On the 14th of January, David Bowie's 1977 masterpiece Low turns the big 3-0!.



After 1976's coke-laced Station to Station, Bowie moved to France to detox and record Low with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti. To me, the record sounds like someone slowing back down to "The Speed of Life" after never-ending coke binges. The album was so far ahead of its time that it still sounds like the future. I love the icy, jagged atmosphere of the songs, I love the fragmented songs, I love Bowie's paranoid, almost schizophrenic lyrics. If I listened to it every single day, I'd still be discovering new thing that I'd missed.

If you want to hear the genesis of Nine Inch Nails, listen to 'Always Crashing in the Same Car', if you want 80's new wave, throw on 'What in the World'.

My favorite instrumental on the album is 'A New Career in a New Town'; the harmonica solo floating through the jerky beats and etheral synth lines is one of the most beautiful things Bowie has ever done. It never fails to make me nostalgic for something that I've never experienced.



I know that I'll never do the record justice with my write up, but here's to you 'Low'. Happy Birthday. Don't look at the carpet, I drew something awful on it.

No way!

A New Career is my fav instrumental as well. Love love love this album.

Nice write up there! And I agree of course, an amazing masterpiece. It seems so unique to me.

I have a worn-out vinyl of this album that I wouldn't change for anything. I've kept the album cover on display wherever I've happened to live all through the last 11 years I've owned it.

Best album ever!

Hehehe, and here I come, thinking I was the only person in the world loving this Bowie album above others.

Beautifully written, Axchi696!

I came to this album through "Sound + Vision", which has the power to transport me bak to the 70's. But when I checked out the entire album, I quickly fell in love with it.

Like Novabreaker, I looooove that album sleeve.

For the total lowdown on Low check out this book:

noepie said:

I read that a couple of months ago and it's brilliant!

The author really breaks down the psychology of the album and digs deep into Bowie's working habits, influences and personality of the time.

That publisher's got more books on other artists that are fun. I also remember Sign The Times, somehow. Long time ago.

HamsterHuey said:

Got that one. Still haven't read it yet. The "Unknown Pleasures" one is noyce!

HamsterHuey said:

Wanna borrow my copy when we're gonna meet up?

Always Crashing in the Same Car *might* be my all-time favorite Bowie track. It's certainly in the Top 3.

HamsterHuey said:

Yeah. And when other people see it they're like, "oh, he's so ugly".

But that record cover sets the mood for the record, it's a very special red/oran ge, and coupled with the album's aforementioned "coldness" works out somehow incredibly well.

novabrkr said:

I think he's beautiful there.

GangstaFam said:

Yeah, but we're Prince fans. We're already fucked from the outset.

novabrkr said:

I have never heard this album

I was about to say OMGF! but I'd rather say lucky guy, because your first listen to it lies ahead. Just get it, it'll propably blow your mind.

Mind you, "Heroes" will be also 30 years old later this year. Most think it came out in 1978, but it's from the same year.

novabrkr said:

Twas his best year.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I'm hooking you up ASAP!

It's of topic but: what are the best David Bowie 70s albums? Where to start?

jn2 said:

All of Bowie's 70's albums are the best. Honestly, I think they're all fantastic.

The best place to start is with "Hunky Dory" and "Ziggy Stardust" and move your way forward.

Get them all:

The Man Who Sold The World (1970)
Hunky Dory (1971)
Ziggy Stardust (1972)
Aladdin Sane (1973)
Pin-Ups (1973)
Diamond Dogs (1974)
Young Americans (1975)
Station To Station (1976)
Low (1977)
"Heroes" (1977)
Lodger (1979)
Scary Monsters (1980)

GangstaFam said:

Insert one happy supergrinder HERE ----->

HamsterHuey said:

Stylish!

GangstaFam said:

Probably not mentally though.

novabrkr said:

And that's why!

GangstaFam said:

Thank you, Renner! Just what I wanted!

GangstaFam said:

Is that why I was happy with Prince breaking up?

Anyways. Prince. Recording HAWT music we ain't eva gonna hear.