Review #012 - "The Next Day" by David Bowie
Year: 2013
Genre: Rock
January 8th 2013. After 10 years with no new album or single, David Bowie mysteriously drops a song called "Where Are We Now?" on iTunes, with no announcement or anything. Word of the song blows up all over the internet. David Bowie is back. 2 months later, an entire album of new material drops. This is that album. I picked it up because I had heard some of my brother's Bowie CD's and was curious as to what this one sounded like. Did Bowie still have it? Let's find out!
1. The Next Day
Solid rocker to open the album. Not necessarily the most memorable song, but it works well for an album opener, showing that Bowie's voice has barely changed and that he can still pull songs like this off.
2. Dirty Boys
This is a pretty cool song. A '50s style thing with distorted vocals, the horn section really helps with the feel as does the guitar part. Great song, showing that Bowie can pull off any musical style he dreams of. Hm, now I wanna see him do dubstep (xD).
3. The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
My favorite song on the album, it's a fast paced song with very subtle elements that improve it. The percussion, the bass, the occasional spacey sounds, and the orchestra. The lyrics are about Bowie wanting to live a normal life, but he can't, because he lives right next to celebrities. It's kinda funny when you think about it, especially lines like "They burn you with their radiant smiles." A solid track.
4. Love Is Lost
Another solid one. Opens with cool guitar and synth and the little quirky sounds. Dissonant chorus helps round out this solid, but mildly forgettable track. Don't get me wrong, I really like it, but compared to some of the other songs, it has a harder time sticking in my head.
5. Where Are We Now?
The first look we were offered at Bowie's next masterpiece, it shows that Bowie hasn't dodged aging completely. It's a ballad that I interpret as being about the coming of age. At least that's how I read into it. Touching, catchy, this song was truly the best way to show us that Bowie was back.
6. Valentine's Day
We open with a cool drum intro. Catchy song, with some...OOH! Cool little dissonance. Not enough to be terribly obvious, but still cool! Also, the solo's pretty awesome. Surprisingly good, yet lighthearted lyrics, fantastic song!
7. If You Can See Me
Rocking trippy song! Lyrics seem to be about crossdressing in one of his friend's or his wife's clothes...oh man, classic Bowie. Probably the most kickin' song on the album, just what he needed to restore our interest. Most albums start to drag around 7 songs in, so Bowie decided to kick it up a notch to keep our attention. And, boy, did it work! I can't express how much I like the drums and harmonies!
8. I'd Rather Be High
As the title implies, this is like the perfect song to get stoned to. It's trippy with it's guitars, but sober people like me can still appreciate it because of some of the melodic elements like the chorus and the drum beat. The drum beat almost reminds me of Ringo Starr's experimental style that he had with the Beatles, which is never a bad thing if you're trying to write a song to get stoned to. Nothing much to say but DOOOOD!
9. Boss Of Me
Dat opening. Bowie going for more of a modern rock song, but the bass kinda brings in a mix of '50s/'80s which complements the song well. It's another catchy one, although not terribly notable this time.
10. Dancing Out In Space
Really cool spacey stuff in this one. It sends me almost a Killers-y vibe mixed with a showtune. It's creative, it's cool, it's trippy. Bowie just had to do another song about space.
11. How Does The Grass Grow?
Another trippy rocking song, this one has a really weird sound with the lead instrument (it sounds like a harpsichord) and the harmonies. The lyrics aren't exactly the best, but it doesn't matter. I like the sped-up part with the YEAHYEAHYEAHYEAH. It's a really cool song. AND DUDE THE FREAKING SOLO IS SO COOL.
12. (You Will) Set The World On Fire
Guitars sound pretty cool. It's another pretty cool song, with female vocal harmonies. It's fairly catchy. Drums are once again pretty cool and we have the really nice subtle elements like percussion.
13. You Feel So Lonely You Could Die
Opening harmonies and synth are a good sign. A cool ballad with a subtle orchestra, that somehow reminds me of easy listening while completely avoiding that tag by being actually good. A very nice song, it's catchy, it's lovely, and I love it.
14. Heat
Downtempo song with cool harmonies, spacey effects, and dissonance. Emotional, it almost makes me want to cry at times. It ends the album in an eerie light, which is the only way to end the album.
Conclusion: Solid album with little to no flaws. It brought back Bowie in the best possible way.
Overall: 92/100 (B-B-Bowie's back?)