Bowie + Fripp = Bliss
J. Donato | 05/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have to ultimately pick this as my favorite Bowie album. Why? Two Words: Robert and Fripp. My favorite Bowie guitarist. Word has it that Eno called him up to add some "finish" the the already recorded album. He finished his work in 6 hours, without hearing any tracks up front! His soloing on the mordant "Beauty & The Beast" utterly transforms the song into something otherworldly. I can't imagine this album without his playing! The doomed romanticism of the title cut is perhaps DB's finest single ever, though the album length version is mandatory. The Kraftwerk tribute of "V-2 Schneider" has some fun Bowie sax to enliven it even further. Then come three powerful instrumentals: the very aptly named "Sense of Doubt," Moss Garden" and Neukoln." Then it all wraps up with the best dance tune Bowie ever did, in my opinion. "The Secret Life Of Arabia" should have been a massive hit single that filled dance floors for 4 years afterward. Better this than bloody "Let's Dance!""
Forget Pink Floyd--try Bowie's "Wall"
Tom Benton | North Springfield, VT USA | 01/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The second of Bowie's Berlin trilogy, and the only of those three albums recorded entirely in Berlin, is brought down only by two almost-very-good instrumental pieces, one of which ("Neukoln") is saved by saxophone. Side One is almost invincible in its urgency; that same urgency makes this record more attractive to me than the languid "Hunky Dory." And though Side Two is brought down a little by the slightly-portentous but enchantingly foreboding "Sense of Doubt," the fantastic dreaminess of "Moss Garden" (it's all in the koto) and the fabulous "Life on Mars" sequel "The Secret Life of Arabia" pick it back up. On top of that, the title track is as good as anything he's ever recorded."
Heroes
Bjorn Viberg | European Union | 02/03/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Heroes being the second in Bowie's "Berlin Triology" was released 1977 and contains hits such "Heroes" and "Beauty and the Beast". The cd booklet is filled with many photographs of Bowie in different poses and what the front cover wants to convey I have no idea. 4/5."