Origins of The Most Heralded Trilogy in Rock (Mini Album Review)
David Bowie – Station to Station (1976)
Nothing comes from nothing.
And in keeping with the notion that the “pop” music of the 1970’s was in every way more characterized by Art and less by formula than the mainstream music of any decade since, that decade’s greatest single shape-shifter-slash-pop-star maintained a discernible continuous thread throughout the many-headed beast that was his output (and evolution) of those years.
Bowie’s Station to Station pulls you immediately into a quintessentially modern, pseudo-mystical, quasi-operatic, rock-funk-synth juggernaut of impassioned detachment that stands to many as his most uniquely original record.
Chronologically it’s the midway point between the two halves of Bowie’s 70’s output; the glam rock / ‘plastic soul’ of the first half of the decade and the synth driven, krautrock influenced experimentation of the Eno-collaborated ‘Berlin Trilogy’ of the late 70’s.
The sources all but vanish.
Station to Station is one of those albums that demonstrates with brutal clarity the ability of certain artists to meld far ranging stylistic tendencies (funk, soul, 60’s pop, krautrock, electronica, ambient-instrumental, Brechtian cabaret, crooner music) into a perfectly integrated whole, where the sources all but vanish into a thing of ultimate originality and appeal.
This album warrants not one, but two separate track recommendations:
The Recommended “Accessible” Track should probably be the catchy, single “Golden Years,” however I am instead going to opt for the funk jam bliss of “Stay”, because it’s simply unbelievable. Listen to George Murray’s ascending bass lick in the outro – priceless. (And p.s. I would highly recommend checking out the live version bonus track from the 90’s Rykodisc CD reissue series – sweat-inducing.)
The Recommended “Art” Track needs to be the epic, multi-movement, part industrial Weimar-esque drone instrumental, part 70’s blues-rock raveup title track, which has been (quite correctly, I believe) described as having heralded “a new era of experimentalism” for Bowie. That is the great Earl Slick’s guitar feedback / dark future noise machine on the intro.
We miss you David and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
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Great tribute piece to Bowie. I love the way you describe the album and what it meant to you.
BOWIE…nothing else needs to be said, or written! this one word says it all! you know of my love of the one and only and the impact he had on me at such a young age. he was one of the reasons for my progression into the music world and my move to NYC! he introduced me to the world of art and the true meaning of being an “artist and performer”! he shared his gift with all of us and asked for nothing in return…ICON!
“And in keeping with the notion that the “pop” music of the 1970’s was in every way more characterized by Art and less by formula than the mainstream music of any decade since, that decade’s greatest single shape-shifter-slash-pop-star maintained a discernible continuous thread throughout the many-headed beast that was his output (and evolution) of those years.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Totally agree. RIP Bowie.
I’m so glad you guys agree – what an immense gift he left us..
YES!! Thank you for bringing these tunes into my day. Stay on repeat…
Great read!
It’s hard to put into words what he gave us in his songs…
“Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do”
The music is timeless; he is so missed. There will never be another one like him!
Bowie rocks!!!!
David Bowie’s touch on the the world of music is unlike any other. Thanks for yet another great recommendation of such an influential artist!