'hours...'

Coming after the industrial rock of 1997's Earthling, 'hours...' is Bowie's last studio album of the 20th century. Indeed the cover depicts Bowie's persona from the earlier record being held by the then-contemporary Bowie, possibly comforting himself as he dies(?!). A way of acknowledging the end of one musical style, and the start of another, I guess. Yesterday it turned 22, so it's a good time to have a revisory listen. It was Bowie's 21st studio album, so it's just outgrown itself...kinda...he he he.... 

So, yes, gone are the samples and industrial beats, mostly. It's a fairly mellow affair, which is a bit bizarre considering the album was co-written by Bowie and longtime collaborator Reeves Gabrels. Maybe mellow isn't the right word...maybe sombre is closer? There are still some dirty, squealing guitars though; and some uplifting tunes. The pair also produced the record, with musicians including Sterling Campbell on drums, and Mark Plati on bass, guitars, keyboards and programming.

This album is notable for being the last time Gabrels worked with Bowie, and is also his final release on the Virgin EMI label, before moving to Columbia (Sony) for 2002's Heathen. Bowie and Gabrels had also been writing songs for a video game called Omikron: The Nomad Soul, with some of those sessions being responsible for where most of these tracks came from. 

The opening track, Thursday's Child, is arguably the album's best moment. Featuring vocals from LA singer/songwriter Holly Palmer, the song was also the first single, coming out a month or so before the album. Almost a ballad, the track has a lot of hooks and countermelodies, and its production is similar to the treatment that much of Heathen would benefit from. There's a line that resonates with the album's cover as well: "Throw me tomorrow/Seeing my past and letting go...".

Another highlight for me is the track Seven, which again feels like a pop ballad. The fourth single from the album, it has a slow steady pace, with some unusually melodic lines from Gabrels. The main refrain is "Seven ways to live my life/Or seven ways to die," which could be taken as self-motivation. Like Brooks said, get busy living or get busy dying. Or something like that. The Marius De Vries mix turned up on Bowie compilation Nothing Has Changed in 2014, and was available on some CD single releases on the song (remember them?), but I think the album version is better.

Coming in between Earthling and Heathen, this album really feels transitional. The record's raunchiest rocker (and second single), The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell, could have fit quite easily on Earthling, and the plodding Something In The Air is reminiscent of that album's Seven Years In Tibet. Continuing a common trend in late 90s/early 00s cinema, SITA plays during the end credits of Christopher Nolan's 2000 film Memento. There are some nice effects on Bowie's vocals throughout the track to add to the eerie atmosphere. 

Ultimately, as it is a stepping stone between albums, and created while working on a video game soundtrack, it feels unfocussed. Some songs are a little meandering, particularly the overlong, repetitive If I'm Dreaming My Life, which hits the seven minute mark! Survive is another song that doesn't quite land for me, and Gabrels' guitar feels more intrusive than enhancing. 

There are some nice surprises though, one being the instrumental Brilliant Adventures, which wouldn't be out of place on "Heroes" or even Low. Rather than a narrative piece, it feels like a mood made musical. The track would lend its name to a series of live albums released through DavidBowie.com and the new box set due out later this year, covering 1992-2001. What's Really Happening? has some classic Bowie moments too, especially the vocal delivery, although the track as a whole is nothing special. The opening of New Angels of Promise sounds quite, um, promising as it starts, but again doesn't seem to deliver on what the intro teases. I quite like the album's closing song too, The Dreamers, which apparently is the name given to Bowie, Gabrels & Gail Ann Dorsey as the band in the previously mentioned video game. 

While this is an easier listen than 1. Outside, it's probably on the same level of enjoyment for me. It's shorter, which is nice, but the highpoints aren't as high. So, I'd give this 2.5/5 as well. Today I listened to the album three times, and it was cool to take it in over a coupla 'hours...'

NEXT UP: "Heroes" - Oct 14th