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Posted by Epoisses on 2007-04-16 06:14:12 +0000

Bowie Immersion #14 : Lodger (1979)

Record is here. Released May 14, 1979 on RCA. 1979, UK Albums Chart #4 1979, Billboard Pop Albums #20 1979 "Boys Keep Swinging," UK Singles Chart #7 1979 "DJ," UK Singles Chart #29

Posted by MF DU on 2007-04-16 12:38:39 +0000
Always wondered if Slint's 1994 single "Glenn" (b/w "Rhoda") was a tribute to this:

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-04-16 15:44:08 +0000
Haven't heard the record yet, but the singles are stunning.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-04-16 18:01:42 +0000
12/15/1979 Saturday Night Live: Martin Sheen / David Bowie Guests used to get to play THREE tunes? crazy. Third tune "Boys Keep Swinging" is one of Lodger's finest moments IMHO

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-04-16 18:45:18 +0000
I think you'd give Bowie the exception to the rule. Would anybody over the age of 15 want to hear three My Chemical Romance songs?

Posted by MF DU on 2007-04-16 18:46:19 +0000
Point well Taken. Ornette, Sun Ra, Nirvana, Zappa, Radiohead aside...

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-04-16 18:48:12 +0000
Did you watch that youtube video I put up a few months ago of Prime Time's SNL performance? Really tight stuff.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-04-16 18:55:42 +0000
For sure. I "scour" my DVR guide for a syndicated re-run of that with no luck. Wikipedia sez that particular episode with Milton Berle was one of Lorne Michael's "blacklisted" episodes where he hated the host so much he saw to it that it never ran again in reruns. I could be mistaken, but I think the double host/musician Zappa appearnace was also on this list.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-04-17 15:07:49 +0000
Where's Chopper? Any pre-listening essays?

Posted by jbcardinale on 2007-04-17 15:18:40 +0000
I've tried to like this record more since it came out, but this is a case of two really good ones, "DJ and "Boys Keep Swinging", and the rest is just ok in my book.

Posted by Chopper on 2007-04-17 18:57:39 +0000
Experimentation Part III - Like Low and Heroes, this is a very odd recording full of experimentation, however, unlike Low and Heroes, one will find little, if any, dance/disco or general funked up weirdness. In its place, this album favors a more balanced rhythm section (e.g., the semi-hit single "Boys Keep Swinging"), strange vocals (e.g., "Move On"), and other sea faring influences (e.g., "Yassassin"). "D.J.," with its ever repeating "I am what I play" refrain makes it the album's most memorable tune. Many might argue however that this tune is quintessential disco. Personally, I don't feel there is much to it. It was probably meant to be the token hit single. Bowie couldn't seem to find his grove on this record as it has many sounds. Except for a few cool songs like the rock sounding "Look Back In Anger," and my personal favorite "African Night Flight" most of the tunes are just plain dull. Adrian Belew replaced Robert Fripp on this album (and will reappear in later years). He's no Fripp, but when Belew gets cranking on "Red Sails" you really can't tell them apart. Lodger concludes the Berlin Eno/Bowie collaborations. Mr. Eno co-wrote practically every tune on this album. Tony Visconti thankfully also shows up in assorted roles - especially in production. It can be said that this album really wasn't part of the Berlin Trilogy due to the fact it was produced in Switzerland and New York - NOT Berlin. But the players were the same, so what the hell - make it a trilogy having no instrumental tunes and being much lighter and more pop-oriented. Overall, call this one "underrated."

Posted by tommy on 2007-04-17 22:02:44 +0000
I love this album. Three treats in a row. Before these last three albums, either I was already familiar with the album, or else the album didn't do much for me. These last three have all been great, and they're mostly new territory for me. Thanks, Epoisses. The experimentation on this album seems less challenging that the previous two... those two took a while to grow on me, but this one I liked immediately. African Flight Night is amazing. Eagerly awaiting Scary Monsters....

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-04-18 02:12:29 +0000
I haven't heard this record just yet (DL-ing it now)... but yes, this era is fantastic. Oh, and "Scary Monsters" is my favorite Bowie record.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-04-19 14:18:32 +0000
Not sure why nobody's talking about this one. David's in the middle of a remarkable run of stellar albums right now. By my count we're at four consecutively awesome albums: "Station to Station," "Low," "Heroes," "Lodger." Remarkable that "Scary Monsters" follows (up to 5) and then at least half of "Let's Dance" is superb. Then you throw out that the albums that bookended this stretch had these classic songs: "Young Americans," "Fame," and "Blue Jean." Wow. I think these songs resonate a bit more to me than "Heroes," as I feel a lot of this material has (call me a traditionalist) lyrics! Genrally moving imagery stuff on "Fantastic Voyage." "African Night Flight" is totally fucked. Love the flange on "Move On." "DJ" is a gem. "Boys Keep Swinging" is a goofball raveup (love the fact that the whole band swapped instruments on that one). Not sure why we're not psyched about this one.

Posted by tommy on 2007-04-19 14:32:07 +0000
I'm psyched. I think this is my favorite so far.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-04-19 14:34:53 +0000
It's just great, just forgot about "Look Back in Anger." At parts I think this album sounds like what people imagine/wish The Talking Heads sounded like.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-04-19 16:17:18 +0000
Shit is fantastic. It's not hard to hear the influence of/homage to The Ig in 'Move On'.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-04-19 16:21:38 +0000
the influence seems to be mutual. 'The Idiot' and 'Lust For Life' both have many David Bowie-ish moments.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-04-19 16:37:49 +0000
Gotta go back and check that stuff.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-04-19 16:42:49 +0000
Love this photo of IG: I Wonder how much he gets in royalties everytime a Carnival™ cruise ad comes on?

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-04-19 16:50:14 +0000
Well now that you point that out...

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