After 33 years in music 2005 brings a new era for Mike Oldfield. Earlier 2005, Mercury Records were honored that an artist with such an unquestionable musical heritage chose them as his new home. The first fruit of this pa... more »rtnership is the stunning album entitled Light & Shade. With Light & Shade Mike Oldfield has presented a collection of songs that sit proudly among the many classic moments in an amazing career. He is an artist like no other and he continues to produce timeless, unique and inspirational music that will enthral listeners for many years to come.« less
After 33 years in music 2005 brings a new era for Mike Oldfield. Earlier 2005, Mercury Records were honored that an artist with such an unquestionable musical heritage chose them as his new home. The first fruit of this partnership is the stunning album entitled Light & Shade. With Light & Shade Mike Oldfield has presented a collection of songs that sit proudly among the many classic moments in an amazing career. He is an artist like no other and he continues to produce timeless, unique and inspirational music that will enthral listeners for many years to come.
"Oldfield dismissed his last album of new material (Tr3s Lunas) as "chill out music for a video game" (which was included in some versions). Okay . . . so what's the excuse for two more CDs worth of the same? LIGHT AND SHADE is certainly not the nadir of Oldfield's catalog (I save that honor for EARTH MOVING), but it's not very inspiring, either. How can an album that utilizes all the latest cutting edge technology already sound dated? With it's echoes of Ibza techno thump (that Oldfield did better on parts of Tubular Bells 3)this album sounds like it could have fallen off the truck in the late ninties. And while a lot of the tracks have nice melodies (Sunset) the sense of "push a button" computerized laziness overshadows the preceedings. It's like a breath of fresh air when Oldfield's signature guitar enters the soundfield . . . a real instrument, played by a real musician."
Improves with each listen
Booggit | Arabian Gulf | 05/30/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Like many other reviewers of this double-cd, I was beginning to feel that Mr Oldfield had lost his touch. Upon first listening to this album, I found it to be ok, not great, but ok. But being a die hard fan, I kept coming back to it, and it grew on me. I came to quite enjoy both cd's, especially the "Light" cd, with its standout, sensational songs "Our Father" and "Sunset". The second cd takes a few more listens, but I have come to like it just as much. Be patient folks; not every album is an instant classic! Give this one a fair chance, and if you are a fan of Mike's music, you will find yourself rewarded with lots of great tunes."
I really like it...
Jason Greenwood | Rhode Island | 09/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's funny, I've been a fan of Mike's forever (I have the original Tubular Bells... on VINYL, for crying out loud), but I had been getting tired of the older sound. The sound he has on this double album is definitely a modern one, and one that really works for me. I can see some people who liked his older stuff not liking this, but it's apples and oranges, really. If you like the idea of Mike Oldfield doing electronica/trance/techno, you'll really like this album. If not... well... i wouldn't buy it. =)"
Great listening
Raymond Spahn | Watertown, NY United States | 03/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow, Mike has done it again. A great listen. It is an instrumental set. Fairly mellow, but great guitar playing as usual. No disappointments in the bunch!"
Oldfield Stuns Again
Ben | 07/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a fan of all of Mike Oldfield's works, especially "Songs of Distant Earth" and "Tubular Bells III", and this album is no exception. The first CD moves through a gentle chillout dominated by melodic pianos and keyboards with some nice chilled beats.
There are two discs, reminiscent of Buddha Bar, disc one is entitle "Light" - containing the gentler, more melodic pieces, while disc two, "Shade", consists of heavier, more energetic and "danceable" songs.
The second disc, my favourite of the two, takes you on a musical journey unlike any Oldfield has attempted before. It is has a real club feel, but keeps its beauty - as if designed for a club in heaven. The highlight of the disc is "Surfing", which moves from an enchanting vocal section to an epic instrumental part and then back again.
The only problem I have with the entire album is some of the "whispery" vocodes, but they hardly detract from the album as a whole. All in all, "Light + Shade" is another excellent work from one of the greatest musical geniuses of our time."