1. Outside

by David Bowie

Overview

David Bowie seemed like an artist without direction ever since the success of Let's Dance, switching styles and genres with a speed that made him appear nervous, not innovative. Recorded with his former collaborator Brian Eno, 1. Outside was intended to return some luster to his rapidly tarnishing reputation. Instead of faux soul or mainstream pop -- or even dissonant hard rock, for that matter -- Bowie concentrates on the atmospheric, disturbing electronic soundscapes of his late-'70s "Berlin" trilogy (Low, Heroes, and Lodger), adding slight, but detectable, elements of industrial, grunge, and ambient techno. Bowie also raised the stakes by making 1. Outside the first in a series of concept albums about mystery, murder, art, and cyberspace. Everything that would have made 1. Outside a triumphant comeback seemed to be in place, but the album is severely flawed. Not only is the story poorly developed and confusing, but the album is simply too long. Throughout the record, good ideas bubble to the surface, yet are never fully explored, and the sheer bulk of the album means that the good songs -- "Hallo Spaceboy," "Strangers When We Meet," "The Hearts Filthy Lesson" -- are buried underneath the weight of the mediocre material. Furthermore, nothing on the album is a departure from Bowie's late-'70s records; when he does experiment with newer musical forms or write about futuristic technology, he seems unsure of himself. That said, 1. Outside is Bowie's most satisfying and adventurous album since Let's Dance. It's clear that he's trying once again, and when he does hit his mark, he remains a brilliant artist. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	08/05/2022
Label:	Parlophone / Rhino
UPC:	0190295253387

Tracks

1. Leon Takes Us Outside
2. Outside
3. The Hearts Filthy Lesson
4. A Small Plot of Land
5. Segue: Baby Grace (A Horrid Cassette)
6. Hallo Spaceboy
7. The Motel
8. I Have Not Been to Oxford Town
9. No Control
10. Segue - Algeria Touchshriek
11. The Voyeur of Utter Destruction (As Beauty)
12. Segu: Ramona A. Stone / I Am With Name
13. Wishful Beginnings
14. We Prick You
15. Segue - Nathan Adler
16. I'm Deranged
17. Thru' These Architects Eyes
18. Segue: Nathan Adler
19. Strangers When We Meet

Album Credits

Performance Credits

David Bowie   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Saxophone
Algeria Touchshriek   Primary Artist
Nathan Adler   Primary Artist
Baby Grace   Primary Artist
Ramona A. Stone   Primary Artist
Brian Eno   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Synthesizer
Joey Baron   Guest Artist,Drums
Mike Garson   Guest Artist,Piano,Piano (Grand)
Reeves Gabrels   Guest Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Carlos Alomar   Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm)
Joey Barron   Drums
Tom Frish   Guitar
Bryony Edwards   Vocals (Background)
Josey Edwards   Vocals (Background)
Lola Edwards   Vocals (Background)
Ruby Edwards   Vocals (Background)
Sterling Campbell   Drums
Kevin Armstrong   Guitar
Rupie Edwards   Vocals (Background)
Erdal Kizilcay   Bass,Keyboards,Guitar (Bass)
Yossi Fine   Bass,Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

Reeves Gabrels   Composer
Domonik Torqua   Assistant Engineer
John Scarlsbrick   Photography
DeNovo   Design,Cover Art Concept,Image Manipulation
Jennifer Elster   Stylist
Kevin Armstrong   Composer,Composer
John Webber   Remastering Engineer
Sterling Campbell   Composer
Andy Grassi   Assistant Engineer
Kevin Metcalfe   Mastering
Ben Fenner   Assistant Engineer
Erdal Kizilcay   Composer
David Richards   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Mastering,Treatments
Jon Goldberger   Assistant Engineer
Mike Garson   Composer
David Bowie   Composer,Lyricist,Producer,Assistant,Cover Painting,Cover Art Concept
Mort Garson   Composer
Brian Eno   Composer,Producer,Treatments