Reviews (page 7 of 9)
Meh. Orchestral stuff isn’t really for me.
Oddly interesting, weirdly charming at times, and it feels like I imagine the 1970s to have been. But also it's not something I'll return to.
Heerlijke plaat
Haha nice Flashbacks van bassie en adriaan
The Exorcist theme! This is one of those albums where I appreciate it as an innovative product of its time. It doesn’t hold up as well for me now.
I don't know what I'm missing but I just don't get it.
Momentarily interesting, decent enough background music, Mike Oldfield was nineteen when he made ‘Tubular Bells’, and he played all the instruments, which is, let’s be honest, quite an achievement. When I was nineteen I could still barely tie my own shoe laces, let alone make a record that sold millions. Still, the main problem I have with ‘Tubular Bells’ is that while Oldfield’s technical ability on multiple instruments is excellent, the actual album is largely devoid of melody for long passages and so ends up being rather…boring. Also, I can’t help thinking that if it wasn’t for the Exorcist using the opening minutes of this album, it wouldn’t be as fondly remembered as it is.
"Sorry. All our agents are busy. Please stay on the line and..."
Oh it's The Exorcists theme... Oh it's actually pretty tight! 1st bit is obviously familiar, then goes off to become much more than just the spooky theme we all know.
Вау. Не знал, что это мне нужно, но это было мне нужно
Zum schaffe im hintergrund isches eigentlich no easy und sicher einiges besser wie die Jazz Orgel Musik ;) 26min isch eifach chli lang für en song, chame halt so nume schwierig uf irgend e playlist due. Naja all in all 3/5
HAHAHAH ich h welle sege geils churzes album 4 lieder ABER 26 MINUTE S ERSCHT LETSGO, ich mach mis yoga dezue bis jetz vibets.ok ich liebs? Es isch wie eh gschicht, mega toll und mir wird auned langwiilig bim lose. Mol i dig it bi voll im film. Oke es isch schochli kitschig aber ich find das derfs au sii? De fakt dass de typ all 20 instrument uf dem album selber spielt spricht glaub für sich…
Wieso han ich immer die weirde? Ich finds voll okay aber mich nimmts mässig mit. Han chli s gfühl es isch eifach experimentell, damits experimentell isch. Luut em qobuz artikel über s album woni glese han (und wo findet es isch e absoluts meisterwerk) isches teilwiis würkli so. D caveman noises gege de schluss sind gsi wel de produzent gseit het er söll gsang iibaue und er het extra chli dumm tue. Finds eifach chli mässig originell, wär villicht anderer meinig hettis '73 glost. I glaub es het au meega relistenability wels so komplex isch und da hani mega gern. Bim 10 mol lose fändis wohrschinli genial aber i ha kei bock zums nomol lose wels für mich gar kei hook gha het. Da hend anderi ähnlichi albe vo dere ziit. Und moment woner d instrument seit wo ie chömed isch uuuultra cringe, da isch nöd peter und der wolf do.
ok mikey de exorcist theme isch schono cool. und jo er het alles selber gspielt und isch erst 20i gsi und so, aber da sött eig nöd beiflusse wiemer er album beurteilt. de teil am 14:30 isch huere geil mit giti time und so. jetz bluesriff mit synthbass wo drunder liit. part two (zweiter teil) findi die erste 10minute nöd so geil s goht irgendwie nienets ane. hahahahha de caveman shit isch funny. er hegs voll bsoffe ufgnoh. unddra groovts zimli. wolf geheule au geil. nocher wieder prog rock melodie und so. mmh zweistimmigs giti solo no nice aber jääh
han nöd mega vill dezue z sege. erinneret mich chli ah filmmusig, aber nöd speziell guet iwie, sorry mike :( han funny gfunde woner di verschiedene instrument vorgstellt het hahahah jz gad im nachhinein erinnerets mich glaub chli an suufjan? also han iwie s gfühl aber ich los nöd nomal ih das arschlangwilige album vom suufjan inne. eig hett ich ihm sölle es 1 geh, ich han en us irgeme grund sehr en subjektive hass uf ihn, tja aber ja leider isch de mike nöd vill besser, au wenns nüt "schlimms" isch
I really wasn’t in the mindset for this, but maybe if I was I would have appreciated it better, you probably meed to sit down in a dark corner with some red wine and crackers, and I was sitting on a romanian train instead. So it’s a 3 star album for now.
This album really grew on me. Bonus points for the cookie monster collaboration
ye it's pretty good. the bells are nice but the rest aint that interesting
Prog dressed up as instrumental experimentalism. Not as bad as most prog, saves it from a 1 because it has some curious moments, but enough of this fucking instrumental stuff please.
Does an incredible job of creating a mood for most of the first track (which is 26 minutes long tbf), but loses its way after that. Can't decide whether I like him naming all the instruments as they come in towards the end or not. However, there's not enough there to warrant a 23 minute track two, which is a variation on the same themes, and no one deserves the odd growling in the middle of the track. Then the third track is a cut of part 1 that they could release for radio, and the last track is a horrific sailor's jig. 2/5, pushing 3 but the good first 10-15 minutes isn't good enough to hold up the crappy final 40.
So weird, but so good! Loved this.
Great Album forever!
Sakrileg, das Album geht mir Voll auf den Sack. ich weiß nicht warum das so gehypt ist.
Auch experimenteller und ohne Vocals. Aber ich mag‘s.
Everything I thought it would be
The end of this album felt like the end of a jail sentence...I imagine
I can see why some people gave this five stars. I can also see why some people gave it one star. Liked part one. Didn't like part two. Split down the middle.
With regard to the release year, it's a milestone.
I've encountered this album once before, attracted most likely by the cover art. It's weird and the songs are too long. And weird. Just can't get in the groove on this one at all.
So here's what happened. Mike Oldfield was a music supervisor for indy films and never got paid. In retaliation, he pulled some of the scores for the low-budge, B movies up off the floor, put them on a record and evidently got the album to the right people, because somehow it ended up on this list. Sure, Titular Bells has that one song from the horror movie, but the balance of the album is pure mish-mash ... Track two is from the untitled Rocky Horror Picture Show spinoff movie. That film had a monster in the dungeon and a fair maiden who fell in love with it but of course that film was never released. Track 3 is also a salvaged score, evidently from an Irish immigrant period-film set somewhere on a wooden- hulled boat in the Atlantic Ocean. And finally, there's the track from the knockoff Monty Python film that is somehow connected to the aforementioned Irish migrant film (?). I didn't see any of these films, I'm just surmising. Evidently, his plan worked and eventually got paid. But, I'm not sure how Mike pulled it off. It's a mystery to me how this album wound up on this list. I'm pretty sure he's shifted careers from the days of being a music supervisor and gone into marketing. He's probably responsible for all the Mother's of Invention albums on the list too.
The intro from “Tubular Bells” was famously used in the movie “The Exorcist.” Somehow that was enough to elevate this album to a must-listen and Mike Oldfield to a national treasure worthy of an Olympics ceremony performance? It’s a memorable bit of music, but it doesn’t even feel like a horror theme. It sounds more adventurous or magical. If I had never seen or heard it, I wouldn’t guess it was used in “The Exorcist.” There is a lot that is interesting on “Tubular Bells,” but it all feels so random and disjointed. Progressive rock needs to ebb and flow, with threads of sound coming in and out to unite the piece. Prog songs tend to be long, but the 26 minutes here is just excessive, and mostly missing those hallmarks of the genre. “Tubular Bells (Pt. 1)” sounds like several separate songs - though all mostly interesting. Until the 20 minute mark, with the unexpected naming of the instruments. Luckily the song finally ends after that derailment, and “(Pt. 2)” gets back on track.
There was plenty of this that was perfectly pleasant, but the naming of the instruments in track 1 and especially the growling in midst of track 2 ruined this for me.
