TUBULAR BELLS

I won't hesitate when I say that Tubular Bells has become something of a farcical album in the world of progressive rock, like a joke. My deliberation is that this, Oldfield's first opus, is a landmark in both mainstream pop music AND progressive rock music.

There's no doubt that Mike Oldfield's 1973 chef d'oeuvre has an abundance of progressive musical ideologies; however, its colossal commercial success (which was due almost entirely to its inclusion in William Friedkin's '73 film the Exorcist) has seemingly disillusioned many prog listeners' opinions of the album.

Although the production isn't particularly consummate and certain segments are arguably unlistenable, the overall feel of the album is extraordinary.

The innovation here is quite astonishing as well; no other 48-minute, entirely instrumental rock album was written and composed entirely by one single composer and contained use of over 20 instruments in its entirety.

I think my rating here is clear and justifiable.

A+