Delfín
Group: Members
Posts: 667
Joined: Nov. 2000 |
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Posted: Aug. 18 2010, 13:16 |
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The first time I saw or heard Mike Oldfield it was 'Moonlight Shadow' on a black/white TV when I was 9 and I became fascinated, so vocal music is for me a normal and still special way in which Mike has expressed his creativity.
I'm listening to 'Earth Moving' recently, and for sure there's a surviving magic that makes it last with time. Nikki Bentley adds a spice to the whole work that gives it coherence and has never appeared again (besides some bits in Heaven's Open), and this and the new PRS distorted and wha'd guitar sounds make a difference as well from previous works like 'Islands'.
I really consider two gems in this album, being 'Holy' and Earth Moving', the first one being immaculately sung by Adrian Belew, whose crystal clear voice could have been used for more works with a guaranteed success. The solo guitar sound appears suddenly as a new feature never witnessed before, that heavily distorted wha overdrive sound that would be a hit in latest works, specially 'Amarok' and 'Tubular Bells III'.
'Earth Moving' suprises you for the unusual in Mike's world soulish feel of the lead vocalist, and the percussion, being obviously sampled or sequenced, is top quality and very original in the way it leads the timing of the song. The (bass or guitar???) intro is also brilliant and so are the backing voices. More predictable is the sax solo, although much more dynamic and fitting in the song than the one in 'Islands'. The highlights of the song are the strong work on the lead vocal and the Mike trademark guitar's short and strong melody repeating at the climaxing end.
I would even add to those two the uncombustible 'See the Light', a power-rock gem with a very hypnotic and repetitive instrumental motif at the end as well, with synths and guitar, and the wonderful ballad dedicated to Mike's daughter, Greta, 'Far Country'. This one, if made with rather simple sequencers and rythm that come in straight from 'Islands', has a lot of charm and reaches up to heavenly heights at the instrumental guitar tandem by Oldfield and Belew. I would say that makes the most special and rememberable moment in the whole album.
The rest of it is more than decent, varied, inspired, and full of quality and even meaning, although for me the low point on it is 'Innocent', which, as someone before has assembled, attempts to be taken seriously and that makes its failure; I think it would have come up better as a bit of a funnier or more comic song.
About the end, i don't know the reason why the last two tracks are linked, as there's no thematic or musical nexus between them, and I consider any of them could have been a good finale separately (even better 'Nothing But' ).
Mike's 'Earth Moving' should be regarded as a hard earned success in delivering the music Virgin were compelling him to make, without treasoning the faithful listeners, and giving them a real quality pop album. Even so, 'Amarok' would en up being a release for everybody... except Richard Branson!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
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The most precious thing I possess, is knowing the answer's yes
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I love this album! So uplifting and spiritual. His hooks are there as is his trademark guitar. This is sophisticated pop! Not like the crap on the radio here back in 1989! Glad to see some other fans of this album! Cheers! 