After he said GLOCKENSPIEL, did anyone else wonder if he was gonna ask whether we wanted to touch his monkey?
At first I thought to myself, “Why would this ever be on a list of things people have to hear?” I suppose most people would think, “Oh cool! The Exorcist soundtrack.” But I’ve never seen the exorcist so I didn’t know to think that. However, it turns out that Oldfield’s (mostly) instrumental offering has many layers like the palette of a fine wine. I taste the drought in the earthy notes if you know what I’m saying. He layers and layers and layers and the layers keep shifting, twisting, and contorting. They continually shift at just the right instants to keep my attention throughout the whole album. Well done.
Omen
Dude kinda looks like Willem Dafoe.
Knew nothing of this beyond Tubular Bells being used in the Exorcist. Had no idea it was part of another album or that the album was really quite good.
I think it was the first time I listened to some almost pure instrumental album, and I didn't find it boring. It's far from my favorite album from the 1001 list, but it deserves a fair 3 star rating for the production.
Wonderfully spooky and organic acid folk. It's delightfully hypnotic and at times, almost therapeutic.
Like a score to a weird art film thats really annoying and pointless. Even the bit where he shouts the name of the instruments is terrible and managed to make them sound meh. Enjoyed the sailors horpipe though especially the viv standshaw version.
Probably ought to be on this list, but apart from the few interesting moments here and there I didn't enjoy this
A real work of art. Idiosyncratic, weird and enjoyable. If you can get Viv Stanshall or Ivor Cutler on your albums, get them on your albums (you can't: they're dead).
I struggled with this one. I knew of Tubular Bells because of The Exorcist, already iconic in my mind, but never listened to the album - I was told (at the time) it was a modern classic. Listening today, I can only assume that everyone only heard the opening 5 minutes of the title track, yes iconic, then spirals off into a prog-rock mess. Reminded me of the first time I went to Za Za Bazaar, too much choice, you pick everything, now you got to eat with a mountain of food from every corner of the world. Vindaloo flavoured Dim sum is interesting, but regrettable. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. The rest of the album has its interesting parts, but quickly forgettable. I didn't hate it, just felt messy (as an album).
I'd probably never listen to it again, but I appreciate the experience. Very unique
I had previously known of this record and how it came to popularity from the Exorcist soundtrack. Honestly, I’m quite surprised it gained as much popularity as it did. It’s ambitious, no doubt. Oldfield was 19 when this was composed. There are great moments in this record, especially the guitar playing. It just feels a bit directionless.
This album was pretty cool, especially the intro. My only problem with the album is the way it was presented, two really long tracks. So many cool parts to the tracks, but a lot of progression to get there, that doesn’t really feel like the same song.
It starts with tubular bells and ends in a what may be a drug-induced daymare.
There are some fun guitar moments but on the whole this album feels pretty empty. I didn't hate it but it didn't really grab my attention at any point.
Merkwürdig sphärischer Instrumental Rock
It started out sounding kind of Christmassy with the bells, appropriate as I'm listening in mid-December. I don't remember a lot about the rest except it was mostly instrumental except when he announced a new instrument coming in and the weird phlegmy talking(?). It was fine. I don’t know what he was on about on that last track.
Excellent! So many memories, loved it.
Yes, this is where that song in The Exorcist came from. But more than that, this is a staggering work by a 19-year-old musical prodigy: even with its flaws, it’s highly complex and ambitious.
Well this was different. Did not care for at first. Did like the part 1 and part 2 songs. Don’t know what to make of the 2 final shorter tracks. Overall it was interesting
I was only really familiar with Mike Oldfield and Tubular Bells through The Exorcist. This is a very, very extended version of that song though, and dare I say? It's sort of brilliant! Much proggier than the aforementioned version led me to believe it could be, this album veers in all sorts of directions. I'm typically not a fan of long songs, and to be completely honest, I sort of had this on as background noise. But everything that I registered sounded pretty damn cool.
Strangely compelling. Expected to hate it, it was actually ok.
It was fine but um, where were the bells? I was promised bells! And there nothing was tubular about it!
3 - not sure how I felt really.
I'm going into this thinking I'm not going to enjoy it. I think I have it on vinyl actually but have never listened. 4:25 changeup, nice. 7:25 organ, not feeling this. 12:40 now we're getting Spanish. 14:10 not sure where we're going now but I'm interested. 20:20 grand piano 21:05 glockenspiel! Side 2 - just kinda nice. Very chilled, medieval folky. 11:50 - what just happened, i love it. Do I like this or not? I don't even know. I don't know what the occasion to listen to this is, its very much like a piece of art rather than a piece of music. Listening through this certainly does make me want to check out more of Mike's catalogue. 3.6/5
When it's good it's so good.
didn't know this album and enjoying some parts very much, especially tubular bells pt. 1
As soon I started listening and heard the opening, I got goosebumps and thought this is from Halloween. After reading, I found it was the Exorcist, bur gogdamn, it did give me goosebumps. This was a very unique album. I didn't really mind to much in the beginning, but it seem to get progressively worse. But the surprise guest appearance of the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street in song #2 may be the highlight of the album. Well done, Mike! Really enjoyed the lyrics to Sailor Hornpipe too. Especially the line, "buggered if I know." A little torn on this one. Such a unique album that I would never listen too, yet I found myself talking about it after the listen. I got goosebumps and I smiled when I heard the Cookie monster and finally the lyrics to Sailor Hornpipe leave me at a 2.5. Scoreboard will show a 2. 2.5
The Exorcist theme is an hour long? I like it better a 4 minutes. Totally not tubular, bro. Except for the Exorcist part. 2
3 Part 1: (^_^) Part 2: (0_0) Walking away pretty mixed on this one. After reading that the album is instrumental, I didn’t really go in expecting much, but I found myself grooving with it pretty quickly. Sure, it’s pretty repetitive, but the way it’s broken up musically kept it interesting, and each section was catchy enough to where its welcome never felt outstayed. The final guitar riff at the end of Part 1 in particular was insanely catchy, to the point where I would have been fine with it going on even longer than the near ten minutes it already does. I even liked the intro of each individual instrument during it - maybe it’s a touch cheesy, but I felt like it worked within the context of the song, especially with how the addition of each contributed to the music growing bigger and bigger, providing a great sense of finale for the first half. And then came Part 2. Right out the gate, the music wasn’t anywhere near as catchy or as fun as anything from the first half, “But hey, maybe it picks up!” I thought. I was wrong. Instead, Cookie Monster breaks into the studio halfway through and starts freestyling into the mic. It doesn’t get any better from there, with the actual finale of the album feeling incredibly out of place from absolutely everything that came before it. So, to summarize, I enjoyed half of this album. Part 1 had a fun, grooving energy to it, Part 2 did not give me that. Still, I think I appreciate what this album is doing as a whole, and I have a lot of respect for this dude putting it together single-handedly at the age of 19 no less. So, we’ll air just above a net “okay” by giving a 3. Fun fact: You may already know that The Exorcist theme song came from this album, so here’s another one for you - the guy announcing each instrument in Part 1 is Vivian Stanshall, member of the group The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, a name you may not recognize (I didn’t), but their song Death Cab for Cutie would later go on to inspire the indie band of the same name.
