Name(s): Black Tie White Noise
Artist(s): David Bowie
Format(s): Album (56:24 minutes)
Genre(s): Art Rock / Electronic / Soul
Release Date(s): April 5, 1993

After six years of near-silence, David Bowie follows up the disappointing Never Let Me Down with… Never Let Me Down? No wait, the title is different. I was confused for a moment, there.

Bowie, lovestruck and newly wed to his sweetheart Iman Abdulmajid found a certain inspiration here to work out some new music for the first time in years. In fact, with song titles such as the opening, “The Wedding” and “Black Tie White Noise,” he’s practically telling us so. The artist is rejuvenated, and you can sense his newfound joy in the songs. Great for him, but how does Black Tie White Noise actually turn out?

Like previously stated, though it may now be the ’90s, Bowie is still in the comfort zone of his electronic soul period that started with Let’s Dance and previously ended with Never Let Me Down. All chart successes, but many fans were disappointed by the blatant pandering to mainstream trends and lack of experimentation displayed in albums such as Low and “Heroes.” And most importantly: diminishing songwriting quality.

Black Tie White Noise is an overly long (56 minutes! You turned off yet?) array of downtempo dance beats. Gone are the upbeat pop songs such as “Modern Love.” Bowie has gone full soul on this release—and it’s weak. The beats are repetitive, and the lyrics aren’t much better. The love lyrics are affectionate, but the passion is not matched with clever rhymes or the witty sting of Bowie’s best personas. Also, did I mention there’s an electronic dance cover of Cream’s classic song, “I Feel Free” on here? Yeah…

This album in its entirety defines “cheesy,” and is uneventful to boot. Fortunately, though David Bowie didn’t enter the ’90s with a bang, he would turn out some more decent work throughout the decade.