I don't like to consider "Reality" as David Bowie's last album of original songs. Partly because it wouldn't be a worthy conclusion to an extraordinary career, and partly because when I think of the Duke's last studio work, "Heathen" and "Reality" come to mind simultaneously. Because I believe that with the first, Bowie intended to offer an album worthy of his great masterpieces, essentially taking a step back at least to "Scary Monsters," while the second was conceived as a pretext to embark on a world tour. In fact, "Reality" turned out to be a concert album, perhaps the catchiest and most accessible album he ever recorded. Certainly, if you think about a sacred monster like David Bowie singing those songs, it might make you cringe a little, but if you're not familiar with his work, that's the impression you get. I'd like to review both albums at the same time, because I consider them complementary (also due to the short time between their release), but I have to choose one. And I choose "Heathen."
I approached this album (and subsequently the artist) when I saw him as a guest on the show "Quelli che il calcio." It was 2002. He performed "Cactus" and I was blown away. I found the song beautiful, and that artist exerted an incredible fascination on me. I knew I had a music great in front of me, but I was only just getting to know him at that moment. Subsequently, much to my disappointment, I discovered that "Cactus" was a cover of the Pixies. But never mind. I much prefer the Duke's version. When I bought the album, I became increasingly fascinated by this artist. The work itself wasn't the easiest. Some songs were a bit complex and not easy to interpret. But, damn, what songs. You didn't hear such lyrics and arrangements around. The first that hit me was the first single "Slow Burn," which features Pete Townshend (The Who) on guitar, and with that vocalizing in the chorus, it's nothing short of captivating. Then the lighter "Afraid" and "Everyone Says Hi." Perhaps too easy, but impeccable songs. Very evocative is "I Would Be Your Slave," a well-structured ballad prayer. Then "A Better Future" with a very pressing rhythm and certainly the masterpiece that gives the album its title: "Heathen (The Rays)." A monumental song with a masterful arrangement. Besides the already mentioned "Cactus" cover, there's also a forgotten Neil Young song "I've Been Waiting for You," which has too intrusive an arrangement, and "I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship," a 1969 song by The Legendary Stardust Cowboy, a name that inspired him for the Ziggy Stardust icon. Another album masterpiece is "Slip Away," a great song with Bowie in the role of the crooner and with beautiful piano work. The song is also known by the title "Uncle Floyd" and was supposed to be recorded on the album planned for 2000/2001 which was to be titled "Toy." I close with the song that (strangely) opens the album. "Sunday," a very suggestive song, a bit boring until it revives in the last 30 seconds, but it lets us know right away that we are far away from the bland works of the '90s. When thinking of David Bowie's masterpieces, I surely think of almost all the albums from the '70s up to "Scary Monsters" in 1980.
And then I would jump to this "Heathen" which in 2002, after more than 30 years of career, made it clear that the Duke still had inspiration. Which definitely seemed to wane the following year with "Reality," but as I said, these are two albums that should be judged simultaneously. One as the true masterpiece album, and the other perceived for a live dimension.
See you next time...
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
01 Sunday (04:46)
Nothing remains
We could run when the rain slows
Look for the cars or signs of life
Where the heat goes
Look for the drifters
We should crawl under the bracken
Look for the shafts of light on the road
Where the heat goes
Everything has changed
For in truth, it's the beginning of nothing
And nothing has changed
Everything has changed
For in truth, it's the beginning of an end
And nothing has changed
Everything has changed
(first voice)
In your fear
Of what we have become
Take to the fire
Now we must burn
All that we are
Rise together
Through these clouds
As on wings
(2nd voice)
In your fear, seek only peace
In you fear, seek only love
In your fear, seek only peace
In you fear, seek only love
In your fear, in your fear
As on wings
Ohhh
Woooo
This is the trip
And this the business we take
This is our number
All my trials, Lord
Will be remembered
Everything has changed
02 Cactus (02:55)
Sitting here wishing on a cement floor
Just wishing that I had just something you wore
I put it on when I go lonely
Will you take off your dress and send it to me?
I miss your kissin' and I miss your head
And a letter in your writing doesn't mean you're not dead
Just run outside in the desert heat
Make your dress all wet and send it to me
I miss your soup and I miss your bread
And a letter in your writing doesn't mean you're not dead
So spill your breakfast and drip your wine
Just wear that dress when you di yi yi yi yine
D -A -V -I -D
Sitting here wishing on a cement floor
Just wishing that I had just something you wore
So bloody your hands on the cactus tree
Wipe it on your dress and send it to me
Sitting here wishing on a cement floor
Just wishing that I had just something you wore
04 Slow Burn (04:41)
Here shall we live in this terrible town
Where the price for our eyes shall squeeze them tight like a fist
And the walls shall have eyes
And the doors shall have ears
But we'll dance in the dark
And they'll play with our lives
Like a Slow Burn
Leading us on and on and on
Like a Slow Burn
Turning us round and round and round
But who are we
So small in times such as these
Slow Burn
Slow Burn
Oh, these are the days
These are the strangest of all
These are the nights
These are the darkest to fall
But who knows?
Echoes in tenement halls
Who knows?
Though the years snare them all
Like a Slow Burn
Leading us on and on and on
Like a Slow Burn
Twirling us round and round and upside down
There's fear overhead
There's fear overground
Slow Burn
Slow Burn
Like a Slow Burn
Leading us on and on and on
Like a Slow Burn
Turning us round and round and round
And here are we
At the center of it all
Slow Burn
Slow Burn
Slow Burn
07 I Would Be Your Slave (05:14)
Walking in the snowy street
Let me understand
Drifting down a silent path
Stumbling over land
Open up your heart to me
Show me who you are
And I would be your slave
Do you sleep in quietude
Do you walk in peace
Do you laugh out loud at me
No one else is free
Open up your heart to me
Show me all you are
And I would be your slave
I don't sit and wait
I don't give a damn
I don't see the point at all
No footprints in the sand
I bet you laugh out loud at me
A chance to strike me down
Give me peace of mind at last
Show me all you are
Open up your heart to me
I would be your slave
I don't sit and wait
I don't give a damn
I don't see the point at all
No footprints in the sand
I would give you all my love
Nothing else is free
Open up your heart to me
And I would be your slave
12 Heathen (The Rays) (04:16)
Steel on the skyline
Sky made of glass
Made for a real world
All things must pass
Oo-o
Waiting for something
Looking for someone
Is there no reason?
Have I stared too long?
Oo-o, Oo-o
You say you'll leave me
And when the sun is low
And the rays high
I can see it now
I can feel it die
Oo-o, Oo-o
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Other reviews
By turkish
Bowie has been everything, done everything, played everything. And he’s still here, with his magnificent voice.
He knows what rock ’n’ roll is, they’ve lived it and can still churn out decent music.
By Mr_Iko
The White Duke never ceases to amaze!
An album of exquisite craftsmanship that will undoubtedly amaze even the longtime fans of the indomitable fashion-maker David.
By Dune Buggy
"Heathen" is my tireless Bowie album, absolutely magnetic like the trip-hop magnets of "Sunday."
Three songs are absolutely indispensable to understand that with this album Bowie wanted to gracefully conclude a phase of his discography.