David Bowie's Nothing Has Changed

For those of you who do not know, David Bowie released new songs and a new compilation album is due out soon.

The new songs he released are called "Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)," which I was not able to find anywhere to listen to it--but it will be released officially later this month. The other is called "'Tis a Pity She's a Whore." Admittedly, I did not think much of the title. And I hoped DB would not disappoint me.

I did listen to it a couple of times, as you can do here: 'Tis a Pity She's a Whore. I do not care for the lyrics, though I thought the music was well enough. I did a little more research because it is supposed to be an artistic reflection centered around WWI. According to the David Bowie (Official) Facebook page, Bowie said of this song: “If Vorticists wrote Rock Music it might have sounded like this." I would imagine he is right.

Apparently, there was a play by the same title written by John Ford in the 1600s. The play centers around a complex incestuous relationship. I know little more than that except that it was controversial at the time and pushed aside for centuries.

Otherwise, I think DB is trying to reflect in his new album, Nothing Has Changed, not only his music, but some sort of historical context? I don't know, I haven't come to any good conclusions. It may be easier to see a point when the album arrives. I know there will be "unreleased" songs on there, which were actually on the album Toy. This article: David Bowie box set to feature new and unreleased music talks about the different tracks that will be on the album.

Image from David Bowie (Official)

I feel hesitant because the new song feels rough to my sensibilities. However, it took The Next Day a while to grow on me, but it did just that (minus a couple of songs that I find difficult to listen to. Namely "How Does the Grass Grow," which I find disturbing and "Boss of Me," which I simply don't like.) Turns out that, despite the dark nature of the song "The Next Day," I actually grew to love it. And I always liked "Where Are We Now?" Anyway, I have hopes that the new songs will grow on me and mean more to me later. DB has hidden depths in a lot of his music that manages to speak to me, even through weird/questionable lyrics. That is part of why I am a fan: his music (usually) means something. Here's hoping.

"First they give you everything that you want
Then they take back everything that you have
They live upon their feet and they die upon their knees
They can work with Satan while they dress like the saints
They know God exists for the devil told them so
They scream my name aloud down into the well below."
~"The Next Day" by David Bowie. This is the part that finally made me like the song.

A David Bowie Birthday

Today is David Bowie's 67th birthday! I always like to acknowledge DB's birthday, being that he is my idol and all that.

I love this picture. It's been on my computer for quite some time-I don't even know where I got it from.

If you remember, on this day last year, DB announced the coming release of his first album in ten years! What an exciting day for his fans!

And while there were jokes made at my expense about his birthday ("Are you going to have a party?" "Are you going to dress up?"), I decided that a little tribute to his last album would be a nice way to go. I did joke about throwing him a party, but I don't think anyone would come celebrate with me...

Moving on.

It took a little while for his latest album, The Next Day, to grow on me. But after many listens (despite being unsure, I couldn't stop listening), I looked forward to the distinctive style of this album and got excited for the songs to pop up on my shuffled David Bowie playlist (which has about 200 songs on it, so it takes a long time to cycle). Here are The Next Day highlights (in my opinion).

I hope you are all familiar with this one, which is my favorite on the album: Where Are We Now? Love it. And isn't English a special language? The line, "The moment you know you know you know" totally makes sense.

This one, like the above, was released early, and there is something about it that I like: The Stars (Are Out Tonight).

The title track! This one was probably the first one to catch my attention after the two above: The Next Day. I realize that this is a bit disturbing, but I LOVE that DB is singing on the stage through all of these blasphemous images. It seems appropriate. I still love the song.

I am not sure when it happened, but this random song became a favorite: Dancing Out in Space. It doesn't have a music video, but it's a great song. I like the beats and the way he sings it. Oh those syncopated beats always get me.

So thank you, DB, and happy birthday!

"As long as there's me. As long as there's you." ~David Bowie "Where Are We Now?"

David Bowie's "The Next Day."

On the afternoon of March 6th, I got a phone call from an acquaintance of mine. In it, Ryan (fellow David Bowie fan) told me that the CD store nearby only had one copy of "The Next Day" left. I quickly made my way over and got the last copy that had the bonus tracks on it! Yay!

Me and my new David Bowie paraphernalia!

