David Bowie - Heathen [Bonus Disc]

Heathen marks a new beginning for David Bowie in some ways -- it's his first record since leaving Virgin, his first for Columbia Records, his first for his new label, ISO -- yet it's hardly a new musical direction. Like Hours, this finds Bowie sifting through the sounds of his past, completely at ease with his legacy, crafting a colorful, satisfying album that feels like a classic Bowie album. That's not to say that Heathen recalls any particular album or any era in specific, yet there's a deliberate attempt to recapture the atmosphere, the tone of his '70s work -- there's a reason that Bowie decided to reteam with Tony Visconti, the co-producer of some of his best records, for this album -- even if direct comparisons are hard to come by. Which is exactly what's so impressive about this album. Bowie and Visconti never shy away from electronic instrumentations or modern production -- if anything, they embrace it -- but it's woven into Bowie's sound subtly, never drawing attention to the drum loops, guitar synths, and washes of electronica. For that matter, guest spots by Dave Grohl and Pete Townshend (both on guitar) don't stand out either; they're merely added texture to this an album that's intricately layered, but always plays smoothly and alluringly. And, make no mistake, this is an alluring, welcoming, friendly album -- there are some moody moments, but Bowie takes Neil Young's eerie "I've Been Waiting for You" and Pixies' elusively brutal, creepy "Cactus" and turns them sweet, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, either. In the end, that's the key to Heathen -- the undercurrent of happiness, not in the lyrics, but in the making of music, a realization by Bowie and Visconti alike that they are perfect collaborators. Unlike their previous albums together, this doesn't boldly break new ground, but that's because, 22 years after their last collaboration, Scary Monsters, both Bowie and Visconti don't need to try as hard, so they just focus on the craft. The result is an understated, utterly satisfying record, his best since Scary Monsters, simply because he'd never sounded as assured and consistent since. [The version with a bonus disc features a remix of "Sunday," Air's remix of "A Better Future," plus a couple of archival finds -- "Conversation Piece," which was written in 1969 and recorded a year later, and an outtake of "Panic in Detroit."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andy Duncan Drums Brandon Mason Engineer Brian Rawling Producer Carlos Alomar Guitar Dave Grohl Guitar David Bowie Saxophone, Drums, Guitar, Vocals (Background), Keyboards, Vocals, Producer, Stylophone David Clayton Keyboards David Torn Omnichord, Guitar, Guitar Loops Earl Slick Guitar Elena Barere Leader Gail Ann Dorsey Bass Gary Miller Mixing, Producer, Guitar, Programming Gerry Leonard Guitar Gregor Kitzis Violin John Read Bass Kristeen Young Piano, Vocals Lenny Pickett Horn Lisa Germano Vocals (Background), Violin, Mandolin Mark Plati Engineer, Bass, Guitar, Producer Markus Klinko Photography Martha Mooke Viola Mary Wooten Cello Matt Chamberlain Percussion, Drums, Loop Programming Mike Garson Piano Moby Remixing, Producer Pete Townshend Guitar Solá Akingbolá Percussion Stan Harrison Horn Sterling Campbell Percussion, Drums Steve Elson Horn Todd Vos Engineer Tony Levin Bass Tony Visconti Bass, Producer, Vocal Engineer, Vocal Producer, Recorder, Engineer, Mixing, Guitar Producer, Conductor, String Arrangements, Guitar Engineer, Guitar, Vocals (Background), Arranger Zaine Griff Bass