I was bored at work a few months ago, and went combing through the list for something to listen to and settled on this album, but that's the only reason I've listened to it before today. I think this album ambitious, experimental, and incredibly unique. But does a bold vision make a great listening experience on this album? At times. "Tubular Bells Pt. 1" starts off with a haunting melody that builds and swarms over four minutes, before the song starts to add in more guitar parts. Some of the guitar playing is great, but most of the guitar parts are incredibly jarring and take away from the overall feel of the song. The middle fifteen minutes or so of the song really took me out of it. I actually liked the part at the end, when the different instruments are announced, and play the same melody. I thought it was really interesting to hear the different sound that each instrument added, and the announcing of each instrument didn't take me out of the moment. "Tubular Bells Pt. 2" started off great, with some fantastic guitar playing, and I thought Mike Oldfield did a great job of building some great arrangements throughout the first nine minutes or so, until the intensity of the melody starts ratcheting up, and then things really went off the rails when that guttural singing started, which lasted about six minutes or so. the song was great for about another five minutes, until it all of a sudden kicks into a rendition of The Sailor's Hornpipe, which was a really odd choice. Mike Oldfield played it really well, but it just completely tore down what he'd been building in the song until that point. Overall, this album was incredibly impressive in its scope, and the sheer work that Mike Oldfield put into creating it. The early seventies were a wild time in music, and the fact that Mike was able to make a popular album out of only two prog rock marathon songs is incredibly impressive. There are moments of absolute brilliance, but those moments come screeching to a halt throughout the album, and that really takes away from the experience. However, I'm still glad that I got to listen to this album, and I think it's worthy of being on this list.
Some parts were cool. I see why at the time it came out it may have had an impact and how that impact may have carried through, but it just didn't enjoy it that much
Huh?
I really enjoyed this.
Nice background music, but that's about it. I don't get it.
Had "The Exorcist" not used this in their soundtrack I'd guess that this album would have languished in relative obscurity. Stripped of the visual context (the movie) or lyrics, I found this to be kind of a tedious listen. It seemed so self-indulgent, especially the bits where he growled throughout the song and where he would announce the various instruments as they were added. I hated the ending. After the spacey sound journey he suddenly dives into this jarring, square-dance, Popeye themed hootnanny which was so disconnected from everything that came before it. It totally took me out of the listening experience. Another one and done listen.
Real stinker, 1/5
This was interesting. Started off feeling like the score from “Halloween,” then went just about everywhere else. Will never be a go-to listen, but was well worth the experience.
Not sure why this is on the list
What a mess. Like someone's practice session that someone accidentally recorded. "What style shall we try next..?".
This perhaps wasn't the ideal morning for me to listen to some doom and gloom with Smiling Mike. I have a twisted relationship with Tubular Bells. Love, hate etc. I was once obsessive about it. Isn't everyone? Sure, it has structure and superbly crafted production. It's also become a cliche over the years and hasn't aged as well as other classic albums from this period. But it's still very, very good. Just not right now for me.
Tubular Bells Pt 1. is interesting and fun to listen to, albeit tedious and a tad monotonous. The opening is fun, as I like the exorcist a lot. Tubular Bells Pt. 2 IS tedious and monotonous most of the time. If you like 70s proggy stuff then you might like this album, I think it’s just ok.
2.5
Great 80s pop.
Sounds fantastic Not bored at any point
lol
I love progressive rock... but this? i know its for a film but i only rate the music and the music alone did not much for me. its a 2 star album but in relation to what kinda caliber of album already got a 2 star raiting should speak for itself.
All time favorite
the very beginning sounds like horror movie soundtrack. tubular bells 1 is long but it switches up so it stays interesting. I like the variety of different sounds and instruments he uses, but I don't love when he announces what instrument I'm listening to. tubular bells 2 at 8:30 is is really pretty. I think I like part 2 more than part 1, in contrast to the plays statistics. actually, the growling in bells 2 is a little unpleasant. these tunes remind me a bit of shine on you crazy diamond. The single is real nice too but I don't know why this would be singled out. I don't like the sailors hornpipe, maybe I just don't get it but it doesn't do anything for me. overall very nicely made album, good to listen to in the background, but maybe not for active listening. I enjoyed everything except the sailor, it ended on a wack note.
This is so good! I had no idea the Exorcist song was just a actual song. Pt 1 just continually builds instruments in a very cool way. Very satisfying when the tubular bells finally get introduced. Pt 2 has some crazy vocals and growling going on. I like how they almost bring the main theme back a while bunch of times. Then a Sailors Hornpipe cover after like 45 minutes of original instrumental music? Mr Oldfield is crazy for that. I really enjoyed this whole thing. Very good loud car listen.
Fun and spooky mostly instrumental progressive album that still holds up today.
It was the first time I've listened to 'Tubular Bells', even if I heard about it before and wanted to listen to it years ago. So glad I finally listened the whole album. What a cool concept and a beautiful record it is. I immediately loved it at first listen and I'll for sure come back and listen to is many more times.
Prog rock? More like slog rock, because it was a slog getting through this snoozefest.
- Trippy and somewhat interesting but a bit repetitive. - Great opening act.
This is the longest jam session you’ll ever listen to. It’s clean.
Really interesting to listen to. A bit of an oddity, but solid.
LSD?
When this album was released I was a child, which probably explains why I liked it. Now I'm an adult, apart from The Exorcist segment(!) it's fairly tedious showing off.
Groovy groovy groovy without exception this makes you remove all your clothes, douse yourself in ice cold water, and dance in the pitch black darkness
This thing has baselines! Good fun.
The theme music to theme music. Glockenspiel! 🔫🔫🔫
Une fois n'est pas coutume, je préfère le 2
allez 5 parce qu on mange vraiment trop mal 💘
I didn't know anything about this but actually really liked it. It was excellent music to have on while I was working. There were some weird choices and it was produced a bit strangely (differing levels, etc) but overall I thought this was great!
Listened Before? I'm not sure... I think so? I have no memory of the music, but the album art seems extremely familiar. I think I may have stumbled on this before, but its basically a new listen. If the album art wasn't already screaming "this is prog rock" the tracklist certainly does. One single piece split into two parts that are spread evenly across each side of a record. I find such a format sort of difficult to review. All I can say is that I understand the decision on format. While there are no words, the instrumental tells a certain story that is in constant evolution. Could easily imagine someone producing a visual accompaniment. Pretty incredible how the whole thing seamlessly transitions without ever feeling "forced." I do enjoy the goofy spoken narration of instruments around the 21 minute mark as he layers instruments over a repeating melody. I don't know why, but I was surprised when he said "Tubular Bells" and then the mixing pushed them front and center with a choral accompaniment. Well that was an enjoyable 26 minutes -- nice background music. Onto Pt II... honestly, the music itself is quite enjoyable, but what the everloving fuck are these vocals? It is as if they are channeling their inner werewolf and grumbling incoherent German(?). In a weird way it just works, but it is a curious choice just as with the narration in the first part. I'm left at the conclusion of this one a little confused. On one hand, I enjoyed it (especially the virtuouso guitar section around 17 min of pt II). On the other, I have no longing desire to go back for another journey. I think this is an incredible display of musical prowess from Oldfield, in not only playing a large number of the instrumentals, but also in arranging a coherent instrumental exploration of this nature. On a technical front I think this is very high; on enjoyment also reasonably high; but on a more nuanced, personal experience front, I'm kind of meh. So I'll be generous and say this is a 4 / 5 that I will probably never go through again. Added to Library? No Songs Added To Playlists:
What a cool album. There were shades of Final Fantasy in this album. It was a cool touch to introduce all of the instruments as they were added. This feels like a world music album with the variety of instruments, including bagpipes and Spanish guitar. I'm only reviewing based on Tubular Bells pt 1 and 2. Such a pleasant album I'll likely listen to again. I thought the album was going to be very simple and repetitive due to the first few minutes. The only real downside of this album was the weird moaning in Pt. 2. Everything else was a high throughout the entirety. I enjoyed the fact that it was just 2 long songs that gave Mr. Oldfield room to draw out and experiment during songs, almost like a jam band. Would pair nicely with a day at the Renaissance Festival. This album is a sneaky 5 in my opinion. I was in between 4 and 5, but the uniqueness of the album and the fact that it elicited joy while I was deep cleaning the bathroom pushes it into 5 territory.
