Low - David Bowie

Yes, the time has come for me to review his "master work". The album considered by many as one of the best albums ever. Now when I say this, I'm referring to the 11th studio album by David Bowie. Now I personally love the hell out of this album, cover :D. This is supposed to be based off a promo poster for the movie he was in "The Man Who Fell To Earth". There's pretty much where The Thin White Duke is from (the film). This album is the first in the Berlin Trilogy, all of which were made with Brian Eno. I've actually enjoyed this thing from the first time I listened to it, but it wasn't until he passed that I really could say there was a connection with me and that record. Maybe I know what it was like to be at a low, there was other stuff besides just his passing going on. I mean life gets you there from time to time, but you learn and grow. One thing for sure I can disclose right now is, I can't say how many times I listened to the first half (or the entire thing as a whole) in the car while I drove to and from school. It's like a lot. So without further a due, does this live up to the hype? Is it a bunch of hipster bullshit that is buying in to a subpar record? Is Eno responsible for its level of brilliance? Am I qualified to review albums? This and many more will all be revealed to you below. So please feel free to say I'm full of shit, as I delve into this master piece of ambient/avant-pop/.

1. Speed of Life: This opens the album and sort of takes you to another place entirely. Like really, even though Bowie has since said (paraphrased) "Station to Station is just a rock version of what we were trying to do on Low", it still sounds pretty different. I guess I can see that comparison, but this is so different at the same time. The textures here are gorgeous, so are on the others, but this really just makes me want to dance. There are rarely instrumental intros that get me pumped and basically an immediate feel to sit through it, once it clicks. It just works so well as this albums opener I don't really know what to say. I love the dance feeling to the track and I love those icy synths that send shivers down my spine. The player are really doing something here that and I really just wanna re-listen to it once it's over. It also have a feeling of driving, like a broken up car is speeding down a highway or something. At least in my mind.
2. Breaking Glass: Where the last track was sort of bittersweet, there was a joy but it was mind of damaged, this is more of the damaged man trying to find joy. But he is sort of disillusioned by his fears and anxiety. Now I'm not saying that what it's about, that's what I'm saying it sounds like. This is also more "jagged" and abrupt and loud. I mean this isn't Merzbow territory or Boredoms but this definitely is less poppy than say some of his other stuff. Though I still love it.
3. What In The World: What do you expect when you get Iggy to contribute harmonies on this. I've heard this song at least 20 times and I still can't figure out that like Mario sound in the beginning. This track is another fast track, but I really like Pop's echoed backing vocals. I also really like the harpsichord sounding synth on the track. The textures on this thing, and whole album are great but still. I also really like the chaotic feeling and almost disoriented feeling you get towards the ending of the track. I think it's pretty damn good.
4. Sound And Vision: This is my favorite track off this album. This is also the track that I think is key to understanding this album as a whole. It's quite literal, it's not cryptic, it's like about as straight forward as you could possibly lyrically without taking the time to explain it in the song. This is both upbeat, but the way it's sung makes it haunting. It's happy, but it's also kind of down. It also has some great synths, very poppy feeling and that sigh in the beginning is so fucking great. Also I couldn't not mention that lead guitar playing the melody, fucking great shit. Mary Visconti, or Hopkins, comes in and is the female backing vocalist on this track. I really like her little thing she does and then Bowie comes and there's this vocal, then distorted vocal, I don't know if that's just on the CD or if it's also on the vinyl. Fucking phenomenal. Plus that saxophone, damn.
5. Always Crashing in the Same Car: A favorite of mine, its so smooth and chill. Very laid back and fun. The more I listen the more I love this thing. There is the obvious literal interpretation of him  crashing the same car continuously. This song also has meaning to me, because while it's about literally crashing a car over and over, I still cry when I go.... wow I'm doing the same shit over and over again. There is also a mellow feeling to the track that is almost deceiving. Well not almost, it is deceiving. There is also a top notch solo on this track that thank God for Carlos.
6. Be My Wife: This was to Angela, his wife, the two of which were going through problems. I guess he left America then went to France, or Switzerland, and one live in one place and the other... I don't exactly remember but there was just shit going down I guess. This song was looked at as his final plea to keep his marriage alive. Sadly they were divorced by 1980. But as for the song it's much more of a rock song and is pretty straight forward, hahah. No it's not to crazy or complex, though I do loves me some four on the floor. There is great playing from everyone once again and it's a great tune.
7. A New Career In A New Town: This is a great tune to close side 1 and is just fun. There really is a feeling that its like going through somewhere for the first time and feeling that feeling of a new beginning. I love the distant synth and that drum beat keeping time. It's so fucking good, and it's just like once it starts and that harmonica comes in.... I can imagine exactly what the title suggests. A hopeful song, but also shy and unsure of itself. The playing here again, thought much better than the last track, is still amazing.
8. Warszawa: Opening side two we get something entirely new for him. Nothing on any of his prior albums remotely resembled this. Eno is supposedly responsible for the chords to the track, but damn if this isn't barren. I mean I could see if Chernobyl happened in the 70's this song being written about and for that. Don't get me wrong this is amazing and can send chills down your spine, but its also gorgeous at the same time. There is a haunting beauty to the chord progression, the sounds, the textures and the everything basically. This could be the most realized song of the style on this album. Like the albums masterpiece, which isn't something new. It's crazy to think the only things used were a minimoog, piano and Chamberlain played by Eno, and of course David's vocals. I guess the lyrics were based on the recording of Helokanie by "Polish folk choir" Śląsk. I still love the fuck out of this and also this kick the shit out of anything John Carpenter could even try to do. That being said, this was written by Eno with the vocal stuff from Bowie. Also the 8 minutes don't drag on at all, honestly, they are well earned.
9. Art Decade: I like the little electronic flares that pop up in the beginning. This feels almost like its underwater and really has some amazing textures. There are these like sleigh bell things and then these little flashes that sounds like something darting by. The title is a play on the words "Art Decayed" and I assume "Art Deco". I could be wrong, but I doubt its "Decade" as in 10 years. I don't have a ton to say about this track but I really is hypnotic and relaxing. Not as much on edge as the last.
10. Weeping Wall: This is basically a variation on the song Scarborough Fair, which that kind of does bother me a bit but I guess it makes sense. I mean I love this instrumental none the less, but that does deduct some points there. I personally love percussion, especially pitched percussion. I wonder if Reich inspired this track, if not for the lead synth I'd say this is very minimalist. It is very repetitious, but I still love it. I also love what I'm assuming is treated guitars. This is also very hypnotic, and I'm kinda waiting to ear the song progressively disintegrate as Come Up to Show Them Does.
11. Subterraneans: Closing we get the whole band back together. I really like the bass in the beginning and this very much feels like a Residents track. This is very quiet and I almost feel like was supposed to have strings. There is a ending feeling of this and that saxophone kinda of reminds me of 80's music, but not like in a bad way. It feels very sad and this feels just distant. I would like to see the track get nice and confident and grow, but this is more realistic. You don't just get out of it right away, even once you've accepted it. It takes time to heal and this is the ending. I also smile when I hear echoes of futures songs and ideas on later records by him in this.

