(March 2018) I have completed episode 159 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: JEAN-MICHEL JARRE. As a big fan of the golden age of electronic music, JMJ’s 1970s albums have always been in my rotation. Unlike some contemporaries, JMJ’s career did not wholly descend into new age-y drivel (like Tangerine Dream) or wander into vocals (like Mike Oldfield).

Favorite album: Óxygene

Favorite song: Équinoxe 5

Favorite period: 1973-78

Best ambient: Waiting for Cousteau (song)

Compared to expectations: same

(March 2016) I have completed phase 80 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography.   This edition: TANGERINE DREAM. This was a lesson learned for my project, of falling down a rabbit hole, not being able to get out, and forcing myself to make it to the end. I absolutely love Tangerine Dream’s work in the 1970s as pioneers of electronic music.   From the 1980s, it was mostly banal, new age, synth drivel, although it had some value in soundtracks. With 98 albums and parts of 22 others, this was quite a time suck.

Favorite album: Phaedra

Favorite song: Phaedra

Favorite period: 1971-78 (mostly the “Virgin years”)

Favorite soundtrack: The Keep

Worst album: among many, I select the recording of cover songs “Under Cover — Chapter One”

Compared to expectations: ↓