Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Track Listings
| 1. In the Beginning |
| 2. Let There Be Light |
| 3. Supernova |
| 4. Magellan |
| 5. First Landing |
| 6. Oceania |
| 7. Only Time Will Tell |
| 8. Prayer For The Earth |
| 9. Lament For Atlantis |
| 10. The Chamber |
| 11. Hibernaculum |
| 12. Tubular World |
| 13. The Shining Ones |
| 14. Crystal Clear |
| 15. The Sunken Forest |
| 16. Ascension |
| 17. A New Beginning |
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
...and buy this.
OK, so I *am* a big Mike Oldfield fan, but having said that, of all his albums, this is probably the one most likely to appeal to non-fans. So go ahead, buy it, and have your preconceptions challenged.
It is, quite simply, superb. I saw a TV ad for this album when it came out in 1994 which showed about 20 seconds of track 2 - 'Let There Be Light' - together with the accompanying video, and I knew immediately that I would love the album - though at that time I only had one other of his albums (TB II). And I do - to this day.
It is so unlike anything he has ever done before, yet at the same time it contains his signature guitar sound (not to mention the top notch production), and I would highly recommend it to anyone genuinely interested in music - of any kind.
And the music itself? Space-oriented, yes, but organic and melodic rather than merely electronic and inhuman. Beats, samples, vocals - and of course, the trademark Oldfield guitars. Put it this way, you could listen to the whole thing and not realise it was Mike. But if you knew - you'd know. Trust me - it rocks.
"Welcome back into space, Mike: there's still lots of room out here." As they say.
Masterpiece.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Forget everything that you know about music. Let this be your guide. I am particualrly partial to Mike Oldfield. I have been for quite sometime. This is one of his most memorable. I am not convinced that it is his best. If you have read my review of Ommadawn then you will know that both of these albums have great personal appeal for me. This album reaches deep within my psyche and drawing out my soul as it must have done with Mike.
This may seem like pretentious babble. You have not heard this album. It is simply stunning. The majestic images evoked by the 'Let there be light' track and the splendid 'Crystal Clear' keep my eyes fixed for hours. It is the kind of music which induces visions that drugs attain to. It is difficult to put into words how much this album means to me - as my rambling has proven. Please buy this and open up your eyes to the majesty of far away planets and deep oceans populated by strange creatures.
Nuff said
62 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
You are either a big fan of Mike Oldfield or you probably haven't heard of him. When he dies he will be remembered for his concept debut album, Tubular Bells and this album won't get a mention.
But I believe this to be his finest hour. Mike has gone on record (excuse pun) that he was never completely satisfied with Tubular Bells so who am I to complain?
SoDE is a unique album. Never before nor since has he managed to create such variety and depth in a jam packed recording.
The album has 17 tracks but ostensibly they run on giving an uninterrupted listening experience.
The album starts off fairly quietly and finishes up with a bang. As usual, Mike likes to build up his music so that his best efforts are usually at the end. Like watching a thriller movie, the climax is realised and you want to come back for more.
Some people view this album as a chill-out recording. Indeed, one of the tracks, "Crystal Clear", has in fact a voice taken from psychology, and is the second best track.
The penultimate track, "Ascension" is a sort of reprise of all that has gone before and mixed wonderfully as only Mike can.
Mike the perfectionist musician meets Mike the perfectionist audio engineer. How can he fail?
Throughout SoDE there are many varied voices to be heard with just a smattering of lyrics. This is Mike's trademark. There are actually no "songs" on this album. This is an instrumental piece of work. But the voices are also instruments and can vary from actual "live" recordings to haunting melodies and also the surreal. But it never sounds weird. Just brilliantly timed to fade in and fade out with Mike playing a myriad of instruments.
The whole album oozes perfection from start to finish and at times Mike's guitar work is exciting and breathtaking.
A chill-out album it may be but after you have heard it all you will be left with an afterglow feeling that only this New Age type of music can achieve.
If you only buy one album by Mike Oldfield, make it this one.
Wear the cans, crank up the volume and chill out man!
But I believe this to be his finest hour. Mike has gone on record (excuse pun) that he was never completely satisfied with Tubular Bells so who am I to complain?
SoDE is a unique album. Never before nor since has he managed to create such variety and depth in a jam packed recording.
The album has 17 tracks but ostensibly they run on giving an uninterrupted listening experience.
The album starts off fairly quietly and finishes up with a bang. As usual, Mike likes to build up his music so that his best efforts are usually at the end. Like watching a thriller movie, the climax is realised and you want to come back for more.
Some people view this album as a chill-out recording. Indeed, one of the tracks, "Crystal Clear", has in fact a voice taken from psychology, and is the second best track.
The penultimate track, "Ascension" is a sort of reprise of all that has gone before and mixed wonderfully as only Mike can.
Mike the perfectionist musician meets Mike the perfectionist audio engineer. How can he fail?
Throughout SoDE there are many varied voices to be heard with just a smattering of lyrics. This is Mike's trademark. There are actually no "songs" on this album. This is an instrumental piece of work. But the voices are also instruments and can vary from actual "live" recordings to haunting melodies and also the surreal. But it never sounds weird. Just brilliantly timed to fade in and fade out with Mike playing a myriad of instruments.
The whole album oozes perfection from start to finish and at times Mike's guitar work is exciting and breathtaking.
A chill-out album it may be but after you have heard it all you will be left with an afterglow feeling that only this New Age type of music can achieve.
If you only buy one album by Mike Oldfield, make it this one.
Wear the cans, crank up the volume and chill out man!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Stardust
A work of genius is never complete but thanks to Mike Oldfield we get a glimpse into other dimensions. Take a look at `hubblesite. Read more
Published 3 months ago by CorneliusR
Great album named after a great book
I was not a fan up until recently, & was happily surprised with the album. As I grew tired of popular music & its desperate need to be over produced to appeal to the chart heads... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. D. P. Toney
Songs of Distant Earth
In short, this was a very enjoyable album, whether driving or playing in the background, very, very good. Read more
Published 6 months ago by itineoman
Fab stuff
I have been Mike Oldfield fan sine TB came out on vinyl, I bought this on Cd when came out and think really is a fantastic peice of music, just hope that MO will issue this as part... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Marcus
Nice
Just to say, if you are looking for a good listen. and even don't really care who by...then definitely place this one in your cart... Read more
Published 9 months ago by M. Maguire
Still love Mike's music.
I've never been disappointed in Mike Oldfield's music. Always remember Tubular Bells every time I hear his music even Spheres, not that this is a negative in my mind!
Published 10 months ago by Mr. Gordon Smith
Yes - I like it, more than I thought I would!
With so many other reviews this is probably unnecessary but being an "early works" fan; this one struck a chord for some reason - and no pun intended! Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ben Bottle
A hatchet job on every single mix between tracks
Though I am a fan of the novel and quite like some of the tracks on the album every single mix has been hatcheted by a lunatic, to cut the album up and the best bit of every tune... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Slave to the rhythm
what an experiance
I was 18 when tubular bells came out and have since listened to and bought just about every conceivable variation of it, i didnt think it could be bettered, but when surfing the... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Alfred Howick
one of the best
i have searched for this cd for years... and i finally found it... it was sent to me and i got it in good condition.... the audio quality is fantastic... i am finally happy
Published 16 months ago by jimmy
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
