AMAROK

AMAROK - OUTSTANDING! I missed the first wave of Oldfield albums. I was too young to be into Prog music in '73 when TB came out. I didn't get my first Oldfield album until 1993 - TB2 (which I still think is better than the original - yikes!). But having had 11 or so years to plumb the depths of one of the great musical masterminds of modern music, I've come to the conclusion that Amarok is Oldfield's "Sergeant Pepper", this is Oldfield's Symphony #9, the ending, his Ode to Joy. It's Mike at his creative best. He pulls out all the stops. I even gained a new found respect for Maggie Thatcher - this album was the first time she made me laugh! (Charming!) This album is too complex and layered to describe here. In fact, I dare you, after even 20 listens, to give a "description" of the album. The best I can do is explain my emotions after listening to it: fear, exhilaration, perplexity, joviality, thoughtfulness, and oh yes . . . HAPPY!