David Bowie Blackstar album review By Isabelle Guns
David Bowie Blackstar album review By Isabelle Guns
Unlike my traditional one paragraph album reviews this one deserves the track by track format. There's a lot of vocal manipulation throughout, however, it's more artistic than it is critical.
The first instrument that Bowie ever fell in love with and learned to play was the saxophone, an instrument that's used throughout the album and rarely used in modern music. The sax on most of the tracks aren't the melody lines but rather they wander/flutter all over the album adding some color.
Each track is unique on it’s own in both productions, methods and slight genres.
Visconti has openly said that this was Bowie's final last words.
The album itself is a short 35 minutes which is appreciated compared to The Next Day which was way too long. He had something to say and he just wanted to get to the point.
Quick shout out to Ben from Neptoon Records for selling me the last Bowie Blackstar album in the city.
Blackstar = The song is broken up into two segments often confused as 2 tracks. I appreciate the Middle Eastern flavour that is more dark and subtle than campy. It's not EDM but the backing track is very up to date without interfering with the other elements of the song. The haunting part is when he sings, "I'm a black star" on repeat. A black star is a star that explodes onto itself.
Tis A Pity She Was A Whore = lyrically it's sounds like a sequel to Modern Love. Bowie's sarcastic humour on this?
Lazarus = Mix wise it's very sparse vs. his normal kitchen sink method. It's cool to hear the guitars as a background instrument rather than the forefront. I heard this song before the album came out and was bothered at the time by how confessional, dark and what I assumed was autobiographical the lyrics were. Of course now it makes sense.
Sue = This was actually a 2015 Record Store Day release. This one is for the Earthing fans. Drum and bass EDM (live drumming). Both versions are a different mix and recording. I appreciate both for different reasons but I understand why this version made it onto the album.
Girl Loves Me = The lyric "Where the fuck did Monday go?" is a bit dark considering he died Monday. This song has the best lyrics on this album mainly 'cause it displays a subtle sarcastic humour. It’s one of the few tracks that is open for interpretation.
Dollar Daze = It's not album filler but the impact isn't as large as the other tracks.
I Can't Give Everything Away = The beat has a very Thursday's Child vibe to it. This track was designed to be listened to posthumously.
Unlike my traditional one paragraph album reviews this one deserves the track by track format. There's a lot of vocal manipulation throughout, however, it's more artistic than it is critical.
The first instrument that Bowie ever fell in love with and learned to play was the saxophone, an instrument that's used throughout the album and rarely used in modern music. The sax on most of the tracks aren't the melody lines but rather they wander/flutter all over the album adding some color.
Each track is unique on it’s own in both productions, methods and slight genres.
Visconti has openly said that this was Bowie's final last words.
The album itself is a short 35 minutes which is appreciated compared to The Next Day which was way too long. He had something to say and he just wanted to get to the point.
Quick shout out to Ben from Neptoon Records for selling me the last Bowie Blackstar album in the city.
Blackstar = The song is broken up into two segments often confused as 2 tracks. I appreciate the Middle Eastern flavour that is more dark and subtle than campy. It's not EDM but the backing track is very up to date without interfering with the other elements of the song. The haunting part is when he sings, "I'm a black star" on repeat. A black star is a star that explodes onto itself.
Tis A Pity She Was A Whore = lyrically it's sounds like a sequel to Modern Love. Bowie's sarcastic humour on this?
Lazarus = Mix wise it's very sparse vs. his normal kitchen sink method. It's cool to hear the guitars as a background instrument rather than the forefront. I heard this song before the album came out and was bothered at the time by how confessional, dark and what I assumed was autobiographical the lyrics were. Of course now it makes sense.
Sue = This was actually a 2015 Record Store Day release. This one is for the Earthing fans. Drum and bass EDM (live drumming). Both versions are a different mix and recording. I appreciate both for different reasons but I understand why this version made it onto the album.
Girl Loves Me = The lyric "Where the fuck did Monday go?" is a bit dark considering he died Monday. This song has the best lyrics on this album mainly 'cause it displays a subtle sarcastic humour. It’s one of the few tracks that is open for interpretation.
Dollar Daze = It's not album filler but the impact isn't as large as the other tracks.
I Can't Give Everything Away = The beat has a very Thursday's Child vibe to it. This track was designed to be listened to posthumously.