David Bowie - Heathen
2002 / 51:42 Minutes / 12 Tracks / Studio
Release Date: May 27, 2002 - IPO/Columbia
Produced by: Tony Visconti
Website: http://www.davidbowie.com

Reviewed by Matt Rowe on August 27, 2002

David Bowie has long been the benchmark by which musical styles are advanced. His fearless treks into the uncharted waters of lyrical diffusion are legendary along with his ability to create new musical forays not only for himself but also for others to follow. That was not only true of him when he reigned as Rock's main show during the creation of his many stage personas; it is, in a way, true of him now. Listening to Bowie then was a revelatory experience, breathing life into his music. Now, Bowie still traverses the crest of his explorations. Although his craft now brings to mind some of his earlier work, notably his Berlin Trilogy, from "Low" through "Lodger", it's rearranged enough to be fresh and exciting.

The news that Tony Visconti was brought on board to produce this affiliation with Bowie brought a whirlwind of good feelings from Bowiephiles. This collaboration would bring the crown jewel successor of "Low" on through "Scary Monsters", the one Bowie creation that would shine. But that would not happen. There is an evolutionary process that occurs with every Bowie release. A few of those releases would disappoint but nevertheless show Bowie's forward movement. "Heathen" is part of that evolution. It's Bowie now. Whether it becomes the classic that is expected of it remains to be seen.

But let's talk about "Heathen". It is a set of 12 songs, 16 if you count the extra disc that comes with the Limited Edition. And it's not too be missed, although we will not, for the sake of this review, discuss the extra disc except in fleeting discussion. Bowie's voice is in fine shape. As he carves out each track, the shape shifting quality of his material adds to the allure of the disc.

With "Sunday", the eloquent song of remembering who you really are, in the midst of change where no change is evident. The quiet acceptance here is almost beatific. The Pixies' "Cactus" carries a Low/Heroes sound, even if it is someone else's song, Bowie personalizes it. That stamp carries thoughout this album, borrowing a bit from "Low", a bit from Heroes, and his other Visconti produced albums but updating them to this time, once again, evolving. "Slow Burn" is a song that evinces tragic Bowie complications like fear. And it carries with it the mood that is so very important to Bowie and his work. In fact, the album works extraordinarily hard to foster the atmosphere of introspection.

Bowie's rendition of Neil Young's "I've Been Waiting For You" is a cool effort. David actually tries to capture the resonance of Young's voice. It does throw you off a bit but it pure Bowie to attempt such a capture. "I Took a Trip On A Gemini Spaceship" could be an updated outtake from the "Low" sessions. And how can we not be entranced by "Everyone Says Hi"? David's beautiful prayer in "A Better Future" where he 'demands a better future' for his children is unerring belief that we can get better but need to ask for it.

After it's said, David Bowie, along with the expert and skilled hand of Tony Visconti , have created an enduring addition to his burgeoning catalogue. We should feel graced that Bowie continues to merge styles in this era.

DISC

The unerring skill and loving passion that is instilled in this album is exquisite. Visconti's knowledge of Bowie in what was David's most important era is recaptured here in it's own way. While it's not the aural equivalent of "Low" or "Heroes", it's a rather spectacular attempt to recapture the spirit of that time while staying true to today's essence. Expert usage of the channels to create a L/Centre/R rollaround works here when it's used. The tracks are pure and sound wonderful.

The multimedia portion of the disc provides some cool extras, creating a more valuable disc package but still requires the use of the internet. I like this as compact discs become more DVD like in their 'value added' additions to become what they should have been all along. As storage capacities increase, I hope to see more and more special additions making CDs as interesting as their DVD counterparts.

Once the installation occurs of the interface that allows you access to the 'extras', you are presented with a menu that attempts verification of disc ownership and then gives you the chance to explore lyrics (that should have been in the insert), a few different cover shots of "Heathen", a very short and incomplete 'exclusive' video, two BSides cuts, "Safe" and "London Boys", a 30 day free trial to BowieNet, an exclusive internet site for Bowiephiles, and the ability to play your disc. I attempted to sign on for the 30 day trial but it requires you to input a credit card. Oh well, look at this attempt at "extras" a beginning and hope that it evolves as other artists begin to incorporate these features into their own recordings.

Disc 2 in the limited edition provides a Moby remix of "Sunday" (sterile), an Air remix of "A Better Future" (desensitizes the song), an re-recorded outtake song, "Conversation Piece" (select) , and "Panic in Detroit", an outtake from the "Aladdin Sane" (works beautifully) sessions.

PACKAGING

The disc is packaged in a tri-fold Digipack case with a 12 page sepia toned stapled insert. The insert does not include lyrics, always a bad call, but has plenty of artistic photos and artwork with notes and credits. Also, there is a sheet that hawks the multimedia aspects of the disc.

THE FINAL SAY

David Bowie is one of our statesmen in the world that we call Rock. His latest addition, "Heathen" is a fantastic CD even if it doesn't measure up to the classics of his past. But then, powerhouses like "Ziggy Stardust", "Low" and other Bowie masterpieces wouldn't be the wonders that they are now if every album that Bowie cranked out took on that mystical glow.

While "Heathen" may not be classic in the classic sense, it is unmistakeable Bowie. If you are a Bowie fan, this is as good a DB disc as many of his past efforts. You won't be disappointed.

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