Brilliant. I never tire of this CD.

I'm not a huge fan of Oldfield in general, but the first time I heard this I was captivated. I spend a lot of time staring at code on the computer, and the Songs of Distant Earth is a perfect backdrop. That's not to say that it's only background music, as it is even more rewarding listening to it at 1am under the stars with a good pair of headphones.



If you have the chance, get the book of the same name by Arthur C Clarke, as this too will not disappoint.

Loved it from the 1st time I heard it!

From the first listen I knew this CD would be one of my all time favorites from any artist. Normally it takes me a few times through a particular CD to kind of get what is being communicated in a piece of music. This one seemed to click right away for me. I think if a CD could get worn out by too many listenings, this one would be long gone. There is a strong electronic style to most of this work with various voice and instrument sampling and some really great bagpipes. Very space or sci-fi oriented.



I would like to hear more like this album, but there is something to be said for variety. For example I also like his Voyager album about as much as this one, and it is completely different - Irish traditionals etc. on hand played instruments and no electronics. He's definately not in any kind of rut style-wise. And definately one of the great composers and musicians of our time.

Where have all the guitars gone?

If I could not see the cover of this album I could hardly imagine that this is another Oldfield's record. Hi-tech sounds fill this album from the very beginning to the end, far away from what Oldfield has been taking us traditionally.



And despite this might not be necessarily a bad feature of this album, I think that Oldfield is going out of what I think he's good: a great guitar player and a good, imaginative composer... when he decides to be serious with whatever he's doing.



So don't misunderstand me. If you want to try listening to Oldfield in another register (electronic, chill-out music) this album will show you what he can really do, a fine album in this style, but if you sleep every night with Ommadawn under your pillow... just RUN when you see this record!