363 of 1001 Albums: David Bowie's Low

Bowie has had a distinct style and fame for the past decade in the 70s,  but since his last album Station to Station something has been evolving about the singer as far as music and style, and he takes that to a new level in Low. This would be the first in David Bowie's career with Brian Eno known as the "Berlin Trilogy", while not as fun as the past ones there is some interesting sounds and music explored in the album that still makes it one his most interesting ventures in music so far. It seems to be a more serious Bowie.

Most the songs are short, and without vocals. Instead Bowie lets the music do a lot of the talking itself. The "Speed of Life" kicks the album off instantly establishing this. You can also heavily hear the influence of Brian Eno happening. As the album goes on it does get more somber with songs like "Weeping Wall" toward the end.


At the time of it's release Low did get a lot of mixed reviews. While some raved about its' innovative step forward while others thought it wasn't that consistently good. Bowie was very open about his cocaine addiction during Station to Station, so the difference in this album can also be explained a bit in the fact he was very much so working on breaking his addiction during this one, even by packing up and going to Germany to record to get away from the scene that had brought him the addiction, hence the title of the next series of albums.

Some have bashed the second side of the album, but I think that is where it gets a lot stronger. Bowie's vocals are missed though because he does have a really good voice that will hopefully be used again on Heroes a lot more. His very distinct and unique voice is missing from most of it, but he allows the talent to piece music together make up for that.

If you've been a fan of Bowie's sound so far then expect a huge change up with this one. It does still sound like Bowie, but he is venturing further into what would become a huger sound in the 80s while still keeping a little 70s in there with some of the instruments you'll hear that provide a jazzy tone. It is a more serious album that explores something a little less fun than the previous ones and is more about breaking a very powerful addiction.

Rating 7 of 10.
Recommended Listen: Sound and Vision