TUBULAR BELLS

Tubular Bells is quite hard to classify. I think Crossover Prog is the right label for it to be under. However, it is far more than just crossover prog that. A thought by other member about this work that I really liked was that "Tubular Bells" put Mike Oldfield among greats like Bach, Beethoven, Stravinsky or Wagner (not sure if those were the composers he named). Anyway, that is very much true. Despite being laid on more rock-oriented (although not rock per se) basis, "Tubular Bells" is a piece of modern classical music. Extremely well crafted music.

Part 1 is more of a "Tubular Bells" signature, an overall more epic piece with an incredible climax in the end (a main atribute of the album). This very climax is carefully planned, we are being driven towards it for 20 minutes, everything is very proficiently built up.

Part 2 is a great ambient part, mellow, very melodic with much British flegm. I feel though like the closing is a bit of a let-down.

Well, this is an undeniable masterpiece, but I will give it 4 stars, because despite my warm words, it is boring at times.