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HEATHEN
David Bowie
(ISO-Columbia-Sony)
Bowie has described his latest classy collection of mostly melancholy, foreboding tunes as the sound of fear where his infant daughter is concerned.
In fact, many of the 12 songs -- Bowie's first collaborations in more than two decades with producer Tony Visconti (Young Americans, Heroes, etc.) -- are eerily prophetic, given the events of 9/11.
"Nothing remains, we could run when the rain slows, look for the cars, or signs of life, where the heat goes," the 55-year-old British artist sings on the sinister, slow-building opener Sunday.
There's something about the song, with its electronic bleeps, wash of synthesizers and skittering drums, that is wonderfully hypnotic, much like the rest of the album. Written and recorded before 9/11, it's in stores Tuesday.
But there is a break from the record's cautionary, hushed tone, if not post-apocalyptic imagery, on tracks like rare rockers Cactus (a Pixies cover) and Gemini Spacecraft (a Legendary Stardust Cowboy cover), Bowie's own Afraid, Everyone Says Hi and A Better Future (the album's three original standouts), and the midtempo Slow Burn. The latter features Pete Townshend doing some blistering guitar work.
Still, in many ways, Heathen seems the logical followup to Bowie's similarly sad but more stripped-down 1999 collection Hours.
Other highlights include the contemplative Slip Away, I Would Be Your Slave and 5:15 The Angels Have Gone, and a cover of Neil Young's ragged I've Been Waiting For You, on which Dave Grohl plays guitar. (More on David Bowie)
Track Listing
1. Sunday
2. Cactus
3. Slip Away
4. Slow Burn
5. Afraid
6. I've Been Waiting For You
7. I Would Be Your Slave
8. I Took A Trip On A Gemini Spaceship
9. 5:15 The Angels Have Gone
10. Everyone Says 'Hi'
11. A Better Future
12. Heathen (The Rays)