Customer Reviews

Diamond Dogs 30th Anniversary Edition

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Those four words lead off the album that scared the tar outta me as a 14 year old. Even more than my well worn Black Sabbath albums. Sabbath was scary, but a lot of that came from the fact that they were so darn heavy and demonic. But on "Diamond Dogs," David Bowie just made everything musically bone rattling, insane and unsettling. Visualizing Hunger City and the hordes of jeweled and fur clad "peoploids" on the prowl was akin to something out of a George Romero movie. I was too young to understand what a rock and roll musical would sound like, all I knew was "We Are The Dead" and "Chant Of The Ever Circling Skeletal Family" captured my attention like no other save for Alice Cooper.

No other album or artist has done that for me since. Marylyn Manson? Megadeth? Slayer? Mindless poseurs all after the theatrics of "Sweet Thing/Candidate." Of course I couldn't know it at the time, but Bowie was beginning to bridge the gap between the Ziggy character (in retrospect, it seems like this was the album where Ziggy is at last buried forever) and the soon to emerge Philly Soul monger of "Young Americans." The croon Bowie lays into "When You Rock and Roll With Me" and the "Shaft/Superfly" licks in "1984" are the most obvious forays in that direction.

But still, is this really 30 years old? Jeepers, it sounds like it was recorded last week. "Diamond Dogs" is now enriched by the excellent packaging, including Bowie's comments about his state of mind during the creation of the "1984" stage musical concept to several of the contributing players' thoughts, and a host of pictures and other graphics from the period. The bonus disc is a treat as well. I'd actually forgotten the single mix of "Rebel Rebel," and my ensuing disappointment when I bought the album and the background vocals were gone! But why quarrel with what has to be one of the ten best guitar riffs ever composed?

Additional kudos must be given to the fact that this is a two CD set. While a single disc with bonus tracks could have easily been released (and has), "Diamond Dogs'" original 40 minutes stands at its best without additional clutter tacked on the end like some hideous footnote from an obsessive Bowie acolyte insisting that a masterpiece has to be amended. MORE artists/albums need to be treated with this kind of respect - Thanks EMI!

After the excesses of his glam era, David Bowie turned his attention to creating a musical based on George Orwell's "1984", but unable to secure the rights to the work, he decided to restructure the material into what ended up being "Diamond Dogs". Still, the pedigree of the material brings it to a significantly different sound then any of Bowie's previous work-- a very much theatrical sound is present throughout the music, and it ends up coaxing some fine performances out of Bowie.

The medley of "Sweet Thing" and "Candidate" is probably the best example of this-- "Sweet Thing" features a romantic piano line that would not be out of place in a stage production and an absolutely stunning lead vocal from Bowie who takes full advantage of his range. His performance is just absolutely staggering, but it has a very theatrical, almost over the top sound to it that reminds you of Freddie Mercury. Likewise, the sing-speak vocal of "We Are the Dead" has the sound of something right out of a stage piece. Mixed in with all this is just some great rock songs-- "Diamond Dogs", "Rebel Rebel" and "Rock & Roll With Me"-- and one piece that traipses at dance music ("1984") to make a pretty well balanced collection.

This edition includes a bonus disc of alternate mixes, unreleased recordings of tracks leftover from the musical, and the superb '03 remake of "Rebel Rebel" as well as a detailed booklet with an extended essay about the recording sessions. It's a worthwhile investment for fans.

I've gone back and forth on how I should rate this one-- it's not quite as powerful as some of his other work, but it has a unique and powerful identity. Call it 4 1/2 stars, highly recommended.

Dear God, I love Bowie. Even with the earlier Virgin, or Ryko, or EMI versions of his discs already in my collection, I am the first to go out and pick up the "30th Anniversary" editions when they hit the shelves. Now, I do agree with reviewer J. B. Fresno's comments about the lack of genuinely NEW extras, and also the complaint that, when packaged in rough cardboard sleeves, compact discs tend to get scratched... but I'm too into Bowie for that to matter. Let him give us new editions of his CDs with whole second discs of Springsteen covers... what do I care?! The original 'Diamond Dogs' can always benefit from a decent remaster, and I enjoy having the extras all in one place! Enough said: all the stars in the world for the album, but one star off because the "30th Anniversary" treatment is getting a bit tiresome.

