QE2

Am quite surprised this morning when I clicked my link in this site where I found new feature offered by Prog Archives : statistics of its reviewers! Wow! What a great new feature. By this feature it can give me a self portrait on which parts of prog music I tend to like and how I rate them individually! Thanks to Prog Archives Admin Team who has made this site is always progressing in a positive way. It's obvious that I'm more on symphonic type of music and I tend to rate progressive metal better than any other sub genre .. interesting! And from this I know why I never so close with any music created by Mike Oldfield because the music neither symphonic nor progressive metal in nature. But, I always keep an eye on the musik that Mike Oldfield has produced. Why? Because many of my friends like the music of Mike Oldfield and I don't want to be left behind!

Interestingly, this QE2 album stirs my emotion even though it's not so deeply engrossed in my mind. One thing for sure: I admite Mike Oldfield virtuosity in music making. Proficiat! My attention to this album started to emerge when I watched a DVD of Mike performance with "Taurus". This album opening track "Taurus 1" is truly an excellent composition, well performed by talented musicians - including Phil Collins on drums. The music flows beautifully with intertwining works of guitars as well as keyboards. Guitar sound is so unique to my ears and I can identify this kind of sound really attached to Mike Oldfield - because I have never heard other artists play similar sound like Mike's. "Mirage" is also another excellent track that moves smoothly from mellow to moer complex arrangements. You may find the subtleties of the music when you listen to the album during night time (when evryone at home has gone to bed) and play it LOUD while sipping a cup of hot coffee .. what a life!

Overall, I would give this album with full four stars rating, meaning that this is an excellent addition to any prog music collection. If you don't get used to the kind of music that Mike plays, don't worry ... take another 4 or 5 spins, and you will get it right! Anyway ... don't forget to keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW