Customer Reviews

Reality

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bowie continues to grace us with great material. Let's clear up one thing though: other reviewers have mentioned the techno elements of this album pretty strongly, and I simply don't understand that at all. These elements are so minute and downplayed that you really don't even hear them. This is nothing like EARTHLING, which I loved, so if I'd read some of these reviews before buying, I would have been disappointed.

I got this album last week, the day it came out, but wanted to live with it for a week or so before reviewing it. I immediately liked it, but wanted to give the songs time to settle in with me.

I think, now that I've had some time to digest the album, that I like it even more than I first did. The album kicks off with the fun and infectious "New Killer Star." Someone else said that this was the catchiest song Bowie's done since "Blue Jean," and they may be right. This is great stuff.

Let's start with my least favourite song on the album: "Looking for Water." This has been one of the most frequently mentioned by others as one of the highlights of the album, but I just can't get into. It seems rather lack-lustre. This, however, is the only low-point on the album for me.

"Pablo Picasso" is a really great rocker, and its a great, fun follow to "New Killer Star." The third track, "Never Get Old" is also great, and if only for these three songs, the album is worthwhile. After these, my favourites are "Fall Dog Bombs the Moon" (which I think I would like if only for the title, but its a great song as well) and "Days." "Reality" is a great, rockin' song, with some great snarling vocals by Dave.

Two stylistic departures here are also notable: "The Loneliest Guy" is a really atmospheric, and sometimes sad, even creepy song. And the album closes with a gem called "Bring Me the Disco King," with Bowie as some latter-day lounge lizard, accompanied for over 7 minutes by only a drum track and the absolutely brilliant Mike Garson on piano, who doesn't have a very strong presence anywhere else on the album.

Everyone else has mentioned the three extra tracks on the second disk, but let me reiterate: GREAT songs! "Fly" and "Queen of all the Tarts" are totally worth the sticker price. The new version of "Rebel Rebel" is absolutely fantastic. And if it had an ending, it would be even better! It just sort of stops, which caught me as odd the first time I heard it.

I would compare this album most closely to HEATHEN and HOURS, although not as mellow. So if you liked those, but like a want a little more guitar, a little more energy, this album will please you greatly!

This collection is builds on and further extends the wide and deep repertoire of Bowie. Instant hits (Days) evoke classics like "Occasional Dream", "Without You", with touches of "Hours" and "Hunky Dory". "New Killer Star", "Never Get Old", and "Pablo Picasso", "Looking for Water" are priceless gems and evoke elements of "Scary Monsters", "Earthling", and "Station to Station", and "Let's Dance" while incorporating Bowie's limitless creativity. "She'll Drive the Same Car" hints at "Always Crashing in the Same Car"/"Joe the Lion", while "Fall Dog Bombs the Moon" evokes "Heroes" as well as some of his more recent work. "Try Some Buy Some" is a beautiful ballad hinting back at the Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane days. "Reality" is a rocker that incorporates a little of everything Bowie has ever done and then some - priceless. "Bring me the Disco King" could have been on "Outside" is it had conceptually fit.

Be sure to get the limited edition bonus track extra CD - the 2002 version of "Rebel Rebel" is pure joy. Other bonus tracks "Fly" and "Queen of Tarts" are classic Bowie pop/rock.

This album is a huge accomplishment, like a retrospective with all new material that incorporates every tool at Bowies disposal. I can't stop listening to it (kind of scary!).

Like a fine wine, Bowie just seems to get better with age. "Reality" is just the latest in an excellent string of albums that started with the gothic "Outside", and hopefully he's not done yet. More uplifting than "Heathen", and with more of a 'classic rock' feel to it, "Reality" shows David still in top form after over forty years of recording.

The album gets off to a great start with the upbeat rocker "New Killer Star", the quirky yet catchy guitar riffs of "Pablo Picasso", and the awesome (and not to mention appropriate) "Never Get Old". Not to be forgotten are Bowie's vocals, which still sound solid and carry softer songs like "The Loneliest Guy", and the mellow "Days". Other strong tracks include "Looking for Water", the driving theme song, and the epic finale "Bring Me The Disco King", any one of which could have been quite at home on a Berlin era album.

As for the bonus disc... it only holds three songs, which are far from essential. The remix version of "Rebel Rebel" is much softer than the original and really can't compare. "Fly" and "Queen of all the Tarts" are both ok B-side type material, but not nearly as good as the songs included on the main album itself. Overall interesting to listen to, but probably not a little disc that's going to get a lot of playtime.

Every new album from David Bowie is a treat, and "Reality" is no exception. It's all still there, from witty lyrics to great guitar playing with a dash of experimentalism thrown in the mix, Bowie is still at the forefront of his art. Even if this album is overlooked and unappreciated by the masses, "Reality" reaffirms just why Bowie has such a large and loyal following. If you get it, you just get it. This one's not to be missed.

