OXYGÈNE

I have to offer a review of this album simply because I've got a very interesting and special memory attached to the music. I do agree that the music has not aged particularly well, but I still go to a special place in my mind as soon as I hear any part of this album.

In 1980, when I was in college, a friend and I did a very daring thing late one night: we climbed a TV tower that was 1,466 feet high. It was late October in Minnesota, a very chillly and windy night as we ascended with a mixture of fear and excitement into what felt like outer space. It was one of the most exciting and memorable things I've ever done.

About the time we got home, some time around 3 am, we were very wired and put this album on. It belonged to one of our roommates and although we'd heard it before, it suddently took on a new meaning for us. It was as if every part of that album represented a particular memory or feeling of climbing that TV tower.

I've listened to other Jarre albums and like some of them, but nothing else has ever held that much power over me. My only regret is that I never had a chance to climb that tower while listening to the music. If I wasn't 46 years old, I might think of taking my MP3 player out into the night and relive that memory.

Well, as much as I like this album for the special memory attached, I can't give it 5 stars, but I can give it an enthusiastic 4 stars.