TUBULAR BELLS

I think everyone has at least come into contact with this album in one way or the other. Whether you heard it in the Exorcist soundtrack, heard it being used and started humming it, played about with the main theme on an instrument of your choice or your just a Mike Oldfield fanatic yourself. Either way, if you have never heard of it, the you need to emerge from that rock you've been hiding under for years.

Now this album really was a landmark in music in many ways in one, especially in the popular music dimension, especially in the way music is composed, recorded, produced, and even thought of as an art form.

This album was made when multi tracking really was a dangerous task to take upon, yet when listening to the album, it doesn't seem like such a task was undertaken, mainly cause the music is so gentle and harmless at times. But it really was a challenge. The 4 track recorders were slowly progressing at this point, and in order to really record something as diverse as this, a lot of time, effort and talent was needed...and Mike Oldfield has it all (he basically did this all by himself)

I think as a piece of modern Classical music, this is a milestone, but even as a prog rock journey, its a masterpiece beyond which we can imagine.

The piece itself is really a delicate piece, which each movement slowly moving into each other, building up throughout into an explosion. But everything is done at a speed which most people wouldn't tolerate, but Mike Oldfield really is able to make it as beautiful as possible.

Now the piece isnt all beauty. At times it can have odd moments. Like synthy bits, funny voices narrating which instrument is playing, howling, death metal esque vocals and even some sea chantys But It all still flows seamlessly into each other.

CONCLUSION: I think if you haven't heard the whole thing, you really need to just sit down and listen to it. Yes it's a 50 minute piece of music, but to be honest...can you really think of anything better to do with your time. Now Mike seems to try and copy this piece over and over and over again, and yes it is annoying to see many doubles and sequels and what have you not, but the original will never be beaten.

8.9/10