AMAROK

Mike Oldfield

Crossover Prog

4.03 | 672 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Marty McFly
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator

Well, people are generally happy about this release, agreeing on such a high rating. Let's add my piece then.

I'll tell you a little story. Don't worry, it will be short. I call it 6 minute long fairy tale, because it divides this long track into 10 pieces.

1)I'm not that happy about first six minutes, they don't offer anything of use for my taste. 2)Then Mike adds his trademark guitar arrangements and "Song" gets interesting. There are also "tribal" chantings towards the end. 3)From about 12:00, music starts as acoustic beauty, giving in into keyboard subtle sounds and then keyboards take two, but this time weird sounds.

I'm quite intrigued right now.

4)Starts almost instantly at 18 minute (about 17:56 ) with wild guitar (sounds like improvisation, only we know that Mike's doing it intentionally, which leaves just type of sound, not meaning - "to improvise"). The rest of "this part" is in this theme. 5)Continues with 4th's legacy, adding some distinct shredding in the beginning, however it turns into calm piano later, running just another of Oldfield's endless supply of original melodies. 6)Is in the name of choral singing & ethnic chanting tinged work again.

So far so good, journey continues (even I had to repeat song third time from this point to capture its essence).

7)Clocking at 36 minute, optimistic melody kicks back, combined with grunts from first part. Some experimentation as well. 8)Moving on to seemingly easier rhythms (that can surprise). Chants again, seems like Mike is fascinated by them. 9)Second to last section starts harshly, heavier sounds and unpleasant synth greets the unwary travellers. Chanting climaxes. Music shines and 10)Last part starts (after a while of tribal drumming) in the name of spoken word. Some variations and re-using of older ideas of previous sections. Not that good, again, the same as beginning.

4(+), as it is.

End of experimental review.

Marty McFly | 4/5 | 2010-9-2

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