Overall I have to give this album a 10/10. Okay, do I think this is the masterpiece everyone else seems to claim it is.... I mean if you mean in terms of nothing wrong, then yes. I mean the more I listen to this the less I find error. I have to actively seek out negative aspects in the songs. There really is nothing wrong with this album. Sadly I have to say I agree with this being one of the best albums ever. I think part of what the appeal of the record lives in the fact he was at the lowest point in his life. While that might be lower than I'll ever sink, everything is relative, you can probably relate using your lowest point. A drug addiction for someone may be rock bottom, where as depression may be for another or divorce even cheating. All those and many more it just varies from person to person. The fragmented and broken lyrics and music on side A are very transparently relate-able. A broken man trying to write and basically get his life together. There is a comfort knowing that you yourself, regardless of the dilemma, are not alone. When I listened to this record I sort of got a sense of comradely (hopefully that's spelled right) in Bowie. As much as the world sucks and is really pointless (outside of music) there is a sense of peace that once it clicks you feel. I can kind of understand why people hold this in such high regard. I don't think it's the best record ever, as with his other material during his prime it is amazing none the less, but it's not far from it. I also want to say, along with that comfort, there is a sense of hope in these songs. This really is great. 

The Next Day [Deluxe] - David Bowie

This is the latest, first in 10 years since 2003's Reality, studio album by the "Thin White Duke", "Ziggy Stardust", "The Goblin King" no one other than David Bowie. This is studio number 24, excluding the Tin Machine albums (in which case would probably be 26 then). Whatever the case he announced this album back on his 66th Birthday, earlier this year. I was surprised to hear this. I didn't expect much, but I NEEDED to buy at least one Bowie CD the day it comes out before I die. Now the only CD version they had was the deluxe version. Well I feel like I should explain how he has inspired me. I wrote a fucking concept album, at least the outline and had the songs arranged to it. Not written but I knew what I wanted. But I did it with a very Stardust inspired concept. I also wrote Captin Dave, inspired by Space Oddity, hence Captin "Major", Dave "Tom". And the line in return to space, "funky monkey junkie". This album was produced by Tony Visconti. He produced Space Oddity, The Man Who Sold The World, and some other things for David. Now, finally, This bitch is going up. I also figured, lets get this out of the way so I could do a Bob Seger System review.

1. The Next Day: I wasn't that crazy about this song the first few times I heard it. But after a few listens it kind of grew on me. This kind of reminds me of his 80's music. I don't know why, but it kind of does. But this song doesn't get as exciting with his vocals. Like he doesn't really excite like before. And the chorus of the song isn't really anything special. There is definitely an atmosphere to the song, but it doesn't really get me pumped, or relaxed. I don't think that this song really goes on for me other than just the beginning of the album. NOTE: 10/25/13; This song is one of my favs. I like it more than its original Beauty And The Beast. 
2. Dirty Boys: I kind of like the horns on this song. When I first heard it I thought of Dr. John. The only FULL, that's every track, album I've heard by him is Locked Down. I think it's Ok, but yeah this song totally reminds me of him. I think it's kind of cool that, thus far, there have been different styles. It's not just 17 sound a likes. I'm not saying I'm in love with this song, but I still think its cool. And I like the Japanese sounding thing during the chorus. The more I hear it though, the slicker it gets. If that makes any sense. I could see, maybe, The Thin White Duke singing this song.
3. The Stars (Are Out Tonight): The first time I heard this song was along with the music video. I thought it was odd, but I liked how his past "selves" were there. Just like Where Are We Now?'s music video, which was odd too, I enjoyed them. The only thing is that I wish David sang a little higher. You know, like on some of the older stuff. But it's not the end of the world. I wish the girl's voice "Out Tonight" was a little louder. I didn't pick up on it until I had headphones on. I also like the little "solo" part. Though there isn't really a solo.
4. Love Is Lost: This track hasn't really much for me. I don't know why, but you know, I feel like with more listens it has potential. I think this is a decent track, but it's not having the effect on me that Where Are We Now? has had. I do like the ending of the song a lot, I think it's really cool how it kind of gets epic.
