Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 09/28/1999
Run Time: 46:10
David Bowie fired
the Spiders From Mars shortly after the release of
Pin Ups, but he didn't completely leave the Ziggy Stardust persona behind.
Diamond Dogs suffers precisely because of this -- he doesn't know
how to move forward. Originally conceived as a concept album based on
George Orwell's
1984,
Diamond Dogs evolved into another one of
Bowie's paranoid future nightmares. Throughout the album, there are hints that he's tired with the Ziggy formula, particularly in the
disco underpinning of
"Candidate" and his cut-and-paste lyrics. However, it's not enough to make
Diamond Dogs a step forward, and without
Mick Ronson to lead the band, the rockers are too stiff to make an impact. Ironically, the one exception is one of
Bowie's very best songs -- the tight, sexy
"Rebel Rebel." The song doesn't have much to do with the theme, and the ones he does throw in to further the story usually fall flat.
Diamond Dogs isn't a total waste, with
"1984," "Candidate," and
"Diamond Dogs" all offering some sort of pleasure, but it is the first record since
Space Oddity where
Bowie's reach exceeds his grasp.
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Cart 0 items
Listen
