aoeu
Group: Members
Posts: 8
Joined: Jan. 2017 |
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Posted: Jan. 20 2017, 10:02 |
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...than the original Ommadawn? Well, it's too early to say something as bold as that. But given how much I liked it on the first listen that's usually a good sign, I can only imagine how much I'd like it when it grows on me even more. I'm listening to it now for the third time as I write. Safe to say my first impressions are very positive.
RTO I think must be the truest return to the feel of Mike's first three albums, but at the same time it's very much its own thing. While referencing the original Ommadawn most of all, it doesn't convey its sense of chaos, this is a much calmer, more reflective piece - and for that reason maybe its most natural comparison, if any, would be to Hergest Ridge.
Any negatives? I could anticipate some people not liking the dominance of the acoustic guitars throughout so much of the album, especially given the sub-par reception of the album Guitars (which I actually quite like but I know I'm in the minority). That said, I've not seen any complaints to that effect so far, so maybe that's not an issue, it's not for me. Also, no, the climaxes are not as huge as found in the original O, but I would say it's not that sort of album.
Only having heard the album now I completely understand why there's no follow-up to 'On Horseback', it just wouldn't work with this album, RTO is not O. But the ending we have instead, with its reference to On Horseback (complete with a bit of MO's sense of humour), couldn't be more fitting. It marks RTO out as a continuation of Ommadawn and (definitely) not a TB2-style remake.
Perhaps, then, this album could be thought of as the long-awaited Parts 3 and 4 of Ommadawn, perfectly at home being listened to directly after the Parts 1 and 2 we all know and love. But mostly I see it as not trying to re-create every aspect of the experience of listening to the original, but reflecting on it.
And it's beautiful!
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