Blackstar - Instant best album of 2016?

[DarkAxel]

Ok I do believe that it will be really hard to beat this record

I literally just got into Bowie. along with Low, Lodger, Tin Machine and Heroes this is one of the first albums I've heard in their entirety. I can't really judge it in the context of his discography, but even as an album it's fantastic. I really enjoy both the production and the writing, it's the right mix of catchy and propulsive with eclectic and surprising, provoking. It's a treat

Lyrics are a bit odd, but I'm not too big on lyrics almost ever. There are very few exceptions (Elbow for example)

[Inconuucl]

Eh, year's still too young. I'm not so sure about best. But it's definitely going to be the most culturally significant.

[Dungus]

"Instant best" because the album is better than all the other albums released in 2016? Or because he died? I'm confused

[Ugly Nora]

I've listened twice and have really enjoyed it, and I am being careful to judge it on its on merit and not because he just died which may color the experience for some. I guess only time will tell.

You can listen /download it for free on Amazon Prime.

[DarkAxel]

"Instant best" because the album is better than all the other albums released in 2016? Or because he died? I'm confused

I would really like to see an album come out this year which would seem equally as adventurous, well crafted and interesting to me as Blackstar does

I really would

Since I just started listening, I'm not too invested so I'm not all "oooooh Bowie dide so this is his best work now because it's all meta and death related pseudoappreciation etc" I mean I don't even enjoy most of Low that much - which is usually cited as one of his best ones?

I just think this album kicks ass and is an extremely strong contender to be in most end of the year lists for a lot of people... Although the question is if it will be due to sentimental reasons or true appreciation

[casecandy]

Bowie was influenced by Death Grips on this album, and said so himself.

That just makes me happy.

The thought of all the music snobs squirming over that fact... (heart eyes emoji)

[Inconuucl]

And Kendrick Lamar too. He mentioned both yet I always hear people only mention one or the other.

[D.o.S.]

I just think this album kicks ass and is an extremely strong contender to be in most end of the year lists for a lot of people... Although the question is if it will be due to sentimental reasons or true appreciation

or if anyone remembers it by the end of the year as anything other than "oh yeah that Bowie album he released right before he died".

[casecandy]

I just think this album kicks ass and is an extremely strong contender to be in most end of the year lists for a lot of people... Although the question is if it will be due to sentimental reasons or true appreciation

or if anyone remembers it by the end of the year as anything other than "oh yeah that Bowie album he released right before he died".

Interesting to see how it plays out.

[DarkAxel]

I just think this album kicks ass and is an extremely strong contender to be in most end of the year lists for a lot of people... Although the question is if it will be due to sentimental reasons or true appreciation

or if anyone remembers it by the end of the year as anything other than "oh yeah that Bowie album he released right before he died".

ha, touché

[D.o.S.]

Think of it like the Oscar Season -- people making year end lists are much more likely to remember a great record from November or December than they are one from January unless it's attached to something like, say, the death of a musical icon. This is where we remind the panel that year end lists are silly.

Good album for sure, though.

[DarkAxel]

That's where I'd disagree because my lists usually consist of records that stayed with me throughout the year. So it's not just wow effect and then waning off into oblivion.

So for me personally releasing soemthing at the end of the year is a big handicap. I really liked the new Baroness record, but I couldn't think of it as one of my favourite albums of the 2015 if I didn't live much of 2015 with it playing, dig?

[D.o.S.]

But you're already angling to designate Blackstar one of your favorite albums of 2016, or at least setting up the possibility.

Best album of the last almost-3 weeks? sure.

[casecandy]

This is where we remind the panel that year end lists are silly.

Agreed. But they're fun.

[DarkAxel]

Because I believe in it staying with me

let me have hope bro