Mike Oldfield - Amarok (1990)

Guybrush · 03-14-2011, 06:32 PM

This thread is for discussing Mike Oldfield's album Amarok from 1990. It was homework in our Prog & Fusion Album Club in March 2011.

Here's a brief description of the album :

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anteater

Mike Oldfield - Amarok (1990)

Far better than the ever-lauded Tubular Bells IMO, this 60 minute, 1 track effort from the master of ambient-prog is Oldfield's finest moment. Like previous works, Oldfield is responsible for most of the eclectic instrumentation. Worldbeat atmospherics, stabs at synthwork which wouldn't be too far out of place in a Legend of Zelda game, insanely good guitar and bass and loads of percussion are but a few of the things you'll hear in Amarok, but such is but a modest overview of how grand this suite is and I couldn't do it justice in 10 paragraphs, much less this one.

But basically, this is top class world-prog. fusion, and one of the 90's Holy Grails of prog. for those interested, so hope a few of you give it a whirl. xD

So, what do you think about it?

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 03-17-2011, 06:11 PM

Halfway in, and I am ****ing love this. Immediately created a smile on my face that's stayed consistent. More in a half hour, and so.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 03-17-2011, 06:49 PM

I think that was utterly amazing. So many different styles. More than I could count. African drum beat, Celtic, detuned abstract folk, ambiance, piano classical, Gaelic singing, banjo bluegrass... The list goes on.

Like a much longer more sophisticated laid back Spillane. Like a combination of it and the Chrono Cross Soundtrack(NOT an insult). Stunningly brilliant. Loved it.

Sneer · 03-17-2011, 08:41 PM

Well, isnt this a veritable smorgasbord of wordly delights.

No, in all seriousness, this album is superb.

Guybrush · 03-18-2011, 06:52 AM

I didn't quite find the time to sit down with Amarok last week, but now I've given it a double spin. I agree with the strong points already mentioned here. Smorgasbord of worldly delights is a good description. I guess what I liked the most were some of the fairly beautiful and catchy vocal parts.

I don't think it was entirely brilliant, though. I think the production and style of the composition is a bit cold and calculated (which is kinda his style, but). I miss something that makes me feel more in the midst of all that goes on, that the beautiful parts were more beautiful or that there were some more profound climaxes. Parts of the album simply get a bit dull for me and I don't understand why Mike Oldfield plays his guitar with that thin, wobbly wail. At best it's alright, but at worst I find it slightly grating.

For me right now, it was fairly enjoyable and deserving of a good. Possibly it could climb up to a very good, but that will take some more listening on my part.

View Poll Results: How would you rank the album?
Horrible!	0	0%
Bad	0	0%
Mediocre	0	0%
Good	2	28.57%
Very Good	2	28.57%
Brilliant!	3	42.86%
Voters: 7. You may not vote on this poll

03-17-2011, 08:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	Well, isnt this a veritable smorgasbord of wordly delights. No, in all seriousness, this album is superb. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

03-18-2011, 06:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	I didn't quite find the time to sit down with Amarok last week, but now I've given it a double spin. I agree with the strong points already mentioned here. Smorgasbord of worldly delights is a good description. I guess what I liked the most were some of the fairly beautiful and catchy vocal parts. I don't think it was entirely brilliant, though. I think the production and style of the composition is a bit cold and calculated (which is kinda his style, but). I miss something that makes me feel more in the midst of all that goes on, that the beautiful parts were more beautiful or that there were some more profound climaxes. Parts of the album simply get a bit dull for me and I don't understand why Mike Oldfield plays his guitar with that thin, wobbly wail. At best it's alright, but at worst I find it slightly grating. For me right now, it was fairly enjoyable and deserving of a good. Possibly it could climb up to a very good, but that will take some more listening on my part. __________________ Something Completely Different