David Bowie "The Next Day"

Released 03/08/2013

First off, I'm a huge Bowie fan of his studio output from "The Man Who Sold the World" (1970) through "Heros" (1977).  I consider "Hunky Dory", "...Ziggy Stardust", "Station to Station" and "Low" as classics.  Much of his output in the later years I found somewhat spotty with the occasional good track.  But the excitement of his early work...that pleasure we get listening to a favorite artists work was missing.

Happily, a decade after his last studio album, we get "The Next Day" and the joy seems to be back for this listener.  Referencing his great 70s work throughout, each track has it's own identity.  Even though this is basically the same band from his last studio album in 2003, the sound overall is much more (should I say) retro with a millennium feel.  You could merge varied tracks on "The Next Day" onto specific 70's Bowie albums and they would align perfectly.

Some would say this shows a lack of originality.  I say that with an artist like Bowie in the later stages of his career, what better time than now to look back and assess your past (and your potential future)?

It also helps that he delivers.  A mature, career spanning work.