(Let's hope 'David Live' and 'Stage' bring something better to the table. But even if they don't, I'll be glad not to pay in excess of $50 for used Ryko copies on ebay!!)

That all said, here's a run-down of the first disc: It's the original 'Diamond Dogs' remastered. All the glory of Bowie's attempt at a musical version of '1984,' with its haunting MOOG synth lines, dark, stormy production, and Burroughs-inspired cut-up lyrics is in full swing here, drawing no complaints from me. Crystal clear and free of any unwelcome additions/subtractions.

The second disc pulls extras from various places. First, there's "1984/Dodo," which I first heard on Ryko's 'Sound and Vision' set. This track alone is worth the purchase. Following hot on its heels is the "Rebel Rebel" US single version, which also appeared on the 'Sound and Vision' discs. Digable if you've gotten a bit sick of the original "Rebel Rebel." "Dodo" is on my EMI copy of 'DD' and it's a smashing tune. I think that if it was at all possible, it should have been on the album.
After "Dodo" is a romp through a Springsteen tune - "Growin' Up" - which I've never heard before. I think Ron Wood makes an uncredited appearance on guitar... very nice. "Alternative Candidate" appeared on my EMI edition of 'DD' as "Candidate (demo)," and now that I understand it was intended to be part of Bowie's (unfortunately) unfinished '1984' musical, I get where he was coming from. Brilliant work. The next two tracks are edits of "Diamond Dogs" and "Candidate" which appeared on a rare "best of" compilation and "I don't know what," respectively. Not necessary, in my view, but eh. Finally, there's a 2003 version of "Rebel Rebel" which I have on the 'Reality' bonus disc. Decent. Was very nice in concert the two times I got out to see him for the Reality tour.

Anywhom, that's the deal. If you're an insane collector, get it. If you don't have the album already, and you're NOT an insane collector, get it anyway. Otherwise... buy something else by Bowie!!

Bowie's quicksilver ch-ch-ch-changes in the 1970s did not prepare me for this explosive, dark, seductive album. He made me a deal, and I sure did pretend we were walking home. Who else but Bowie would have woven together the apocalypse, 1984, messianism, and homo-eroticism? Living in Gay Lib New York, much of "Candidate" sounded like a song about cruising and dish and drugs on or near Christopher Street leading down to the river where you could jump if you really thought "boys, boys, is a cheap thing."

"Rebel, Rebel" was an annoying hit on the radio, because its gender-bending was ripped out of place. In context, though, it fit the lush sound and vision of DD, but it wasn't remotely the best song. Every other song worked its way into my core and I still remember lyrics three decades later. I used to listen to 1984/Dodo on a vinyl bootleg, ripped off from the 1984 Floor Show when Bowie did his thing on TV and the censors were freaked out because--shudders--some of his pubic hair was showing in one costume. This TV event featured Marianne Faithful looking like a space nun--maybe it inspired her years later to do "Broken English," whose dark sound reminds me a bit of DD (though also "Heroes."

A tremendous, visionary album and an important piece of rock history--though it's not anything but dead and gone. Depending on my mood, it's the best of Bowie, but then I've also gone nuts in my time over "Pin-Ups," and "Aladdin Sane," and "Hunky-Dory," and "Heroes" and "Low"--and--and--

What a great artist David Bowie was in the 70's he took so many chances - that would seem almost like rock and roll suicide - but somehow he always was on top of the game and way ahead of his contemporaries. 'Diamond dogs' would be his strangest and darkest albums looking to the future like Ziggy but in a way that does not glorify it like the starman did - this is not a pretty future.. There are many great moments on this album - but it is more of a whole than it is pieces - it all fits together. This is one of my new favorites.