I also picked up this snazzy new DB shirt from Target which my sister told me about via text the night before. Awesome shirt! Because I needed more... I only have enough to wear a different one everyday for about two or three weeks straight... Moving on.

Despite having gotten the CD before it was even technically out, it took me a few days to listen and process.

As a DB fan, I am already inclined to like it. And I did. But, sadly, it wasn't my favorite. I think with time it will begin to grow on me. The song and music themes are more dark or sad, reminiscent of "Earthling," I'd say. I don't have all of David Bowie's CDs (yet because have you seen how many he's done???), but "Earthling" has been my least favorite so far. I started out with a lot of excitement leading to some mild disappointment mixed with intrigue.

When the first song, "The Next Day," came on, though, all I could think was, "He's still got it!" I love listening to that voice. Which brings me to one of the things I dislike about the album aside (and which I disliked about "Earthling"): I don't like it when they do funny things to alter DB's singing voice. I don't like using all of that technology to make his voice sound strange and demented. He has such a unique, wonderful voice. I can't imagine wanting to change the sound and cadence. Can I call myself a purist?

The second and third time through, I liked it more and more. The only song that I just do not like (which means I will skip it on my iPod a lot) is "How Does the Grass Grow?" I tried, I thought reading the lyrics would help (and it did, a little), but I am just not crazy about it. Not because of his voice, just because it's dark. Though not necessarily darker than the rest of the album. "The Next Day" was also dark, but I liked it better for whatever reason.

I still like "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)" and "Where Are We Now?" is my favorite. I enjoyed "(You Will) Set the World on Fire" and the one love song, "So She."

As a small side note: Did anyone else notice that the music at the end of "You Feel  So Lonely You Could Die" sounded a lot like the music at the beginning of "Five Years?" Anywho...

Overall, a little dark for my tastes. However, once it gets all mixed in with the rest of my DB music (giving me 200 DB songs!) I'm sure it will be fine.

David Bowie's New Song

As many of you know, David Bowie celebrated his 66th birthday by announcing a new album, which comes out (in America) the 12th of this month. It is called "The Next Day." He released his first single, Where Are We Now? at the same time. I love this song. I highly recommend listening to it (the video is strange, but try listening to the song without the distraction of the video).

Within the last few days, David Bowie released another song from the new album. It is called The Stars (Are Out Tonight). If you are a DB fan, you should listen and watch the video. Tilda Swinton (she played the White Witch in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe") plays his wife, which is cool. She is a very unique-looking lady, and that fits DB's style.

"Stars" are a theme David Bowie began using early in his career and he has always held onto it. His association with stars in space correlate to big stars or celebrities on Earth. And he often mixes the ideas: space aliens becoming rock-and-roll musical stars. He also explores the destructiveness of celebrities. From 'Space Oddity' to 'Starman,' 'Star,' 'Ziggy Stardust,' 'Rock-and-Roll Suicide,' and 'Moonage Daydream' to 'Makin' My Love (Like a Shining Star),' 'New Killer Star,' and so many more, his star themes show through.

I think the video for "The Stars" is weird (and occasionally a little disturbing). And the song itself is reminiscent of past DB styles, but sadly, not any of my favorites. The main thing in the video that kept my interest was the other "David Bowies" (usually accompanied by his "wife" as she must have been in those days) that were following him and his wife around. Fascinating! Because DB has always had all of the androgyny going for him, it is difficult to tell if the young "DBs" are male or female. Due to DB's history, I think that is appropriate.

I listened to the song again, without watching the video, and that helped me out. I like the song just fine without the odd video distracting me. The lyrics are interesting if you listen closely. The song and video seem to show this strange disconnect between David Bowie as he is now and as he has been in the past. Those persona are still around, however, which becomes pretty evident in the video. The fact that he still wants them around comes across in the lyrics:

"They burn you with their radiant smiles
Trap you with their beautiful eyes
They're broke and shamed or drunk or scared
But I hope they live forever.

"Their jealousy's spilling down
The stars must stick together
We will never be rid of these stars
But I hope they live forever."

I found this article from NPR about it: David Bowie's New Song Is....

While this new song is not my favorite, I still think it is fascinating and new. And it is about David Bowie. How can you not like that aspect as a DB fan, right?

But I still LOVE "Where Are We Now?" That song is beautiful. So if you aren't a big fan of the new song, just focus on that!