JEAN MICHEL JARRE AERO ALBUM + DVD WARNER RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 22, 2004 REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 27, 2004

I vaguely remember the first time I heard Jean Michel Jarre. I was about eight or nine years old, and my dad played “Oxygene” in the living room. It sounded like nothing I had ever heard before, and I had to go downstairs to check it out. I think I became an electronic music fan at that moment, and have been ever since. Thank you Jean Michel.
Lately, Jarre has unfortunately made some disappointing stuff like “Geometry of Love” and “Sessions 2000” but this time he’s giving his old material a workover. He’s obviously living on old merits, but his old tunes are so much better and to hear some updated versions of the classics is an interesting experience.
Jean Michel has re-recorded and restructured old tracks and added new sounds or rhythms here and there as well as a couple of not too remarkable new songs. The changes are not very radical; you’ll still be able to recognize everything.
The new track “Aero” is an upbeat blippy dancey tune with quite a hook to it, but the other two – “Aerology” and “Aerozone” – are more bland and mellow albeit modern electronica.
Jarre really had a lot of fun twiddling the balance slider it seems. The music swirls between my speakers relentlessly, and if you have a surround system there is an accompanying DVD with full 5.1 sound. And here Jean Michel's amusement park ride takes off! The music moves everywhere around your room, drums, instruments – everything. You’re in the music.
Unfortunately the images are as dull as a stone wall. Like watching paint dry. The video shows nothing else than Anne Parillaud's blue eyes looking at you. This French actress, best known for "Nikita", was filmed in one take while listening to the music.
In the end though, I think this is a good introduction to Jarre's music, and while the new tracks aren’t much to write home about, it’s something for the old fans as well.

JOHAN CARLSSON