- Audio CD
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Import
- ASIN: B0000929Z4
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 243,063 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
With Five Miles Out, Mike Oldfield seemed to finally dispense with the new age element of his music (which had been hanging by a thread for his two prior albums), and concentrate fully on progressive rock. Fans will be divided on whether this is a good thing. The album opens with the mammoth Taurus II (****) (following on from Taurus on QE2), which sees Oldfield revert to his earlier song structuring - a series of untitled and segued movements around a central theme or refrain. As indicated before, there is much more of a feel of progressive rock than new age, and we are treated to a section of Morris music (of which Mike is such a fan), as well as a vocal section (sung by the angelic Maggie Reilly). The first of two more pop-structured songs, Family Man (*****), is a sexual and powered narrative around one man's resistance to a prostitute's advances. (If the subject matter is enough to put you off, consider that this track was a top 40 hit for Blue-Eyed Soul duet Hall & Oates a couple of years on from this album's release.) The burning bass strings, screaming guitars and sultry vocals provide a real highlight of the album so far. Following this is the second opus, Orabidoo (***). This is another multiple movement track, and opens with a gentle (but quite piercing, in places) music box melody. Gradually the tempo speeds up, and the mood and melodies change, before we are brought back down with a quaint folk-type ditty. Mount Teidi (***) is a simple, but effective, piece built around a synth hook, and military-style drumming. It is possibly the most upbeat track on the album, and is welcome after the sometimes difficult listening of Orabidoo. The real highlight of the album is kept till last, however. Five Miles Out (*****)(a paen to Mike's flying days, and one stormy incident in particular), is simply stunning. It is the second track following a more conventional pop structure (more conventional - but only just!), but the instrumentation and content is anything but ordinary. From the ominous rumble of the opening strings, though the synthesized 'radio communication' vocals and troubled mid-section, and into Maggie Reilly's uplifting vocals to bring us in to land, Five Miles Out is one of Mike's best songs full stop, never mind just on this album.
The production on this album does, admittedly, sound a little dated, but this is arguably Mike Oldfield's best 80's release.
The production on this album does, admittedly, sound a little dated, but this is arguably Mike Oldfield's best 80's release.
Like this? Try: Platinum [Mike Oldfield], 1979; Crises [Mike Oldfield], 1983
Rip these: Taurus II; Family Man; Five Miles Out.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you are not into Mike Oldfield; start with the Complete collection. If you have heard any of his other albums and liked them you'll love this. Musically, Oldfield doesn't put a foot wrong, even when he's having a jest. Personally, I prefer prefer Crises, which is the third of the trio of which this is the second. QE2 is the first, where the Taurus theme is born, developing in three stages - this having the second installment. If you are at all musical you'll need all three to follow the theme development, which is brilliant, as we expect. An English Radio Presenter recently commented how nice it was to hear all these Mike Oldfield and Jean Michel Jarre tribute groups in the charts. If they were breaking today they might be Daft Punk and Norman Cook respectively: hey kids - nothings new. Buy this album; buy all Mike Oldfield Albums; but, if you want this you NEED Crises and QE2 for the set; they are sister works.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
1980's underrated QE2 had its fair share of apathy among the critics and the public - something that thankfully was not transferred onto this follow-up release.
Considering Mike's perfectionism, forming "The Mike Oldfield Band" may not have been the best decision in the world, but they turned out to be the most precise and least sterile backing group ever to grace an Oldfield album. The result is an Oldfield album that sounds rejuvinated and graced with some impeccable songwriting.
Of the three side-long pieces Mike would produce during the 80's, "Taurus II" is the best by a clear mile. It's distinctively Oldfield with its folk-tinged roots while its hard rock sections give the track a lot of stamina. At a lengthy 25 minutes, there are plenty of coherent and well-written movements to carry the music for the duration.
The two singles, "Family Man" and "Five Miles Out", didn't make much dent in the UK Top 50. "Family Man" is about someone who is approached by a maneater, but resists the temptation. In terms of subject matter and Mike's screeching guitar solo, it's definitely not your run-of-the-mill pop song. Same too goes for the title track which is about an experience Mike had when flying a private plane into a storm. Mike's vocal parts are processed through a vocoder to sound like a radio communication while Maggie lands the role of an Air Traffic Controller. The song goes from turbulent to joyful, climaxed by some epic guitarwork. Its only let down was a *very* cheesy promo video!
"Orabidoo" and "Mount Teidi" are rather minimalist pieces, similar to "Woodhenge". The latter features the flamboyant ELP/Asia drummer Carl Palmer, sadly relegated to some rather miniscule percussion.
On the whole, "Five Miles Out" is undoubtably Mike's best of the 1980's. His later vocal albums (except perhaps "Heaven's Open") pale in comparison - so if you like this, I'd head for straight for "Platinum".
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Its just a download that works ok
It's just a download that works ok what more is there to say. I know the album very well just needed it as an mp3
Published 10 months ago by A. C. Humphreys
Stunning album
This was the first vinyl LP I went to the shops to buy, I'd seen the title track video on the television(on Tiswas)and bought it on the strength of that track. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Jeff Van-Cook
oldfield
during Mike Oldfield's "pop" era. That is not to say that this is a bad set of songs. I like it quite well.
Published on 19 Nov 2009 by Denver B. Cornett
A superb album
It is hard to comment on this album as it is so fine that I am scared to death that my English won't express my feelings. Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2005 by "basakgul"
A truly great album
This is the Mike Oldfield album which got me hooked. I have worn out two tapes of this music, and now have the digitally remastered CD version. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2001
The hidden treasure!
Simply one of the best compositions of Mike Oldfield. Actually, in the top-5 of all his albums,for a big number of fans all over the world. Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2000
Music at it's best.
I bought this album in 1982, when it wore out I bought the tape, now I have the cd, if you think all Mr Oldfield has done is tubular bells, have a listen to this, Taurus 2 takes up... Read more
Published on 26 April 2000 by thegordons3@tinyworld.co.uk
If you don't have this album, then buy it
This album is a must have for anyone who likes Mike Oldfield. I have owned a copy of this album since it was first issued and still listen to it on a regular basis. Read more
Published on 10 Dec 1999
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