5. Where Are We Now?: I didn't care for this song until I checked out a review of the album. I saw it the day before it came out in America. Consequence of Sound is awesome. I read that they mentioned that if "They could be "Heroes" just for one day" then this would be the next day. Something along those lines. And well then I listened to it again. And I liked it, a lot. From a different perspective  I thought it was like "Where am I now since I've not released an album in a decade". But I was wrong. This song has a bunch of Germany places mentioned. They were right. Now I'm gonna try to talk about myself. I think the keys are pretty and I like how he is singing the song soft. It does kind of remind me a little of "Heroes". This song is a song that I could see someone using for "That Love Song".  You know, when you're in love and you split up. Being a teen I kind of, more or less, know what that feels like.
6. Valentine's Day: I think it's kind of funny that the songs after "Where Is Our Relationship Currently" is Valentine's Day. The holiday for lovers. This song is good, but it's not amazing. There's just something there in this song that keeps me from falling for the track. This song will forever be the track you hear after you hear one of your favorite tracks on the CD to me. This song just seems like its about a boy who isn't very big, and in his "scrawny hand" he holds a Valentine card for someone. He want's to tell someone he love her, but he can't. It's kind of a sad, emotional (for me at least), song. I love the ending I like the "yeah's" and I like the way the song ends. That's a pretty cool sounding solo. It isn't Where Are We or So She but it's one of the best on this album.
7. If You Can See Me: This reminds me of like Earthling or something around that time period. This really reminds me of '90s music my parents used to listen to. I was born in '95. So I had 5 years of the 90's. And the 90's music didn't die in 2000 for my house. I don't think the music was as complex and had so much going on, but it vaguely reminds me of it. I also kind of think of hours..., thought I've never heard that album. I know, I should, but I haven't yet. I don't think this track is anything special.
8. I'd Rather Be High: He mentions something about war, and trading in guns. I think this somewhat relates to the theme on, I'm not 100% sure what song, but I think it's Running Gun Blues off 1970's The Man Who Sold The World. I know as a fact it's on that album, but I'm pretty sure it's that song. But yeah, I don't think anything special of this song either. I'm not knocking it, or the album, its just it hasn't really sparked my interest yet.
9. Boss Of Me: This reminds me a little of Heathen. I don't have a specific reason, but I could see this song being written at that period. Maybe more of less then or the 90's. I like the slap bass in this song, and I think it's cool how it's got this weird first impression on you. This reminds me a little of Dirty Boys too. And the sax reminds me of his glam period. I think the bridge of the song is pretty cool too.
10. Dancing Out In Space: This is like a weird version of Modern Love. It also reminds me a little of Yassassin off 1979's Lodger. The way the vocals are kind of odd, and it has a dance vibe to it.
11. How Does The Grass Grow?: The title of this song reminds me of Zappa's 1979 album Joe's Garage, Vol. II & III and the song He Used To Cut My Grass. Not musically, just title-lley. I really didn't think much of this song, based on the title, but with more and more listens, yes. It's a pretty good song that just needed to "grow" on me. This is a weird, and silly, song. But for some reason I love it. {8/10}
12. (You Will) Set The World On Fire: The way this song starts out I could see it being an 80's Glam Metal band song. It's actually pretty sick. I think that you don't necessarily have to like Bowie, but it is a harder song. Then the chorus reminds me of Never Let Me Down. Which I'm effie on that album, but whatever. This is still a "strong" song on this album.
13. You Feel So Lonely You Could Die: This kind of reminds me of doowop. It pretty much is a doowop song. It actually reminds me a lot of One More Minute by "Weird Al" off his 1985 Masterpiece Dare to Be Stupid. There is obviously parts where it doesn't but the main verses reminds me of that song. This is a pretty good song. This is kind of a romantic vibe to it, but the lyrics aren't so romantic. It's kind of angry. I like the drum rolls and the choir in the background. It's a good song. It also, with the backing vocals, reminds me of Still The Same by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band and the part where it's the chorus and the female backing vocals come in and say the title of the song. The instrumental outro is pretty cool too.{8/10}
14. Heat: I'm not huge on this title of this song, but what am I gonna do. Call up Davie Jones and complain. No, I couldn't do that because that's stupid. When I first heard this track, I didn't know what to expect. It was one of "those". It actually, with the acoustic guitar buried, reminds me of Pink Floyd's 1977 song Dogs or 1979's classic, more so than the last, Comfortably Numb. This is a very eerie and bone chilling ending to this album.

