Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Oldfield, Mike
Label: Virgin EMI Records
Released: 2014
Length: 59:42
Rating: 2.5/5
Mike Oldfield has fumbled it again. By now we’re kind of used to him putting out studio albums for the last thirty years that swing wildly in quality. That doesn’t dent his legendary status, but there’s still a quiet hope smoldering that he might ‘wake up’ in the 21st century and return to the high artistic level of his best days. We’ll have to keep waiting. After the orchestral-flavored »Music of the Spheres« (2007), a solid but unexciting effort, Mr. Oldfield decided to record, for the first time since »Earth Moving« (1989), an album with not a single instrumental on it, one that’s mostly pop/folk-rock flavored. His famous prog rock and new age past didn’t move him much this time, so he made an album for the ‘masses,’ sacrificing a fair bit of the compositional integrity that once shot him up among the greatest names in music. »Man on the Rocks« is Mike’s jubilee, twentieth studio album, which is one of the main reasons he decided, after all this time, on an unexpected swerve into vocal-driven, compact pop rock with a distinctly positive streak, through which he wants to keep driving out his ‘inner demons.’
Besides playing acoustic guitar, bass and keyboards, Mr. Oldfield also picked up the electric guitar on »Man on the Rocks« for the first time in a good while. That’s undoubtedly a big plus, because as you can hear on a few of the tracks, he’s far from forgetting how to play, and he’s kept his distinctive sound and approach, which earned this cult multi-instrumentalist his reputation as one of the most revered guitarists of our time. Keeping him company this time are the unforgettable ‘woodsman granddad’ Leland Sklar (Phil Collins, Crosby, Stills & Nash, James Taylor) on bass, John Robinson (Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Daft Punk) on drums, Michael Thompson on guitar, keyboardist Matt Rollings and singer Luke Spiller (The Struts). After Universal became the owner of EMI and following the merger of Mercury and Virgin, Mike is once again under the umbrella of the corporation Virgin EMI Records. That means »Man on the Rocks« is aimed at a wider market and, accordingly, is a thoroughly commercial-minded effort.
Even the opening single, the cheery »Sailing«, signaled a swerve into light but rather monotonous pop rock that will start boring every discerning music fan in no time, while going down best with exactly those who aren’t among Mike’s regular listeners. The individual arrangements are, by and large, awfully simple and chirpy this time, and above all they often sound very much alike. The main problem lies in Spiller’s rather monotonous vocals, which often sound empty and devoid of energy, much like most of the arrangements on »Man on the Rocks«. Most longtime fans will forget it at least as quickly as the equally unsuccessful »Earth Moving«, with which it shares the most common ground. In his best, calmer moments, Spiller’s voice is slightly reminiscent of Bryan Ferry (ex-Roxy Music), but the moment he starts barking in hard-rocker fashion he gets annoying and sounds forced (a fine example is the track »Castaway«).
Most of the lyrics on the album deal with Mike’s mental health, which he’s locked in an ‘eternal battle’ with, as well as some other topics, like the 2012 London Olympics, which he won’t be forgetting anytime soon, since he performed two standards from his colorful career at the opening ceremony. The song »Irene« is about the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, which devastated the Bahamas in 2011. »Moonshine« features an uplifting guitar phrase and a galloping rhythm akin to the one in the Pink Floy classic »Take It Back«, though that’s also the only thing these two songs have in common. Further on, the song morphs into folk rock with lovely Celtic arrangements and the boisterous mood that runs through the whole album. The title track is one of the few more inspired and varied moments on »Man on the Rocks«, even recalling Mike’s better days a little. Besides the superb backing vocal lines, the credit surely goes to his phenomenal guitar solo, which reminds you why the man earned cult status as a guitarist long ago.
»Dreaming in the Wind«, a solid soft rocker with a pleasant atmosphere, will please all fans of Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) thanks to its opening guitar. The best moment on »Man On the Rocks« is the track »Nuclear«, ironically the only dark song on the album, which will remind many of the track »No Dream« from »Heavens Open« (1991). »Chariots« is average, ‘second-rate’ hard rock that quickly fades into oblivion, while »Irene« is an even more forgettable blues rocker that points seriously to a chronic lack of inspiration. »Following the Angels« is a pleasant ballad with floating arrangements and lovely vocal lines, tailor-made for some lullaby, but this time in a positive sense. »I Give Myself Away« is yet another slow ballad with Mike’s acoustic guitar and a pinch of Mellotron, which fades from memory before the next listen.
All loyal followers of Oldfield’s legacy are strongly advised to buy the triple ‘Deluxe’ version of the album, since it comes with an instrumental version of the album as well. The latter is, ironically, far better than the vocal version at every turn. Had the order of the first and second discs been reversed (the instrumental version as the official studio album), »Man on the Rocks« would surely have earned a higher rating.
The brilliant multi-instrumentalist has served up a pretty dull effort with »Man on the Rocks«. Its cheerful nature is easy on the ears, but any discerning music fan will probably nod off fairly quickly while listening. Technically, there’s nothing to fault on »Man on the Rocks«, but the whole thing is merely a pale shadow of what Mike was capable of in his younger years, or just twenty years ago (his last brilliant effort is »The Songs of Distant Earth«, 1994), when he hadn’t yet lost his true compositional inspiration and experimental fire. Apart from his electric guitar playing, there’s not a shred of the former genius to be felt on this album. Well, at least, thankfully, »Man on the Rocks« isn’t yet another variation on »Tubular Bells«, which has soured many a fan on Mike in recent years, if not outright let them down.
Line-up
Mike Oldfield – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Leland Sklar (Phil Collins, Crosby, Stills & Nash, James Taylor) – bass guitar
John Robinson (Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Daft Punk) – drums
Luke Spiller (The Struts) – vocals
Matt Rollings – piano and Hammond B-3Michael Thompson – electric and acoustic guitar
Stephen Lipson electric and acoustic guitar
Davy Spillane – whistles on “Moonshine”
Paul Dooley – violin on “Moonshine”
Bill Champlain, Alfie Silas Durio, Carmel Echols, Rochelle Gilliard, Judith Hill, Kirsten Joy, Jason Morales, Louis Price, Tiffany Smith – backing vocals
Production
Mike Oldfield and Stephen Lipson
Track list
1. Sailing (4:46)
2. Moonshine (5:50)
3. Man On The Rocks (6:11)
4. Castaway (6:35)
5. Minutes (4:52)
6. Dreaming In The Wind (5:29)
7. Nuclear (5:04)
8. Chariots (4:39)
9. Following The Angels (7:05)
10. Irene (4:00)
11. I Give Myself Away (5:11)
