The Songs of Distant Earth

by Mike Oldfield

The Songs of Distant Earth cover art

Directly inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's science fiction novel of the same name, the veteran composer crafted a sprawling, heavily synthesized new age odyssey. Completely abandoning traditional rock instrumentation, Oldfield leaned heavily into cinematic downtempo rhythms, sweeping Gregorian chants, and ethereal worldbeat textures. It was notably one of the very first commercial releases to feature interactive CD-ROM elements alongside the audio tracks.

Genres

  • New Age

Tracklist

  1. In The Beginning
  2. Let There Be Light
  3. Supernova
  4. Magellan
  5. First Landing
  6. Oceania
  7. Only Time Will Tell
  8. Prayer For The Earth
  9. Lament For Atlantis
  10. The Chamber
  11. Hibernaculum
  12. Tubular World
  13. The Shining Ones
  14. Crystal Clear
  15. The Sunken Forest
  16. Ascension
  17. A New Beginning