So you want to know where to start if you want to delve more deeply into The Beatles? The following suggestions assume that you are already familiar with their music. If you're not, first of all, welcome to planet earth! I'm sorry your radio was broken for so many light years. Second, you should listen to the two greatest hits albums The Beatles 1962-1966 and The Beatles 1967-1970. You might as catch up to everyone else on earth who knows these songs by heart.
Step 1: Please Please Me, With The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night
The best way to experience The Beatles is to do it chronologically. That way you can really get a good sense of their artistic growth. Here, as you start with their early period, you can see just what made the world fall in love with these guys.
Step 2: Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver
Here we're moving more into the middle of The Beatles' career. As they discovered Bob Dylan and pot, the lyrics would become more sophisticated and the music--thanks to many innovative studio techniques--more complex. These three albums show a band slowly maturing.
Step 3: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine Soundtrack
The psychedelic 60s! Heavily influenced by Eastern sounds and philosophies, the music and lyrics expand the mind and spread the world that love is all you need. *Gives peace sign*
Step 4: The Beatles (a.k.a. The White Album), Abbey Road, Let It Be
Here, with the late period Beatles, we hear the band heading toward their demise. But though they drifted apart, they never let it affect the quality of their music.
Step 5: A Hard Day's Night, Help!, Yellow Submarine
Next watch the better Beatles movies. Start with A Hard Day's Night, which captures the fab four at the height of their fabness. Then do Yellow Submarine, and excellent example of 60s psychedelic animation. Finish with Help!, which is, um, an acquired taste, but the musical numbers are great.
Step 6: Past Masters Volume I and II
These two records are collections of various singles, B-sides, EPs, and other rarities. It's a must-hear for anyone on their way to true Beatles fandom.
Step 7: The First U.S. Visit, Magical Mystery Tour, Let It Be
The other three Beatles movies, which are a bit harder to find. First U.S. Visit is the title the Maysles Brothers (of Gimme Shelter fame) documentary about The Beatles' arrival in America to play The Ed Sullivan Show has been released under. Let It Be features the famous rooftop concert, but, as it chronicles the band breaking up, can be kind of painful to watch. Magical Mystery Tour was directed by the boys themselves--while they were high. Don't expect to understand anything.
Step 8: Solo Beatles
Though they were never as big as they were together, the four Beatles by themselves had fairly successful solo careers. Yes, even Ringo. Recommended albums: John Lennon's Imagine, George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, and Paul McCartney's other band's Band on the Run.
Step 9: Anthology
If you're willing to watch an 8 hour documentary and listen to three volumes of unreleased recordings, outtakes, and instrumental bits, then you're verging on becoming a hard-core Beatles fan. There's also a book version of Anthology that expands on a lot of the stuff from the documentary and has some cool pictures.
Step 10: Alternate Mixes
You might want to check out Let It Be... Naked which strips away Phil Spector's production and presents the album as the band (Paul) originally intended. Or you might want to try the North American releases which have a different track orders (some songs were cut so Capitol could put them on extra albums) and slightly different mono mixes.
Step 11: Parodies
There are many Beatles parodies out there, but the greatest of them all is The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash conceived by Eric Idle and produced by Lorne Michaels. This mockumentary about "the pre-fab four" whose music would "last a lunchtime," which features Neil Innes of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and several of SNL's not-yet-ready-for-prime-time players, is spot-on. And no wonder, considering George Harrison, who has a brief cameo, served as a consultant.
Step 12: Miscellaneous
There are a few other things you should check out that don't really fit into categories. The first is Across the Universe, a movie musical using only Beatles songs. The plot's a little cliched, but the songs are used well, and the performances are brilliant. This project could have gone horribly wrong (think the movie version of Sgt. Pepper's--strongly not recommended), but thankfully it didn't. The second is the Cirque du Soleil production set to Beatles music called Love. If that's not really your thing, I'd still recommend checking out the soundtrack to it, in which a bunch of Beatles songs are lovingly remixed by Sir George Martin and his son. Finally, those of you out there who secretly wish you could join the band, there's The Beatles edition of the popular Rockband games. It's a lot of fun, and there are great "prizes" to be won in the form of archival material. Plus, once you've tried the drums, you will never make fun of Ringo again.
Showing posts with label How to Get Into.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label How to Get Into.... Show all posts
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
How to Get Into Doctor Who
So maybe you just realized you have BBC America in your cable package, and you want to check out this "new show"* everybody's talking about. Or perhaps you've been a sci-fi fan for a while, and, naturally, have heard of Doctor Who, but just never got around to checking it out. Then this guide isn't exactly for you.
If, however, you are one of those people who has been hooked into watching the show by the growing media attention it's receiving here in the states, then maybe it is. If you're addicted to Doctor Who, want more, but don't know where to start, I suggest you take the following steps.
First, however, make sure you're up to date with the current Doctor's (Matt Smith) era. Don't forget the Christmas special!
1. The New Series
Granted, the episodes of the Moffat era are still the new series, but it's important to go back and watch the Russel T. Davies era as well. And yes, you have to go back to the beginning ("Rose") and watch the ones with the big-eared guy (Christopher Eccelston). You can't just watch the David Tennant episodes.
Recommendations: Like most modern TV shows, there's a story arc to the seasons, so don't watch out of order. Although, if you must, "Blink" is a great episode without heavy continuity.
