PICTURES IN THE DARK

Working off the huge success of "Moonlight Shadow" and its less well known testosterone laden child, "Crime of Passion", "Pictures in The Dark" completes the trilogy of mid 1980s Celtic rock singles from Mike Oldfield. However, this one is far from a copy of "Moonlight Shadow". It's a bigger bolder production with richly layered vocal harmonies and several choruses that keep coming at you.

The voices of Barry Palmer, Anita Hegerland and child star Aled Jones play perfectly off each other. The shifting melodies of the verses and choruses allow the 5+ minutes to pass by fluidly, never lingering long in one place but with enough repetition to stick. Of course a signature Oldfield guitar solo completes the picture. Whatever dated 1980s influences might be present are merely surface next to profundity of the musical derivations themselves.

The second side of the EP features the excellent but too short celtic instrumental "Legend", which somehow manages to be a suite in 2:24, and the brief but too lengthily banal "The Trap".

If you enjoy quirky pop with progressive and ancient roots, the possibility of your liking this 12" single would be more than a shot in the dark.

"Pictures in the Dark"- Feature Anita Hergerland and others. Much in the style of "Moonlight Shadow". Definately has that Oldfield mid-career sound- poppy but yet haunting and beautiful. Features a good guitar solo midway through from Mike. Easily recognizable. I really enjoy this song! 5 stars "Legend"- Pleasent "medieval" Oldfield sound with a marching Celtic start and then an abrupt change into a more mellow guitar instrumental. Very nice. Could easily have become one of his longer suites, but this clocks in at only a little over 2 minutes. 4 stars "The Trap"- The weakest tune on this EP. A somewhat eerie short piece with a buildup (Mike likes to do that) but doesn't go far. 3 stars So, in total- 12 stars divided by 3 stars= 4 stars. A nice little collection.