David Bowie
David Bowie
1 June 1967
Bowie’s
first album has a very different tone than what you expect. It’s pop. A sort of
baroque pop.
It’s
actually very hard to talk about this album seriously, due to its content and what
came after it. That and I can’t even compare it to any other artists. No one
but Bowie can do this drastic change of genre. Even ELO’s first band, The Idle
Race, has the themes that continued into ELO. David Bowie the album is almost
generic, but Bowie’s songwriting saves it.
I
think the right thing to say about this album is that it doesn’t fit. It doesn’t
fit in Bowie’s catalogue, it doesn’t even fit in 1967 standards. Lyrically it
does fit into Bowie’s catalogue, with some lyrics mentioning abortion and cannibalism
and overall pushing the edge with storytelling.
Bowie’s
vocals are strange. I feel like he’s not putting as much effort into it as he
would later, and it shows. Rubber Band is an exception, as Bowie’s vocals
slowly become more powerful. He even yells off-mic to “play that thing!”
The
album starts off pretty weak, but starting at Rubber Band it gets better. There
Is a Happy Land has an enjoyable premise and We Are Hungry Men is the real
Bowie trying to shine; more of a rebellious theme which just sounds silly in a
baroque pop album. It does end in the best way; Bowie singing in the rain while digging a grave with no instruments in the background while he occasionally inserts an "oh god..." That's great.
I
just think it’s weird that I don’t like this. I’ve got albums from bands like
The Left Banke that have the same baroque style, and The Left Banke’s album Walk
Away Renée/Pretty Ballerina was also released in 1967. But I’d take that album
(with a name so generic that you’d think the songs would follow suit) over
David Bowie (the 1967 album).
But
thank God he’s David Bowie, and there is something for everyone.
Overall:
Generic
60’s pop sound with Bowie’s songwriting and voice. For me, it just doesn’t
reach anything higher than average. Even after having this album for a while.
Highlights:
·
Rubber Band (because it’s how the whole album should
be)
·
Love You till Tuesday (because it’s how the
whole album also should be)
·
We Are Hungry Men (because the vocals are good
and cannibalism)
·
When I Live My Dream (if you are like me and
imagine Roy Orbison singing this song)
·
Please Mr. Gravedigger (because it’s perfect)
