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Holger Group: Members Posts: 1506 Joined: Feb. 2003 Posted: Oct. 28 2008, 07:33 I know this isn't exactly the first topic praising Amarok, but I really want to share my feelings after listening to the album for the first time in quite a while. It's good. My oh my, is it good. It works on every level. There's so much going on, so much different stuff, and it all works. Some of those things, I can't even imagine how he did them. With so many different elements in there, this could have been a disaster in the hands of a lesser composer. But he pulls it all off perfectly. For a full hour, relentlessly. And what a sound this album has, crystal clear and powerful. Damn, he really had it. I know I've sometimes been putting Amarok below certain other albums in various polls and the like, but I'd hereby like to correct that. It just plain is one of his greatest. I know I'm really saying nothing new here. But I had forgotten quite how great this album is. Just wanted to share my joy of rediscovery. P.S. - And don't anyone dare criticize Thatcher - she absolutely needs to be there!   Back to top

wiga Group: Members Posts: 2113 Joined: Sep. 2008 Posted: Oct. 28 2008, 13:52 Quote (Holger @ Oct. 28 2008, 07:33) And don't anyone dare criticize Thatcher - she absolutely needs to be there!   I agree, - Thatcher and her tap dancing needs to be there. -------------- Barn's burnt down - now I can see the moon. Back to top

nightspore Group: Members Posts: 4770 Joined: Mar. 2008 Posted: Oct. 28 2008, 21:07 Yes, I'd say Amarok is Mike's best album. My one criticism is that I think it should have ended with that joyous tubular bells section. It's a high spot, and the minutes after seem an anti-climax (almost as though Mike has finished having sex and is now having a cigarette! Back to top

raven4x4x Group: Members Posts: 1535 Joined: Jan. 2002 Posted: Oct. 28 2008, 22:52 Quote (nightspore @ Oct. 29 2008, 10:07) My one criticism is that I think it should have ended with that joyous tubular bells section. It's a high spot, and the minutes after seem an anti-climax I must disagree with the anti-climax description. Sure the Thatcher bit is rather strange (to say the least), but the coral sections are just supreme. I don't think there's anything anti-climactic going on at the very end! -------------- Thank-you for helping us help you help us all. Back to top

nightspore Group: Members Posts: 4770 Joined: Mar. 2008 Posted: Oct. 29 2008, 00:39 Quote (raven4x4x @ Oct. 28 2008, 22:52) I must disagree with the anti-climax description. Sure the Thatcher bit is rather strange (to say the least), but the coral sections are just supreme. I don't think there's anything anti-climactic going on at the very end! It's just that I like the tubular bells melody and sound better; I don't like the choral ("coral" should probably be on Islands, not Amarok! as much. I have similar thoughts about Beethoven's 9th, incidentally; I always think it should finish on the well-known melody. Back to top

Olivier Group: Super Admins Posts: 1868 Joined: Nov. 1999 Posted: Oct. 29 2008, 14:24 I think the albums I prefer are his most introspective ones, where he doesn't try to please his wallet or the record company, and a known audience (chill out lovers, neo celtic music lovers, neo classical music lovers, etc.) But it's not even that simple, I love TSODE and it doesn't fit this. Maybe the reason for TSODE is that it's an extrospective album, but done with lot of care, perfectionism, contrary to others done with the "it's easy for me to do this" attitude. So the facets that work for me are introspection, not showing off, and not being lazy. Vangelis is a master of using his laziness, some other artists too. I think Mike is better when he works hard, and it's even better when he doesn't want to write music for an existing market or audience. Back to top

The Caveman Group: Members Posts: 2178 Joined: Jan. 2008 Posted: Oct. 31 2008, 15:02 I see where you are coming from Nightspore but i do love the choral section up to the end.The power of the voices as they suddenly kick in is pretty damn awe inspiring.And dear old Maggie is essential.reminds me of Spitting Image and the lady that 'does' Maggie here is the voice of Maggie on Spitting Image. -------------- THE COMING OF THE GREAT WHITE HANDKERCHEIF IS NIGH. Back to top

