Heathen

by

David Bowie

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While I have been impressed and inspired by Bowie for years, I have to admit that I can't truly consider myself a *huge* fan because I only have several of his albums - most being from the last ten years (_Outside_, _Earthling_, _Reality_, etc.). His work from the 60s, 70s, and 80s I know primarily from a best-of collection, radio, and MTV/VH1. That said, _Heathen_ blew me away when I first heard it.

I can't think of another artist that has been around as long as Bowie that keeps writing and recording new material that sounds fresh, energetic, and urgent. _Heathen_ contains some chilling songs - songs that are so emotional and hit you in such a place inside that you have to listen to them over and over again. When he sings: "There's fear overhead, there's fear overground..." and "But who are we/So small in times such as these," one cannot help but think that these lyrics relate to 9/11. However, Bowie has stated that the material for _Heathen_ was written before 9/11 - which actually makes the lyrics throughout the album even more bonechilling. On "Better Future" he sings: "Please don't tear this world asunder/Please take back this fear we're under/I demand a better future." There are beautiful lyrics like these throughout _Heathen_, as well as very good covers of "Cactus" and Neil Young's "I've Been Waiting For You." My favorite song on the album is "Everyone Says 'Hi'" - just about as perfect as a little pop song can get. With a simple arrangement, the song is a beautiful sentiment with the line that we should all make it a point to remember: "Don't stay in a sad place where they don't care how you are."

Listening to this album made me really wonder if any other artist in their 40s and 50s has remained as artistically satisfying as Bowie continues to prove he is. Bowie has not softened with age and each song has the feeling that he is out to prove something. Many artists lose this feeling as they get older and begin to coast on proven formulas (Sting immediately comes to mind). Pick this album up!

Ever since David Bowie reached rock bottom in 1987 with NEVER LET ME DOWN, reviews of his subsequent works have generally led off with "This is his best album since SCARY MONSTERS." I've seen this or similar lines used in a few reviews to describe HEATHEN, as I have many times before for reviews of "HOURS...," "EARTHLING," "OUTSIDE," "BLACK TIE, WHITE NOISE," and even "TIN MACHINE." The trouble is that the implied progression suggests that Bowie should be at the pinnacle of his talent. Sadly, he is not.

HEATHEN, basically a continuation of 2000'S "HOURS..." is pleasant and will satisfy fans. But I suspect that the perennial review line is not "His best album since the one he released two years ago" because much of Bowie's post-LET'S DANCE catalogue is only memorable to fans. This is too bad because two albums, "OUTSIDE" and "THE BUDDAH OF SUBURBIA" are better than that. HEATHEN has strong points, but is not a high impact album and will probably just contribute to the general impression that David Bowie was rather than is.

Since his heyday, Bowie has usually released albums that fall into one of two categories: works that will satisfy fans, and works designed to attract new fans. The latest example of the latter was probably the techno-style EARTHLING. I don't know how well that worked, but HEATHEN is not likely to attract any new fans. The most memorable song, "Cactus," is a cover. The rest sort of blends together as a nice lullaby or comfortable background music. This is not especially innovative, as Brian Eno created ambient music back in the 70's (and past Bowie works built on Eno's innovation already).

There is not a single bad song on HEATHEN. Again, most fans who purchase this will be glad they did. But two years later, when the next Bowie album hopefully comes out, they will be back listening to ZIGGY STARDUST or STATION TO STATION, not HEATHEN.

As a fan myself, I'll be happy to take 20 more years of HEATEHNS and "HOURS..." but I like to think that David Bowie has at least one great album left in him. This one isn't it.