TUBULAR BELLS II

I just listened to the original "Tubular Bells" from 1973, right after I listened to this one, "Tubular Bells 2" (1992). And I have to say that the comparison makes the album (the second one) look extremely pale. Compared to the original, which has a lot of parts that are rough and noisy, this one is rather smooth. Despite that this is an album of its own, I can't help judging it in comparison to the original. I have to refer to the expression "Kill your Darlings", used among artists (not only musical artists), meaning that progression could only take place if you move on, instead of leaning back on previous success. After all, that spirit is what created progressive rock! On "Tubular Bells 2" I can't find the slightest trace of pioneering, and that's why it only seems like a pale copy. Ok, I know, music doesn't have to be ground-breaking to be good, but there has to be someting about it that make impressions on the listener. The things that caracterize this album (the smooth, perfectly produced sound, together with the loss of pioneer-spirit), makes it less interesting than the music played in new-age stores or supermarkets. I think this album is really bad, from the mentioned perspectives, and I shouldn't get started on the third "Tubular Bells".