Tubular Bells

I was wondering how long it would take to get this one. 648 is the answer I guess. This is one of the albums that I have seen a million times and know that it's hotly debated but I don't think I've ever actually heard any of it. I'm excited to finally check this one of the list today, let's dive in...
Ok so I had at least heard some of this before, it's in The Exorcist. I had no idea that's what this was. Maybe I'm dumb. Who writes a song in 15/8 time? Or maybe alternating 7/8 and 8/8. But there's a 9/8 thrown in too I think? Wild.
I really liked this album but can get why it's so divisive. It definitely deserves a spot on this list. It's super ambitious and quite an achievement to have pulled off. I would absolutely buy this if I came across it in the record shop and though I might not play it all the time, it would be a good one to pull out when I felt like it. 4/5

I’m probably biased when it comes to 𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴, but I don’t really care. It’s one of those albums that completely justifies its reputation. The opening of Part One is instantly recognizable, yet it’s only the beginning of a piece that constantly evolves without ever feeling aimless. By the time the famous finale arrives and the instruments are introduced one by one, the album has built an incredible sense of momentum.

What impresses me most is how naturally the album moves from one idea to the next. It can be peaceful one moment, strange the next, and somehow it all feels like part of the same journey. The Caveman section remains one of the oddest detours on the album, while the closing Sailor’s Hornpipe feels like Oldfield ending the whole adventure with a grin on his face.

Considering that this was the debut album of a young, largely unknown musician, the ambition is remarkable. More importantly, the ambition actually pays off. Even after countless listens, 𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 still feels imaginative, unique, and completely unlike anything else.

If I was making a movie and I needed a score, I would definitely consider hiring Mike Oldfield. I might even consider using some of the music from this album. But it's ridiculous to think that I'm just going to sit and listen to an hour of this for any other purpose.

Definitely a groundbreaking album, with a very fascinating origin story. Unfortunately its not an album that one just listens to, as it gets very tedious very quick. I get why its on the list, but its not an enjoyable listen

The album Tubular Bells is an absolute masterpiece. I have no idea how a 19 year old person could conceptualize such a brilliant and lush soundscape using so many different instruments. I remember during the pandemic when some group organized 600 musicians around the world to submit clips of them playing tubular bells which was awesome (look it up on YouTube if you're interested).
Part 2 is a nice use of the instruments, and while it doesn't reach the insane peaks of Pt. 1 it's still pleasant. I love this album. 5/5

I don’t understand why so many of the negative reviews are at the top. I think this slaps. Though I do admit the growling was a little strange, probably the only thing that stops me from giving it a 5.

This is really good. Love a good instrumental album. The monster growling threw me off a bit, but just made it more interesting.

Oldfield's Tubular Bells is prog rock for those who've decided they needed more of the same over & over again, which is to say that Mike must've had dreams of being mindfulness guru Philip Glass but ended up w/ the same boring antics as EL&P, Yes, King Crimson, etc. What makes this record a particular nuisance is that you can detect so much of the British folk revival shit that plagued the late 60s & early 70s, except this time it's a futuristic nostalgia that renders it unlistenable. The songs don't change direction in a pleasant way - they just fiddle around, searching for something that isn't worth our hours to begin w/. Oldfield is truly a one-man band: he has one personality, if you can call it that; one story to tell, if you'd be so generous.

gimmick

Well this shit is weird.

I've never heard of this, but my wife assured me that it's "a very famous album" when I texted it to her. When I expressed skepticism (by texting GTFO), she clarified, "In England."

Now, I have never lived in England so I cannot say if this is true, but -- and this may be important -- neither has she.

So I don't know, man. It was fine background music while I was working. How do I rate something like that? I'll give it three stars because why not.

absolute shite

Great music, very impressive that he was (relatively) young when he created it.

Who new the Exorcist Theme was part of a 26 minute long Prog Rock track? I certainly didn't. Deserves a place on the list. Just not a major Prog Rock fan. 3/5.

Mike Oldfields Debüt von 1973 zeigt bereits deutlich das Talent des damals 19‑Jährigen A. Die zwei langen, überwiegend instrumentalen Stücke wirken stellenweise noch suchend, lassen aber immer wieder kreative Genialität aufblitzen. Ein solides, mutiges Erstlingswerk, das den Grundstein für eine außergewöhnliche Karriere legt.

Tubular!

My favorite album of all time.

Didn’t expect the orcs to pull up on pt. II

Mike Oldfield! Tubular Bells! 3!

There are some bits I like in here, but it's really confounding music in a lot of places. Even if I didn't know it was all performed by one guy, those cracks really show when there are some odd tempo changes, riffs that kind of don't feel full when the movement abruptly goes somewhere else. And the calling out of instruments and some of the other vocalizations are just odd and off-putting.