Mike Oldfield - Light & Shade
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Free Music Notes for Light & Shade
Free Music Review: Oldfield's best work in years...
Hit: 5 Stars
Mike Oldfield is one of my top ten favorite musical composers/artists, so I was very excited to see this new album. While I have found some of his recent work to be somewhat bland (e.g., Tres Lunas), this album, in my opinion, is one of his best since "Voyager" and "Songs of a Distant Earth." And, indeed, I would argue that "Light and Shade" is of a style most reminiscent of those two albums than his other works.
What I like best about Light and Shade is that I see Oldfield stretching himself musically, as opposed to some of his more recent albums which seemed largely to rehash past work. For example, my favorite piece on the two-CD set is track two of the first CD, "Blackbird." It features piano and other keyboards and is achingly beautiful in a slow and haunting way. The piano is not a key instrument in the vast majority of Oldfield's work, so this piece was a very welcome change of pace.
I agree with other reviewers that the first disc is the strongest, but that is not meant as a slur on the second disc, which I also liked quite a bit. It does incorporate more of a techno sound and beat, so it is more reminiscent of Millennium Bell in that respect.
I believe Mike Oldfield is one of the most remarkable and talented composers around today. And I would not be surprised if history finds "Light and Shade" to be considered one of Oldfield's strongest works. I personally would place it in my top 5 of his albums (along with Voyager, Songs of Distant Earth, Tubular Bells, Crises, and Five Miles Out--but PLEASE don't ask me to rank order them!)
Free Music Review: Beautiful a tapestry of music
Hit: 5 Stars
I admit I like Mike Oldfield, he has, over many albums, varied his music and styles, some have been more appealing than others but I find I am rarely disappointed when a new release comes along. This is no exception. He has extended some of the tres lunas material and I know that has not been some peoples favorite. But after several listenings I am mezmerized by several songs on these two albums. I read many other reviews before buying and I am frankly puzzled that so many Mike Oldfield fans indicate they are disappointed or that this work is only fair. I find some much of this music uplifting and full of so many musical colors. Take sunset on the first cd, how awesome can a musical piece get. I crank this one up full blast in my car and listen to it repeatedly IT IS one of his best. For those who like Mike's piano, he has more piano on this set than any and it is truly beautiful. Starting with the first two songs on the first CD you are carried away in fantasy by this music. On the second cd everyone will agree quicksilver is great it grabs you and won't let go but surfing is a real trip, my kids are singing that all around the house. I really recommend this cd set. It is a bit mellower than some of Mike's past releases, the guitar work is less edgy but much of the work is more complex and totally puts you in a upbeat mood. It is worth five stars on it's own merits. I hope Mike has more of the same coming.Free Music Review: Mike Oldfield and M&M's
Hit: 5 Stars
Forrest Gump's Mama used to say, "Life is like a box of chocolates..." If that's true, then Mike Oldfield is like a bag of M&M's - colorful, yummy, but not surprisingly a lot like the bag you had last week.
Let me clarify.
To me, there is a very common thread running through several Oldfield albums of the last decade or so. These are 'Songs of a Distant Earth,' 'Voyager,' and 'Tres Lunas.' These albums all sound very similar to me. This is not to say that I don't love them, I do. 'SoaDE' and 'Voyager' are both near the top of my Oldfield favorites list. I'm also not terribly concerned that several songs from 'Light & Shade' are reworked from 'Tres Lunas.' I like when an artist can effectively reuse themes and elements to create very different things (although I think 'TB 2003' wasn't quite different enough).
I guess it's hard for someone who has been making music as long as Mike to break new ground, but I'll keep buying his albums nonetheless. Has it really been 33 years? Holy moly!
Free Music Review: Excellent! Immaginative and versatile!
Hit: 5 Stars
I must admit that I am big fan of Mike Oldfield and virtually all of his work. Everyne of his albums has its qualities and while I have favorite albums I generally like the m all. That beeing said I have to say that Light + Shade is one of Mike's best releases to date. Very different sound between the "Light" disk and the "Shade" disk. While the "Light" disk is very much reminiscent of the "Songs form a Distant Earth" album, the "Shade" disk very much a more modern techno beat with Mike's twists of course. I would highly recommend this release to any Oldfield fan. You will be able to appreciate it! Definitely one of Mike's best releases! I am thankful that after so many years Mike continues to deliver such incredible and diverse music to his fans! Thank you Mike!Free Music Review: very good
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been an oldfield fan for longer than i can remember,
and while some prefer such albums as 5 miles out, and others albums like guitars, I think it's safe to say that the diversity of Mike's music allows everyone to at least like 'some' of his work.
I'm a Tubular Bells man, I can't get enough of it, I hope he brings out many more versions I listen to it nearly every day and I keep finding other bits of it to appreciate.
light + shade is amazing, it's simply beautiful.
Mike once said he made music because he wanted music to listen to, and didn't feel that there was much stuff out there he enjoyed listening to.
beautiful, let that guitar play
Oli