Blah Blah Cafe, the Jean-Michel Jarre forum

[Pat Gleeson]

Downloaded the HighDef audio tracks from Qobuz, and indeed the 'Continuous Mix' is nothing like the one from Electronica1. Guess something went wrong earlier on with this track.

Bert.

Thanks Bert. A screw up from Sony I suspect, surely JMJ produced a continuous mix ...

[Velodynamic]

After about 5-7 listenings through Spotify, the best tacks imho:

The Heart Of Noise pt 1 & 2.
Brick England
These Creatures (pleasant surprise)
As One
Electrees
Exit
Gisele
Swipe to the Right
Falling Down

Well that's just me. I think everybody will find something to like about this album
and I totally loves it. The best music from JMJ since Rendez Vous ...oy.

[Goudeskitchen]

On a slight side note, it's quite interesting that in the liner notes for 'Switch On Leon' it says 'They also did a remix of Oxygene which they titled Toxygene and which I loved so much.' I thought Jarre hated that track as the remix was too far removed from the original (I believe it was a mix of Oxygene 8?) and that's why he refused to have it released with the other mixes, so they released it as their own track?

[shadow]

At the time it's been said that he hated it and them releasing it as Toxygene really ticked Jarre off. But I don't think that's ever been confirmed, Jarre has stated before he likes them and the track. So it might have been fake, and if it was true he might have warmed up to the track.

Also I'm wondering. The people who hate As One, my personal favorite track of the album, do you also hate Glory? And if so which one is the better of the two and why?

[Vumiko]

Also I'm wondering. The people who hate As One, my personal favorite track of the album, do you also hate Glory? And if so which one is the better of the two and why?

I'm one of those who isn't too fond of Glory and As One; but if I had to choose between the two, I'd take Glory. Why? It plays the "anthem" role better and at least feels like he put a little more time and effort into it.

[dlaivison]

My general opinion about the tracks:


The Heart of Noise 1 - This track is very epic and reminds me Vangelis in albums like Albedo 0.39 and music like “To the unknown man”. The melody brings me the sensation of a kind of a single man walking into a Journey (maybe researching for the heart of Noise). So after the main melody is presented, the sophisticated 3D lead synth comes .. which adds a kind of fashionism to the track.
I liked the track very much

The Heart of Noise 2 - The initial organic sound reminds Oceanic album from Vangelis. But after the rhythm changes and the change of the beat is a climax… a blade runner sensation.
And it gets very fashion and so much Jarre…. a kind of new fresh Oxygen. I liked very much this track.


Brick England - I always liked songs from Pet Shop Boys but my girlfriend loves them even more than me. So I was very happy to have this collaboration. The track is very modern and melody is very nicely introduced.
The Roland D.50 comes up and reminds me Revolution song and also “The final Countdown” . It’s for me really a HIT and just focusing in the track , it is one of the biggest moments for this project.

These Creatures - Julia Holter initially reminds me Laurie Anderson in Superman. After the track and the voice effects brought me “ Enya “ sensation. The soundscape is very beautiful and feminine and works very well. I liked the track .

As One - This track works as a HIT. Initially I had a different idea, but the whole context is nice. Seems to be a contact to another dimension in the beginning and mixes after with the “Together as one” song .. Seems to be based on the song “ Come together” from Primal Scream. I liked the track

Here for you - One of the biggest moments of this album. Very dark and blasé at beginning.. Gary Numan’s voice is very attached with the melody. The atmosphere created works in everything.
I liked very much.


Electrees - The initial arpeggios are combined with the Jarre legacy and strings from Zimmer. I liked the track very much but I would expect more from this track.
The track works very well, but my expectation was to have a huge atmosphere … more than 7 minutes of track. The organic sensation together with the very emotive and nice melody works very well.


Exit - This track is very interesting .. because Jarre made a soundscape related to information ERA , internet the security and etc. The soundscape brings to your mind exactly what the track suggests.
The reduction speed at BPM is very interesting effect to be explored and when Snowden comes up is interesting … it’s like the speed data has received a Zoom and you can hear what the message transmitted in so high speed is … and the message is Snowden’s message.


What you want- The song is ok, reminds Madonna. Very sexy, very rhitmic .. I know from previous works from Jarre always explored this field.

Gisele - This track reminded me Kraftwerk rhythm in the beginning. But suddenly it becomes very Jarre, with the arpeggio and the heartbeat, which brings such emotion to the music… and the melody is beautiful.
Sebastien Tellier’s voice is perfect for this music… The match is perfect.


Switch on Leon - Probably a homage to Léon Theremin as the initial voice speaks russian.
This track is a interesting soundscape created that brings me a fresh idea of like a movie …an old movie being watched and suddenly the theremin comes beautifully (this part could be more explored).

Circus - This track is so amazing .. it starts very child like with the circus melody but suddenly the beats adds some different direction. It reminded me a lot Daft Punk. But the conception is different and is possible to recognise Siriusmo and Jarre.


Why this , Why that and Why - In my opinion the best track in terms of melodic line of the album. The melody is unique , catchy and impressive. I would say this tune as the best music of the entire Electronica project .. and I would put aside with Immortals , Stardust.

The Architect - A fresh and modern soundscape that brings an idea of someone that is creating a sound based in a set of sounds .. like and Architect. When the arpeggio comes give some impressions of futurism and the idea behind of it is interesting.. The idea of someone as an Architect creating sounds, soundscapes and music.


