Why is it that every time Bowie releases a new album I always here some guy say, "this is a return to the Bowie of old!?" If you are one of these people, please stop it. On his new album Bowie looks to old friend and producer Tony Visconti to put a new spin on things, since producer and long time guitarist and band-mate Reeves Gabrels has finally left the building. Bowie also brings in new friends like Tony Levin on bass and Dave Grohl and Pete Townsend on guitars to spice things up a bit.

The new songs have a very somber feel to them, and one in particular, the song "Slip Away" has an almost "Life on Mars" epic feel to it. Bowie also decides to cover the Pixies song "Cactus" and Neil Young's obscure first album track "I've Been Waiting For You," and truly makes them his own. This album isn't as hard rocking as Earthling, or enduring as his last album Hours, but it is still a fine contribution from one of the last great rock icons of our time.