I just got this record because I loved the song "The Heart's Flithy Lesson". Meanwhile, I don't even own "Ziggy Stardust" yet (but have heard the songs already and will get the album sooner or later). Just wondering what people think about it. It's kind of dark and I like the Art Crime concept but it really doesn't make much sense to listen to the album and match it up with the story. Some songs fit ("I Have Never Been To Oxford Town") but others don't seem to ("Hallo Spaceboy"). Maybe I don't get it. Anyone have a good review. Thanks in advance.

To me Outside has some great material, but ya have to kinda wade through alot of nonsense and crap to get to it.

Kinda like The Rainbow Children (in my opinion).

I think Hallo Spaceboy, Outside, Heart's Filthy Lesson, Oxford Town, We Prick You, Strangers When We Meet, I'm Deranged and No Control are all amazingly brilliant. Everything else... eh. Boooring.

I think this is a cool, yet pretty out there, recording. Bowie is usually on the edge of something, hit or miss. I think most of the album is fairly uncharted territory and i admit to not getting most of the point, though it was part of a trilogy, so perhaps you have to dissect all three discs to get it. If you dig some of the stuff, bare with it because it grows on you. Also, this was his first foray (at least in many years) into that particular style so he's a bit more seasoned by the tme earthling and hours came out. You should also give them a spin. The newest disc is fascinating and contains some classic work. Oh, i'm sorry, you were asking specifically about Outside...i guess i got carried away.
My favorite thing about Outside is the title cut. Man, his vocals are just incredible! And the music is so Eno, but I can't really remember if Brian Eno played any part in the record...something tells me that he did...I'm too lazy to get up and check.

Yeah, Eno was part of this record. And there was supposed to be a sequel "2. Contamination" I hope that comes out someday.

This was one of the first Bowie albums that I bought and it holds a special place in my heart. But it is hard to make it all the way through without getting distracted or creeped out. I've found that it's a much better listen if you make a cd of it with all the interludes taken out. The songs stand up much better on their own. And I added the 2 b-sides and main remixes of the singles. I love listening to it this way. Give it a try.

I think this album is merely ok at best. Some good cuts (The Heart's Filthy Lesson being my fave) but it's just a little over-conceptual and kinda tries too hard to impress. His following album Earthling is stacks better.

outside is one of my fave Bowie discs. I was surely impressed with The Hearts Filthy lesson and the feeling it passed.
As for Contamination, i don't think it'll ever be released, same for the Toy album

VinnyM27 said:

"Outside" is a masterpriece, but you need to give it a lot of time. I got it the day it originally came out, but it took me a couple of months to really appreciate it for the bold experimental album it is. I'd start by listening to the following songs: "Outside", "HFL", "I'm Deranged", "Strangers When We Meet", "Architects' Eyes" and "Oxford Town". They're the most accessible songs(and "Strangers" is one of his best ever songs). If you like all those, move on to the rest. Happy listening.

VinnyM27 said:

If you are into cd singles, remixes, etc. you might want to pick up a copy of Bowie's cd single for Hallo Spaceboy. It has an excellant remix of Hallo Spaceboy by Pet Shop Boys. Actually all the cd singles that came off of Outside are very good.

JonSnow said:

E X A C T L Y

imnotsayinthisjust2bnasty said:

I have all of his ninties records (for some odd reason) and "Heathen". They are all very good but I think the best overall is "Heathen", which is accessible yet daring. It only has 12 tracks (I have the bonus disc, too but don't count those songs as being on the actual album) which makes it an easy listen. I would have liked for his b-sides to have leaked on there and make it a super album, but it didn't happen. As for "Outside", I've been getting into it slowly and hope for the sequel soon. It's strange that not only will "Toy" probably not be relased (due to "Heathen" and songs like "You've Got A Habit of Leaving" being used already) and now his "Outside" sequel will probably not see the light of day. Is it a frist for Bowie (or emore likely, his record companies) to shelve albums (or even the ideas of the ablums) like this?

Bowie postponed the idea for Contamination after the release of Earthling, it seemed like these "experimental" bowie albums didn't catch any fire outside his fan community. Contamination also was quite instrumental with sparse vocals, When I saw Bowie in 1995 during the Outside tour they played some very experimental music b4 he took stage. I believe that music 2 be the Contamination album...

Most of Toy has appeared on the B-sides to Heathen's singles...