David Bowie

I'm glad the song's up fro streaming just because it means I get to hear it sooner. And I love this album.

But, then again, I've liked both singles, even if I don't think they're album highlights.

Harmsway wrote:

I'm glad the song's up fro streaming just because it means I get to hear it sooner. And I love this album.

Listening to the stream on iTunes right now. Loving it so far.

Have listened to the whole album. My favourite track is definitely 'Love Is Lost' followed by 'Heat.'

In some ways, The Next Day reminds of Lodger.

Lazenby. wrote:

Hate him streaming the bloody thing online though, the marketing campaign and publicity for this album has been absolutely bang-on (well, that's to say it's worked spectacularly even despite the release of two singles I'm not really keen on). There's nothing but goodwill towards this album, and strong sales I'd guess are practically set in stone already. So why risk indifference (and leaks) creeping across the internet by streaming the album? People only have to wait a f*cking week to buy the bloody thing.

I'm also a bit baffled by this official streaming business, although it seems to be becoming the norm. Perhaps record companies are now resigned to people leaking and distributing everything anyway and have decided to try to exert some kind of control over the process. Also, it may be that people are less willing nowadays to buy before they try.

Streaming can help make people's minds up, albeit not always in the direction desired by the record companies. Listening to the stream of the new My Bloody Valentine album, I decided it was my cup of tea and duly bought it (and I wouldn't have taken a gamble on it without hearing it). However, listening to the stream of Johnny Marr's solo album, I decided it wasn't really for me and consequently decided not to spend money on it.

Largo's Shark wrote:

In some ways, The Next Day reminds of Lodger.

In a few places, yep. But while Lodger was all over the place in a good, creative and ultimately cohesive way (it's songs, though musically diverse, are perfectly united by the consistent running themes of travelogue, alienation and uncertainty), The Next Day has no such points of merit. The Next Day isn't a bad album, but does it really have anything fresh to add to the canon or have anything particularly worthwhile to say to justify it's existence other than making the simple and obvious statement that David Bowie is still alive and can still rock a bit here and there? The album overall sounds like a step backwards, a hybrid of the (comparatively) least-great rockers from Scary Monsters, Lodger and even (God forbid), Never Let Me Down and Tin Machine. There's pretty much nothing here which competes with the best moments from even the previous two albums, let alone the golden moments from his distant past. It's a decent record, but I expected so much more given that he felt it worthwhile breaking a ten-year exile/retirement to release it. And, for the first time in his career, he sounds genuinely old, passing off sounds from the past to a crowd of hungry nostalgists, to the point of almost giving off the vibe one feels when being at a U2 or Stones concert. On Heathen, Bowie confronted things coming to pass with dignity, creativity and some awesome songs which proved he could still cut it on practically every level imaginable. On The Next Day, despite all the energy and processed vigour on show, there's a lack of awesome moments, genuinely great songs and any real sense of cohesion or purpose. Like Toy, it's a Bowie album which is a pleasant distraction from a few old-time rock musicians having a late-in-the-day "rock-out", but it's an album which feels ultimately unessential to his canon because it has nothing new to add beyond it's "big comeback" factor. Most of the stuff here is decent, but was done better on the previous two albums, IMO. The running order frustrates me too, this album needs more balance and ballads for a start.

In placing this album up against it's predecessors, I'd say it's better than Tonight, Tin Machines 1 & 2, Never Let Me Down, Toy, Buddha Of Suburbia, the second half of Hours, his Deram David Bowie album and possibly Earthling. So it's okay, but I just expected a lot better.

I haven't given up on the album just yet, as I'm only up to my fourth listen, but I know already that this isn't the "dogs bollocks" all those hype merchants in the press made it out to be. I have to hand it to Bowie though, the marketing for this album was f*cking brilliant, in that he made people focus more on his legacy rather than the new material by remaining reclusive and only giving the media new material in really small drips. This "forced reverence" really filtered into the reviews for the new album, reviews which were mostly four or even five star. I'll give it a three for now.

I'd agree with that. On my second listen now, and I can safely say I was overenthusiastic in my previous post. Probably just because it was new Bowie material period, rather than a genuine response to the quality of said material.

My favourite song is still "Love Is Lost", though the album takes a bit of a nosedive in the middle. Too many half-arsed uptempo numbers, with the worst being "If You Can See Me", which sounds like a relapse of EARTHLING. "Valentine's Day" is a trite and saccharine handling of sensitive subjective, and "I'd Rather Be High" is plain f*cking embarrassing.

