Extended Play - January 5 Set

[Extended Play]

Happy New Year everybody!

This week, I'm spotlighting two of the major releases from last year and a concert recording that will be 25 years old next month.

David Bowie kicks it off with his latest studio album Heathen. This is both a look at the past, and a jump on the future, as Bowie has returned to work with producer Tony Visconti. Previously, the two have worked on such eponymous additions to Bowie's catalogue as Ziggy Stardust and the Berlin trilogy of albums. There are definite nods in those directions.

Peter Gabiel's UP is the second new album from last year up on tonight's show. After a ten year hiatus, he's back with the obvious successor and superior to his last album Us ('92). Like Bowie's latest, much of the material hearkens back to precious work on PG3 and Security. However, the emphasis is on songs and not so much aping great moments of the past. Most of that connection just comes from the feeling in those past albums. That's probably the greatest sign of success in this album, that it can stand on its own.

Last up is Rush's concert from Feb. 20, 1978 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. Unlike the live album released previously for the early era, All the World's a Stage, this 3rd disc of the Different Stages album shows Rush tighter and playing a better set. Hell, there's a live version of Cygnus X-1 in there. Enjoy it folks.

Tommy