Heathen [ENHANCED]

David Bowie

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 11, 2002)
• Original Release Date: June 11, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000065V1V
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (132 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #118,278 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Heathen is, in essence, the first "traditional" Bowie album worthy of kudos in years, as it successfully reunites Bowie with producer Tony Visconti, the man at the controls during Bowie's Berlin period. Heathen finds rock's greatest chameleon once again remolding his past, advancing to new vistas by moving up that metaphorical hill backward. Even more gratifying is the universally high quality of the songwriting craftsmanship on offer, where even a ditty as frivolous as "Everyone Says 'Hi'" ("Don't stay in a sad place where they don't care how you are") hits the mark. For heavyweights who like their Bowie with furrowed-brow, the monastic aura of opener "Sunday" sounds like a post-rock Enigma covering Nico's interpretation of Tim Hardin's "Eulogy to Lenny Bruce," whilst the strident savagery evidenced on an apt cover of the Pixies' "Cactus" disposes with Frank Black's hound-dog yelp and reasserts the melody without undermining the original's obsessional score. Tin Machine ought to have sounded like this. Watch out, too, for the Robert Fripp-impersonating flamethrowing of Pete Townshend on "Slow Burn" and the guitar of the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl lending a slacker swagger to a cover of Neil Young's "I've Been Waiting for You" (again, much better than Tin Machine's live version). Heathen proves that Bowie's still got it. All of it. And in abundance. Awaken all ye nonbelievers. --Kevin Maidment

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting, Beautiful, & Urgent Set of Songs, January 2, 2004

By	Kevin Caffrey (West Babylon, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While I have been impressed and inspired by Bowie for years, I have to admit that I can't truly consider myself a *huge* fan because I only have several of his albums - most being from the last ten years (_Outside_, _Earthling_, _Reality_, etc.). His work from the 60s, 70s, and 80s I know primarily from a best-of collection, radio, and MTV/VH1. That said, _Heathen_ blew me away when I first heard it.

I can't think of another artist that has been around as long as Bowie that keeps writing and recording new material that sounds fresh, energetic, and urgent. _Heathen_ contains some chilling songs - songs that are so emotional and hit you in such a place inside that you have to listen to them over and over again. When he sings: "There's fear overhead, there's fear overground..." and "But who are we/So small in times such as these," one cannot help but think that these lyrics relate to 9/11. However, Bowie has stated that the material for _Heathen_ was written before 9/11 - which actually makes the lyrics throughout the album even more bonechilling. On "Better Future" he sings: "Please don't tear this world asunder/Please take back this fear we're under/I demand a better future." There are beautiful lyrics like these throughout _Heathen_, as well as very good covers of "Cactus" and Neil Young's "I've Been Waiting For You." My favorite song on the album is "Everyone Says 'Hi'" - just about as perfect as a little pop song can get. With a simple arrangement, the song is a beautiful sentiment with the line that we should all make it a point to remember: "Don't stay in a sad place where they don't care how you are."

Listening to this album made me really wonder if any other artist in their 40s and 50s has remained as artistically satisfying as Bowie continues to prove he is. Bowie has not softened with age and each song has the feeling that he is out to prove something. Many artists lose this feeling as they get older and begin to coast on proven formulas (Sting immediately comes to mind). Pick this album up!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bowie album for Bowie fans..., July 5, 2002

By	azalea42 (USA) - See all my reviews

"Heathen" is an all-around amazing album. But I will say that if you only like one or two of David Bowie's albums, and aren't really a Bowie fan, then you probably won't like it, since this album is sort of quintessential Bowie. (One consequence of Bowie's huge range of musical styles is that certain albums which are different from everything else he's done--such as "Outside"--have picked up some fans who are only fans of that album and disparage all his other work.)
Most actual Bowie fans will adore this album, since it's a mixture of many of his older sounds (for example, "Slip Away" sounds almost like a sequel to"Life on Mars"), so it feels very familiar, while having a completely new sound as well. The cover songs are fantastic (one little note about the covers: I think people might appreciate the rather goofy song "Gemini Spacecraft" better if they heard the even goofier original version by Legendary Stardust Cowboy... this song is NOT meant to be taken seriously!!). However, I think Bowie's own songs are the best on the album. "I Would Be Your Slave" and "5:15 the Angels Have Gone" are stunningly beautiful-- they are two of my favorite Bowie songs ever, which is saying a lot. My other favorite songs on the album are "Afraid", "Everyone Says Hi" and "Heathen (the Rays)". "Sunday" has been the the most challenging song for me; it's slow and meanders in an almost classical-music kind of way, and bored me a little at first, but I love it now. There is no bad song on the album, and every song is completely different, so there is something for everyone (everyone who is a Bowie fan anyway), or for any mood you find yourself in.
The edition with the bonus CD is definitely worth getting. Moby's mix of "Sunday" is even better than the original, Air does a great remix of "Better Future", there is a rocking version of "Panic in Detroit", and I've always loved "Conversation Piece" (a B-side from Space Oddity) so I was happy to hear him do the new rendition of it, which I think is really lovely.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Better Future, June 24, 2002

By	Jason Stein (Chula Vista, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

David Bowie fans may or may not rejoice with David Bowie's new release, "Heathen". Taken as a whole, it would seem Bowie's most consisten work in years. Three cover songs, "Cactus", "I've Been Waiting For You" and "I Took A Trip On A Gemini Spaceship" and nine originals that all sound fresh and vibrant. Gone are the noodlings from 1999's "Hours...", 1997's "Earthling", 1995's "Outside" and 1993's "Black Tie White Noise". Of the nine originals, stand out tracks include "Sunday", "Slow Burn", "5:15 The Angels Have Gone", ,"Everyone Says 'Hi'", "A Better Future" and "Heathen (The Rays)". Consistent, with good hooks would best capitulate "Heathen". Those who had written Bowie off as having little more to offer, with his most creative days behind him, can now take notice. If it takes Tony Visconti to bring Bowie back into focus, here's to more collaborations!