Search - David Bowie :: Earthling

EXCELLENT BONUS DISC WITH BETTER AUDIO, GORGEOUS SLEEVE

BOB | LOS ANGELES, CA | 06/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amazon doesn't mention that this '07 Japan mini-sleeve edition carries a bonus disc containing a plethora of remixes. Here is the track list for the bonus disc:



10. Little Wonder CENSORED VIDEO EDIT

11. Little Wonder JUNIOR VASQUEZ CLUB MIX

12. Little Wonder DANNY SABER DANCE MIX

13. Seven Years In Tibet MANDARIN VERSION

14. Dead Man Walking MOBY MIX 1

15. Dead Man Walking MOBY MIX 2 US PROMO 12"

16. Telling Lies FEELGOOD MIX

17. Telling Lies PARADOX MIX)

18. I'm Afraid Of Americans SHOW GIRLS OST VERSION

19. I'm Afraid Of Americans NINE INCH NAILS V1 MIX

20. I'm Afraid Of Americans NINE INCH NAILS V1 CLEAN EDIT

21. V-2 Schneider TAO JONES INDEX

22. Pallas Athena TAO JONES INDEX



There were, of course, many more non-album tracks included on CD5 issues that lamentably could not be included here, due to space constraints.



The audio on the main disc is the same '04 remaster. However, the mastering on the bonus disc is notably improved over many of the original singles' audio. Presumably, this is the same edition as the 2004 2CD jewel box re-release, although I don't have that version to compare.



The 'sleeve itself is a beautiful, deep gloss, gatefold rendition of the original album artwork. The original CD's fold-out booklet has been re-done into a stapled one; I prefer the original, but it's a small nit.



WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?



Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.



Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.



Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.



Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded.



All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs."

Still Awesome After 50

... | Montreal | 02/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was one of those albums I had to listen to several times before I decided whether or not I even liked it. Although already a huge fan of Bowie's earlier work, I found it once again to be a little bit of a transition to acclimate myself to his new experimental stab at techno and industrial. For the record, I'm extremely glad that I gave this album a chance as it is entirely excellent.This album is definitely a departure from the music that Bowie wrote before it, with the possible exception of a handfull of tracks on the gothic "Outside". In typical Bowie fashion, "Earthling" finds him experimenting with newer musical trends, which he then fuses with his own unique style and lyrics. Although receiving mixed critical reviews, the album offers several great songs. "I'm afraid of americans" was both a radio and MTV hit... quite rare for a 50-something artist. "Little Wonder" gets the album off to a great start, "Satellite" has quirky lyrics, but a great beat, and my personal favorite "Seven Years in Tibet" is just plain haunting. Although several tracks are rather lengthy, there's no filler material on this album and the songs are as long as they need to be.One of the biggest complaints I have heard about this album is that it is destined not to age well.... which I personally think is just silly. A great song is a great song, and this album's got 9 of them. Bowie delivers, and fans will not be disappointed."