I've always had a bit of trouble with Magnetic Fields. It's not that I don't like it, just that it is one of the most least played albums in my collection.
I think it might all be down to part II - I can't stand it and never have in the 20 odd years I've been listening to Jarre. I really don't know what it is about this track - it just really annoys me and it subsequently puts me off playing the rest of the album.
(Revolutions suffers from a similar problem but I can listen to the first half and turn it off after Tokyo Kid - I don't care for the rest of it!). This is a shame as part I and part IV are good tracks in the Jarre canon.
Historically I don't know very much about this album. I know it was mostly recorded on the Fairlight, a new synth at the time so quite revolutionary, and I also know a little about Jarre's obsession with digital around this time - another new technology Jarre exploited.
I do think that the view that it is 'third' in Jarre's Holy Trinity is slightly unfair to his other work - as there are so many other works I'd rather listen to. Rendez Vous is probably more worthy for the honour - or The Concerts in China for it's sheer boldness?
I'd like to learn more about this album. Does anyone have any interviews or newspaper/magazine scans.