Discovery is one of Mike Oldfield's stronger 80's releases because, unlike most of his albums, the vocal tracks here are outstanding. Straying away from the oft-borderline corny 80's pop that he often ventured into at the time, Mike here instead focuses on more abstract vocal pieces, with a big influence this time from Indian music. Maggie Reiley performs vocals here on several tracks, and she is great as usual. In something of a contrast, the male vocal pieces here are excellent as well. In fact, I would go so far as to say that there are no bad songs on this album. The best ones are To France (great Reiley vocal), Poison Arrows (the most and best Indian-influenced tune), and Tricks of The Light (good vocal piece, and one of Mike's best melodies to boot.) The lone instrumental is the 12-minute closer, The Lake. It is a nice piece, though not, in my opinion, one of his stronger instrumental numbers. This is perhaps the only Mike Oldfield album where the vocal pieces are stronger than the instrumental ones. One must buy this album for that fact alone.

I haven't heard all of Mike Oldfield's music, but this is the bitterest one I've heard -- it's great! Seems like most of the songs are about relationship turmoil, betrayal, anger, deception, and plain spite. Not much like "Songs of a Distant Earth"! The songs that Maggie sings on, even if the lyrics are unhappy, are beautiful songs. The mix of bitter lyrics with her clear-clear liquid voice evokes a wonder sense of beauty in the midst of trauma. The song "Saved by a Bell", for example, alternates between an awed and loving appreciation of the cosmos, and near-screaming about how this person should "suffer in hell". Mike is often classified as New Age, but "Discovery" has far too much screaming and squealing guitars for that. After all those bittersweet songs comes the obligatory long instrumental track -- "The Lake". I am always stunned by the very ending -- a simple, sweet melody is played softly and expressively on a guitar. The melody is repeated, and with each repeat, more instruments enter, until this sweet naive little melody is being exclaiming full force. It demands to be played extra loud! And such a nice ending to the album. I always get the sense that even though Mike was (apparently) traumatized by someone, he still could see the intense wonder and beauty in the world, and wanted to show people just how intensely wonderful life is.

This is the album that I first heard by Mike Oldfield. I was on a longtrip, and my brother was playing a recording of this, and Crises. In all of my life I never connected with any song nearly so much as I did with the plaintiff sound of Talk About Your Life. Maggie Reilly is incredible in evoking the feeling of the listener, and inspiring them to feel the sadness of the subject. While the lyrical aspect of Oldfields music is often under appreciated, he scored well on this album. Not to under rate the composition of the lake, although there are several other pieces that he has done that were more evocative to me. It is an absolute must for anyone who is interested in excellent music

Discovery is one of my favorite albums, an Oldfield masterpiece. This album has some of my favorite Oldfield songs, and an excellent instrumental piece "The Lake" (12 minutes long).
This album was the album that got me interested in Mike Oldfields music, and he is my favorite composer now. "To France", "Tricks of the Light", "Crystal Gazing" and "Poison Arrows" are my favorites. Maggie Reilly has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. Weather or not you are an Oldfield fan I suggest that you buy this album.

This album is one of my all time favorites. I'm a huge Mike Oldfield fan, and this album got it started. This album includes some of Mike's best vocal pieces, using haunting vocals and sythezisers, and powerful guitars. The vocals of Maggie Reilly is breathtaking as usual. Even the male vocal pieces here are excellent. There is not a single track I don't like on this album. "The Lake" is a beautiful instrumental piece that will take you out of this world. "To France", "Tricks of the Light","Poison Arrows", "Discovery" and "The Lake" are my favorite tracks. The emotion of this album is very high, with some strong melodies. I find the guitar play of Discovery are especially powerful.
A fan of Mike and Maggie would surely buy this album, but I suggest there is great reason for people unfamiliar with his work to invest in this album as well. It shows Mike's great range and talent, and give a very original sound that leaves you wanting more. This album will appeal to both the emotional, spiritual and intellectuals. A nice blend of Ambient Rock, popular and instrumental, with an ageless feel to it.
If you want an Oldfield album that shows a the range of Mike's work, I suggest you buy "the complete". If you want his instrumental masterworks buy "Tubular Bells" or "Amarok". But if you want his best songs, and I might at Maggie's best as well buy this album. It has left me spellbound.