Starts off with very spooky mysterious bells and piano. Jumps around all over the place from heavy to soft. I really laughed at about 20 minutes when they started listing the instruments that were coming up. The Glockenspiel/Bass guitar combo was fire. Oh hell the "2 slightly distorted" guitars might be the best. Nevermind the mandolin takes it. It just keeps getting better and better with the new instruments I can't keep up. OH SHIT TUBULAR BELLS!!!!!!! Part 2 sounded like some Final Fantasy 7 soundtrack where you are wandering through a wood looking for some Chocobo. Much less engaging than part 1 but still quite awesome. Woah I take that back at 12 minutes when they start speaking in tongues and the drum fill comes in. This album was the exact opposite of Kollaps which I listened to yesterday, it is mainly instrumentals but it actually makes sense and was awesome to listen to. It is like if Pink Floyd and King Giz made a collaboration album. The mandolin breakdown to finish off the Part 2 was a chefs kiss. On these albums of the day I normally stop after the original tracks end and don't go into the bonus tracks. But this album was just way too enjoyable to stop so I had to listen to the single and Sailor's hornpipe to see how much more they could do. And I am glad I stuck around. On a scale of 1 to I would take drugs and listen to this album: Please send me some mushrooms asap and hit replay.
Whoa weird I just watched the Exorcist last week so this brought back some weirdness this morning. Parts of this opening track feel like they should be in a space movie. That part at the end of Pt. I where the dude just says the instruments and then they all start coming in is pretty sick. This song is being added to all my playlists. Interesting growling on Pt. II. Feel like this could've been part of the Exorcist. The end of Pt. II sounds like I'm back at Renn fest. Overall some really good stuff in here. Wish it was fleshed out a little bit more but I was into it almost all the way through. Easy 4.
Wow. Part 1 you've all hesrd before, - mixes thing up but them, no need to add the names of the instruments as then are added. Really impacts the flow. Pt2 much better,,, until the groans come in. Them he starts the Sailor's hornpipe early. Forget the final track. Not sure what he was aiming for. Great skills and accomplishment.
This album has it all: Richard Branson funding, a teenage instrumental musician, a horror movie soundtrack, and the Olympics opening ceremony. I really am not sure how this thing got so popular, something about it feels super British to me. It's fine instrumental rock that is occasionally interesting and more frequently mediocre. It seems like this blew up after it was used in "The Exorcist", which I guess I get but it still surprises me. Maybe I'm missing something here, but I just don't quite get this one. There's two 25 minute songs which also doesn't help. I'm adding the "single" version to my playlist because I know I'll probably just skip the full version otherwise. Favorite song: Mike Oldfield's Single - Theme From Tubular Bells
Decent album but a bit repetitive
забавный)
I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. Parts are interesting soundscapes, and others are shit thrown at the wall that didn't stick. I will probably listen to this again at some point down the road and maybe it will make more sense then but for now it feels like a lot of aimless meander. Song going on my "1001 Songs" Playlist: Tubular Bells (Pt. I). There were two choices and Pt. II had a weird wolf growling section? Other Songs Going On My "1001 Albums Savelist" Playlist: None
Let's see where this goes!! Fun, great fuzz tone acid rock vibes along with everything else.
Too much tubular bells
Between this, Radiohead, and all the Todd Rundgren from last couple rounds, it feels like I've been on an intense-audio-production kick with these lately. I've listened to this one before, it's excellent stuff
I was feeling charitable, but then I hit 12:01 in "Tubular Bells, Pt. II" and immediately rescinded my generosity.
These bells are totally tubular brah. Ngl this was trending towards a 3 for a while then the songs just became difficult. I’m not a horror movie person so I cannot relate to this Exorcist hype.
D+ Tubular Bells, Pt. I 2 Tubular Bells, Pt. II 2 Mike Oldfield's Single 2 Sailor's Hornpipe 1 This was annoying because of the length of the first two tracks. There were parts of the 50 min or so that were actually great, but they were stuck in tracks that were 26 min and 23 min long, so it kind of ruined the music for me.
Cool melodies made by one man
Not my style
Not sure what to make of it...
I'm not going to sit here and act like I am going to listen to this one all the time, but I had a fun time. kinda goofy, kinda cool. kinda camp, kinda serious. the instrumentation is really cool, but also there is literally a section where he starts calling out specific instruments and they start playing ("tubular bells" hey, that's the name of the album!). Overall, not something I can see myself going back to very often, if at all, but an enjoyable listen.
Nope. weird and far too long with the same weirdness. 2 stars.
This is good - probably just a 4 star for me. But I’m deducting a star because he essentially set Branson on the road to being a billionaire.
Nostalgic but still kicks ass.
Well I didnt really really listen tbh yesterday was not a day for this album so maybe some other time Edit: nope still cant do it
Still surprisingly good
Interesting. Innovative use of instruments though some of them don't always seem to fit, in my opinion. Mostly the electric guitar. Sometimes it comes out of nowhere and is quite different then the tone of the piece.
More cowbell please
''Your mother listens to Mike Oldfield in Hell!''
It was the first vinyl record I played on a record player in my life and it changed everything for me. I was fifteen years old and I discovered the power and magic that an instrumental track can have. I love this album more than I love myself.
I kind of like this but it’s too long. Not terrible but not good.
i liked the second half
Very impressive that this guy played all these instruments at 19 years old, and there's some great parts mixed in. Way too long though.
Prog-rock that's a little too prog
It is what it is. Last song was pretty strange.
Like most people, I only knew the portion of this that was used for the Exorcist. Overall I liked the album. Extremely well produced. Should probably listen with headphones next time. Not sure how to categorize it — prog rock? Very impressed by the musicianship.
I wasn't minding this until the growling began in track 2. It was just so unpleasant and unsettling to listen to. Like cookie monster was messing around on the mic.
Some interesting. Some not.
I was just a kid when The Exorcist came out but I remember the hysteria around it all. As I recall, Part 1 was used as the theme for the movie. However, I had no idea until listening to the album here that it was over 26 minutes long (pretty sure the long version never made it to Top 40 radio haha). Impressive that he played almost all of the instruments. Extra credit for doing that at 19 years of age.
So much potential, but I think it ultimately fails to live up to it. While I enjoyed it I would much rather listen to modern electronic music or even classical. 3.5/5
going in, i recognized the opening song as the iconic theme to the movie “the exorcist”. however i was not aware that that song is 26 effing minutes long. in fact the album contains only two songs, and the other one is just over 23 minutes long. in other words, only one song per side on a vinyl record. both songs are mostly instrumental and progress into stages. it’s almost as if each song can be separated into about half a dozen suites. it was not really my thing, but it was well crafted.
Why is this here?
Meh
70s instrumental program epic which tbe Virgin empire was built on. Some bits are a bit sketchy.
Classic album
Some good, some bad, a bit weird, not necessarily in a bad way.
So good, until it gets all folksy, I'll just pretend it finished after the titular bells.
Oh, THOSE tubular bells
Another long time favourite. Guilty pleasure boomer music.
pretty good, great melodies and it sounds great, i'm hardly convinced this album is 50 years old as of writing. however i think i'd rather listen to the likes of "thick as a brick" if i wanted a super long prog rock song.
Ik noem dit eigenlijk geen album. Het is in mijn ogen gewoon en single met heeeel lange nummers. Geweldige nummers en ik houdt er van. Het lijkt een beetje op een ritje door droomland in een pretpark. Helaas gaat het op den duur wel een beetje vervelen omdat het behoorlijk langdradig is. Een ritje in de Efteling duurt ook geen 30 minuten, he.
