I was reading some old posts from the Dave Datta mailinglist, when I stumbled upon an old review I typed on my old MSX computer.
On the 25th of may, 1993 AD, at 11:27 AM CET, I bought my Chronologie.
Place: The Hague, Plato platen.
My quest for the holy Chronologie was finished. I was fullfilled with joy...
(jee, I didn't know that I can write that much crap)
But anyway, here comes my review....
Sometimes I have put a comparison with an older track of Jarre, to get the
idea what I actually mean.
Chronologie part 1 (10:51)
This begins very symphonic part. Sounds very Equinoxygene. This is really
confirmed when you here the fast moving sounds coming up at the 5th minute.
Then a pitching sound leads us into a relaxing sound. Also, very Equinoxe/
Oxygene. A very powerful opening of this CD.
Indexed as 2 parts, one from 10 minutes and a short one, which connects part 1
with
Chronologie part 2 (6:05)
A church organ, which is very much used on this CD plays a very good tune. The
rhytm is a familiar one, the one from Erosmachine. Sequencers and hi-hats make
this number very up-to-tempo. Can be compared with Magnetic Fields part 1, the
3th part. Very good track. Turn your volume up to the maximum.
Chronologie part 3 (3:59)
A female voice and also a lot of violins used on this track. A good listen-to
number. Relaxing. Hard-rock guitarman Patrick Rondat plays a bit also. Sounds
very syphonic altogether. Watches, clocks, etc end this song.
Chronologie part 4 (3:59)
Very worth to be a single release. Is not the track of the Swatch concert, an
alarme qui swingue, but the chorus is taken from that track. Also the swinging
alarm is on this track (and the rest of the CD). My favorite Chronologie
I think. The guitar solo of Patrick Rondat is different from the one of the
Swatch concert. Fades and lead us into
Chronologie part 5 (5:34)
The same chords of the previous part, only played a lot slower. Then ticking
watches make the rythm and the beginning of the "Swatch concert song" is
played. Orche-hits play a melody. Sounds techno, but also very Jarre,
especially the end, when the bass seemes like Equinoxe 7 and go to
Chronologie part 6 (3:45)
Synth strings come to support an equinoxe-like bass. Choirs and violins make
it an Equinoxe 7-like song. (symphonic, but swinging). Buzzing flies make
the start of
Chronologie part 7 (2:17)
Expirimental, all kinds of noises, very low guitars, voices, etc. Can be
compared with the 2nd part of the opening track of Magnetic Fields.
Chronologie part 8 (5:33)
Starts with an emigrant-like choir. Then turns into a hip-hop beat with
scratches. Trumpets make the melody. Sounds of printers, typing machines, the
watch-alarm and a counting, familiar to the ones who've been to the Swatch
concert brings us into the beginning of Chronologie part 1.
Overall time : 42:06
Overall I can say it's the best CD Jarre made in quite a long time. It's also
his most "danceable", especially the B-side (which starts with Chronologie
part 4). And, an Oxygene/Equinoxe/Magnetic Fields like album.
The beginning and the end of the CD are the same, so you can play it
repetively.
Some strangies: the CD is pressed in France for Polydor (not Polygram and
Sony). I think this one is for the European release, and that Polydor
West-Germany might not press the European CD.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the album as much as I do.
