Amazon.co.uk Review: The first part of a loosely affiliated trilogy (Heroes and Lodger were to follow), Low is in part a synthesis of 1970's disco, funk and New Wave as well as a brave foray in to wordless electronic ambience. The opening salvo of songs and up-tempo instrumentals contains the single "Sound and Vision", which shudders under the archness of Bowie deadpan vocals. Elsewhere, Bowie inhabits the brilliantly starchy European funk of "Breaking Glass" and "Always Crashing in the Same Car". That Bowie found a like mind in the eternally innovative Brian Eno is no surprise; the success of the four instrumental pieces that close Low can be attributed in no small way to the production contributions of the ex- Roxy Music keyboard player turned ambient pioneer. Bowie and Eno's experiments in a Berlin recording studio would have a massive influence on the music of subsequent decades. For this reason alone, Low is an essential David Bowie album. --James Littlewood
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Requires effort but Brilliant
It's hard to describe this album. Looking at the track listing "Sound and Vision" is the only one that is an automatic choice for any of Bowie's (many) "Best of" collections.
However this album really works as a collection of songs that have to be listened to as a whole.
The first 6 songs give you the idea of the direction that Bowie wanted to go with the album with the opening instrumental "Speed of Life" with it's riff that you can't get out of your head through the unbelievably ... Read More
Rating: - An album of two halves...
Low is one of Bowie's most highly praised albums, but it's also one of his least accessible. Personally I do enjoy it, but it's not my all time favourite. The first half is excellent, the opening instrumental, Speed of Life, being one of Bowie's finest instrumental pieces ever. Then we have such gems as Always Crashing in the Same Car, Be My Wife and the classic Sound And Vision. The first half is virtually flawless, even if all the tracks are a little on the short side and a little off-the-wall. The second ... Read More
Rating: - Low: What Ed Thinks
Hmmmm, a tricky album this. After the 5 year party that culminated in the Euro-Funk express that was Station to Station, Low is something of a hangover. In come sparse lyrics and music, it's almost a back-to-basics approach to stripped-down songwriting after its lavish predecesors. Let than not put anyone off this though, side 1 (the first seven tracks) are succinct classic new wave pop, inspired by bands such as Blondie and Talking Heads. Side 2 (the final 4 tracks) are brooding instrumentals influenced by ... Read More
Rating: - The future was here, and it sounded strange
An amazing Bowie album that broke the mould in popular music.
As usual he copied like a magpie, but somehow carried it off as totally original.
Side 1 has stood the test of time perhaps better than any of his other albums and still sounds amazing and urgent.
Side 2, even more ground breaking at the time than side 1 has not stood the test of time that well.
Eno and Visconti probably deserve equal billing as artists on this one.
It's a must and a grower, and proof that sometimes less ... Read More
Rating: - Bowie and Eno's first outing.
Low is the first part of the unequalled Berlin Trilogy, recorded by Bowie when he was in Berlin. In my mind Low is the collaboration of two of the best prog-rock artists of the 70s- David Bowie and Brian Eno. Low shows a return to rock (from the blue eyed soul of the thin white duke) for Bowie. Bowie made a masterpiece in his attempt to wean himself of cocaine.
First is the vibrant Speed of Life, an instrumental it may be but don't let that put you off. The repetitive (twice over) rhythm is a classic ... Read More
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