PLATINUM

Platinum won't go down as a highlight in Oldfield's discography. It lacks the artistic ambition of his previous sidelong tracks and consists of nothing but 5 minute folk diddles. There is an overwhelming sensation of déjà-entendu here, as if Oldfield has done each of these melodies somewhere before already.

The smooth commercial production doesn't help. Oldfield introduces rock drums on this album but they sound mellow and cheesy. Alan Parsons must have been the unfortunate example that Oldfield took the production inspiration from. Only Airborne and Woodhenge are an interesting listen. The tracks with vocals, Sally and I Got Rhythm are most disappointing of all. Straight Christmas carol pop junk.

Platinum is the first in a series of cumbersome Oldfield release that ultimately made me loose my interest in this artist entirely. File under writer's block.