There is nothing left after Bombastic Instrumental works such as "Incantations" or "Ommadawn".Mike did his first short rock album without long suites and many complicated changes.It is much more catchier but some of emotions that were in his previous albums had gone with the change of style...but it doesn't mean that the music is bad...oh no - the music here is fresh and just wonderfull....

The main track is "Platinum" - about 20 miuntes long suite, but divided into 4 songs..."Platinum suite" sounds a bit mechanic but is a really impressive work - especially "Charleston" part with crazy trumpets,some ghost choir and great bass line - the other parts are interesting also and Mike proves here that almost everything that he tries to play turns into gold...And also we can hear him on backing vocals here...

"Sally" is a nice love song, typical seventies pop style,nothing special but listenable and fun - the interesting story is that "sally"...is not the original song - Real "sally" was kind of a joke and was too silly that right after the premiere of this album Virgin records forced mike to put something more representative for the album - so he did and recorded the song "Into wonderland" that became second "sally" -The new remastered edition" contains "Into wonderland" instead of amusing original mix...

"I got rhythm" (Cover of gershwin's track) is another nice and romantic pop ballad, but features very expressive guitar solo and more interesting lyrics about how MIke is happy after finding new way and being in peace with himself...

The most outstanding tracks "Woodhenge" and "Punkadiddle" - first one is very dark and has a bit nervous atmosphere.strange sounds,creepy guitar and scary loud sound of Tubular bells at the end...everytime when i listen to it i have visions of some old abandoned house in a dark forest,witches and stuff like that...creeeepppyyy. While "Woodhenge" has intensive atmosphere, "Punkadiddle" is fun and fast rocker with "OI!!!" screams and catchy guitars.Also some fake audience in some moments...nice fast rocker tune...it is kind of a joke from Punk music that went high on charts and eliminated more progressive and ambitious artists like Mike off the top...

"Platinum" is definitly not as full of emotions and sadness as previous albums - it's much more catchier,lighter and fun to listen - very impresive music, full of positive vibrations...it sounds different too - while before in almost every moment 7 instruments and more were playing, here sometimes it is only Bass,guitar,keyboard and drums - simple but effective rock instruments...Another impressive work from Mike Oldfield....

After my initiation into the Mike Oldfield Fan Convergence with the original release of both TUBULAR BELLS and HERGEST RIDGE, I became ravenous for all things Olfield. OMMADAWN only slaked my thirst temporarily, but it was finally quenched at last with the songs featured here, only as a "different animal." This was previously released here in a "special edition" vinyl LP (which I still own, thank G*d!) which was called AIRBORN. This album included the title track, plus "Platinum," "Charleston," "North Star/Finale," (co-written with Philip Glass,) "Into Wonderland," "Punkadiddle" and "I Got Rhythm." "Sally" and "Woodhenge" are the replacements for "Wonderland," I take it, which was a kind of lilting, silly, Mike-channeling-McCartney-at-his-loopiest sorta thing.

AIRBORN was a two-album set, (anybody remember those?) which also offered some 'preview' cuts of EXPOSED, with live-edit versions of "Incantations," "Tubular Bells" and "Guilty."

The editing on the U.S. version was so well-done, I now consider the first four songs as a suite (or sweet, just as apropos), that chronicles Mike's wonderful journey out of the weightier themes and concepts of his first three albums, into something a little more accessible for the casual listener as well as the die-hard Oldfield fans. A little more commercial than some would probably like, but the indelible Oldfield stamp is there, with enough razor-sharp guitar hooks and fills to keep it substantial.

I haven't heard this version yet, but I look forward to see how it compares to the "other" version.

This is a real mix. There's the typical Oldfield guitar/rock instrumental with backing synths on side one. But he then drops in splashes of brass and sax stabs on one piece to give it a real 30's 'Charleston' feel. Weird, but it works. There is a live piece on this album as well called 'punkadiddle' which is amusing.

'Platinum' is another example of Mike's diversity in his long musical journey. A mix of 'unfamiliar' and 'very familiar' sounds which somehow work. If you are a fan then this really is an essential purchase. Give it time.

I'm of two minds with this disc: the first track is among Oldfield's best work ever, while the latter half of the disc is rather cheesy and at times (during Punkadiddle, especially) borderline unlistenable.

I give the first side *****, the second *, for an average of ***. Buy it on sale.

Platinum is by far the best light music provided by Mike. Although lots of people prefer Ommadawn or Amarok, they are quite different and Platinum is easier to listen to, especially if you want to cheer yourself up!