I wrote this in late January 2016 as a response to all of the "zomg I love Bowie" posts I was seeing, and the fact that neither of the tributes I went and saw included much of his more modern catalog.
First of all this is not a high horse. This is an invitation. My first David Bowie album was 1.Outside as a gift for my 18th birthday. I immediately went out and bought Ziggy Stardust and I was hooked. I’d like to think I understand why people got disillusioned with Bowie after the 80’s but 90’s Bowie was my introduction, so I don’t have that burden to bear. If you posted a Bowie meme on your wall after his death you owe yourself the opportunity to check out his later work. If you’ve ever uttered the phrase “Best album since Scary Monsters” let me give you a tour.
Why you should care about the last 23 years of David Bowie's career.
First of all let me start by explaining why I am starting with 1993. It is pretty widely accepted that “Lets Dance” (1983) is a fine pop album. It is generally accepted that “Tonight” is an acceptable pop album. Never Let me down probably deserves your scorn, I’ve only listened to it once and been able to fully appreciate it, it is generally a chore. [2018 Edit: I've listened to it multiple times, but only liked listening to it once. The redux changes this.]
David himself wore a shirt that said “Fuck you I’m IN Tin Machine”. It was a rock band. It was a democracy. I Listen to, and enjoy Tin Machine, but I’ll respect David’s Wishes and let it stand on it’s own.
1993, Black Tie White Noise.
If you like Young Americans, give this a try. It’s Bowie with the flavor of 90’s R&B The instrumental “Pallas Athena” alone makes this record worth your time. This album is Bowie’s return to solo albums. It is a beautiful time in his life as he’s fallen in love with Iman and gotten married (The Wedding). The song “Jump They Say” is the final chapter for Major Tom. Space Oddity, All the Mad Men, Ashes to Ashes, and Jump They Say were all written for David’s brother Terry who committed suicide in 1985. “Miracle goodnight” is just good fun.
1993, The Buddha of Suburbia
This album is one of my favorites. If you like Berlin Bowie give this a try. It was billed as a “soundtrack” but only the first track was featured on the show. There are a lot of instrumentals on it. The mood is really powerful, this is a mood album. I always get a little distracted by the second track, which is a fine song, but it sticks out from the rest of the album as more pop-ish. This is an alone time, or make out album. It’s not for parties, but it rules. Really, why aren’t you listening to it right now? You’re not at a party, if you are at a party get off of the internet.
1995, 1.Outside
I’m the first to admit that this album is overly long. BUT it’s his first concept album since Diamond Dogs, and the concept is fantastic. It could be a killer party album, but there is too much bloat. Personally, I like the bloat, but it means that you can’t just put it on when you’re hanging with your bro-friends. That said, this album totally rocks. If you can, you should enjoy it with the album art, which is part of the whole feeling. It includes a short story that ties the narrative together. This is the album that Bowie toured with Nine Inch Nails to support. It’s thick and industrial. Brian Eno was involved and it’s definitely has his aversion to the traditional in full effect. It was meant to be a trilogy, but label issues delayed release and Bowie’s short attention span prevented completion.
1997, Earthling
Earthling is full out electronica (with vocals). It parties hard. You can totally put this album on at a party and kick out people who don’t like it. If chaotic electronic music isn’t to your liking the strength of the songs is exhibited in the live performances that Bowie did with just 12 string guitar.
1999, Hours…
Hours is Dave no longer trying to be liked. It’s just him doing what he wants, writing great songs. The production is a little flat and the more rukkus songs suffer for it. The ballads are a treat though. Don’t miss “Seven”. If Lazarus is kicking your ass, listen to the words of Seven.
2002, Heathen
Heathen takes the “I do what I want” attitude and adds a shot of passion. This album whoops ass. It doesn’t rock. “Everyone says ‘Hi’” comes off as a letter to his son Duncan. This is definitely an album made by a middle aged man, but it is confident and bold. It’s got some cool covers on it. “Out in space it’s always 1982, the joke we always knew”. Heathen is what happens when the Man That Fell to Earth accepts his fate and runs with it.
2003, Reality
I have a hard time with Reality, maybe it’s just the cover art, which I hate, but I had a hard time connecting with it. That said “Fall Dog Bombs the Moon” and the George Harrison cover “Try Some Buy Some” are pretty great.
And then David took a break.
2013 The Next Day
If you’re shitting your pants over *Blackstar* and you haven’t given “The Next Day” a fair chance you are missing out. Every track on this album has something to offer. They lyrics are stunning. The production is still a little flat, they’re not really letting those guitars scream, but listen past that. These songs are dynomite. Don’t miss “The stars are out tonight” or “I’d rather be high”.
2016 *Blackstar*
You are right to be shitting your pants about this. It is amazing.
If you read this far you deserve a medal. Do yourself a favor and follow my advice, listen to these albums. How many artists do we get to hear go through 47 years of life? The genius who released *Blackstar* from his deathbed is the same genius that heard an interesting sound in the 90’s and told great stories with it. He’s the same genius who had nothing to prove in 1999 and laid himself to rest on the cover of Hours. The giant who went out as a shining blackstar is the same kid who was trying to impress us by saying “I dig everything”.
Look up here, I’m in heaven - Ain’t that just like me ~ David Bowie
Submitted November 09, 2018 at 03:39PM by IamTheGoodest https://ift.tt/2RLQQXf
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