Platinum – MIKE OLDFIELD***

Platinum/Woodhenge/Sally/Punkadiddle/I Got Rhythm

Multi instrumentalist Mike Oldfield confined himself to a single album with Platinum. Although critics appreciated the lengthy title track on side one, they were less enthusiastic about the shorter tracks on the second side. (UK:24)

“The four part Platinum instrumental piece is imaginative, fun, clever and a little different to his other work. Part one has a nice jaunty synth opening section which builds impressively. I also like the change in style and tempo with part three Charleston that is very clever. Part 4 brings it all to a dynamic conclusion.”

“The first side suite is tremendous, brilliant, amazing. The second side, not so much. It's pretty average, and brings the album experience down.”

“Platinum has a much more pop sound than Oldfield's previous albums and that is what holds it back. Also he left behind the one song style. Side A has four tracks that make one long song, but Side B is just four different tracks that aren’t that great.”

“Platinum is one of Oldfield's strongest works and is more rock-oriented than his earlier records. It has a lot of synth stuff as well, instead of the strong Celtic influences. This record, unlike most of his LP's is not entirely written by him. The first side, a typical Oldfield whole-side-length suite, is one of his best, with four distinctive parts that form a very consistent entirety. It has a healthy amount of prog, driven by his instantly recognizable guitar sound. At some parts, the album sounds playful and downright funny, and side two has some nice lead vocals too.”

“The first of albums where Mike explores music beyond the earthier instruments, and employs music both from older jazz and newer music in the years in the disco era blending them into his own wonderful brand of instrumental music. Ever present is Mike's signature guitar playing.”

“The first side, the Platinum suite, is a jaunt in four parts and comes very highly recommended. It has some great playing, melodies, arrangements and textures and bounces along very nicely - very easy to appreciate and perhaps even a good route into Oldfield's music for the uninitiated. In fact it is really the only reason to buy this album. Now onto the second side - a different story, Woodhenge, a new age like instrumental is quite minimalist but high on atmosphere. After that track, the remaining three cuts are probably the worst things that Oldfield ever did.”