Low

by David Bowie

Low cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 14 January 1977
  • Label: RCA
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 39:00
  • Community rating: 4.4/5 from 40 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

As the first installment of the 'Berlin Trilogy,' 'Low' documents a radical artistic reinvention, splitting its structure between fragmented, avant-pop song sketches on its first side and extended, somber, ambient instrumentals on its second. The album’s pioneering sound, a collaboration with Brian Eno and producer Tony Visconti, is defined by stark electronic textures, processed drums via the Eventide Harmonizer, and a minimalist approach that mirrors the lyrical themes of psychological fragility, withdrawal, and dissociation. This juxtaposition of avant-funk rhythms against atmospheric, often wordless, soundscapes created a landmark in experimental rock that would profoundly influence post-punk and new wave.

Genres

Descriptors: atmospheric, electronic, experimental, synth, ambient

Tracklist

  1. Speed of Life (2:47)
  2. Breaking Glass (1:52)
  3. What in the World (2:24)
  4. Sound and Vision (3:04)
  5. Always Crashing in the Same Car (3:35)
  6. Be My Wife (2:56)
  7. A New Career in a New Town (2:55)
  8. Warszawa (6:27)
  9. Art Decade (3:48)
  10. Weeping Wall (3:29)
  11. Subterraneans (5:43)

Credits

  • David Bowie - vocals, chant, chamberlin, synthétiseurs, piano, harmonica, saxophone baryton, guitare, boîte à rythmes, xylophone, vibraphone, chÅ“urs, pump bass, pre-arranged percussion, tape horn and brass, tape cellos, tape sax section, arp synthesizer, producer, arranged by
  • Carlos Alomar - guitare rythmique, guitare solo, guitare acoustique, guitar
  • George Murray - basse, bass guitar
  • Dennis Davis - percussions, drums
  • Brian Eno - moog, arp, ems synthi aks, piano, traitements guitares, chamberlin, chant, synthesizer, guitar treatments, arranged by, keyboards
  • Roy Young - piano, orgue farfisa, pianos, organ
  • Ricky Gardiner - guitare solo, guitare rythmique, guitar
  • Mary Visconti - backing vocals, vocals
  • Iggy Pop - vocals
  • Eduard Meyer - cello, ingénieur du son
  • Tony Visconti - producer
  • George Underwood - design [uncredited]
  • Laurent Thibault - ingénieur du son
  • J. Peter Robinson - pianos, arp synthesizer
  • Paul Buckmaster - pianos, arp synthesizer

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