Solid album, but not a great success

It is indeed often perceived as unjust, if one with his old compares each new work of an artist like Mike Oldfield. The problem is that Mike Oldfield's just Mike Oldfield, and since you can not forget his complete works before you hear a new album. Otherwise you would have to evaluate a new album under the question of whether a completely unknown artist could be so successful.

How is it now with "Man on the rocks"? Positive one could say: The album ripples pleasantly to himself, delivering solid songs and has one or two catchy melody. There are a lot of guitar, the sound is quite earthy and rocky, not necessarily according to the today's mainstream. Negative one could say: the songs are not particularly original. They do not necessarily hurt, but inspiration sounds different. There are easy, unemotional rock songs, as they are stylistically reminiscent of the 70s and fading at the beginning of the 80s.

My Opinion: A newcomer would have with such album probably no big chances, and also in Mike Oldfield's work is one of "Man On The Rocks" is not necessarily to the classics. But: There are just yet very solid songs that flashes every now and then the incomparable oldfieldsche guitar playing. I personally went there so that I have before release of the album saw the video for "Sailing" and "Man On The Rocks" and perceived as rather weak. Without the video, the music more interesting way works better. The album overall makes quite fun, and I will (unlike "Earthmoving" or "Heaven's Open" songs) hear well often. So: Four stars for a good, though not sensational album, the slightly more originality would have done quite well.