Company Line: With REALITY, Bowie has taken a low concept to new heights. The vivid, wildly impressive result–released September 16, 2003 on ISO/Columbia–is one of the most powerful sets of songs in Bowie’s illustrious body of work. Coming from the creative pioneer who brought rock music a newfound narrative drama and depth with 1972’s classic The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, the premise for REALITY–Bowie’s 26th album–couldn’t have been more straightforward.
The Good:
“Try Some, Buy Some” – Bowie doesn’t ruin this George Harrison classic. He actually puts down that classic Bowie voice and makes the song something interesting and ever spiritual.
“Never Get Old” – This song is not a masterpiece by Bowie standards, but very insightful by this aging rocker who is taking “Reality” seriously.
The Average:
“New Killer Star” – Bowie doing the White Stripes?
“Days” – Slower, and this really seems to fit a Bowie who is in his 50’s.
“Looking For Water” – The backup vocals almost ruin this entire track.
The Ugly:
“Pablo Picasso” – This harder edge isn’t fitting to Bowie at this point not to mention I could care less about women turning the color of an avocado or Picasso being called an asshole. Could you?
“Fall Dog Bombs The Moon” – 30 years ago we might have taken seriously this oddity from Bowie.
Frankly: I love Bowie – pre-1980. I have a bad feeling those David Bowie bonds people were buying are going down, down, down.
+ Rae Gun
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