FIVE MILES OUT

After reviewing two of Oldfield's lesser works- EARTH MOVING and VOYAGER, I figured it was time to have a crack at one of my Oldfield favorites, FIVE MILES OUT from 1982. The percussion plays a large part in much of this album, and some able guests help to pull this up to a near 5 star status. Maggie Reilly, Carl Palmer, Morris Pert contribute wonderfully here. From the long pieces "Taurus II" and "Orabidoo", to the shorter "Family Man" (Hall and Oates should be ashamed), and "Five Miles Out", and "Mount Teidi", there are no weak points anywhere. After QE2, which I found a bit dull, this album was a real refresher. Unfortunately, this album gave way to a more commercial phase in Mike's career as the 1980's wore on, and it was not until 1994's SONGS OF DISTANT EARTH, that I found another really good Oldfield work to listen to from start to finish. FIVE MILES OUT is a must for all Oldfield fans. 4 stars.