A Rope To Pull You Out of the Quicksand That Is Bad Music
Written: Jun 15 '04
Product Rating:
Pros: well-varied, great songwriting, catchy songs
Cons: a few sticks in the mud (is that the correct way to use that?)
The Bottom Line: "And these children that you spit on as they try to change their worlds are immune to your consultations, they're quite aware of what they're going through."
grandpa_riot's Full Review: Hunky Dory [Remaster] by David Bowie
About 6 months ago, I didn't really know much about David Bowie. My dad was a fan of him back in the day, I read a few things about him in the Punk History Book, Please Kill Me, and I saw him on TV a few times (SNL), but didn't show too much interest in him. However, my dad was considering going to a Bowie concert back in January, so I saddled myself in for a dip into his work with the "greatest hits" album, Best of Bowie (1 disc). I enjoyed the album all the way through, but was blown away by the first few songs, Bowie's early work. With this, I bought a couple of his earlier work: Ziggy Stardust (which is still my favorite album), Hunky Dory (which I am now reviewing), and, most recently, Aladdin Sane. I am now happy to say that I love the man (Bowie).
Hunky Dory was Bowie's follow up to The Man Who Sold The World. He started out singing folk songs, and then switched into a more heavy sound. With this, Bowie couldn't really be defined at the time (nor can he to this day). His music was different. So, when Hunky Dory featured many catchy piano driven songs and acoustic accompaniment, it wasn't really shocking. It was just his next new thing.
Hunky Dory features 11 songs that can all be called great songs up front. The album is different from beginning to end, starting with an upbeat pop number known as "Changes," and ending with a slow-tempo acoustic song. In between, there's even more. What this album shows is Bowie's pure talent at creating a well-rounded album with great songs on it, and still have The Voice. Many singers who have The Voice can barely even do their small part of singing, while Bowie wrote the songs, played guitar, saxophone, and even a bit piano, as well as singing. David Bowie is quite a man!
The album kicks in with one of Bowie's most famous songs, "Changes." You might have heard it on a commercial, read the lyrics at the beginning of The Breakfast Club, or even heard a cover of it in the recent Shrek 2. If you don't believe me, let me just sing you a little bit of it: "Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes/ turn and face the strain/ ch-ch-changes/" For those of you who still don't know the song, it's a fairly catchy pop song with piano and drums leading the way. With all of this, Bowie manages to throw in a message about how things change, and about old-timers not criticizing the children for changing things.
There's more piano in "Oh! You Pretty Things," and it works beautifully. It starts out like a ballad, with Bowie singing quietly while the piano plays. However, on the chorus, the song explodes into a fusion of catchy vocals and the beat, held together by the drums and clapping. I like the technique of the quiet, piano driven verses with the explosive chorus, and I'm glad Bowie used it again in "Life On Mars?"
"Eight Line Poem" isn't the greatest song on the album. It's literally an eight-line poem sung (or recited) by Bowie along with piano. The two play along together, and pause just at the right moments. When Bowie shrieks "The mobile spins to its collision," you really feel it. It's not the kind of music you'd listen to when you're looking for energy, but it's beautiful nonetheless.
"Life On Mars?" is probably my favorite non-"Changes" song. Like "Oh! You Pretty Things," it starts out with a quiet, vocals and piano. However, what I like more about "Life On Mars?" is the build up to the chorus, using violins, and the violin in the background of the chorus. Also, the chorus is spectacular. He uses simple words, but his voice really makes the vocals into his own, and it's wonderfully done. When Bowie asks, "Is there life on Mars?," it gives you the tingly feeling that you can only get from listening to a truly great song (Bowie fans should be familiar with this feeling).
"Life On Mars?": "She could spit in the eyes of fools/
As they ask her to focus on/
Sailors fighting in the dance hall/
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go/
It's the freakiest show/
Take a look at the lawman beating up the wrong guy/
Oh man! Wonder if they'll ever know/
He's in the best selling show/
Is there life on Mars?/"
"Kooks" is the first song that doesn't use as much piano, and whenever it does, it's purely for the background music. The song is kind of like a sing along ode to strange people, and it works quite well. All of the background vocals could actually get you to sing along, and it's fun.
"Quicksand" is one of my favorite Bowie songs. I didn't realize how good it was until Bowie played it live when I saw him, but it really stuck with me. The song is an acoustic number, and everything is very silent until the booming chorus. It's a sad song, and it really gets to your heart. Great words used! Bowie's voice shines once again in this song, and he really hits those notes!
"Quicksand": "Should I kiss the viper's fang/
Or herald loud the death of Man.
I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought/
And I ain't got the power anymore/
Don't believe in yourself/
Don't deceive with belief/
Knowledge comes with death's release"
"Fill Your Heart" is a fun, upbeat number. It is the only song not written by Bowie on the entire album (written by Biff Rose and Paul Williams). It has a good, steady bit played on the piano, and features a good amount of saxophone to give it more of a jazzy edge. It also has a fun chant of "Free-yeah, yeah yeah yeah!"
The next two songs are sort of tributes to two men. The first is "Andy Warhol," about Andy Warhol. It starts with Bowie explaining that the name is pronounced "Warhol, as in 'holes'." The song is a slick, acoustic number, with multiple acoustic guitars playing simultaneously. It creates a nice effect. Like all Bowie songs, the chorus is nice to listen to. Though it's not the best song on the album (it has a lot of good songs to compete with), it's a fairly good song.
The next song is "Song For Bob Dylan," a song about Bob Dylan. It's a nice number with piano leading the chorus and electric guitar leading the chorus. This is, honestly, my least favorite song on the album. It's not bad, but it feels a little sloppy to listen to, especially the chorus.
"Queen B*tch" starts out with a bit of acoustic guitar, quickly followed by electric playing the same thing. This is kind of a preview of Ziggy Stardust (that is something they do in Ziggy quite a bit) and is a fast, powerful song. The chorus is strange, but it all works out. And, still, you have to love the guitar in this song!
"Bewlay Brothers," the last song on the album, is another acoustic number. Like "Quicksand," everything's quiet in the song, so it's a bit hard to listen. However, the chorus brings the volume up a bit to create a cool effect. It's a worthwhile track, and Bowie ends the album in a delightful way.
I don't have many complaints about this album. On some of the songs, the sound quality isn't too good. This isn't too big. Also, on songs like "Song For Bob Dylan," there are a few rough spots that kind of slow the album down. As a full album, it just doesn't make it as complete. However, it doesn't stop the greatness of the rest of the album.
The booklet of the CD features lyrics to all of the song, and some... interesting pictures of Bowie in the Hunky Dory era... let's just say that he enjoyed wearing Ancient Egyptian clothes.
Overall, Hunky Dory is a terrific album. It features some really great, catchy songs, and a well-varied set. There are slow songs, fast songs, piano ballads, catchy pop numbers, hard-rockers, and acoustic numbers; anything to fit your taste. It may not be perfect, with a few songs to slow it down, but it's close enough for a 5-star rating! If you're desperate for perfection, I strongly recommend Ziggy Stardust; it's a great album. However, Hunky Dory is just a few steps short of being just as good. Buy it, today!
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