After George Orwell's widow refused Bowie the right to use 1984 as the title of his forthcoming album, he instead used the novel as a conceptual blueprint for what became DIAMOND DOGS. Accompanied only by keyboardist Mike Garson, bassist Herbie Flowers, and drummers Aynsley Dunbar and Tony Newman, Bowie played guitar, sax, Moog, and Mellotron, in addition to his contributions as vocalist, composer, arranger, and producer of the album. With the Orwellian themes as a loose backdrop, DIAMOND DOGS has much of the apocalyptic sense of future shock that informed ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS.
While the album doesn't have the musical punch or the songwriting strengths of ZIGGY, its gems make it more than worthwhile. The lush strings and dominant wah-wah guitar of "1984" seem like a nod to Isaac Hayes, while Bowie's howls and snarling sax on the title track make it instantly memorable. The glam rock classic "Rebel Rebel," with its edgy guitar riff and strutting 4/4 beat, is the disc's highlight, and one of Bowie's all-time great songs. Amidst the imagery of a gray, totalitarian future, Bowie injected some optimism by including the nostalgic "Rock 'N' Roll With Me," a good time, rootsy number that presaged his next transformation into the blue-eyed soul singer of YOUNG AMERICANS.
Additional Tracks
Personnel: David Bowie (vocals, guitar, saxophone, Mellotron, Moog synthesizer); Alan Parker (guitar); Tony Visconti (strings); Mike Garson (piano); Aynsley Dunbar (drums).
Audio Remasterers: Peter Mew; Nigel Reeve.
Q (11/99, pp.140-1) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...all apocalyptic doom and nightmare vision...fueled by cocaine psychosis, Watergate and the three-day week. This slice of literary concept rock has improved with age..." Uncut (p.118) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[Y]ou could still argue that DOGS was the first bling bling album; a brutally urban, hardcore artefact." Mojo (Publisher) (2/02, p.84) - "...A melange of rock'n'roll pastiche, Stateside superfunk and outbursts of avant-garde noise...compares well with its more successful, accessible predecessors, ZIGGY and ALADDIN SANE."
bowie at his best this has got to be one of bowie's best albums Submitted by tony r (gold coast Australia) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
"The New and Improved "Diamond Dogs". Not only does it contain the original "Diamond Dogs" released in 1974,it has a bonus disc of 8 rare cuts,including a cover of the Bruce Springsteen classic "Growin Up" and the 2003 version of "Rebel,Rebel," This a must have for all Bowie fans. Submitted by staunton711 (Los Angeles,Calif.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
Awesome,A real "Bowieshow" This doom and gloom album hopefully is not to be taken seriously,where,in 1974 Bowie is the ringmaster of a future hell.It's like a vampire's teeth coming down on you.A real classic.This record is not complete without "David Live" the following double live album from the Diamond Dogs extravaganza tour. Submitted by Steve (Louisville,KY,USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
My favorite Bowie Release ever Diamond Dogs, I can say that this is my favorite disc from my favorite solo act. Buy it for Rebel Rebel, listen to it for the Sweet Thing/Candidate combo. The haunting We Are The Dead (#8) is what all modern dark mood music is based...Bowie invented this hypnotic type of ballad. Big Brother is yet another choice track. Purchse this CD right now, don't wait! Submitted by Craig P. (New York City, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Doesn't Get Any Better Than This There is nobody quite as good as Bowie and this is his finest hour, plus some hard-to-find classics (unless you have the RYKO version with extra tracks). The alternate version of Candidate is just a gem, as is 1984/Dodo. The original 11 sound as good today as they did in 1974. A MUST HAVE! Submitted by Jason (New York, NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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"The New and Improved "Diamond Dogs".
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