1999 album from the veteran English new age/ progressive/ electronic multi-instrumentalist. 11 tracks, including 'Peace On Earth' and 'The Millennium Bell'.
1999 album from the veteran English new age/ progressive/ electronic multi-instrumentalist. 11 tracks, including 'Peace On Earth' and 'The Millennium Bell'.
CD Reviews
Not what it's billed to be, but still an excellent album
Monica J. Kern | Lexington, KY United States | 07/20/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD was not exactly what I expected. Other reviews and the liner notes had led me to believe that this album would survey the last 1000 years' worth of musical styles, but it doesn't really do that. Yes, there are several different styles represented, but they stem primarily from the past 100 years and important musical styles (e.g., Renaissance) are left out. So if you're expecting this CD to encompass a millennium of music, you will probably be disappointed. But if you buy it because you are a Mike Oldfield fan (or fan of New Age music in general), you will be pleased. Despite representing quite distinct musical styles, the tracks flow seamlessly together. Two of the tracks (Doge's Palace and Millennium Bell) have an irresistible beat, and the Millenium Bell track in particular proves that Mike Oldfield can do Techno better than the Techno artists can. For the first two months we had this CD, whenever that song came on, everybody in my family--myself, my husband, 5 year old, and the 2 year old, even--stopped what we were doing and danced madly to it. It is an album you can play over and over and not tire of it. It is not Mike Oldfield's best album (I save that honor for "Songs of Distant Earth" and "Voyager"), but I would count it in his top five."
It grows on you.
Halldor V. Hreinsson | 12/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been an Oldfield 'fan' for ten years now, which is quite long for my age, at 25. My personal favorite though of his late music is TBII & Songs from distant earth, both which I found truly masterpieces. Not forgetting his early work, I still listen to TB, Hergest Ridge, Ommadawn with the volume up loud alot. Millenium Bell... When I bought it (probably the first one here in Iceland) I thought myself hmm, yet another version of Tubular Bells... but with liking of Tubular Bells I, II & III, I thought it can't be all bad.... After the first listening round I found it okay, nothing really speciall but not bad... This album was so unlike Oldfield that I was quite surprized. I kept it in my CD player and let it play for some days... and guess what... I love it, it grows so much on you. There are many really nice songs on this CD, and then I'm first going to mention the cream of it all: Broad Sunlight Uplands! It's one of the most beautiful pieces I listen to, (except mabie Etude... but that isn't fair) So calm, easy going melody but yet so emotional. And then there's Lake Constant. Full of hope... There's only one song which I don't like alot on this CD, that's Mastermind, found it okay at first but got tired. The rest really grows on you."
The OTHER mike
TheSongsofDistantEarth | Oceana | 09/24/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It seems as though Mike Oldfield has several distinct musical personas that come through him: my favorite pieces are the weird, otherworldly things like TB, Amarok, Ommadawn,...these seem to express something musically, without seeming as though they were written FOR a certain market.
I've found that anything Mike has written with a disco beat, (including much of this cd) feels as though he is trying to get club play time rather than expressing some of his fascinating musical ideas.
This cd, were it by any other artist, would be considered to be quite good, but if you're looking for that vintage oldfield weird stuff, you'll be disappointed.
That said, there are several peices that are pretty good, a few that I hate, but I have not yet played it enough to "let it grow" on me. But hey, its mike, and I'll give it a chance."
Great mix of different musical styles
W. Day | Fairfax, SC USA | 09/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Much of this music is very different from previous Oldfield styles, which is what makes Mike Oldfield's music so much fun. Who wants the same thing all of the time. Some of the lyrics get very churchy, but the music is definitely worth repeated listening. Peace on Earth and Pacha Mama are masterpieces, and Amber light and the Millennium Bell give the CD a great finish. The various rhythms will make you want to dance, and have a majestic sound that makes you want to hear them again and again. I listen to this CD almost every morning while I eat breakfast and get ready for work. Then, I listen to the music on the way to work. It is great music for distance travel.
Linda Day"
A more lyrical "Bell"
EL GREVO | Minneapolis, MN USA | 05/03/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First, if you don't have the original Tubular Bells, the remainder (Tubular II and III, the latter on import only like Millennium Bell) do not mean as much. Mike has worked with these movements over the past quarter century. The original piece seems to have evolved further and further until we reach this CD. The first 2 "bells" were mostly bereft of lyrics, while Tubular III moved more into actual pop songs along with the types of movements found on most "Bells." This CD is just as wonderful as the other Bells but the liner notes are very interesting reading to go along with the great movements seen here. The pieces can actually put you into other worlds. I'm a huge Mike fan and this is one CD I really enjoy for his classical side. Personally, I really like his pop stuff more...."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1