Metamorphoses [Import]

Jean Michel Jarre | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 16, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00003ZA6Z
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,183 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Je Me Souviens

2. C'est La Vie

3. Rendez-Vous A Paris

4. Hey Gagarin

5. Millions Of Stars

6. Tout Est Bleu

7. Love Love Love

8. Bells

9. Miss Moon

10. Give Me A Sign

11. Gloria Lonely Boy

12. Silhouette

Editorial Reviews

2000 release from the European electronic music community's premier ambassador. 12 tracks including the single 'C'est La Vie'. Standard jewelcase.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best produced album ever, June 10, 2000

By 

Jesper Hansen (Ringkobing Denmark) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Metamorphoses (Audio CD)

Having read the other reviews (5 when I wrote this), I feel that I have to comment on them and give my opinion.

First of all, if you expect something like Oxygene and Equinoxe you will be very disappointed because only one track (Millions of Stars) come close.

I know a lot of people who has bought this album and they can be divided into two categories: 1 - those who love it 2 - those who hasn't understood it

I know what I'm about to say will probably make some people a bit cross, but it's my impression that people who either play music them selves, or in another way knows a lot about music love the album. Somehow they (we) have heard something that others haven't and it's hard to explain what it is.

There can be no doubt that JMJ is one of the best studio musicians, just listen to the tons of tiny effects/details in the music and you'll agree. This is typical Jarre, he knows exactly what he wants, and he knows exactly how to get it. The way he incorporates a mobile-phone, lawsprinkler and a modem is amazing. Many bands have used a lot of unusual effects, but it rarely work. The way this album is produced is simply unmatched, I have over 500 cd's in my collection and nothing comes close.

Like many other people I was surprised when I first heard the album beacuse of the radical change in style. In 1997 (right after the release of Oxygene 7-13) Jarre said that analogue synthesizers were the electronic instruments of the future, but when he released Metamorphoses, he told me that he may have been to faithful to them and that computer technology was progressing so fast that it is capable of making the (almost) same sounds as the AS. This came as a shock to me. Jarre not using analogue synthesizers is like Oldfield not using Bells, but it works! Of course there are analogue synthesizers on the album, but it isn't as vital for the music as before. Instead he has chosen to sing/talk himself (vocoded of course) and use the talents of Natascha Atlas (C'est la Vie), Laurie Anderson (Je me souviens) and Sharon Corr (Rendez-Vous á Paris). I won't review the tracks, but if I was to name my favourites I have no doubt: - Rendez-Vous á Paris - Gloria Lonely Boy - Millions of Stars

These three tracks are simply brilliant, the blend of synthesizers, solo violin, string orchestras, vocoders and drum machines is amazing.

On the other hand there are a few tracks I don't really like too much: - Tout est Bleu

Ok, only one track then, but it simply doesn't fit with the others. This track is far to commercial and discolike for me, some like it but it's the general opinion among fans that it's the weakest track.

I hope you haven't read this in the belief that you know whether to buy the album or not. Read the other reviews and then think about this.

If you want some really intelligent music that requires your attention, then this is the album for you. But if you want something to dance around to or simply put on when you're doing something else, I think you should be careful. All the details in the music requires several play-throughs and you need to focus on the music itself.

Finally, I can tell you that this certainly isn't New Age. In fact Jarre has never made New Age. He's the godfather of Electronic Music. The godfather of New Age is Vangelis (I love him as well). Jean Michel Jarre has one of the unique minds and talents in modern music. I hope you will learn to appreciate it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jarre continues to push the musical envelope: Masterpiece, July 22, 2000

By 

Meishel (Glendale, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Metamorphoses (Audio CD)

If you expect a composer to stay monotone and offer you the same stuff over and over again, do not follow an adventurous composer like Jean Michel Jarre. I certainly could not have predicted this style of album from JMJ but that's what makes him so great. We've already seen that he is a master at creating a symphonic soundscape utilizing synthesizers (If you have not heard them listen to Equinoxe, Oxygene, Chronologie, etc.).

Zoolook may have hinted at Metomorphoses's coming. This is the first album of Jarre's that utilizes lyrics so prominently. Of course when Jarre's voice is used it is manipulated using a vocoder.

The tracks don't flow into one another as is the case on most Jarre works. But the progression of the music is fantastic. The tracks are mostly upbeat and lively. A lot of different textures are explored. C'est La Vie is influenced by Arabic rhythms and sounds. Rendezvous a Paris is a hip-hop/rap/rock/classical piece. Millions of Stars is most like traditional Jarre pieces along with Miss Moon and Gloria, Lonely Boy. Tout et Bleu and Give Me a Sign are great dance pieces along with C'est La Vie. The more interesting upbeat pieces are Hey, Gagarin, which is inspired by Yuri Gagarin, the first human to orbit the earth in space. It is an unbelievable tour de force. Bells is likewise beautiful with Jarre-exclusive melodic mastery. Silhouette caps off the album with an unusual vocal arrangement, like a prayer.

I've listened to the album a few times and it has grown on me. Jarre's composition and production techniques are unparalleled. Most composers try to dazzle you with the sounds they can generate with modern technology. Jarre only uses sounds to enhance his compositions. The sound effects at the start of Bells and throughout Miss Moon demonstrate this.

If you have an eclectic taste for music, listen to this album with an open mind knowing that Jarre is morphing from what he's done in the past. Can't wait until the next album Jean Michel. Happy listening.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars JMJ Outdoes Himself (Again), August 12, 2000

By 

Jessica Ard (Palo Alto, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Metamorphoses (Audio CD)

I can't write a review worth beans, but I just have to throw in my $0.02.

I love this album. I've been a JMJ fan since the early eighties and I've got all of his stuff. This album blew me away. So did Oxygene 7-13. They're both similar in the sense that 7-13 is like Oxygene II. Metamorphoses is like Zoolook II. But yet they're both absolutely evolutionary rather than more of the same.

The sound quality of Metamorphoses is unmatched. Amazing dynamic range.

It's a little different than what people might expect, but don't let the term "lyrics" fool you. It's really hard to say that it has actual lyrics and vocals. The human voices are so heavily digitally tweezed--JMJ uses them like instruments. These "songs" aren't sung.

Get it!