Then here are the bonus tracks to the album. I'm glad that I got the deluxe version. Just like how I got the special editions of Disarm The Decent, Awakened, Ungrateful, Shadows Are Security, I still need the special edition of the oh so bad Music From Another Dimension.

1. So She: This is the only songs I fell in love with first time through. UGH! This song has actually become a sentimental song for me. I really like it, and it really means a lot to me. This is such a dreamy song. You could get lost in it, kind of like how you could get lost in Perfect Day off 1972's classic glam album Transformer. This though, is more Berlin Trilogy dreamy. Because of the ambience going on with the music. This reminds me a little of the how you could get lost in the "Heroes" album. That is the one, for me, that I think I get the most lost in.
2. Plan: I almost feel like this is a filler, but it's a bonus track?. But I think it's kind of supposed to be an instrumental prelude to the final bonus track.
3. I'll Take You There: This song seems like it's robotic. It's nothing amazing, but it's a decent track. I like the keys on the song. I do really like the part where it's kind of like the bridge. It's pretty sick, but the rest of the song isn't good enough for me to sit through the song to get to it. I just skip to that part.

Overall I have to give this, after much time listening and thinking, a 7.4/10. This album is an album that kind of needs, at least for me, to grow on you. Or you might have to digest it. This isn't a one time love it type of album. I've heard all the songs about a few dozen times and I finally feel I can give a good review. Hence me starting the review the day it came out and it going up today. And that's part of the reason it took forever. But this is a decent album and I'm glad it was released.