Ku ik li
Wat er ook gebeurt, altijd blijven lachuhhhhh! Lekker variëren rondom het thema van een domme clown en vervelende acrobaat. Track 1 mocht van mij het hele album vullen. Het is bijna een soort jazz maar dan net wat minder abstract. Gordel om, netjes zitten op de billen en dan maar hopen dat de weg naar de eindbestemming niet te hobbelig is. Track 2 is een beetje als een telefoongesprek met een langdradige gesprekspartner, je kunt tussendoor gerust even weglopen/wegdromen en als je terugkomt haak je gewoon weer probleemloos in. Al zul je je dan wel afvragen waarom je opeens een soort gruntende piraat aan de lijn hebt.
Just a wonderful, and at times weird, journey. Good headphones and setting aside 30 minutes to just listen are highly recommended here.
The haunting theme from the exorcist. Impressive Mike was 19 and played all The instruments on this album. Instrumental prog rock really isn’t my thing but this gets 4 stars on pure talent alone.
Really enjoyed this. There are parts that are weird and clunky but it's raw and powerful in a way that is astonishing to have come from a young teenage mind. Really impressive stuff and the melodies are really incredible across these long concept pieces.
for the most part, pretty atmospheric
Kinda interesting but not that great to listen to.
Found this really uninspiring background music for the most part
perfectamente aceptable pero si no fuera por el exorcista…
This was strange but cool. Haven’t heard any of this in many years.
dreck
I can't say this album is a "must hear" album for me. It's interesting to listen to and the background that he played all the instruments is...interesting. Out of that context though, it's an album of instrumental music that is good for me to hear once, but not sure I would listen to it again. I just don't know WHEN I would. A person can be talented and make music that I think is background music, but it is not a reflection on the talent.
Interesting album. A historical curiosity and somewhat impressive for its time, but I don't feel it has aged well.
4.5 stars. Experimental and out there, but got to me in a good way. Composition is pretty much just two long and mostly instrumental tracks. Implements orchestral elements, music meanders through different moods. Interesting that Oldfield, who played nearly all the instruments himself, was only 19 at the time and it became the first album on Virgin Records.
It was competing for a 5 before the random tribal grunts kicked in. But an excellent listen nonetheless.
I enjoyed this one. Lots of cool instrumentation, pretty good sense of melody, suites/sections that were memorable and easy to follow, and a really big sound that wasn’t too pretentious. I’ve never really been into prog rock or instrumental rock, but this is a good listen.
80% background music 20% weird throat noises
Why does it sound so ominous Sounds kinda good
Bored slightly by the first track, extremely relaxing pianowork nonetheless. Enjoyed the second track much more, range of instruments and sounds making it a classic prog rock album. Almost everything composed and played by a 19 year old makes this a 4/5 for m
Pretty sure I've listened to this before? Opening is iconic. Side one is great, side two not so much
This was weird! I liked parts of it and not so much others, but the downside of the extremely long song lengths is there’s not a single song I liked completely, as each had sections I enjoyed and sections I didn’t.
Genres: Progressive rock Formed: Late 60’s Run time: 4 songs, 56 min, 7 sec The debut studio album by Mike Oldfield. It wasn’t until track 1, "Tubular Bells, Part One" was used in the horror film “The Exorcist” in 1973, that the album gained traction and went on to become a major worldwide success. The album consists of two long instrumental tracks: "Tubular Bells, Part One" and "Tubular Bells, Part Two”, plus two short tracks: “Mike Oldfield’s Single” and “Sailor’s Hornpipe”. The later contains spoken words, but it is utter rubbish! The two long tracks comprise a number of sections, so it’s not 20 plus minutes of the same thing. Despite the name, tubular bells aren’t actually a large component of the album. The name and imagery would go on to feature in much of Mike Oldfield’s subsequent work. I’m not a fan of Prog Rock and these instrumentals are not to my taste. It is a unique album and well crafted, but I wouldn’t call it ground breaking. Great for the theme to “The Exorcist” but it’s not for me. Listen Again?: No My Rating: ***
A bit self indulgent in places but a legendary album.
haha the exorcist-soundtracket! lite gås men ah.
Interesting and important, but not actually that good. Obviously "the exorcist" blah blah blah, but the hornpipe section is weirder to me - not sure why though!
This album is awesome. It was so odd hearing the first track and the super iconic Exorcist theme but then the song just goes in a completely different direction (and eventually comes back to the theme). It's incredible that he played almost everything on the album at only 19. I didn't really know what to expect from this one by was thoroughly impressed. Standout Tracks: Tubular Bells (Part One) and Tubular Bells (Part Two)
fuck me this is boring.
Mike Oldfield and I once owned a race horse called Pregnant Debbie. It won the Derby one year and Mike celebrated so hard that his dick fell out of his arse.
Like choosing between ham and lamb Woah shack yeti, Ham lamb man. Woah shack yeti, Ham lamb man. Shack yeti loves lamb, Lamb and ham. Shack yetis from the land of the isle of man.
This was quite the journey. It’s worth reading the wiki page for context on this album.
Background music with occasional death metal vocals I guess. Ok.
Tracks are far too long
Always worth sitting down with this one and playing it through some quality speakers. Phone speakers do not do this justice.
My favorite part was when he started calling in instruments like Pokémon. This album contains about 10 minutes of eargasmic perfection and 40 more minutes of random goofing around with a bunch of stuff Mike Oldfield found in his garage. Man ruined what could have been one of the best drops in prog history at 11 minutes into Pt. II by making horrible growling orc noises. I've heard people complaining about them before listening to this, and it's even worse than I could have ever imagined. Special shoutouts to the short "Mike Oldfield's Single". It's not on the official release of the album, but it was on Spotify so I listened to it, and I liked it more than Pts. I and II. Weak 3/5. It sucks how much better this could have been without the goofy noises.
first listen a delightful symphonic prog journey
Interesting tunes
Innovative, but I can only listen to it on odd occasions.
A blast from the past. I can see how it doesn’t look (or even sound) like much today, but it was certainly something back in its day, and it has more of a “making of” story than most other albums. Personally, I prefer the second version, which Oldfield released in the early nineties. However, even that one (or the ones that followed since) aren’t enough to bridge the gap to where the music world is today. Anyway, it's hard for me to rate this music which has been all over the background of my life's soundtrack. It has been many years since it stopped mesmerising me, but that doesn't mean I no longer appreciate Tubular Bells.
I've got a fever, and the only cure is more tubular bells
Easiest 5 of my life! There's something very special about this album that makes.me go back to it again and again, one of my absolute favourites I especially like it when he says 'Mandolin!'
If the title, average track length, album cover and fact that this album is entirely instrumental (aside from some interesting monster growls and a narrator telling us about a secret painting in an old house) haven't turned you off yet, congratulations. You might actually get some enjoyment out of it. Though not totally tubular, this isn't made up of all bells. It's actually a decently produced prog rock album with some lush guitars and catchy sections. However, I do feel like the two title tracks do meander for a bit too long; almost as if chasing a 25 minute runtime was part of the challenge.
Mike Oldfield’s Renaissance fair fever dream of a debut record (best known for its use in the opening theme of The Exorcist) features over 20 instruments (mostly played by Oldfield alone), runs over 49 minutes across just two songs, and gets two thumbs up from me.
This is a strange album. There are only 4 tracks but probably should have been divided up into more. Some of it is great, and other parts are pretty silly.
3/5
You know that certain kind of crazy person who convinces you he's not crazy (despite his former erratic behavior), you believe him because he seems so convincing, but then he ends up being crazy anyway? Well, that's this album. It's schizophrenic at its core, not knowing what it is--or rather, intensely knowing what it is in a precise moment, but then forgetting when it moves into a new moment, thus knowing itself once again anew. So many fractured pieces coming together, coalescing in a unified musical statement at the end of Side A, convincing the listener, in the quiet moments of flipping over the vinyl, that all is well. This deception continues in the calm, pastoral phrasings of the beginning of Side B, only to shock you out of your complacency with a punch of the piano keys, howling at the moon, and growling in gibberish. This insanity returns with a full-on mad carousel ride.
