TUBULAR BELLS II

This is an excellent re-make of the influential and popular Tubular Bells album. Since Oldfield was young when he made the first tubular bells, and had not the experience and skills he developed later, he decided to use his new talents to get his Tubular Bells and make it much better (also, with a modern sound that has great production)

The songs are almost the same ... it begins with the 'exorcist' soundtrack, then goes through many musical changes until it finishes up the first half with that glorious buildup (this time, it is not boring) that ends with many instruments including the tubular bells. The second song is also similar to the first Tubular Bells, and it is also the weakest half. That monster/caveman vocal highly irritate me, especially when the goofy other vocals join, and the album ends with the overly out of place western jam.

I think the first half of this album is very enjoyable, and I could go as far as call it a masterpiece ... unfortunately, the second half doesn't keep up musically.