tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8517162803591368615.post5191834198881821765..comments2024-03-19T20:23:35.727+00:00Comments on Is This The Life?: Bowie Albums Rated - Part 7TheRobsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18277941961790844321noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8517162803591368615.post-45460567129144783612015-05-23T05:26:07.087+01:002015-05-23T05:26:07.087+01:00Hmmm, the three albums that can cause the most hea...Hmmm, the three albums that can cause the most heated discussions among the Bowie fans I know. By the 90's all the noise about how Young Americans was a low point and the Berlin Trilogy was overrated seemed to have wained. But the 80's disasters were still part of the consciousness of his fans. This certainly made it hard for Bowie to succeed in a new decade, but with Outside, he finally created music that caused a stir and extreme reactions.<br />I think Outside has benefited from the sands of time. There's a very definite jazz feel to much of the album - at least to these ears. It's a genre that has actually become a very good friend to Bowies creative process for the past 20 yrs now. I waffle between the title track and Lodger-esque beauty of I Have Not Been To Oxford Town as my favorites.<br />My biggest complaint about Earthling is it always has sounded like Bowie doing other peoples sound and NOT putting enough of his imprint on it. It smacks of Massive Attack, Drum & Bass - Battle For Britain is downright embarrassing, electronic dance...At least I'm Afraid Of Americans sounds like NIN because NIN were involved. But honestly, Bowie head banging, even darkly or with a sense of wit isn't really necessary. The two songs that save the proceedings for me are Seven Years In Tibet and Law (Earthlings On Fire). There is again a relationship between these two songs and Lodger and Scary Monsters to these ears.<br />Hours is a masterful work. It's part song cycle, part modern jazz, part mature songwriter master turn. The reflectiveness of much of the album can draw you in. It's quite addictive for me. Seven is a classic Bowie track. Thursday Child is a valid attempt to wipe away, musically, all the overblown sound of Bowie in the 80's. When I first heard it I immediately thought, 'yes he's had this up his sleeve for a while, just waiting for the right time.' I have to agree with you on Brilliant Adventure. It so very much sounds like it belongs on side 2 of Low. It's very filmic and beautiful but totally from left field. <br />Can't wait to hear your impressions of the next two albums... Echorichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853063796135973187noreply@blogger.com