technoish grooves along with cutt-offs that demonstrate some Trance influence there. It's as magnificent as any of the Jarre albums... But see yourselves warned, it's s little technoish.

In the very beginning, I bought my first CD by Mr. Jarre. 'Twas a live recording from his concert in Hong Kong 1994. I must say the music was indeed of me likin', particularly to mention the magnificent Chronologie themes!

I found, however, myself more than a bit disturbed by that bloody applausing at every turn, not to mention the speaks in Chinese. "Arrgghh!" would be the proper description of me reaction, mayhaps.

Thus I gathered what little monetary possessions I had set aside during the course of years and purchased the studio-made version. Now I am a happy fella indeed, thanks to Mr. Jarre!

While other Jarre's albums have 2-3 really exciting songs per album, everything is great in this one! Just turn on your audio system, close your eyes, and enjoy 40 min of amazing music.

Possibly Jarre's best album ever. There are some dream-like, other-worldly space tunes on this, and Chronologie 4 has to be heard to be believed. Unmissable.