THE SONGS OF DISTANT EARTH

I would have given this a five star rating had it not dated so quickley. I think the ' New Age' tag is an appropriate label but it does not diminish the extraordinary output on TSODE. It is a wonderful continuous work, probably Oldfield's last excellent album - now 10 years ago! The guitar work is sublime in parts. Highlights include ' Oceania', ' Only time will tell', Crystal Clear', ' Hibernaculum' and ' Ascension'. It was a great concept piece too and I am sincerely praying he gets back to concept based albums again before his retirement kicks in.