I didn't quite find the time to sit down with Amarok last week, but now I've given it a double spin. I agree with the strong points already mentioned here. Smorgasbord of worldly delights is a good description. I guess what I liked the most were some of the fairly beautiful and catchy vocal parts.
I don't think it was entirely brilliant, though. I think the production and style of the composition is a bit cold and calculated (which is kinda his style, but). I miss something that makes me feel more in the midst of all that goes on, that the beautiful parts were more beautiful or that there were some more profound climaxes. Parts of the album simply get a bit dull for me and I don't understand why Mike Oldfield plays his guitar with that thin, wobbly wail. At best it's alright, but at worst I find it slightly grating.
For me right now, it was fairly enjoyable and deserving of a good. Possibly it could climb up to a very good, but that will take some more listening on my part.
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