This maybe a young record to consider a classic of any sorts, but in 2002 David Bowie gave the world Heathen, his strongest record in almost two decades. It was a comeback to the US charts for the Thin White Duke, breaking in at 14 and gave the creator his strongest reviews since 1980's Scary Monsters. Heathen is unlike any Bowie record to come before it, combining originals with obscure covers from The Pixies, Neil Young and Norman Odam. The record also features a plethora of notable names contributing their talents to David and his band. Artists like Pete Townshed, Dave Ghrol, Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and Tony Levin (King Crimson). Heathen was a bit of a concept record focusing on the end of mankind and what could come after. What Heathen also offers is Bowie dipping into ambient / electro rock and showcasing that at his age his never ceases to stop being creative. Heathen delivers a form of music that in 2002, only six years ago was not at its peak. The artists that could have inspired Bowie, bands like; Portishead, Mono, Morcheeba had not been around for sometime. If you pick up Heathen today not only is it still fresh, it will have a staying power that will last forever.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Underated Classic-David Bowie "Heathen"
This maybe a young record to consider a classic of any sorts, but in 2002 David Bowie gave the world Heathen, his strongest record in almost two decades. It was a comeback to the US charts for the Thin White Duke, breaking in at 14 and gave the creator his strongest reviews since 1980's Scary Monsters. Heathen is unlike any Bowie record to come before it, combining originals with obscure covers from The Pixies, Neil Young and Norman Odam. The record also features a plethora of notable names contributing their talents to David and his band. Artists like Pete Townshed, Dave Ghrol, Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and Tony Levin (King Crimson). Heathen was a bit of a concept record focusing on the end of mankind and what could come after. What Heathen also offers is Bowie dipping into ambient / electro rock and showcasing that at his age his never ceases to stop being creative. Heathen delivers a form of music that in 2002, only six years ago was not at its peak. The artists that could have inspired Bowie, bands like; Portishead, Mono, Morcheeba had not been around for sometime. If you pick up Heathen today not only is it still fresh, it will have a staying power that will last forever.
