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Review Summary: 'Look up here, I'm in heaven. I've got scars that can't be seen.' It speaks to my cynicism that upon hearing of David Bowie's death, I immediately began to dread the way in which his passing would surely be commodified and packaged without the slightest hint of morals or decency. When it comes to the death of an artist, it's a concern I've contemplated throughout December, desperately trying to savor any appreciation I have for Scott Weiland and Lemmy Kilmister before they're zombified and forced to perform karaoke for the sake of someone else's wallet. It's particularly worrisome considering ★, an album which, for better or worse, has become the fitting coda to Bowie's multifaceted career. Last Friday, it was a confusing but nonetheless exciting album, eager to reinvent Bowie as something closer to the abstract musings of Michael Gira or Scott Walker. Now, it's a somber goodbye, reflecting on a lifetime of achievements from the hindsight of a cancer diagnosis. Hints appear throughout- morbid visits to the doctor on "Sue (or in a Season of Crime)", meditative thoughts about death on "Lazarus"- as Bowie seemingly prepared us for this news the only way he knew how; music. He reinvented himself, killing Major Tom in the music video for "Blackstar", binding his eyes and declaring his legacy to be in its death throes. As difficult as it is to hear now that we are aware of Bowie's circumstances, it's comforting to be given a conclusion that can continue the critical conversation of Bowie far into the future. After all, the man's presence can be felt everywhere in pop music; from Axl Rose to Kanye West, Ian Curtis to Bret Michaels, to Kurt Cobain and back again. He's ubiquitous in a way few others can lay claim to, forever the shapeshifter, refusing to conform to trends so much as wholesale invent them. He makes albums that, despite some fleeting certainty about quality, are not easily categorized, beggaring broad opinions in terms of what were his masterpieces and what were his disasters. In the days following his passing, it's clear that ★ will be forced to stand for some greater purpose. That's not an unreasonable request to make; it would be foolish to suggest that it wasn't supposed to be Bowie's last goodbye when it's largely defined by its innuendo to mortality. Nevertheless, it is an emotional goodbye, willing to accept death whilst only alluding to the subject when addressing the listener. It's all the more difficult to swallow knowing that Bowie will face certain rock and roll canonization, bastardized and torn from his private reputation until he's made to dance for commercial interests. I don't want that. Nobody wants that. ★ isn't a perfect album, but it is the perfect farewell, willing to spare us the pain of obviousness by cloaking the bad news in densely orchestrated lyrics and soundscapes. As a coda to an extensive career, ★ is perfect given the context: the passing of the single most important career in pop music history. Let's not try to tamper with it.
R.I.P. Mr. Bowie
1947-2016.
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Album Rating: 4.2
if some fucker from his estate starts releasing posthumous albums I'm going to kill somebody
rip bowie
| | | Album Rating: 4.1 | Sound Off
damn good writeup
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I would hope, because he himself finished his career on such a deliberate note, that this wouldn't happen.
I wouldn't put it past someone however.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Great rev Jordan, as usual.
I'm strongly thinking about 5'ing this too, another incredible dynamic has been added due to him passing.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Very well written eulogy.
R.I.P. Mr Bowie.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Just came here to say RIP. A true music icon.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Ayyy the album average has already risen 0.1 since his death. Sweet writeup, RIP hard
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Great read, Arcade. RIP.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Jesus. A great read. RIP. This is some shit...
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Fuck me, what a way to say goodbye
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
for real, what a swansong
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Hearing Lazarus now makes me cry.
One hell of a swansong, thanks for everything Bowie you wonderful man.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
"It's all the more difficult to swallow knowing that Bowie will face certain rock and roll canonization, bastardized and torn from his private reputation until he's made to dance for commercial interests."
It killed me today, going to Tumblr and seeing so many farewells go like "RIP, Ziggy". It is depressing to think that in the years to come Bowie will be known to many mostly for being a glam rock icon, or maybe experimental pioneer for the Berlin trilogy. He was much weirder than that anyway. I can hope people will go beyond that now, dig into his lyrics. Of course he will be canonized, but I hope this canon will include not only the star but also the outsider, the man of a thousand bizarre obsessions. There are already voices in that direction, I hope they will be heard.
Yes, many of his albums were far from perfect. On a site like this, this means they will receive low ratings. I myself can't go and 5 everything, even if sometimes I want to. But I hope this won't stop people from going and hearing them anyway. The twisted brilliance of Outside. The burning beauty of Heathen. Bowie wasn't always great, but he was always a visionary.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
stars are never sleeping, dead ones and the living
I was gonna give it some time before 5ing this because don't like to immediately give albums perfect scores but it seems fitting since I have barely any flaws with the album. The only issue I really had was that maybe it was being a bit too cryptic for its own good but now we know what it means, it's a 5.
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Tunaboy, that avatar is pretty... not suitable for the situation haha
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Sorry man I haven't had the chance to change it back to normal, I'll do it tonight when I get in.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Love it, gets better every listen.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I haven't had a chance to listen to this yet, but I'm going to to wait until I get home so I don't start fucking bawling in the office. I'm already super sad listening to some of his other stuff. I know that this album is going to hit me like a ton of bricks.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Listening to it now, it takes on a whole new meaning. Hope you enjoy it man it's pretty amazing.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Listening to it now, it takes on a whole new meaning. Hope you enjoy it man it's pretty amazing.
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