Give this one a try. It is splendid score (simple but uplifting themes and not to complex orchestration). It works on you quickly and you can listen it over and over again. The track no. 5 is favorite of mine. The brass theme in the 4th minute is epic highlight. There are more magic moments - put it in your player and play it's splendour for yoursel.

Why are people clicking one star just because it sounds like Mike Oldfield, it is his style. It doesn't really sound like Tubular bells it has a classic music quality to it. Great music.

Mike Oldfied does what it says on the tin no more no less. Why buy or review something which changes slightly from disc to disc but be shocked that it sounds similar to the last album?

You could of course be clever and slate it with a wolf in wonderland review but it will change nothing

MIKE OLDFIELD SOUNDS LIKE MIKE OLDFIELD

Shock horror what a revelation.

Being Mike Oldfield is enough for most of us

I was introduced to Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells in my teenage years, and have bought and listened to a great deal of his music in the intervening quarter century or so.
I guess it's always a mixed blessing to produce iconic debut material, and it was a peak that, in my opinion, Mike would struggle to reach again for many years.
Follow up albums were merititious in their own right, but over time I think it became obvious that something, perhaps his increasingly strained relations with Virgin Records meant that albums of the late eighties seemed to lack "desire" and Mike was maybe going through the motions to fulfil his contractual obligations - and with the exception of Amarok, I shied away from Mike's music.
1994 brought The Songs of Distant Earth, which I bought on the strength of the novel it was based on rather than Mike's reputation. Yet it became my favourite. A new ambient style from the composer, and more matured tastes from the listener combined to make TSODE the "Bells Beater".
Still, it was so far removed from my previous experience of Mike's music that I have neither bought, nor indeed knowingly listened to anything since.
Until now.
Intrigued as I was to hear of a new "Classical" piece, I took the plunge, and I am pleased to say the water is fantastic.
Music Of The Spheres has its roots set firmly in Tubular Soil, but that is not to say it is Tubular Bells 4, 5 or whatever we are up to now. Nevertheless, it has the DNA, and fans of Mike's debut opus will recognise this newest offspring as one of the family.
Composed by Mike, but fully orchestrated by Karl Jenkins, MOTS is performed by a symphony orchestra, rather than by Mike beating chair-backs to the rhythm of his guitars, the Neanderthal bvs of "Bells" are replaced by Homo sapiens choirs and the solo voice of melodic and angelic Hayley Westenra. (Those afeared of Mike's songwriting need not worry... it fits perfectly.) Fountains and cascades of piano are provided by Lang Lang (he of the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, if you are not otherwise familiar), and the whole is a triumphant synergy of its parts.
Fans of the Oldfield axe are substantially rewarded and Mike does what he does best on much of the piece.
Ostensibly comprising 14 tracks, MOTS is a wonderful composition that should appeal to all Oldfield followers, and will not frighten off those who love more traditional Classical Music.
It is a fabulous modern composition which deserves to be played alongside other popular classics at Prom type concerts.
Do I have anything bad to say...?
Well, just two things.
There is one harsh note, just one, played with considerable vim and vigour, which takes a little getting used to (at about 5.04 in track 14 if you're interested).
Also, at about 45 minutes in length, it is perhaps a bit short.
I can't help thinking there's 27 minutes of free space going begging on the CD. In the early 70's 45 minutes was a good length, but today, maybe we have come to expect at least an hour?
But I quibble over nothings in what is a near-perfect and five-star scoring masterpiece from the New Man of Classical Music!

Brought up on TB1, I have to admit to bias but without doubt this is joyous music which lifts the spirits and makes one glad to be alive. Sit back and enjoy!

Thanks, Mike.