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Rating: In the mid-80s, Mike Oldfield started to take a concrete interest in the fusion of music and visual graphics, video art, and computer graphics. The new work from 1987, "Islands," provides the opportunity to put this passion to the service of his own work, specifically with each song created in association with a video product where real images merge with computer graphics. Viewed today, these videos show their age and bear witness to a still immature era for these technologies, but the product is still noteworthy. Two of the best moments to absolutely remember are the poetic "Magic Touch" and the cosmic "The Time Has Come" sung by Mike's partner, the Norwegian soprano Anita Hegerland. It is therefore imperative to remember that this project can only be properly evaluated by including the videos; "Islands" does not have outstanding musical peaks, and Mike settles on already traveled paths by adding a greater electronic component that combines with elements of ethnic music and pronounced pop tendencies. "Islands" should not be considered one of Oldfield's great cornerstones, but it is a pleasant work that fully integrates into the historical period, complete with all the flaws of the pompous and excessive productions of the '80s. The suite that occupies the entire side A, "The Wind Chimes," is a return for Mike to a grand, complex piece modeled after "Taurus II" that occupied side A of "Five Miles Out" from 1982. Musically, it is based on a melody reminiscent of "Crises" from 1983, which itself harkens back to the intro of "Tubular Bells," blending it with a strong Eastern and African ethnic component on a synthetic base with powerful drum interventions by Simon Phillips and evocative vocals by Hegerland. The associated video is very interesting, although perhaps too dispersed and too long in representing the entire piece. Side B opens with the disappointing "Islands" sung by Bonnie Tyler; it is one of Mike's worst tracks, and the singer's hoarse voice is wasted on an anonymous song that is quickly forgotten. "Flying Start" features old friend Kevin Ayers on vocals; the piece and associated video are a blast and bring back a very pop Ayers, at ease in a more traditional song compared to his quirky, exceptional songs about "drinking, screwing, and drinking after screwing." "North Point" is another very dreamy and magical track sung by Anita Hegerland.
Despite the heavy use of an '80s production thanks to the Fairlight, many sounds are sampled and reworked, and the record is appreciated for a return to a more complex form compared to the previous "Discovery" from 1984, and it is also a product of the "The Killing Fields" soundtrack with its numerous ethnic influences. The entire video part is worth appreciating, but the Mike of this period would later get lost in a disastrous album like "Earth Moving" from 1989, the nadir of his production.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Islands (04:19)
Islands from the first time we saw
we could wait for this moment, like rocks on the shore
we can never be closer somehow
for the moments that lasts, is this moment now
Chorus:
When the night's on fire will you keep the Candlelight Burning
Hold on to your hearts desire
When you see one bird into the wind another one's turning
And the two can fly much higher
We are Islands but never too far, we are Islands
And I need your light tonight, and I need your light tonight,
We are Islands but never too far, we are Islands
And I need your light tonight, and I need your light tonight
Islands never been to before and we climb so high
to where the wild birds soar, there's a new path that
we found just today I was lost in the forest and you
showed me the way
Repeat Chorus
04 Flying Start (03:35)
We took a place in the sun to see just what had become.
The warm wind blows constantly.
Does the answer still blow? Did you find your chateau
In that Mediterranean fantasy?
[ Chorus ]
Flying start
Made the Whole World sing, they had no choice.
Flying start.
Like a shining pearl, they sang in one voice.
To where the sun always shines, familiar faces and wines.
The warm wind blows constantly.
Knock on the door, but the memory's poor.
Is there somebody in? Now answer me!
Two dark eyes from the doorway shine.
So you lost your dream in a bottle of wine.
I knew you had to do it your way, fine,
But there's none to carry the cross this time.
[ Repeat Chorus ]
On dusty roads and tracks. Now it's the time to turn back.
The warm winds blow constantly.
Riding that storm since the day you were born.
Is there somebody in? Now answer me!
Two dark eyes from the doorway shine.
So you lost your dream in a bottle of wine.
I knew you had to do it your way, fine,
But there's none to carry the cross this time.
[ Repeat Chorus ]
[ Repeat Chorus ]
06 Magic Touch (04:12)
Once in a lifetime you find that power
to break out and run from the devils deep clutch
all that you need its the finest hour
is to believe in the Magic Touch
Chorus:
A thief in the night, love steals you far away
A thief in the night, love takes your breath away
Can't believe it, like no other
Love is a gift and to take you so much
You need the blue night to discover
Only true lovers have the Magic Touch
Once in a lifetime you find that faith
when your under the spell and it takes control
everything round you just falls in place
and all that you touch seems to turn to gold
Repeat Chorus
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