Excellent review, friend. A bit of context: I was 13 in 1983. I got a boombox and 'Let's Dance' on cassette for Christmas. Immediately fell madly in love with that album and the infectious energy that so perfectly encapsulated the cultural zeitgeist of the moment. Bowie quickly became my all-time favorite artist and remains so to this day. From then on, I was voracious to consume anything Bowie-related. Bowie could have released a spoken word version of Requiem for the Laughing Gnome and I would have been ecstatic. When 'Tonight' came out, I wasn't at all disappointed at all. It was just, well, different that 'Let's Dance'. After All (no pun intended) he reinvents himself every album so it was completely to be expected. I'm sure that I'm in the small minority of people that even enjoyed 'NLMD' in '87. Even got to see the Glass Spider Tour in New Orleans in October, '87. I personally enjoy his 80's output far more than his mid 90's - 2000's era. That may be a bias due to my age at the time. 'The Next Day' was fun. But 'BLACKSTAR". Oh my Sweet Lord. The man went out on a high note for sure. Love you alway Starman. And keep up the good reviews Mister Top 5. Peace.
I’ve been waiting for you to do this one in your Bowie reviews ! I love this album and it’s one of my favorites of his. I know it’s not one of his best and it does have that 80’s sound to it. But I have a massive soft spot for it in my heart. And I think I’m the only person on earth who likes his cover of “God Only Knows” 🤣🤣🤣 But don’t we all have a soft spot for a certain album in our favorite artist catalog that we love but everyone else hates 🤣🤣🤣 Also have it on CD with 3 bonus tracks 1. This is Not America with Pat Metheny, 2. As the World Falls Down (Labyrinth soundtrack) and 3. Absolutely Beginners from the film of the same name I know the album has many detractors but I still love it all these years later 😁
The sound is eightyish but it is very good. A couple of extra good songs (loving the alien is an excellent one) and this album would have been a fav of mine
I remember getting this at a local yard sale as a teen. The Beach Boys cover definitely came off odd and kind of lost me for the rest of the album, haha. I have not played that copy since then. But it is time for me to revisit it! Blue Jean has grown on me a lot over the years. Weird how much he seemed to lean on Iggy on this LP.
This review is spot on: only one great song and one good song despite the magnificent sound. And the following album is probably even worst. I was wondering if there are out-takes available somewhere. Maybe something worth listening.
Thanks! Very interesting about outtakes indeed although the producers said Bowie was not very concerned about this album. What is interesting though… is his later attempt to re-record and remix Never Let Me Down. He actually started work on that before he died and it was finished by his collaborator after, because Bowie felt that the songs there were good and were a victim of it’s time. I will review it in this series!
Totally agree.I don't understand how he could go from his 70's masterpieces to this awful record.What was he thinking with the God Only Knows cover? It's horrible.
I rate this one as good. It’s not very good, great, or a classic, but it’s not that long of a listen and you can have your limited fun with it. The next one is one of the worst records from a great artist. Only Bowie’s 1967 debut is worse. I’ll pray for you 😂
