Lodger
by David Bowie

From slatsheit 10/16/2025 01:47 | #311365

This isn't Bowie's weakest album from his imperial period of '70-'80, but it is the weakest between Diamond Dogs and Let's Dance. That said, it's David freaking Bowie - the Elvis/Prince/MJ of Britain and the rock era, the guy who could sing the phone book and it would be wonderful. "The weakest of the Berlin Trilogy" is like "the most insignificant on Mount Rushmore." This is a great, 4.5 star album. Solidifies his identity as an avant-garde innovator while taking interesting steps back toward the pop/rock oeuvre. Six great tracks which measure up well to his '70s standards - "Fantastic Voyage," "Move On," "DJ," "Look Back in Anger," "Boys Keep Swinging," and especially the crushingly underrated, jet-propelled "Red Sails." Love the weird, ambient atmospheres he comes up with throughout (with Eno's aid, of course), and the absolutely insane guitar wizardry of Adrian Belew adds enormously to its appeal. I do like "African Night Flight's" catchy rhythmic menace quite a bit, but I have to be in a mood for "Yassassin." The monotone of "Repetition" is solidly the weakest track from Young Americans through Scary Monsters, and if he wanted to do his own version of "Sister Midnight," he should have just done that - "Red Money's" vocal melody and lyrics aren't nearly as good or cool. 1979 was an important year for post-punk music, which Bowie had essentially invented on Low, and while this isn't the masterpiece that its three predecessors were (and its successor would be), it's certainly a worthy entry for this great year.

I don't like most of the tracks on this record, but DJ is good in my opinion.

This album has grown on me a little since I first heard it but it is still the weakest of the Berlin trilogy in my opinion. I think this record does take a few listens to properly get over the initial weirdness but after that it is quite melodic and rhythmic. I have definitely started to enjoy it more and found most songs to be pretty decent. It is subtly dark and does a great job at building an atmosphere with the unique and diverse instrumentation. There are quite a few hidden gems on this release as well which I keep finding every time I come back. However, there are still a few tracks which are a little bit dull and I still can't really get into. Also, there are no real songs which completely blow me away. Overall, a good record that demonstrates just how consistent David Bowie's discography is.

From VictorVale 04/10/2021 23:00 | #268429

Entre seguir a onda e produzir tendências.

I am a HUGE David Bowie fan. I make a point to listen to every one of his albums at least once a year. (In fact, for several years I would play all of his albums, in order, starting on his birthday. Then he died, and it hurt too much Sad )

Lodger is often thought of as the poor relative in the Berlin Trilogy, but I really like it. The rhythmic-ness (is that a word) that goes through the whole album is fantastic, and the quartet of stand-out tracks. - D.J., Look Back in Anger, Boys Keep Swinging & Repetition - towards the end rank this album up there with his best.

Was never very fond of this record, just a little too out there for me.

Good record.

From Keatownrodriguez 11/07/2019 20:25 | #244530

How come no one talks about this album? It's a perfect mix of the darkness from his late 70s records and his upcoming pop sound

From santropez 03/09/2019 12:27 | #233262

Favourite track: "African Night Flight"
Least-liked track: "Move On"

From Brandon8 12/13/2018 05:19 | #226972

Bowie’s take on the beginning of new wave music using sounds from all over the world. Fantastic Voyage is a great deep cut. DJ & Boys Keep Swinging are also very strong. A fine conclusion to the Berlin Trilogy.