David Bowie
Reality

The new David Bowie CD surprises but doesn't impress

David Bowie's new album, Reality, releases today, following a spectacular live show on September 8th broadcast via satellite in major cinemas across Europe.
The English artist leans towards the essentials of American rock, picking up a Gibson and abandoning all electronic experimentation, diving into an album of well-played, fun, and fresh rock songs.

But unfortunately, nothing new, shocking, or sensational. And here's where the new David Bowie lies: a star who wants to stop (or seems to want to stop) being a chameleon, a shapeshifter, a "character" and wants to wear the clothes of a valid musician eager to play, have fun, and interpret covers.
There are few standout tracks, many are listenable, with very few disappointments. But overall, it flows between American rock, sharp lyrics, and pop sounds. The lead single New Killer Star, catchy and "smart," speaks for most of the songs, while only Bring Me the Disco King, worthy of the '95 masterpiece "1.Outside", the energetic Reality with its Tin Machine-like sound, and Never Get Old (which at times recalls Low) in which the rocker insists on never growing old, almost denying the autobiographical album "Hours", stand out as gems.

Interesting is the cover of Modern Lovers' Pablo Picasso, where refined and fast backing vocals are added to the original; the other cover, by George Harrison/Ronnie Spector, Try Some, Buy Some is between yawns and at moments seems like a lament for the grandeur of Life on Mars, while the other slow ballad, The Loneliest Guy, tries to capture the tension of The Motel but fails. Looking for Water and the unnecessary She’ll Drive the Big Car pass unnoticed. Days is a vague and pleasant memory of acoustic ballads like Seven, Survive, and Everyone Says Hi. Barely noteworthy are the bonus tracks of the limited edition version; very interesting, however, is the revision of Rebel Rebel, already heard in the soundtrack of Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.

In conclusion, I consider Reality a transitional album towards a future rock that hopefully will be less dull and cold.