Holger Group: Members Posts: 1506 Joined: Feb. 2003 Posted: Oct. 31 2008, 19:38 She's also so rhythmical, her delivery is very musical indeed. I feel she's an essential part of the whole thing and even the suggestion that she shouldn't be there has me perplex. Back to top

nightspore Group: Members Posts: 4770 Joined: Mar. 2008 Posted: Oct. 31 2008, 19:51 The part where she crashes into something is amusing. I wonder, though, whether Mike would have parodied a different political figure if he had recorded the album now? Back to top

Olivier Group: Super Admins Posts: 1868 Joined: Nov. 1999 Posted: Oct. 31 2008, 21:55 Amarok 2008, feat. Sarah Palin of Alaska. Then Amarok the ice wolf takes all its sense... Instead of the crash, Sarah kills the wolf from her helicopter. Back to top

nightspore Group: Members Posts: 4770 Joined: Mar. 2008 Posted: Oct. 31 2008, 22:02 Assuming Mike's politics still lean to the left. Churchill once said (I paraphrase) "He who is not a socialist in youth has no heart, and he who is not a conservative in later years has no head." Back to top

Sir Mustapha Group: Musicians Posts: 2802 Joined: April 2003 Posted: Nov. 01 2008, 08:34 Sarah Palin on Amarok? Oh, my... "Hello, people. I suppose you think nothing much is happening at the moment. But the war on Iraq, and the tax reductions are what are going to, ah, er, I-- it's all about job creation, under the, ah, umbrella of health care and the economical crisis and, um, er--" -------------- Check out http://ferniecanto.com.br for all my music, including my latest albums: Don't Stay in the City, Making Amends and Builders of Worlds. Also check my Bandcamp page: http://ferniecanto.bandcamp.com Back to top

trcanberra Group: Members Posts: 349 Joined: Jan. 2008 Posted: Nov. 14 2008, 06:42 Quote (Sir Mustapha @ Nov. 01 2008, 08:34) Sarah Palin on Amarok? Oh, my... "Hello, people. I suppose you think nothing much is happening at the moment. But the war on Iraq, and the tax reductions are what are going to, ah, er, I-- it's all about job creation, under the, ah, umbrella of health care and the economical crisis and, um, er--" Oh, and look, you can see the Isle of Man from my back door .... Back to top

Tati The Sentinel Group: Members Posts: 3360 Joined: Feb. 2002 Posted: Nov. 14 2008, 19:05 Listening to Amarok on a excellent set of headphones can boost your experience. -------------- "But it's always the outsider, the black sheep, that becomes the blockbuster." - Mike Oldfield, 2014 "I remember feeling that I'd been judged unfairly and that I was going to prove them wrong." - Peter Davison, 2011 Back to top

Matt Group: Admins Posts: 1186 Joined: Nov. 2002 Posted: Nov. 15 2008, 05:40 Quote (Tati The Sentinel @ Nov. 15 2008, 00:05) Listening to Amarok on a excellent set of headphones can boost your experience. Absolutely agree, for instance that great wee chuckle at 5:45 isn't really noticeable on "old tin boxes". A quiet room and good speakers works can work well too.... -------------- "I say I say I say I say, what's got three bottles and five eyes and no legs and two wheels" Back to top

Ugo Group: Members Posts: 5495 Joined: April 2000 Posted: Nov. 15 2008, 18:29 Quote (Matt @ Nov. 15 2008, 11:40) [...] for instance that great wee chuckle at 5:45 isn't really noticeable on "old tin boxes". [...] Yes it is! I've got a set of 20-year-old CD player, amp and speakers and it still sounds very clear on them. -------------- Ugo C. - a devoted Amarokian Back to top

Ray Group: Members Posts: 857 Joined: Jan. 2000 Posted: Nov. 16 2008, 09:08 Quote (nightspore @ Nov. 01 2008, 00:51) The part where she crashes into something is amusing. I wonder, though, whether Mike would have parodied a different political figure if he had recorded the album now? Obamadawn - you mean?   -------------- Looking out over the harbour in Peel....... Back to top

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