Search - Mike Oldfield :: Best of Elements

Falls short, but also paints a picture different than some w

Manny Hernandez | Bay Area, CA | 06/28/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like most compilations for just about any artist, this sampling of the works of multi-instrumentist Mike Oldfield falls short in its attempt to cover the artist's best works. A good example of this is the fact that it only provides a "taste" of the "Tubular Bells", only including 4:18 minutes of its opening, when it was his most transcendental work, one who earned him a grammy, boosted him into stardom and helped turn Virgin records into a prominent label.



An attempt is made at covering bits and pieces of his work from most of his periods, and some listeners may end up being dissapointed by what they encounter (or by what they miss) here. The truth is that Mike Oldfield reminds me a good deal of Alan Parsons. Both have been outstanding artists who rose to fame for something great they did in the mid-seventies (Parsons' most famous landmark being his participation as Engineer for Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon"). But both have also had their times during which they put out music that wasn't up to the expectations of those who idealized them. At the end of the day, the balance in the album tends to be less than optimal, but mostly due to its limited selection more than anything else.



While not a bad album, I probably would recommend getting his originals or shooting for his box. There are definitely at least a couple of songs that do not belong in here, but it's mostly the missing songs the ones that you are not getting if you get "Elements"."

Inferior quality tracks put together on a rainy afternoon...

CeSinge | 02/01/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I do own several Mike Oldfield CDs and I like them. Great music, great sound.This one is clearly not in line with the others. Quite obviously, this CD was put together on a rainy Sunday afternoon... A number of good songs where brought together, but unfortunately the result is far below what one should expect, having disbursed [$$$]. The sound quality is poor (lacks detail and dynamics), and the recording engineers didn't even care to end the tracks in a decent way. Listen to the way track 1, 3, 5, 6 end. It's as if the guy fell asleep and suddenly woke up "uh, oh, the next track is starting. Let me quickly fade this out." The end of track 5 is a remarkable kludge. Further, they did not take the time to check the levels of the tracks... you will want to reduce the volume of track 4 each time: it was recorded at a volume level far above all the others.Too bad. Mike Oldfield has great music. But at times, the engineers were not at the same level. Spend your money elsewhere."

Pieces of Great

D. Mason | Chicago, USA | 03/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're reading this you're either looking to see if someone agrees with your view of the album or you're wondering whether to buy it. Spooky these powers of mine, aren't they? I never regretted getting this album even though I usually hate single artist compilations. But MO is a noteable exception. This is a really diverse album with tracks you'll dislike but come back and like later, tracks that will grab you and not let go, and some that are just...comfortable, if you know what I mean. And there's a few that maybe you won't like ever. I most appreciated that it didn't take much work to get into it; I didn't have to suspend judgement for 3 or 4 listens, it opened up so nicely but always with the promise of more. Another review ID'd the voice of the angel in Moonlight Shadow but as a counterpoint there's Roger Chapman's voice [he with the voice of a demon, of Family] in Shadow on the Wall. Just one example of the way the album seems to reform around different axis. Elements: elemental? building blocks? I don't know. But don't mistake this for a platter of greatest hits pitched at those who don't want the full works. It might take you exploring his other work, or it might take the music you already know and prompt you to know it again in a different way."