Good!
ima nekih cudnih melodija, al dost dobro i zanimljivo mi
Quite boring.
Fine debut
J’ai été surprise par le thème de l’Exorciste au début! C’est certainement mémorable. C’était intéressant de voir les pistes se déployer sur de longues périodes avec de nouveaux instruments
Reminds me a bit of a new era take on early Pink Floyd. Not my favorite but I could appreciate it I guess. 5/10
7/10
Enjoy the start but got a bit boring towards the end
Pretty boring. I see why they only use the first bit for the Exorcist.
?!
Yawn
Wow. Starts with one of the most recognizable diddies you thought was just random TV music and launches into a proggy journey with every instrument imaginable.
This album was definitely an experience, technically only consisting of 2 songs, Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’ is an instrumental journey of sorts through a variety of musical genres. Let’s start with the first track ‘Tubular Bells - Part I’ that probably features the most recognisable piano tune in all of cinema history let alone just the horror genre and what gave Mike the recognition he deserved for this album. Despite this part of the song only lasting for no more than a couple minutes at the beginning, accompanied with some nice electric guitar, the whole track is very eerie and a lot harder to pin down than the following part II track. Electric guitar is actually used quite frequently through this track whether it be subtly lurking in the back as in the final couple of minutes of the track or standing on its own at around the 13:30 mark. Finally in the last 6 minutes of the track we get an instrument break down where singular instruments are introduced one by one with a voice in the background to create a climax of sorts out of the so called ‘tubular bells’ which stand out rightly so which leads to the track ending on some folk like acoustic guitar. The end of Part I sets up Part II very nicely which instrumentally is far more acoustic and folk like on the front half and a mix of rock genres on the latter half. There is also the introduction of some wind instruments around the 5:30 mark which definitely gives this part of the track a slightly medieval touch. We start transitioning to the next part of the track around the 9-10 minute mark where more drums are introduced and an electric guitar is forever present at the front with a strange set of noises being repeated in the background sounding like they come from sort of mythical creature. This continues to the 16 minute mark where we transition to another phase of fairly somber Spanish guitar that is played beautifully all to finish at the end with an up beat folky style playing in the last couple of minutes as a sort of ‘happy ending’ to a story if you will. Overall I think this album is fantastic and can definitely see why it is highly praised but as an album for enjoyment I don’t get that much out of it, it is not something I feel like I’d want to return to it’s more something you feel deserves to be heard in a theatre and that’s my only downfall to this is that it really does not feel like it should be an album but something in its own lane. Nevertheless I recognise the quality this album displays and I think it is worth the listen regardless. 4/5
This is an Iconic album, and now 50 years old. Part one and part two are the most enjoyable parts of the album, it loses its way with the rest of the tracks. In my opinion, as a result, I’ve only given it a 4 out of five
Gotta admit my expectations were pretty low after hearing the theme from The Exorcist at the beginning but was blown away by the rocking instrumental jam that it evolves into.
Delightful instrumental to end the week. Title track had a lot of radio time back in the day due to use in the Exorcist movie. Fresh listen with a much better audio system and quite nuanced!
Um. So somehow something got fucked up and they put the music from the exorcist on this list. Just figure someone should know that they made a mistake, because theres no earthly way this would be an album that anyone should listen to, much less everyone should listen to. 1/5
Boring.
This is one of the closest things to a rock symphony that you can find. It is a highly orchestrated proggy, folk influenced suite in two parts that utilizes many instruments spanning several genres and features some incredible arranging and musicianship. To top it off, Mike Oldfield was 19 at the time of recording. To make something this magnificent at age 19 in 1973 is nothing short of astounding. This album was interesting and very moving.
Sure, it's a clever album with good musicianship, but my god is it a chore to get through.. I'd be more than happy to not spin this one again
Well that was fun. A bit weird towards the end, which is a shame because I really enjoyed track 1 and probably would have given it alone a 4.
Well this has been a while coming. Like many I've avoided this on the basis of my dad playing this over and over again. Of course I hadn't seen the Exorcist as a kid, but hey, it's worth remembering this was already the start of the Virgin empire. So, historically, so much too it. But musically? I'll leave it to all you prog rockers and musical historians.
honestly not bad? gives me videogame soundtrack vibes
this RULES!!! and it just keeps going. really great stuff. cannot believe a 19 year old made this. no clue what's going on in part two tho. howling and demonic chanting i guess? very rock-opera esque. the 'prog' is really coming thru here. "Angered by Branson's suggestion, Oldfield returned to the Manor where he drank half a bottle of Jameson's whiskey from the studio's cellar and demanded that the engineer take him to the studio where, intoxicated, he "screamed his brains out for 10 minutes" into a microphone. The incident left Oldfield so hoarse that he was unable to speak for two weeks. The engineer ran the tape at a higher speed during the recording, so that upon playback the tape ran at normal speed, thus dropping the pitch of the voice track and producing the "Piltdown Man" vocals listed on the credits." (via wikipedia)
I don’t get why it’s labeled as “rock”, maybe seeing that made me have different expectations of it, instead just left me feeling slightly confused
Very prog
Never knew anything about Mike Oldfield other than the creepy intro that’s used on The Exorcist. Saw this come up and really couldnt be bothered with an hour of bell music. But this was surprisingly good for me! Was not expecting this progressive, experimental sound. Good chunks of it you can hear in lots of the late 00s mathy/progressive scene. Deserves way more credit than I ever thought. Also, he was only 19 and recorded almost all instruments! Thats mental.
While I understand songs can have different 'movements' or whatever, Mike has clearly just stuck a bunch of different bits together and called it a day. Obviously know the exorcist theme at the beginning and nothing else, which I don't think is enough to call it an essential album, don't imagine other film soundtracks are coming up in the list. There were some parts I enjoyed in isolation but there's nothing that made me want to repeat.
Good stuff, very impressive considering he was 19 or so when he did these. Enjoyed the Sailor's Hornpipe at the end of Part II, bit of a laugh.
I was immediately put off by seeing it had two 20+min tracks however it was better than I expected. Learning it was entirely made by a 19 year old in the 70s is quite impressive. It's fine as background music but I wouldn't listen to it again.
I used to have the iconic bit of tubular bells as a monophonic ringtone for a long time when I first got a mobile! I enjoyed him telling me what instrument I was about to hear in the track.... This was pretty nice to listen to in the background while working, quite prog rocky without the rock. Did enjoy it but shouldn't think I'll be going back. Not sure about the weird sailor bit, but ignoring I think Tubular bells part 1 was the best bit. 3.5 if I could
Quite enjoyed this one for background listening. Nice instrumental prog rock. What kept this from being a real attention-grabber was mostly the sameness and slow progression within the two titular tracks. In that regard the second part was a bit better, not just because of the vocals, although those also helped in making the piece feel more varied.
✅ proggy ✅ folky ✅weird
Unique and good! Funny that the opening track was used for The Exorcist
A bit tedious and boring. It kind of amazes me that there was enough demand for two sequels to this album.
How much LSD does it take...
This is a great alumn! Love it! 5 stars!!!
Alrighty then. Next.
Kjempeopplevelse! Hørte plate 2-3 ganger første dag
Good bits here and there. But far too long for it’s own good.
Ok, I had no idea what to expect from this album, but it definitely wasn't this! One man recording show, so many musical influences that basically are gelled together. It's not that it flows, but it all compliments each other. A really interesting work. Definitely need another listen to digest, but you can tell it's something else
Everyone have listened the opening minute at some point in their lives. What follows is just as interesting, even if not as instantly recognizable. Prog classic.
Hugely iconic, with great moments, but overall not a great album. In fact quite a lot of needlessly odd or bad.
