By Ian Lockwood
Staff Writer
It hurts to see someone pass away that has influenced so many people, and truly changed the world for the better. David Bowie was an idol to many and could never be forgotten for what he has done for music, culture, fashion. Before his passing, Bowie released his newest album “Blackstar,” an amazing posthumous goodbye proving the artist can still break boundaries from beyond the grave.
David Bowie was a musician like no other, he is known notably for his experimental, artistic form of rock. Having released 25 albums and 5 EPs in the span of his career, Bowie is known best for being daring and outside the box compared to artists of the same and genre. “Blackstar” was released on January 8, 2016, which was also Bowie’s 69th birthday. The album is a mix of experimental jazz and art rock. The album is filled with whimsical synths, intriguing vocals, and not very lively drums.
The executive producer on the album was Tony Visconti, who has produced all of Bowie’s albums since the 1969 release Space Oddity. Before his death, Bowie mentioned that many influences for the production of the album came from Kendrick Lamar’s album To Pimp A Butterfly and hip-hop duo Death Grips. The influences of these artists come through on the album with the drums and linear feeling that Hip Hop songs have.
A detractor of the album is how repetetive and robotic the drums sound consistently throughout. Throughout the songs, the drums are perfect to an exact point where there is no real excitement behind the tracks, which is considerally disappointing when faced with the fact that all of the drums were played live. Blackstars’ drums were played by renowned studio drummer, Mark Guiliana, who has worked with Bowie before on previous projects. Having the drums sound so precise and perfected resulted in a repetetive pattern that dulls the song’s enjoyment values.
A notable quality of the album is its unique use of synthesizers to create a psychedelic atmosphere. On tracks such as Blackstar, Girls Love Me, and I Can’t Give Everything Away, the synths emulated a feeling of grandiose space and really makes the listener feel as if they have entered another world. The addition of these elements adds significant depth to the songs and creates an otherworldy atmosphere otherwise absent from most popular music these days.
One of the most intriuging elements of the album is Bowie’s vocals. On tracks like “Blackstar” and “Lazarus”, Bowie’s vocals are modulated to a deep pitch that sounds mythically unreal in comparison to most popular rock these days. The incomparible vocals create an intriuging hook that makes each song so enjoyable to listen to. Although the songs contain other enjoyable components, Bowie’s vocals create an irreplaceable hook to them.
Upon analyzation, the lyrics really show how Bowie knew this would be his final album and a parting gift for all of his fans. On the track “Lazarus” he says, “Look up here, man, I’m in danger I’ve got nothing left to lose I’m so high, it makes my brain whirl,” Already poignant enough, the context behind Bowie’s death makes the songs much more powerful. By listening to the lyrics again it really makes the album so much deeper and have such a greater meaning.
“Blackstar” was an amazing gift from Bowie before his passing. The album is a must listen because of its spacey synths, intriguing vocals, and uniqueness of the album. The album is a must listen for any music fan because of its uniqueness and originality.
Rough Trade Records, the label that released “Blackstar” in the US, announced for the month of january that all proceeds from the album will go to the charity, Cancer Research UK. The album is available for digital download on iTunes for $9.99.
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