Disjointed songwriting without a lot of pop hooks, somewhat cryptic lyrics without a lot of solid lyrical hooks (there's certainly no "Changes" or "Young Americans" or "Heroes" strewn among this bunch), wonky instrument playing and a muddy, harsh mix, frankly kinda goofy overdramatic vocals (as on "Look Back In Anger" - which I like, but really) and just a general feeling of unpleasantness about the whole affair (perhaps down to the pinched, muddy sound of the thing). I've tried for 20 years to like this record and while I can take some of the individual tracks in isolation, I find listening to it in one setting a chore.
well, the problem is that I dont like all of them, as an example, Alladin Sane, I cant listen to, to loud and harsch, have to go for the original RCA CD. I only have the first box, but find the remastering very uneven in quality.
yes, the first box had a mixture of "old" and new masters, albeit mostly by the same engineer. Ziggy (good) is from 2012, Aladdin (bad) from 2013. the rest of the studio albums were new masters, the live albums from existing older masters.
At first listen, on headphones at work, I thought that two was better than one, however, on second listen it was the other way around
I highlighted part of your post, because it explains in part why I like Lodger so much. In truth, Low and Heroes is just as strange. Sure Low had Sound and Vision (although Bowie doesn't start singing for an eternity), and Heroes had the title track - but on the other hand Low has fragments of undeveloped rock/pop tracks, and four long instrumentals, Heroes has Joe the Lion, Blackout, and strange pop songs about Arabia. In other words, they're very strange albums coming from the artist who made Young Americans. Which is why, despite those who dislike the term, these below in a Trilogy, and for want of better word, The Berlin Trilogy. I think what you're perhaps looking for is precisely what Bowie was trying to get away from. He succeeded, but of course alienated some of his audience as well. Mind, I wouldn't describe Lodger as "harsh" in any way. It's actually smoother to my ears than Heroes. And I don't find the overwrought vocal on Look Back in Anger as "goofy" either - it's rock. Still, each to their own. I seriously doubt those who dislike it will find much interesting in the remix. As a fan of the album, in truth *I'm* not expecting much from it. It's such a good album though, and one I enjoy immensely.
I'm listening on stupid computer speakers and straight away I noticed #2 was the modern one. The thumping of the drums gets in the way of the music. Is that what it sounds like on a proper system?
It's to be expected I suppose. I listened to Heroes, Lodger and Scary Monsters today. Heroes is the most consistently good album, but Lodger and SM have some damn good tracks. I was a bit harsh on Heroes. The only track on that album which isn't 9 or 10 out of 10 (personal opinion only) is Sense Of Doubt because it's just too damn miserable. How much I want to listen to these tracks out of ten: Beauty & The Beast..10 Joe The Lion.............10 Heroes.......................10 Sons Of Silent Age.....9 Blackout....................10 V-2 Schneider............10 Sense Of Doubt..........7 Moss Garden.............10 Neuköln.....................10 Secret Life Of Arabia.10 Fantastic Voyage.......10 African Night Flight..10 Move On....................10 Yassassin.....................8 Red Sails.....................10 DJ...............................10 Look Back In Anger...5 Boys Keep Swinging..11 Repetition..................10 Red Money..................6 Alabama Song...........10 It's No Game#1........11 Up The Hill.................7 Scary Monsters...........9 Ashes..........................10 Fashion.......................6 Teenage Wildlife........11 Scream Like A Baby..10 Kingdom Come..........9 Because You're Young.8 It's No Game #2........5 Crystal Japan.............9 Space Oddity(remake).8 Panic In Detroit(remake).4 Not too keen on the German or French version of Heroes. His pronunciation is a bit off on the German and the French one sounds totally wrong.
Even the WG RCA is a tad harsh, especially when Belew is let loose on Boys, and no deep bass, but the booklet has lyrics and photos.
I went and did my own ranking of "Heroes," Lodger, and Scary Monsters, and here's how it turned out: Beauty & The Beast...9 Joe The Lion.............10 Heroes.......................10 Sons Of Silent Age.....9 Blackout.....................8 V-2 Schneider............10 Sense Of Doubt..........10 Moss Garden.............10 Neuköln.....................10 Secret Life Of Arabia..9 Total score: 95 Fantastic Voyage........10 African Night Flight...8 Move On....................10 Yassassin....................8 Red Sails.....................8 DJ...............................10 Look Back In Anger....6 Boys Keep Swinging...10 Repetition...................7 Red Money..................1 Total score: 78 It's No Game#1............10 Up The Hill..................10 Scary Monsters............10 Ashes............................10 Fashion........................10 Teenage Wildlife...........5 Scream Like A Baby......9 Kingdom Come.............9 Because You're Young...9 It's No Game #2............9 Total score: 91 What's funny is that I don't like Scary Monsters any less than "Heroes," despite what the scoring above might indicate, but my disinterest in "Teenage Wildlife" takes SM down a few points.
"Teenage Wildlife" is one of my fave Bowie songs, and SM is one of my fave Bowie records, despite the fact that I hate "Fashion," don't like "Scary Monsters" and can't explain how I came to barely enjoy "Ashes to Ashes" (I THINK it's by focusing on the vocals and ignoring the actual music). -E
Okay, because I'm bored.. Beauty & The Beast...10 Joe The Lion.............9 Heroes.......................10 Sons Of Silent Age.....8 Blackout.....................9 V-2 Schneider............10 Sense Of Doubt..........10 Moss Garden.............9 Neuköln.....................7 Secret Life Of Arabia..10 Total score: 92 Fantastic Voyage........10 African Night Flight...2 Move On....................3 Yassassin....................4 Red Sails.....................8 DJ...............................10 Look Back In Anger....10 Boys Keep Swinging...10 Repetition...................3 Red Money..................8 Total score: 68 It's No Game#1............9 Up The Hill..................9 Scary Monsters............10 Ashes............................100 Fashion........................10 Teenage Wildlife...........10 Scream Like A Baby......7 Kingdom Come.............8 Because You're Young...8 It's No Game #2............10 (I find it just slightly superior than #1) Total score: 91 But I can't wait to really get into those last two albums when I buy the boxset.
I'm not sure I could go below a 7 on any of these songs, these albums just mean to much to me as a human guy who loves music... I mean Red Money a 1/10? African Night Flight a 2/10?? Ouch. Those are "Starlight Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight" numbers
They're actually stranger, but unlike Lodger they feel coherent and they work. Very little on Lodger actually works for me - it feels like pointless experimentation with no payoff. But if that were the case, why do I adore Low and "Heroes"?
You think "Low" and "'Heroes'" are stranger? I always thought that they were more about one place and reflection. From silent brooding to a certain spiritual equilibrium. As opposed to the restless and constant motion of "Station To Station" and "Lodger". Especially on the latter Bowie has like a million voices showing a quick succession of scenes and images. While living a fast paced jetset life. And going on holiday with.... Bianca Jagger. These - is this the right word - contradictions (?) work very, very well on "Lodger". And make it strange. But attractive.