Kind of ridiculous but I can't help but like it. Jumped the shark a little when he started calling out instruments as they came in. OK having waded all the way through Pt. II I have to admit this album is not actually all that good. I started listening certain that Tubular Bells belongs on this list but finished somewhat more ambivalent on that point.
Weird instrumental music
kinda boring ngl, never really did anything for me as a kid and still doesn’t do anything for me now Passages that don’t go anywhere, no emotional build up or climax. Instrumentation is cool I guess
Lovely for background music, but kind of boring for 20+ minute long songs.
Tubular Hell.
Amiable meandering bollocks.
the power of christ compells you ... to listen to the very end
This album is not boring! Very strange and interesting. I think strange in a good way, although I completely understand why this isn't universally loved. I like the experimental vibes, and I can hear the influence of 20th century classical composers on this as well as the influence this album had on jazz and electronica that came later. Not everyday listening material, but extremely cool. Deserving of its place on the list, and a fun excursion into experimental sounds. 4/5
A 15 million selling 2 bar riff. Little else here of interest. Next.
With context, being a solo album at a young age, it's highly virtuosic. However, outside the few minutes used for The Exorcist, it was too much to enjoy. Random instrumental wankery above anything else.
Mixed emotions. Was kind of digging this on and off, and then the Klingon wailing bit started and I was like nah...
Interesting album but would have been bored if it weren’t for the throat singing.
Ok
I've never heard this past the first minute or so that's in the exorcist. I had no idea it got so annoying
miiiiiiiiid
When I saw that I had been generated Tubular Bells, I’ll admit I did get quite excited. This is an album where I’ve always thought that id have to get round to listening to it at some point, but just never have. I love the other Mike Oldfield songs I’ve heard (In Dulce Jubilo is one of the best Christmas songs ever written). Songs I already knew: Tubular Bells Pt. I (but just the opening minute or so) Favourites: Tubular Bells Pt. I, Tubular Bells Pt. II This album was quite phenomenal. There are parts where you can close your eyes and be in a horror film, a Spanish romance, or even in a high fantasy world. Tubular Bells Pt II even features some vocal from an actual orc around halfway through, or maybe it’s the demon from The Exorcist. When the actual tubular bells play towards the end of the opening track, I was covered in so many goosebumps that I wouldn’t be surprised if they were even on my eyeballs. This was incredible from front to back, and I’m very glad to have finally heard it.
Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: Nope, not a lot to love about 30 minute ambience tracks Favourite song: didn’t have one
Not really sure why this was included but good horror movie soundtrack
Definitely interesting, not the most amazing thing I've heard but a good listen.
uuuuuUUUUUuuuuuuu
Was genuinely so confused upon seeing this. I guess the name of the album is pretty fitting. Not my thing, and I got bored of it pretty quickly. No fave track.
Interesting music. Impressive how he created so many changes off a few movements. Probably won’t listen again, but mainly because tracks this long are hard for me to appreciate
Halloween theme
Fun sounds
One man's schizoid dreams made into an interesting and visionary album.
incredibly fresh, will relisten
Unbelievable for what it is and when it was made.
Je sais pas si c'est bien ou pas....
PREFS : Tubular Bells, Pt. 1 MOINS PREF : Tubular Bells, Pt. 2
Interesting instrumentals, huge mood changes, and with an orchestral feel. All without a big mention of a drummer. Definitely a new age album. Feels almost timeless.
Bells bells and more bells
Very weird, very interesting and very much a must listen. This is a nice slice of life from the explorational age of music when electronic instruments were starting to be used. 3/5.
When I saw the name come up, I misread it as Oakenfold. I unfortunately was disappointed.
Rock progresivo de Mike Oldfield. Vinilo.
It’s a modern composition and one that will never not sound menacing and almost tribal. Those tubular bells certainly cause a helluva ruckus.
Hippy nonsense.
Zoals ik bij Jean-Michel Jarre al schreef, 'nu nog Tubular Bells van Mike Oldfield en de soundtrack van Bassie en Adriaan is compleet'. Nu schijnen de befaamde clown en acrobaat ook nog diverse andere muziekstukken te hebben gebruikt van lieden als Vangelis en Clannad, toch is vooral het intro van deze plaat bij mij blijven hangen als het gaat om spannende deuntjes die de avonturen van twee circuslieden en een pratende robot begeleiden. Maar Tubular Bells is zoveel meer dan het intro. En dat is jammer, want op een gegeven moment zakt de spanning enigzins uit de plaat weg. Wat voor genre is dit eigenlijk? Een groot experiment kennelijk, een lange reis langs de muzikale ideeën die bij Mike in zijn hoofd opkomen. Inclusief een grommend monster, een weerwolf en een snippertje folk aan het eind. Een uniek stukje werk, voorzien van een iconische hoes, bijzonder ook dat dit zo'n hitalbum is geworden. Maar voor mij is de reis iets te lang en wijdlopig. Geen vijf sterren daarom.
Ook dit is weer een verzameling geluiden. Een ander album op de lijst liet al walvissen met de band mee spelen. Hier zijn het onder andere wolven. Wat moet ik daarmee? En moet ik nu echt uitleggen dat gerochel niet het mooiste geluid is? Natuurlijk. Je kan er niet om heen. Er staan iconische fragmenten op dit album. Die rechtvaardigen een plek op de lijst en die moet je waarderen. Ik overwoog zelfs nog een 3 (2,5 is ook een 3). Maar dan sluit het af met een nummer waar doorheen gekoekwausd wordt. Hou toch op.
Allememaggies! Iconische piano-intro, die iedereen van onze leeftijd (in NL althans) herkent als de muziek van Bassie & Adriaan (in het buitenland bekender van the Exorcist blijkbaar). Verder stroomt het als een kabbelend beekje voort met al dan niet interessante gitaarpartijen en synths. Alleen al voor het jeugdsentiment verdient deze plaat een paar sterretjes, maar het is niet iets wat ik regelmatig zal opzetten.
Tubular Bells seems to be the prog-ambient icon I never knew I wanted (at least visually) to know. The approach doesn't make me an instant fan, mostly thanks to the excesses of the former genre. Projects like this, though - the same name on both LP sides kind - deserve looking-at as a simple piece, and in that Tubular Bells easily surpasses its name.
It sounds like I’m about to get the best massage of my life, but then I realize I’m not, and I am upset.
I love this because I love it
Engaging and interesting throughout!
Way more rock and roll than I thought it would be. I especially liked the upbeat turn that part 1 takes at around the 10 minute mark and then the part where the narrator introduces the different instruments as they join the mix. This is much more than the ubiquitous melody from The Exorcist. Maybe you had to be there to see what makes it so groundbreaking. Still quite impressive that the album is 100% the brainchild of Mike Oldfield who produced, recorded and played every instrument. 3.5 stars
I can't not hear the exorcist. too creepy.
Background music but ok
Based on this project, I’m starting to see “he played all the instruments!” as a warning sign, not a recommendation.
How am I supposed to know the shape of the bells of I can't see them?
Actually quite kooky
Tava esperando um rockzao progressivo mas o sim é muito sem vontade de viver
only listened to first song, pretty cool music
p299. 1973. 5 stars. Quality English musical eccentricity. I am not a fan of 70s prog-rock or pointless, meandering noodling with instruments - but this is good. What sets it well above the dross is the sheer variety of music themes and styles that Mike Oldfield manages to blend together, and none of them outstay their welcome before moving on the next one. Half a point deducted for the caveman grunts on side 2, but a bonus half a point for Vivian Stanshall.
This was pretty interesting! Equal parts cool and bafflingly weird lol. Don't think I'll need to revisit it any time soon, glad I heard it once though!
Love this album, a master piece from Mike Oldfield!
