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I purchased David Bowie's new CD entitled Heathen over the weekend and must say that it is without peer. Produced by Richard Visconti and borrowing the talents of Pete Townshend and Dave Grohl, it is a somber, reflective, and moody piece but one that reconciles itself with hope and optimism from the first to the last track.

I have always respected David Bowie. In opposition to these days of "keeping it real" where there is an obsession among recording artists with being down to earth, simple, and frankly boring, Bowie embraced and continues to embrace artifice. From his Ziggy Stardust, Young American (Philadelphia Soulman), and Thin White Duke stage characters, he spurred the imagination of those courageous enough to look and listen. Even when he dispensed with the characters altogether in the 80's and beyond, he continued to challenge the conventions of what is "good" and "popular". In every way, he was/is the anti-pop star among those all to willing to sell out for top 40 chart hits and covers of teeny bopper rags.

Heathen may be his best release yet as it distills all of the good ideas from the past and blends them into a modern and contemplative work.

I'll have to check it out. I've always enjoyed his work, not only because of the creative vibe he's managed to keep alive in every album he's done (and managed to keep things sounding fresh), but Bowie's stuff is usually counter to what's gong on in the industry at the time.

The only way I've evern been able to describe Bowie to a non-listener is to say that his style is musically rythmic, flowing and smooth while lyrically edgy...

One of the few artists of his generation I still respect. He's on tour with a few other bands including Busta Rhymes this summer.