Most of the tracks here make want to listen a songwriter who's still writing genuinely challenging and unpredictable stuff. Bowie's idol - Scott Walker.

What did peeps here make of BISH BOSCH?

Largo's Shark wrote:

What did peeps here make of BISH BOSCH?

I've been waiting until I have a good period of time available for a serious listening session before I dive into that album.

Harmsway wrote:

Largo's Shark wrote:

What did peeps here make of BISH BOSCH?

I've been waiting until I have a good period of time available for a serious listening session before I dive into that album.

Yeah, it's not exactly a light listen.

Largo's Shark wrote:

the album takes a bit of a nosedive in the middle. Too many half-arsed uptempo numbers, with the worst being "If You Can See Me", which sounds like a relapse of EARTHLING. "Valentine's Day" is a trite and saccharine handling of sensitive subjective, and "I'd Rather Be High" is plain f*cking embarrassing.

Boss Of Me and Dancing Out In Space are guilty in that department too. And, although I can easily see your point with the Earthling connection, If You Can See Me isn't too bad IMO, but probably just because it stands out as something a bit different from the geriatric MOR stuff surrounding it. The only other track which really stands out as something different is Heat, which is probably the only track which suggests this album could have been really interesting or relevant to Bowie's canon had a bit more effort been put in.

After struggling with the bugger all week, here's my final running order in which to tolerate/enjoy The Next Day:

THE NEXT DAY
LOVE IS LOST
I'D RATHER BE HIGH
DIRTY BOYS
THE STARS ARE OUT TONIGHT
BOSS OF ME
WHERE ARE WE NOW?

VALENTINE'S DAY
HOW DOES THE GRASS GROW?
DANCING OUT IN SPACE
IF YOU CAN SEE ME
YOU WILL SET THE WORLD ON FIRE
YOU FEEL SO LONELY YOU COULD DIE
HEAT


In this order, some of the weak songs feel a bit more welcome by coming in on the back of even weaker ones, while the premature slowing down of the album is prevented here by pushing Dirty Boys further along the running order. I refused to completely remove any of the tracks because the record wouldn't have felt substantial enough.

The album doesn't sound too bad to me in this running order and it flows rather inoffensively (Where Are We Now? sounds a lot more welcome coming after the weakest track on the album), although the first two and last two tracks are still the only ones which really deliver for me.

And yes, I do stand by my opinion that every album should be released as a two-sided "wax cylinder" with a wind-down on each side to create structure, balance and a short break if necessary. Artists can't compile albums for shit anymore.

You and I have very different feelings regarding the good/bad tracks on THE NEXT DAY, Laz.

Harmsway wrote:

You and I have very different feelings regarding the good/bad tracks on THE NEXT DAY, Laz.

Which are the good/bad tracks for you, Harms?

Curretly standing near the stage at Al Pal, waiting fot Spector to come on (supporting act). Got Grace Jones playing on the PA...

Posted from my Samsung Gio.

Didn't know Bowie was doing any live dates, Shark. ;)

Posted from my 155mm howitzer.

Bowie does jazz. Badly. I'd sue if I were Sue.

It's not really jazz though is it? It's more like acid rock with a small jazz ensemble.

Maybe. Someone mentioned Soft Machine. I can hear the comparison.

I don't mind it really. Like a lot of older singers Bowie's lost his vocal range, but it's got a certain swagger.

SUE is the lead-off single from the new Bowie compilation NOTHING HAS CHANGED, released November 17th in 3CD, 2CD and double vinyl formats. The track selections, running orders, a few questionable omissions and certainly the shockingly brisk and randomly sequenced vinyl tracklist all seem discussion-worthy...

Quote :

DAVID BOWIE ‘NOTHING HAS CHANGED’ TRACKLIST

3CD DELUXE EDITION/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

CD 1: Sue (or In A Season Of Crime) (7.40) Where Are We Now? (4.09) Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix by James Murphy for the DFA Edit) (4.07) The Stars (Are Out Tonight) (3.57) New Killer Star (radio edit) (3.42) Everyone Says ‘Hi’ (edit) (3.29) Slow Burn (radio edit) (3.55) Let Me Sleep Beside You (3.14) Your Turn To Drive (4.44) Shadow Man (4.48) Seven (Marius De Vries mix) (4.12) Survive (Marius De Vries mix) (4.18) Thursday’s Child (radio edit) (4.25) I’m Afraid Of Americans (V1) (clean edit) (4.30) Little Wonder (edit) (3.40) Hallo Spaceboy (PSB Remix) (with The Pet Shop Boys) (4.23) Heart’s Filthy Lesson (radio edit) (3.32) Strangers When We Meet (single version) (4.21)

