Together with its successor,"Crises" from 1983, "Five Miles out" represents the typical format of Mike's albums in the 80's: one-side long track, here "Taurus 2", and an assortment of shorter musical pieces, which cover the other side. Mike has started this concept with "Platinum" and has kept it for almost twelve years. Being a strongly conceptual album, "Five Miles out" was one of the first Mike's studio albums I've purchased. It was inspired with Mike's adventure, soon after he had gained his piloting licence in 1979, when a plane, piloted by him, was caught in a heavy storm. I like to think of it as a background music on airports. Needles to say, this album wouldn't gain its high reputation (it was his most selling album after the debut "Tubular Bells") without act of Mike's new discovery which he found in Maggie Reilly, female singer.

"Taurus 2" is 25 minutes long, very coloured and dynamic instrumental track, which opens with a heavy guitar pattern, playing fil-rouge "Five Miles out" theme, introducing the whole album in first three minutes, soon to be followed by Paddy Moloney's pipes and Mike's guitar, briliantly merged in a kind of traditional tune. It slowly increases with more and more instruments added, then explodes in a blast and drowns toward the horizon... here, the most beautiful part of "Taurus 2" begins, when Maggie Reilly sings the heart of a track, "Deep deep sound" melody, like she was singing somewhere above the clouds. Then guitars start again, repeating the melody and fade into a second part of the track, which features female voices, used as an instrument, and "Five Miles out" theme again, this time in screaming, frenzy guitars. The track is softly closed with zither tune. "Family Man", one of the Oldfield's biggest pop-hits, opens the other side. It features Mike's characteristic guitar passages, often captured in his later successes as "Moonlight Shadow". The track ends in a big blow and turns into a picturesque preface to "Orabidoo" - this track is consisted of five very different parts, but Mike managed to combine them into a little master-piece. First, vocoder sings "Message from Kathmandu" tune, using all kind of voices from the pilot cabin, then turns into a furious guitar theme, already attached in "Taurus 2". In a few minutes, you'll get an impression like you're walking at the huge plane-runway, people communicating over radio-connections, before another guitar rush takes over. Maggie Reilly ends the track gently, singing a melody about Ireland. "Mt. Teide" is a short instrumental piece, built on a beautiful melody, slowly increasing toward the end... you can picture yourself watching this highest peak of Tenerife Island with its cone-shaped crater, covered with snow, rising from the clouds. The album is closed by "Five Miles out" track, which now sounds very familiar with its characteristic tune, accompanied by Maggie and Mike again - the sound of a diving plane finishes the album.

It's a pity this album doesn't include a single "Mistake" (first released in 1985 on "The Complete"), as it would complement this album perfectly. However, I'd recommend "Five miles out" for everyone who's about to purchase one of his 80's albums. Also, consider the option to purchase "Crises" album.

Reading a lot of reviews about Tubular Bells being the highest score in Oldfield`s career, makes me a lot disagree. Perhaps after the also excellent and refined Tubular Bells 2, Oldfield`s material became rather modern stuff, shaped to suite todays sounds, which made his recent records a bit less adventorous than the previous ones.
FIVE MILES OUT, is my favourite album. The 25 minute Taurus II is of epic proportions. Played loud in a capable hi-fi system will leave you breathless, and leaving you think that you`ve just heard to the best pieces of music one might ever hear. Taurus II, is perhaps the reply to those who say that Mike`s efforts in improving his work over Tubular Bells has been in vain. The progressive and varying rock theme is simply stunning and unique.
Orabidoo, is also another unique material, making (together with Taurus II) FIVE MILES OUT a unique material even in Mike discography. Mount Teidi offers some refined timpani work, while pop sound is exploited in Family Man and in the title track.
This is an album which one must buy without hesitation! Simply outstanding!!

after more sober and celtic influenced "Qe2" mike rearanged his style adding a lot of heavy guitars and hard drumming and returned with "FIve Miles out" - propably his best album from eigthies.
the opening almost half hour long "Taurus II" is a suprising continuation of QE2 main long track."Taurus II" starts with a heavy main guitar riff and eveloves suddenly into great progressive rock suite with celtic elements,disco beat and a lot of great drumming.it is one of the best Mike's moments in his whole career.
"Family man" is a ironic fast catchy pop song (Maggie Reilly on vocals) that was a big hit across the europe - later covered by Hall and Oates synth pop duet.
"Orabidoo" is another great hypnotic track with a transe drums and vocoder voice singing mysterious lyrics about flying over Katmandu.the coda with piano riff repeated by other instruments is one of the most moving and exciting melodies from his longer tracks."Orabidoo" ends with irish song sung by Maggie.
"Mount teide" is nice instrumental with lovely guitar solo.drums played by mr.Palmer from Emerson,lake and palmer band!!!
finally the title song "Five miles out".intriguing sytnh-pop hit.Maggie's sweet voice sings along with more agressive and angry Mike's singing (i always wondered why he is singing so rarely,he is a really good vocalist).title song is based on Taurus II guitar riff and features some amusing parts (Mike's growling voice - "lost in static 18...") but also very pathetic and memorable chorus.one of my favourite songs.
The album is one if his most extraordinary and interesting items from discography.Mike creates here really rich and colourfull paintings using a lot of instruments and of course his beloved electric guitar.an album which you can't leave behind!

propably mike's bet from eigties...the 25 minutes long "Taurus II" is amazing with it's heavy sound and sudden changes,"Family man" is still a rocking hit,"Orabidoo" hides an endless emtions and "Mount teide" and title track are still gems.
nothing more nothing less.a masterpiece!

I first bought this album in the mid 80s and then it was on vinyl. Since then I have moved a zillion times and I really don't know where all those old vinyls are anymore. I have listened to a lot of weird music before, but this has to be one of the best. Family man is incredible, and so is five miles out. Buy it, if you are like me and not totally sold on the tubular bells concept, but actually like the synthesis of pop/oldfield (can't think of a more suitable description of this genre).