David Bowie – The Next Day (2013) [Original EU 180g Double Pressing] {ISO/Columbia Records} [24/96]

The rumors of retirement weren't true. While it's nearly impossible to keep anything a secret in the 21st century, David Bowie managed to accomplish the feat, recording The Next Day during a period many believed he had sung his last note. Once you hear the album, Bowie's first in ten years and 30th studio effort of his career, you'll be thankful he's come back for more.

Anchored by the reflective single "Where Are We Now?," on which Bowie looks back on his life, The Next Day is produced by longtime collaborator Tony Visconti and spans a diverse array of sonic themes. Slow and funky songs, charged rock fare, evocative soul pieces, and bursts of psychedelia color the music. Bowie's voice remains somehow miraculously untouched by age. Boosted by three bonus tracks, this an LP you'll spin again and again.

As the evasive Thin White Duke has announced no plans to tour, this is as good as it gets for the foreseeable future. Thing is, it's hard to imagine it being any better.

Personnel:
David Bowie – vocals (1–15, 17); producer (all tracks); guitar (1, 16); string arrangement (1, 3, 15); acoustic guitar (3, 13–15, 17); keyboards (4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 15–17); percussion (16)
Zachary Alford – drums (1–5, 7–11, 13–17); percussion (7)
Barnbrook – cover design
Sterling Campbell – drums (6, 12); tambourine (12)
Gail Ann Dorsey – bass (1, 3, 4, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17); backing vocals (3, 7, 9, 11–13, 17)
Steve Elson – baritone saxophone (2, 3, 9); contrabass clarinet (3)
Kabir Hermon – assistant engineer
Henry Hey – piano (5, 13)
Jimmy King – photography
Gerry Leonard – guitar (1–5, 7–15, 17); keyboards (15)
Tony Levin – bass (2, 5, 7–9)
Dave McNair – mastering
Mario McNulty – engineer
Maxim Moston – strings (1, 3, 13–15)
Janice Pendarvis – backing vocals (3, 9, 12, 13, 17)
Antoine Silverman – strings (1, 3, 13–15)
Earl Slick – guitar (2, 6, 12)
Sukita – portrait of David Bowie on “Heroes”
Hiroko Taguchi – strings (1, 3, 13–15)
Brian Thorn – assistant engineer
David Torn – guitar (1, 3, 7, 10, 11, 13–15, 17)
Tony Visconti – engineer, mixing, producer (all tracks); string arrangement (1, 3, 13–15); guitar (2, 13, 15, 17); recorder (3, 9); strings (5); bass (6, 12, 15)
Anja Wood – strings (1, 3, 13–15)



tracklist:
A1 The Next Day
A2 Dirty Boys
A3 The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
A4 Love Is Lost

B1 Where Are We Now?
B2 Valentine’s Day
B3 If You Can See Me
B4 I’d Rather Be High

C1 Boss of Me
C2 Dancing Out In Space
C3 How Does the Grass Grow?
C4 (You Will) Set the World on Fire

D1 You Feel So Lonely You Could Die
D2 Heat
D3 So She
D4 Plan
D5 I’ll Take You There





All thanks goes to the original releaser!