Search - David Bowie :: Low (Mlps)

Ahead of its time

Pieter | Johannesburg | 02/15/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Some tracks on this groundbreaking album are surprisingly accessible whilst other pieces belong in the realm of classical rather than popular music. Tracks 1 to 7 are short, melodic tracks like Speed Of Life, Breaking Glass, What In The World and Sound & Vision whilst the long, dark pieces (8 to 11) include Warszawa, Art Decade, Weeping Wall and Subterraneans.



My favourites include the catchy Sound & Vision with its poetic lyrics and brilliant guitar hook and of course the atmospheric Breaking Glass which inspired Nick Lowe's I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass on his Pure Pop For Now People album.



These short pop pieces are strangely addictive in their robotic minimalism, while the long instrumentals are quite evocative, albeit extremely lugubrious. They would probably appeal more to lovers of classical music than your average Bowie fan. (Those who like Gorecki's Three Sorrowful Songs would love them).



Low was a brave experiment for its time and remains a remarkable listening experience although I definitely prefer the shorter, more accesible songs.

"

Strange when it first came out..

Gary Robert Graham | Lone Pine CA | 04/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"and turned out to be very relevant in later years. Many bands have used this sound pioneered (and quite a departure for him at the time) in recent works. Once again Bowie was way ahead of the times, and most of his work still is. I can't think of any bands out there now that can touch him."