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Roygbiv · 05-10-2009, 10:35 AM

ORANGE
LOW DAVID BOWIE

David Bowie is a music lover’s musician. The man has more diversity in his discography than a Toronto neighbourhood, and the best part is that nothing in it is terrible. The down side to this fact is that it’s almost impossible to recommend one Bowie album to someone who has not heard a full Bowie album before. There are the obvious ones: Let’s Dance, Station to Station, The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Hunky Dory - but for some reason, main stream media usually ignores the Berlin Trilogy, of which Low is part of. And that’s too bad, because if one is truly a music lover it is Low that they should start with.

It’s not just that Low is arguably Bowie’s most influential album, it’s that it’s his most influenced. Taking cues from German krautrock and marrying it with the glam rock he was defined by at the time, Low is a funky, sometimes disorienting, always thrilling roller coaster ride. The album’s influence is defined by the pitch enhanced drumming that to this day is regarded as one of the most important innovations in rock music. You can hear its influence all over the “80s rock sound.” Then there are the vocals. Bowie’s own are reinforced and harmonized by Iggy Pop, whose own definitive album The Idiot was recorded during the production of Low. And that’s just Side A. Side B is a completely different beast. It’s important to note that though Brian Eno did not produce the album he did co-write Warzsawa, the first song of Side B, and one can tell. It’s immediately apparent that he had something to do with the track once the dense, creepy ambiance kicks in and sets it for the remaining four tracks. For many, Side B is the best of the two sides, for it creates an unavoidably moody atmosphere that’s perfect when you’re inebriated. But arguing which of the two sides is better is literally like choosing between a pair of scissors and a garbage bin: you’ll need them both at one point.

And that’s Low, an transcendent masterpiece by a mastermind. If you have not heard it yet now’s the time.

9.6

05-10-2009, 10:35 AM	#94 (permalink)
Roygbiv marquee moon Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 759	ORANGE LOW DAVID BOWIE David Bowie is a music lover’s musician. The man has more diversity in his discography than a Toronto neighbourhood, and the best part is that nothing in it is terrible. The down side to this fact is that it’s almost impossible to recommend one Bowie album to someone who has not heard a full Bowie album before. There are the obvious ones: Let’s Dance, Station to Station, The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Hunky Dory - but for some reason, main stream media usually ignores the Berlin Trilogy, of which Low is part of. And that’s too bad, because if one is truly a music lover it is Low that they should start with. It’s not just that Low is arguably Bowie’s most influential album, it’s that it’s his most influenced. Taking cues from German krautrock and marrying it with the glam rock he was defined by at the time, Low is a funky, sometimes disorienting, always thrilling roller coaster ride. The album’s influence is defined by the pitch enhanced drumming that to this day is regarded as one of the most important innovations in rock music. You can hear its influence all over the “80s rock sound.” Then there are the vocals. Bowie’s own are reinforced and harmonized by Iggy Pop, whose own definitive album The Idiot was recorded during the production of Low. And that’s just Side A. Side B is a completely different beast. It’s important to note that though Brian Eno did not produce the album he did co-write Warzsawa, the first song of Side B, and one can tell. It’s immediately apparent that he had something to do with the track once the dense, creepy ambiance kicks in and sets it for the remaining four tracks. For many, Side B is the best of the two sides, for it creates an unavoidably moody atmosphere that’s perfect when you’re inebriated. But arguing which of the two sides is better is literally like choosing between a pair of scissors and a garbage bin: you’ll need them both at one point. And that’s Low, an transcendent masterpiece by a mastermind. If you have not heard it yet now’s the time. 9.6 __________________ Roygbiv's Review Revue LATEST REVIEW SILENT SHOUT BY THE KNIFE