David BowieHeathen

I would describe this 2002 album as very progressive adult contemporary music. It is not really a rock album, although there are elements of rock on some of the tracks. Those who feel that "The Next Day", Bowie's latest album, is somewhat harsh and unmusical would do well to check this one out. Most of the songs have very tuneful melodies, and the sound, although generally thick and solid, is not as dark and heavy as other modern Bowie albums.Two of the songs could almost be considered Broadway ballads, with impeccable vocals. "Sunday" sounds like a song from an earlier time, backed by a light techno arrangement, and has a little instrumental surprise at the end. "Slip Away" begins softly, then develops into a power ballad with a gorgeous melody and a beautiful piano and string arrangement. There are 2 tracks that remind me of past Bowie eras. "Cactus" is reminiscent of the Ziggy/Hunky Dory sound, and "Slow Burn", full of excellent rock guitar, sounds like the Berlin era.Tracks 5 through 10 are manifestations of just about every pop/rock genre that exists. "Afraid" is rather busy, tinged with strings and techno. "I've Been Waiting For You" sounds a little harder. "I Would Be Your Slave" is a rather dark, mid-tempo track, again backed by strings and techno. "I Took A Trip On A Gemini Spaceship" has a sexy "talking" vocal and a slightly psychedelic arrangement. Sections of "5:15 The Angels Have Gone" sound like Bruce Springsteen's "Philadelphia", with a dense, steady synth background. And "Everyone Says Hi" is the straightest, simplest track on the album: a sentimental pop ballad about someone who "moved away".Bowie saves the most divergent tracks for last. "A Better Future" sounds like a bright 80's dance track, with fluid 90's guitar very prevalent. The final track is "Heathen (The Rays)", an unclassifiable track which morphs through several changes in its short life of 4:16.Unfortunately, printed lyrics are not provided, but lucky for us, they are mostly understandable to the ear. The album includes some strange artwork which evokes the Renaissance, to me anyway.

If I would have rated Heathen after the second or third time I listened to it, I probably would have given it between a 3 1/2 and a 4 star rating. But it really grew on me after a while, and now I think it is one of his best. Still don't care too much for the first track, but the rest of the songs more than make up for it! Here's my rating for each one.1. "Sunday" ***1/2 out of ***** It's kind of slow and doesn't really go anywhere, but doesen't sound too bad. I like slow songs, but this just isn't one of my favorites. A lot of people would disagree with me though.2. "Cactus" ***** out of ***** This is a really good cover song!!3. "Slip Away" ****1/2 The lyrics are very cheesy. "Twinkle, Twinkle, Uncle Floyd?!" I think Bowie wrote this song about a guy who did a tv talk show for kids, that passed away, but I'm not sure. The music is excellent and makes up for the cheesy lyrics.4. "Slow Burn" ***** This seems to be a lot of fans' favorite. I can see why!5. "Afraid" ***** This seems to be a lot of fans' least favorite. WTF?! I love this one. It's just an up beat fun song!6. "I've Been Waiting For You" ****1/2 Didn't use to care too much for this one, but it really grew on me. This is a Neil Young cover.7. "I Would Be Your Slave" ***** May be my second favorite off the CD. Great music and lyrics.8. "I Took A Trip On A Gemini Spaceship" ***** A fast and fun song.9. "5:15 The Angels Have Gone" ***** Another one that really grew on me. It's slow, but a lot better than "Sunday." An excellent track!10. "Everyone Says 'Hi'" ****** My personal favorite. This one can almost bring tears to your eyes, it's that good!11. "A Better Future" ****1/2 Lyrics are a little cheesy, but sincere. Another one that grew on me.12. "Heathen (The Rays) ***** This one reeaaallllyy grew on me!! Tied with "I Would Be Your Slave," for second favorite. A great way to end the CD.Anyway, that's just my opinion. Some people don't like it as well a Bowie's others, but they probably didn't listen to it enough times. If you let it grow on you, it can become a favorite and extremely addicting. Definitely recommended!!!!

Like David Bowie in so many ways, this CD is a combination of iconoclastic, masterful musicianship, ambient sounds, and what I suspect is a heavy dose of introspection. Eventhough this was a work put out in 2002, the similarities in terms of feeling and the production light and shade which Bowie produced in his 2013 release are, in my opinion,very evident. This is not in any way to say that the two albums are derivative, or even that the amazingly thoughtful work, in both heathen and the later release, aremusically connected, simply that the path and the force behind what has been done in the heathen is extremely evident. The opening track Sunday and the final track heathen,have an ambient element that is woven with a powerful rock work in the 12 songs. Whilst, as usual, I enjoy the light as well as the shade in the construction of the vocals,the guitar, the keyboards, and other elements in the compositions. I was slightly surprised to see that track six was a Neil Young composition, but Bowie's treatment of NeilYoung's work is as usual, masterful. The original CD release still has the CD extra bonus content, and since it is a multi session CD, at this time I cannot get to what Ithink is a video. Looking at the CD front cover and the booklet, as well as the back slip, with credits, I can only suppose, and this is guessing on my part, that an elementof deconstruction is implied: however, this kind of meaning is in the eye of the beholder, and so I think is more appropriate to say that this is got some great packaging andsome extremely thoughtful design. All in all, for the price I paid for this, it is more than a bargain, and David Bowie fan or not, if you appreciate music, as well as finemusicianship, then I think this CD will be an excellent buy.

A nivel mundial, Heathen vendió más de dos millones de copias y permaneció más de cuatro meses en la lista de discos más vendidos de su país natal. Aunque su grabación comenzó antes de los ataques terroristas del 11-S y fue finalizado tras esa fecha, los acontecimientos influyeron el concepto musical del álbum

Love this album! To anyone else wondering: Amazon has an error with listing it as a 150gram 7 inch vinyl. It is in fact a 12 inch full size record.

Excellent masterpiece of David Bowie

Heathen gran disco de Bowie lo grabo en la misma etapa cuando ocurrió lo de las torres gemelas por aquel entonces el estaba instalado en Estados Unidos vivía en la gran Manzana.Letras Inspiradas en el deterioro del estilo de vida Americano en parte algo premonitorio.

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