Heathen

The new Bowie album, Heathen, is due out June 11th. On a first listen, I'm not overwhelmed. It is similar in style to Hours... but I'm not as enthralled as I was by Hours...

Most of the songs are slower, more sedate, and certainly could be considered self-referential in terms of Scary Monsters era work. This may be because it was coproduced by Tony Visconti (who worked on Young Americans, Low, Heroes and Scary Monsters). Listening through a second time I realize what is missing. The edge and envelope pushing of the divine Reeves Gabrels. This album uses more lush string and horn and far less guitar. Reeves did mention that their musical differences led them to decide not to work together on a regular basis anymore.

For the most part, the songs serve simply as vehicles to show that Bowie still has one of the most powerful voices around. Interestingly, the most rocking songs on the album are cover songs. Bowie covers the Pixies (Cactus) and Neil Young (I've Been Waiting For You), and the Legendary Stardust Cowboy (Gemini Spacecraft). The Pixies and Young were regular covers for Tin Machine. There are some suitably funky and quirky moments, as one would expect, like Gemini Spacecraft and Everyone Says Hi. There are also some brilliant more experimental moments, like the creepy A Better Future.

Overall it's not bad. If you aren't a big Bowie fan, you might wait for it to go on sale at Tower or wherever. It is certainly far superior to most of the popular music being promoted today.

Hot Spots: I've Been Waiting For You, Cactus, Slow Burn, 5:15 The Angels have gone, A Better Future.