Sooo wide ranging and interesting
Absolutely bonkers. Love it
Dangit 5 stars, no notes. Weird in the right ways, creative in the right ways, silly in the right ways. Prog rock isn't for everyone, and this is sort of a Prog Rock Ur-text. Kinda wild that he basically revolutionized prog rock AND horror movie soundtracks
Good listen. On the whole, the music really went all over the place, but still fit together and flowed so well. Randomly reminded me of other artists at various times. One point I'm thinking Metallica, at another Tenacious D, and then I'm thinking of that song "I Come from a Land Downunder" or whatever. Closes out at some Medieval Fairground for a Diddy. With it being an instrumental, I like to do a "could this be played at a dinner party check". The answer is probably dinner party music, but not for every dinner party.
An absolute classic. Yet another dad album. This record has been spun many a time in the Nichols household. Definitely recommend looking into the history of how this album was recorded, it's an incredible story. I am a big fan of around halfway into part 1. The harmonized guitars, the little bleeps of the synth, the piano riff, the humming. Every time I listen to this album I pick up on some new part that speaks to me in a different way. The caveman bit is just further proof of the total insanity and creative freedom that Mike was allowed to have for this project. A truly unique album that takes listeners on a journey through a range of musical styles and sounds. Oldfield's musicianship and versatility are on full display, making for a wild and unforgettable listening experience. "Grand piano Reed and pipe organ Glockenspiel Bass guitar Double-speed guitar Two slightly distorted guitars Mandolin Spanish guitar and, introducing, acoustic guitar Plus, tubular bells!"
Some pleasant parts in the first song but not very easy to listen to.
I discovered this album sometime in the last year—thanks to my friend Joey!—and have since bought it on a CD that I play once every other month or so while I’m working or cooking or doing some other mindless task that I’d like soundtracked. I love this album. Not only is it ominous, but hilarious. Not only experimental, but traditional. It’s unique and mind-bogglingly successful. Wildly impressive, and impressively wild. Impressive that a 19-year-old Oldfield put this together nearly single-handedly. And wild that it has had the profound effect on our cultural unconscious that it has had. It’s got to be among the most commercially successfully 20+ minute musical pieces this side of the 19th century. I can’t believe how popular it is. And it makes me giddy with excitement just thinking about its existence. This is why I love music. It’s stories like that of Tubular Bells. A strange coming-together of commercial forces—a young, risk-taking Richard Branson—artistic forces—the manic, frustrated, and frequently drunk Oldfield and all others who had a hand in this recording up to and including Master of Ceremonies Vivian Stanshall and photographer/graphic designer, Trevor Key—and cultural forces—a who’s who of English avant-psychedelic figures of the late 1960s that batted harebrained ideas around no matter how silly, pretentious, or irreverent—to manifest what we now know and love as Tubular Bells. It’s hard to even wrap your head around how this came to be let alone why. It’s like looking up at a cloud or a smattering of stars and searching for shapes, stories, or any other sort of meaning as you bask in the sheer beauty of all its madness. And it’s mad as hell, this album. And I love, love, love it. Lastly, the impact the opening theme of this album has had on horror movies thanks to Friedkin’s inclusion of it in his The Exorcist is undeniable. You can hear echos of Tubular Bells in just about every major horror soundtrack from Halloween to Hereditary. Which has very little to do with this music itself, but lends to the album’s aura, mystique, and strange hold it continues to have over us today. For further evidence of this just see Branson’s chilling 2013 statement re: the album and the consequential success of his company: "I never thought that the word 'tubular bells' was going to play such an important part in our lives ... Virgin going into space most likely wouldn't have existed if we hadn't hired that particular instrument." So one weird teenager’s odd-ball musical vision and crazed, uncompromising pursuit of such has directly and incidentally left an indelible mark on not only the soundscape of our collected nightmares, but also mankind’s pursuit of outer space. That’s about as close as we’ve ever come to actuating the plot of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. So, yeah, in my opinion, pretty cool album.
What is this an indie metroid-vania rogue-like side-scrolling action platformer OST?? From me that's high praise. Really interesting music. About 4 minutes into the first track I was fully hooked. Such an interesting recording environment. Texturally and compositionally so cool; event though each of the pieces are super long no one idea overstays its welcome. Some jarring moments too, like the first entrance of the electric guitar in the first track. Really feels like a series of vignettes, or like some long overture to an epic musical. Some cool Steve Reich-esque moments too of weird rhythmic groupings and melodic sequences that build tension, then release into something wildly unexpected and driving. So much to say because I feel like this album does so much! I am so impressed by the sheer output and pace of ideas in each part. Probably one of the most interesting albums I’ve heard in the sense that I was constantly being pleasantly surprised by a new musical thing. We gotta discuss the goblin singing in Pt. II. It’s so dank!!! But I’m also really confused about it. It’s also I think the first moment we get drums in the album? So strange and cool. I was half joking with my first line but this music is super linked to video game music in my mind; the goblin spitting molten hot fire over electric guitars and a backbeat reinforces this feeling. All in all this album is amazing! Funny, interesting, explosively creative and novel while thoroughly listenable all the way through. 5 from me!
Okay before I write anything, just know that I am *for sure* buying this album on vinyl. And it is going at the absolute top, most-easily-accessible place in my future dream record playing room A cooky, campy, proggy symphony if there ever was one. I came into this listen with LOW expectations. A while back, I saw a YouTube vide of Mike Oldfield performing the title track of Tubular bells, and 20 minutes left I was left feeling dizzy, Eurovision-y, a little numb from its sheer length (?), and feeling super unimpressed. Just confused, like... what is this silliness? It felt very indulgent, but the music behind it was so uninteresting, very loop-y. A guitar would come in after 15 minutes and you'd be like, oh wow, something new. And then lost again. I don't know where *that* piece of music is on Mike Oldfield's original Tubular bells from 1973... it seems to be absent. This Tubular Bells is very different. There are high highs and low lows. My high point was probably the growling muppet prog rock in the last third of Tubular Bells Pt.II... so silly. Then there are themes that, no fault of Oldfield, have been completely beat into your brain by every video game composer of the 90s and 2000s. The opening track, while I'm sure was used well in The Exorcist, sounds... kind of lame. We've heard it. But again, there's so little continuity between the vignettes that, at some point, he just pulls the rug on you, and you're off to some other land. Super proggy (especially the second part, which I liked vastly more than the first part), never too serious (I'm thinking of the "And Now... Spanish Guitar!" sections), sometimes genuinely interesting or beautiful. Really a surprise, a grab bag. And recorded in one of the best years for music recordings, so that doesn't hurt either. It's hard to hear it, today, as something groundbreaking, but sounds like it really was. Nowadays, it may be a little unserious, a little silly, medieval, parochial, but... it's one of those one-of-a-kind experiences. Absolutely worth a trip. 4/5 PS: I found the YouTube video that I saw, of a very late 90s Tubular Bells... prepare thine ears. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSRJvq4Wd48
Listened Before? N Interesting but not my cup of tea. The 70s were a magical time. Something like this would never go mainstream today. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Mike's Single
4/5
I'm almost surprised how high of an average score this album has, and it's not really that high. Two nearly thirty minutes songs doesn't really seem like most people's cup of tea, but I suppose the beginning of the first song is an iconic theme in film, so perhaps that's what's bringing it up? As for me, I think it's crazy that this was written and played in its entirety by Oldfield at the age of just nineteen. That's a crazy age to be attempted to write something this influential, let alone succeeding. I'm not sure how to rate this album, however, as my usually rating system doesn't really work on an album so long yet with only two songs. I do really enjoy this album though. I don't think it's perfect, there are small parts that are either boring or a tad weird (what's up with the Korn-esque growling in the middle of the second part?), but I think the musicality of it is often very nice, and there were parts I genuinely would want to listen to over and over. The downside is I can't see myself listening to the songs anytime soon, due to the length of each song. Still, very nice. I think this would be really nice on a calm evening drive or laying in bed at night.