Swipe to the right - For me another great moment. The melody is great, the Cyndi’s lauper voice matches totally the music. It must be a hit ….it deserves to be . The vocoder voice also matches totally with the music.
The final melody I really would like to listen more.. it is simply beautiful.


Walking the Mile - Very different track composed by Jarre. It seems to be a electro poem/poetry. The variation on the theme is different. Christophe voice adds the melancholy and the mystery for this music. Is a very different piece and I believe it will grow on me.


Falling Down - I was expecting for this music since the Electronica 1. This music is totally Jarre.. and it has his signature. Although the beat remind me “Miami Vice” from Jon Hammer… I think the melody is very cool.

The Heart of Noise (Origin)- Interesting that the main theme ends in a different mood. Seems to be like a Goodbye /See you later song…

[RemarkableRadio]

So everyone already has there favorites. I have managed to listen to not one track before I got the album Friday.
I listened to it that night. I loved the first 7 tracks. All of them are good, although As One has a little too much of a 90s Eurohouse sound to it.
The Gary Numan track is so 80s, love what they did with it.
Julia Holter is Enya on acid. Very cool.
PSB, can't go wrong.

And then I came to the track I already hated before I listened to it. Why Edward Snowden has to be on this album, I will never know. And why JMJ had to fly to Moscow to record Snowden saying the same thing he has been saying for years, I do not know. The track is absolutely horrific. Teo & Tea material.

Following with another bomb, What You Want. Not for me.
Gisele is not bad, not great, nothing memorable.
Then 3 brilliant tracks.
I love the Orb and I love the typical soundscapes they add to their songs.
Circus has a bit of Rendez Vous to it and eventhough that album is one of my least favorite, this tracks works!
Finally: the best track of the album: Why this, why that and why. Dark, sad and mesmorizing. Absolutely brilliant.
And then it went downhill. All remaining tracks are 90s eurohouse with lousy singing (Cyndi, what are you doing on this album and on this track??).

Overall, E2 has absolute brilliance and big bombs. An average album in the end. Maybe, next time, if everyone says yes, maybe only use the best tracks and just have one album....


.

[Herr Dunkel]

Interesting to read people's (very different) opinions on the album... Haven't a opinion myself because I haven't listened to any tracks yet as I haven't received the album yet... But did receive the Exit 7"... Love the sleeve design! The record itself is heavy and the sleeve is made of sturdy stock.

Cheers!

HD

[Jarreshair]

Yeah, everyone seems to have different favourites. There is even a poster on the PSB forum that thinks Exit is the only other good track apart from Brick England.

So JMJ continues to amaze and baffle in equal measure, which maybe was the whole point.
I do get the impression that except for a couple of exception (such as Numan), some of the contributors on E2 were not as involved in the project as on E1 and maybe either they or JMJ lost a bit of interest in the track. It's interesting that on some of their social media accounts there are no mention of the collaboration with JMJ, which is why E2 seems less polished and more all over the place than E1.

I suppose working with 30 artists was a little bit like entering into a marriage with each, and some worked out better than others, but JMJ couldn't just phone up and say "Sorry, this track isn't working out" after they had agreed to do the track and put in the work.

But for me JMJ is a musical chameleon, in all genres but yet in none. A quite unique artist.
My final thoughts (for now) on the project is that I have 20-24 new Jarre tracks that will be on shuffle for many years to come. That's far more than I ever thought possible after the T&T debacle. So good on Mr. Jarre. A lot of good new music. I've cherry picked my favourites and I'm sure you will too. All in all a success.

[Pat Gleeson]

At the time it's been said that he hated it and them releasing it as Toxygene really ticked Jarre off. But I don't think that's ever been confirmed ...

That was all newspaper stories - Sunday Times for one

[Pat Gleeson]

Also I'm wondering. The people who hate As One, my personal favorite track of the album, do you also hate Glory? And if so which one is the better of the two and why?

As one of those who dislike 'As One' - ahem .. sorry about that ,
it's for a different reason than 'Glory'.
'As One ' is a great track marred by that infuriating chorus - like a few tracks on E2* (and Metamorphoses** for that matter). 'Glory' is just an annoying track exacerbated by that M83 whine ...

* Giselle, What You Want
** Tout Est Bleu, GMAS, Bells

[Jarreshair]

BTW, not sure if posted elsewhere, but JMJ was on the ITV (in the UK) program Weekend on Sunday morning talking about the album. I missed it but watched it on the catch up service ITV Hub. The master appears half an hour into the show. But the only video clip they show is of Oxygene 4

[Dv_]

Fan Box volume 2 just arrived. Weird name as there is no box.

[Pat Gleeson]

The master appears half an hour into the show. But the only video clip they show is of Oxygene 4

Yeah, and it's dated 1972 - where did research / proofreading go ?
For those with Facebook, here's a link to my recording:

Weekend JMJ 8-5-2016

[Dr_Jones]

According to the PSB diary, JMJ sent them a demo somewhere around july 9 2015. PSB started working on the track on that date. It was called "Brick London" at first. They worked on it the whole day.

The next day (Neil's birthday), they worked on it too, and after lunch, Neil sings it with revised lyrics. The track is now called "Brick England".

On july 13, harmonies were added to the track.

The next entry in the diary is on july 23, where they did some changes in the vocals and edited the track. I guess by now the track is finished (on 'their side').

Days between july 13 and 23 don't mention Brick England, maybe some mailing is done between JMJ and PSB, but the diary doesn't say that.



You've got to love the PSB fanclub magazine!