Search - David Bowie :: Outside

GREAT BONUS DISC WITH BETTER AUDIO, DISAPPOINTING PACKAGE RE

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

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Since its original '95 release, there have been several re-releases of this great album.



However, none of the subsequent releases ever replicated the original's fabulous and imaginative package, including this one. If you own the original digipak, don't let it go.



For some unknown reason, Sony Japan also did not replicate the original package for this mini-sleeve release. And, the original, fabulous 23-page booklet has been miniaturized into a frustrating five-page affair that requires a magnifying glass to be read.



It's a little mystifying why Sony chose to do this, as the Earthling mini-sleeve, in this same 2007 release of the latter five Bowie albums, is a beautiful glossy gatefold package. The '07 Outside outer mini-sleeve is just a single pocket cover.



On the bright side, 14 non-album tracks are collected on an included second bonus CD. The "Hearts Filthy Lesson - Bowie Mix" does not appear here, presumably due to time constraints, so hang on to the original CD5.



The audio on the main disc is the same 2004 remaster. However, the mastering on the bonus disc sounds better than many of the original CD5's audio. Presumably, this is the same edition as the 2004 2CD jewel box re-release, although I don't have that version to compare.



For some reason, Amazon has neglected to mention the bonus disc and omitted the track list, so here it is:



20. The Heart's Filthy Lesson TRENT REZNOR ALTERNATIVE MIX

21. The Heart's Filthy Lesson RUBBER MIX

22. The Heart's Filthy Lesson SIMPLE TEST MIX

23. The Heart's Filthy Lesson FILTHY MIX

24. The Heart's Filthy Lesson GOOD KARMA MIX BY TIM SIMENON

25. A Small Plot Of Land BASQUIAT OST VERSION

26. Hallo Spaceboy 12" REMIX

27. Hallo Spaceboy DOUBLE CLICK MIX

28. Hallo Spaceboy INSTRUMENTAL

29. Hallo Spaceboy LOST IN SPACE MIX

30. I Am With Name

31. I'm Deranged JUNGLE MIX

32. Get Real

33. Nothing To Be Desired



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."

Another Overlooked Chapter

Octoworm | 04/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most every Bowie fan has at least one album they claim hasn't received its due, and I claim this one. After about a decade of fading from relevance, Bowie once again collaborated with Brian Eno and crafted this masterpiece that stands up to his strongest work from the seventies. Always one to refashion himself when needed, Bowie took several musical cues from techno and industrial. However, rather than simply catering to the trendy music of the time, Bowie used elements of the newer styles to once again reinvigorate his unique musical vision.



The album was originally supposed to be the first in a series, telling the story of Nathan Adler, which involved kidnap and murder (I think). Ultimately the series was not continued and fully understanding the narrative is in no way essential to enjoying the songcraft. "A Small Plot of Land" is an amazing song with avant-garde piano reminiscent of "Aladdin Sane". An alternate version of this song was featured in the film "Basquiat", in which Bowie appeared as Andy Warhol. "I'm Deranged" is another standout that was also featured in a movie, opening and closing David Lynch's "Lost Highway". "Strangers When We Meet", the closing track, is a timeless classic that recalls some of Bowie's better work from the early eighties.



Although I've given a few songs special notice, there is not a weak track on the album. The music is extremely well-produced and intricately layered. The vocals are strong and the lyrics are cryptic and interesting. "Outside" stands up to Bowie's best work, and my guess is that fans who appreciate the Berlin Trilogy will take to this one as well."

Love it

Robert Newell | seattle | 06/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"when ever anyone works with brian eno its 10x better

this album is soo over-looked

alot better than earthling or other later works"