Yawn...Yawn....Snooze........ excuse me. I am so very tired of this album being bashed. Just look at the artwork. He went from being Ziggy Stardust to being Aladdin Sane to being a Diamond Dog. So tell me people........what's so terrible? You know.when you purchase your ticket you're in for the ride - come what may...and Bowie never truly disappoints. You're in for the nightmare or dream or whatever he decides - so buckle up! Click it or ticket! You all know by now, as well as I do, that you can't listen to Diamond Dogs without the Future Legend lead in. Of course you can, but it's not the same and you know it!
I was fortunate to see the Diamond Dogs Tour in New Haven way back when. It was the strange time of Glam. Mascara was a real commodity. Have you ever seen an audience that looked like raccoons? I have. But.getting back to Bowie-- he was just the best on that tour. Like a Broadway show the scenery kept changing, he was doing pantomime. One minute he's in a trenchcoat on some dark alley singing "When you rock 'n' Roll with Me", and the next he's a prizefighter in a boxing ring, gloves cuffed around the microphone, singing "Rebel, Rebel." It was art as experience and the music is no different. So while it may not always be what you like- admit that it does the job well. It gets you to react-use your energy-feel that you're alive! Sorry.....it can't make you happy. Only you can do that job. But if you are happy it can make you happier. This was'nt what you wanted to hear? Too bad. Go join the ever-circling skeletal family then and leave me alone. I can't please everyone and wouldn't even if I could! Hmmmmmmm.... now I know how David Bowie feels!

On re-releases I give the rating to the release, not the music since we all know the music by now. You want to know if you should shell out extra cash for the deluxe edition or not. After 4 or 5 CD editions, they finally figured out how to package this sucker! A smaller version of the gatefold LP with a nice thick booklet and a bonus disc. My only question is why did we have to wait 30 years for an appropriate package? As far as the music goes, all of Bowie's albums have already benefitted from the 24-bit remastering so I don't believe the sound quality is any better than the previous CD version but it's still worth it for (you guessed it) the packaging! Most of the bonus tracks were already unearthed back in 1990 for the Ryko CD and really my only complaint is with the still flawed vocal mix on 1984/Dodo. I have old vinyl bootlegs where at least the vocals don't drop out and aren't flanged to death. At any rate, as of now, this is the definitive release. So if you're a collector or a real fan, go get it.

Diamond Dogs is an awesome awesome record, it is one of David's best (with Ziggy Stardust). There are some instant classics (Rebel Rebel, 1984 that have been released in almost any Bowie's anthology), and there are several less known, but equally phenomenal songs--rock and roll with me, we are the dead, and so on.
the album is very well put together, the music is very good and the lyrics are as visionary, intriguing, captivating as they had been on Ziggy Stardust. Just listen to diamond dogs (when they pulled you out of the oxygen tent,...), or we are the dead (sometihng kind of hit me today...). Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. It's worth listening a million times.

What a great album, Candidate, 1984, We Are the Dead.....this is a most Bowie album. As good as it gets, probably the highlight of his career. The only thing missing from this album was Mick Ronson. Buy it!!!!!!!!!!!

This is my favorite David Bowie album, and maybe his best! Diamond Dogs is strong from start to finish with no bad points. Really orchestral throught the whole thing. Might I suggest:
1.Diamond Dogs
2.Sweet Thing
3.Rock n' Roll With Me
4.Rebel Rebel
5.1984

But the whole album is worth your $13. My most listened to Bowie album is Scary Monsters right now(Which I will review sooner or later) because I've listened to Diamond Dogs 24 7 for the last 2 years, but I still think this was David Bowie at his best. It has Dave's best know ctach phrase: this ain't rock 'n' roll, this is genocide! Don't let the creepy cover fool you, Diamond Dogs is worth a diamond or two.

The 1st 2 songs on Diamond Dogs is recorded live, which is pretty cool(Godd**nit! I want that live album of his!!!), the rest is just the record itself(which is fine). So, maybe Hunky Dory is better, I do own it, and would probably agree with anyone saying that it was Bowie's best. I own a lot of his albums and find all of them to wither be great or good. There's a real edgy feeling through Diamond Dogs...I can't explain it, but there just is. Diamond Dogs seems to be a a bit of a roller coaster of emotions. One song is kind of depressing and mellow, but the next is fast and upbeat, while still retaining that edge. Whatever, I disagree with everyone who says this is far from Dave's best, IT IS. Buy it as fast as you can.

Go David Bowie!!!!