The limited edition includes 3 songs not on the normal release - FLY, QUEEN OF ALL THE TARTS, and REBEL REBEL. Rebel Rebel is a totally new version, and it's pretty incredible. Now for the CD ... This is brilliant! "NEW KILLER STAR" starts the album with a big bang. Bowie is hooky and edgey all at once! Then he covers "PABLO PICASSO" which some may remember from the film REPO MAN. The album continues in a very strong way, and I find it hard to describe. BOWIE has always been about art rock, and combining many elements not unlike a painter who is using sound as his landscape. He changes with every album, but at the core is a strong voice and an impeccable poet. The last song on this outing is called BRING ME THE DISCO KING. It's probably a dig at the music that became pop in the 70s that killed his own art rock/glam revolution. This CD is produced along with long time collaborator Tony Visconti. It combines jazz with techno - sort of TONIGHT meets EARTHLING if you can imagine. You need this if you're a fan! The most interesting release so far this year as far as I'm concerned. Others can have their pop princess, but for me this year is all about Bowie.

When I first reviewed this album, I said it was Bowie's best since SCARY MONSTERS.

After dozens and dozens of listens, I have to revise that: THIS is Bowie's best.

I never thought I'd say that ANY album by Bowie could top HEROES, but this is the only one that does (OK, maybe there are times when HEROES is #1, but it's definitely a see-saw act between that and REALITY).

So, if I was compelled to give my "Bowie Top Five", they would look like this:

1. REALITY
2. HEROES
3. LOW
4. HEATHEN
5. STATION TO STATION

There's so much here to comment on, but others have been far more lucid in their assessment than I could possibly be.

If you're looking for a challenging album that will keep you coming back for more (God, I sound like a Rolling Stone reviewer!), then this is it.



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This album has really grown on me. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I think it's pretty solid throughout. I dig the George Harrison cover ("Try Some Buy Some") and love the Jonathan Richman song ("Pablo Picasso"), which takes on a kind of frightening intensity. In fact one of the main reasons I am writing this review is to let people know that the version of "Pablo Picasso" on the Repo Man soundtrack is NOT THE ORIGINAL!! The original can be found on Modern Lovers by Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers - recently voted one of the 500 best albums of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine.

That said, if you like Bowie or just want to hear some fresh, creative songs beautifully produced - buy this album!

Unlike "Heathen," which I fell in love with immediately, this album is so drastically different than anything he has done in years, that it took 3-4 full listens to have it grab ahold of me. Many of the songs on this album bring back the flavor of his 70's work, yet with modern music technology and edge. If you loved "Scary Monsters" and earlier Bowie albums, you will LOVE this album. It's destined to be a CLASSIC. Some standouts on the album are "New Killer Star" "Pablo Picasso" and "Never Grow Old." He then slips effortlessly into a more "sultry" Bowie (the sad type of music that haunts you for hours, which he has become known for) with songs like "The Loneliest Guy" and "Bring me the Disco King." Those two songs could be easily compared with "The Motel (from 1995's "Outside") and "The Bewlay Brothers" from the classic "Hunky Dory." They are eerie and dark, and practically put you in a trance. The title track is similar to his style on the "Outside" album, in that it has a very industrial feel like the song "Hallo Spaceboy." Then there are the uptempo, pop-style songs such as "Days" and "Fall Dog Bombs the Moon." This album is a GEM, and is Bowie at his Best in YEARS. Vocally, it is more impressive that "Heathen" as his pitch is higher for nearly the whole album, sounding like the younger Bowie. No two albums from Bowie are alike. It's amazing. After a few listens, you will be hooked. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM to anyone, not just Bowie fans!!!

Wow! One word for this album...amazing. David Bowie has certainly made it clear that he is alive and kicking...and has no intentions of retiring any time soon. "The Lonliest Guy" is a moving vision, while "Never Get Old" definately reflects Bowie's career and the views of his fans. This album certainly shows glimpses of his 70s sound, but he has made it feel very modern too. He is an incredible performer (check out the Reality Tour), and an artist who will live forever in the heart's of his fans. We know he'll never get old!!

This album rocks big time. Instant new classics include the driving "New Killer Star", "Never Get Old", "She'll Drive The Big Car" and "Fall Dog Bombs The Moon". Further proof of his ongoing relevance.

People will never stop comparing a new Bowie release to previous stuff, fair enough... but I guarantee you this one's a stayer and stands strong on it's own feet.

Highly recommended.

I may not be the most objective critic right about now, because I just saw David live in Paris on Mon., Oct. 20, and I have to say...WOW! I listened to "Reality" several times before the show, and liked it, but after hearing him perform several of the songs live, I love it...the sounds are really catchy and contagious, it's the kind of music you can dance to as you do dishes or paint your house (my most recent activities) and yet there's more to it than just the infectious pop style...it's classic Bowie. "New Killer Star" gets in my head and just stays there, making me hum and tap my toes all day long, wherever I am..."She'll Drive the Big Car" turns me on, too...and of course the final "Bring Me the Disco King" is haunting, particularly when you've seen him perform it live...Working with Tony Visconti again does wonders for the man...I am crazy about his 70's material, his 80s material to a much lesser degree, and his 90s material much much less...but "Heathen" resuscitated his strength and "Reality" carries it on through, forward and beyond. This is a multi-talented genius, one hell of a singer and performer, and who really knows music as well as trends...his defiance of the current trends usually makes his music trendy in the end, because where David goes, his fans follow, and he picks up new ones along the way...One of the greatest things about his concert was the mix of ages there--there were fans of all ages from teenagers to 50-somethings, and everyone loved it. Bowie is timeless, never fails to astound and is here to stay! "Reality" proves it...