380. Oxygene - Jean-Michel Jarre

This was an album I was looking forward to. I knew it slightly having heard it a couple of times, and there are some tracks that will be familiar to most. Chloe was less sure about it, not being as much of a fan of synths as I am. 

On the first few listens, I enjoyed the album, and felt that it was developing and growing. The nature of the songs is that they ebb and flow, and develop and then fade away. There are refrains that appear and then reappear. This is all very nice in theory, but the reality was that I found it disappointing. 

The more I listened to it, the more it just slightly faded into the background. It is certainly quite clever, and I admire the intricacy of the work, but it leaves me feeling slightly cold. Possibly the lack of vocals adds to this, as it seems to be conveying emotional content through simple beeps and whirrs, which doesn't seem to suffice. Compare it to Tubular Bells, and it just doesn't have the variety of tone to it. Now, Jean Michel Jarre is hugely successful, and I do understand why, but I just think originality, which this does show in many places, is not in and of itself enough.

Tracks 2 and 4 are the stand outs for us, and even though I must have heard the album ten times at least, I need to re-listen to remember what the others sound like, which isn't great. So, a disappointing album for me; not without merit, but lacking as a cohesive whole.

Chloe's rating: 5
Chloe's favourite track: 2. Oxygene 2
Olly's rating: 5
Olly's favourite track: 4. Oxygene 4

Next week's album is 833. The Score - Fugees. Get. In.