Is Crises a good place to start with Mike Oldfield?

Yes, Crises is recommended as a starting point for new Mike Oldfield listeners. A sprawling blend of progressive rock and pop, layered with ethereal synths and evocative melodies that transport listeners through sonic landscapes. Released on May 27, 1983, 'Crises' marked Mike Oldfield's return to prominence following the commercial success of his earlier works. This album came after his ambitious project 'Five Miles Out' and showcased a refined sound that appealed to both pop and progressive rock audiences. It was an important transitional phase as Oldfield began to explore more concise song formats alongside his signature lengthy instrumentals.

Crises works well if you're into epic soundscapes for introspection, gradual build to emotional release and catchy melodies for sing-alongs.

How many songs are on Crises?

Crises has 6 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Crises

Mike Oldfield · 1983

37 min · 6 tracks · classical music

A sprawling blend of progressive rock and pop, layered with ethereal synths and evocative melodies that transport listeners through sonic landscapes.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Crises Start here — The title track unfolds over twenty minutes, showcasing Oldfield's ability to fuse complex instrumental arrangements with lyrical themes of existential introspection, serving as a centerpiece for the album's conceptual depth.
→
Moonlight Shadow — This track stands out as a commercially successful single, combining catchy melodies with poignant lyrics about loss, demonstrating Oldfield's skill in crafting accessible yet meaningful pop music.
→
Shadow on the Wall — Featuring vocals by Roger Chapman, this track delivers an urgent narrative wrapped in a haunting melody, effectively blending rock elements with Oldfield's signature style.
→
In High Places — With a strong vocal performance by Maggie Reilly, this song exemplifies the album's thematic exploration of aspiration and longing while maintaining a vibrant pop-rock sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends progressive rock and pop with intricate arrangements, though its cohesion suffers from varied track lengths.

What we noticed

Each of the six tracks incorporates layered instrumentation, often blending acoustic and electronic elements to create rich textures.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

epic soundscapes for introspection
gradual build to emotional release
catchy melodies for sing-alongs
immersive listening on quiet evenings

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, standalone tracks
seek instant gratification music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album marked Oldfield's return to prominence with a hit single, broadening his audience.
Themes: moonlit landscapes· cinematic ambition· Celtic echoes
Career context: Released on May 27, 1983, 'Crises' marked Mike Oldfield's return to prominence following the commercial success of his earlier works. This album came after his ambitious project 'Five Miles Out' and showcased a refined sound that appealed to both pop and progressive rock audiences. It was an important transitional phase as Oldfield began to explore more concise song formats alongside his signature lengthy instrumentals.
Stylistic neighbors: Vangelis· Jean-Michel Jarre· Enya