CD 2: Buddha Of Suburbia (4.24) Jump They Say (radio edit) (3.53) Time Will Crawl (MM remix) (4.18) Absolute Beginners (single version) (5.35) Dancing In The Street (with Mick Jagger) (3.20) Loving The Alien (single remix) (4.45) This Is Not America (with The Pat Metheny Group) (3.51) Blue Jean (3.11) Modern Love (single version) (3.56) China Girl (single version) (4.15) Let's Dance (single version) (4.08) Fashion (single version) (3.25) Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (single version) (3.32) Ashes To Ashes (single version) (3.35) Under Pressure (with Queen) (3.56) Boys Keep Swinging (3.17) ‘Heroes’ (single version) (3.35) Sound And Vision (3.03) Golden Years (single version) (3.27) Wild Is The Wind (2010 Harry Maslin Mix) (5.58)

CD 3: Fame (4.14) Young Americans (2007 Tony Visconti mix single edit) (3.13) Diamond Dogs (5.56) Rebel Rebel (4.28) Sorrow (2.53) Drive-In Saturday (4.29) All The Young Dudes (3.08) The Jean Genie (original single mix) (4.05) Moonage Daydream (4.40) Ziggy Stardust (3.12) Starman (original single mix) (4.10) Life On Mars? (2003 Ken Scott Mix) (3.49) Oh! You Pretty Things (3.11) Changes (3.33) The Man Who Sold The World (3.56) Space Oddity (5.12) In The Heat Of The Morning (3.00) Silly Boy Blue (3.54) Can’t Help Thinking About Me (2.46) You’ve Got A Habit Of Leaving (2.32) Liza Jane (2.18)

2CD EDITION/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

CD 1: Space Oddity (5.12) The Man Who Sold The World (3.56) Changes (3.33) Oh! You Pretty Things (3.11) Life On Mars? (3.49) Starman (original single mix) (4.10) Ziggy Stardust (3.12) Moonage Daydream (4.40) The Jean Genie (original single mix) (4.05) All The Young Dudes (3.08) Drive-In Saturday (4.29) Sorrow (2.53) Rebel Rebel (4.28) Young Americans (original single edit) (3.13) Fame (4.14) Golden Years (single version) (3.27) Sound And Vision (3.03) ‘Heroes’ (single version) (3.35) Boys Keep Swinging (3.17) Fashion (single version) (3.25) Ashes To Ashes (single version) (3.35)

CD 2: Under Pressure (with Queen) (3.56) Let's Dance (single version) (4.08) China Girl (single version) (4.15) Modern Love (single version) (3.56) Blue Jean (3.11) This Is Not America (with The Pat Metheny Group) (3.51) Dancing In The Street (with Mick Jagger) (3.20) Absolute Beginners (edit) (4.46) Jump They Say (radio edit) (3.53) Hallo Spaceboy (Pet Shop Boys remix) (with The Pet Shop Boys) (4.23) Little Wonder (edit) (3.40) I’m Afraid Of Americans V1 (clean edit) (4.30) Thursday’s Child (radio edit) (4.25) Everyone Says 'Hi' (3.29) New Killer Star (radio edit) (3.42) Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix by James Murphy for the DFA Edit) (4.07) Where Are We Now? (4.09) Sue (or In A Season Of Crime) (7.40)

DOUBLE VINYL

SIDE 1: Let's Dance (single version) (4.08) Ashes To Ashes (single version) (3.35) ‘Heroes’’ (single version) (3.35) Changes (3.33) Life On Mars? (3.49)

SIDE 2: Space Oddity (5.12) Starman (original single mix) (4.10) Ziggy Stardust (3.12) The Jean Genie (original single mix) (4.05) Rebel Rebel (4.28)

SIDE 3: Golden Years (single version) (3.27) Fame (4.14) Sound And Vision (3.03) Under Pressure (3.56) - Queen & David Bowie Sue (or In A Season Of Crime) (7.40)

SIDE 4: Hallo Spaceboy (Pet Shop Boys remix) - with The Pet Shop Boys (4.23) China Girl (single version) (4.15) Modern Love (single version) (3.56) Absolute Beginners (single version) (5.35) Where Are We Now? (4.09)

Not familiar with the film, but remember the book as very controversial. In school we had a teacher who read loud from it during lunch breaks. She got contacted by some of the parents as a result.

I remember this made an impression on some of us kids, and must have been the first time I really noticed Bowie as something other than just a rock freak.