CRISES

Mike Oldfield

Crossover Prog

3.51 | 508 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer

As usual, Mike will invite some great guests to help releasing this album.

Some great vocalists will especially raise the level of this department. There is nothing to do: Mike is a great musician and composer, but in terms of vocals he is not really good. I wonder why he doesn't step back from singing and leaves this role to more talented persons like Jon Anderson during the passionate "In high Places". Such a contrast with these flat vocals during the epic track of this album.

The title track is another of these long pieces from Mike. I have to admit that this one sounds better than "Taurus II". Rocking jolly good it has also its quieter and more melodic moments. But like this entire album, sounds are more electronic oriented and at times it gets on my nerves.

Still, this piece should please any Oldfield fan but don't expect anything such as his greatest seventies works but an enjoyable new age song with some folkish moods. At times, there WILL be some Ommadawn influences.

The worse is being achieved with "Foreign Affair". A real bad song even if it features the great Maggie Reilly on the vocals. It is of course not her first appearance on Mike's work (she was passed on the torch by Sally for several albums already). Press next (sorry Maggie).

The closing number features the unexpected Roger Chapman on the vocals. This is a more rocking number. Somewhat AOR-ish, but again Roger is great in his performance. And I can't help to like "Moonlight Shadow" and the very fine vocal part from Maggie.

This album is definitely profiting of all these great guest vocalists and last but not least, Anthony Phillips is playing the guitar on each track.

Another good album from Mike. Not his best of course (but these times belong to the past) but a decent work in a decade that didn't see too much of these in terms of prog.

ZowieZiggy | 3/5 | 2008-1-29

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this MIKE OLDFIELD review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to ZowieZiggy
Report this review (#160194)
Buy MIKE OLDFIELD music online with PA partners
Show all MIKE OLDFIELD MP3/Stream
Go to MIKE OLDFIELD page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to Crises page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for MIKE OLDFIELD related discussions