2. The Tom Baker Era
We've left modern TV story telling behind, and have entered the realm of the serialized drama. The Classic Series stories were told across multiple episodes (usually 4), and so the pacing's a little slower and a bit hard to adjust to. You're starting with Tom Baker's reign as the Doctor for several reasons. First of all, as the longest running (on TV) Doctor, he was, before the revived series, the actor most often associated with the role. And, as the British often joke, the only one the Americans thought was the Doctor. Also, this tends to be one of the most well-loved times in the show's history. More importantly, though, I suggest that you start with the episodes featuring Sarah Jane Smith and then move on to the other companions. That way you'll have a familiar face to bridge your transition from the New to Classic Series.
Recommendations: The best thing about the Classic Series is that, for the most part, the serials can be watched in any order. I'd recommend "Robot," "The Ark in Space," "The Sontaran Experiment," "Genesis of the Daleks," "The Masque of Mandragora," "Pyramids of Mars," "The Brain of Morbius," "The Hand of Fear," "The Deadly Assassin," "The Robots of Death," "The Talons of Weng-Chiang," "Horror of Fang Rock," "Image of the Fendal," The Key to Time (comprised of 6 serials), "City of Death," The E-Space Trilogy (3 serials), "The Keeper of Traken," and "Logopolis."
3. The Peter Davison Era
After Tom Baker, Davison is probably the most accessible Doctor to modern audiences, especially since he appeared in the "Time Crash" sketch with David Tennant.
Recommendations: Davison was a great Doctor, but his era was not without its problems. (Like, for example, an entire serial about how great the Concord is. Avoid that one.) But there are still some very strong episodes from his run such as "Castrovalva," "Four to Doomsday," "Kinda,"** The Black Guardian Trilogy (3 serials), "Planet of Fire," "The Caves of Androzani," and, let us not forget, "The Five Doctors." Multi-Doctor episodes are always good fun, but this one's top-notch.
4. The Jon Pertwee Era
Go back to the Doctor before Tom Baker next. Yes, he's an old guy, but he kicks ass. This era, with some great, action packed stories, often rivals Tom Baker's for fan favorites. And with the heyday of U.N.I.T. (back when it was the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce) and the introduction of the Master, it's no wonder. If you like Earth invasion stories, this is the era for you.
Recommendations: "Spearhead from Space," "The Silurians," "Inferno," "Terror of the Autons,"** "The Three Doctors," "The Sea Devils," the Peladon stories ("Curse" and "Monster of"), "Carnival of Monsters," "The Green Death," and "The Time Monster."
5. The Sylvester McCoy Era
At first off to a rocky start, the McCoy Era soon fell under the head writership of Andrew Cartmel, who gradually made it a slightly darker, more mature Doctor Who. Too bad they were canceled two seasons later.
Recommendations: "Remebrance of the Daleks," "Ghostlight," "The Curse of Fenric," and "Survival." "Battlefield," "The Happiness Patrol," and "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy" sometimes get a lot of put-downs, but I thought they were rather good. Watch "Delta and the Bannermen" if you dare.
6. The Colin Baker Era
Oh, dear God, the coat! THE COAT!!! Once you get past all the 80s excesses, there are still a few good moments in this Doctor's run.
Recommendations: "Vengeance on Varos," "The Mark of the Rani," "The Two Doctors," "Revelation of the Daleks," and "The Trial of a Time Lord."
7. The Paul McGann Era
Confession time: Paul McGann is actually my favorite Doctor, though I rarely admit it. See, he was only ever in one 100% official Doctor Who release. And it was not well received. For one thing, it's bad. Not awful, and certainly not the worst thing ever done in Who history, but not great, either. And it was controversial. ("The Doctor's half human?! And he KISSES GIRLS?!?!?) Worst of all, it was--gasp!--American!! (Not that much, really.) But, it does have its redeeming qualities. It's much closer to the New Series in style and tone, McGann puts in an excellent performance, and there are moments--few though they may be--that are quintessentially Doctor Who.
Recommendations: Doctor Who: The Movie
8. The William Hartnell Era
If you thought the rest of the Classic Series stuff was slow and the effects cheap, then wait till see these. The first two Doctors' serials are not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but there are still some good ones if you have the patience for it.
Recommendations: "An Unearthly Child,"*** "The Daleks,"*** "The Edge of Destruction,"*** "The Aztecs," "The Dalek Invasion of Earth," "The Time Meddler."
9. The Patrick Troughton Era
Same problems as you'll find with the Hartenell era, only the majority of his episodes seem to have gotten themselves lost. Most of what's left is pretty bad. And, um, kinda trippy. It was the 60s, you know.
Recommendations: "Tomb of the Cybermen," "The Invasion," "The Mind Robber," "The War Games."
10. Torchwood
The first successful Doctor Who spin-off series, Torchwood really put its parent show on the map in the U.S. It was billed as "Doctor Who for grown-ups," which means that everybody has sex with each other, and Jack dies. A lot.
Recommendations: Watch in order, especially as it gets better as it progresses. The Children of Earth mini-series was heartbreaking.
11. The Sarah Jane Adventures
The return of Sarah Jane Smith to the New Series was so well-received she got her own spin-off show. Some say that it's better than Doctor Who itself, and, frankly, that claim is hard to argue against.
Recommendations: Watch in order, though, since it's a children's show, the continuity isn't unfathomable if you don't. I prefer the episodes with Rani to those with Maria.
12. Big Finish Audio Adventures
Now you're leaving the world of television behind for the more turbulent waters of the fandom. Extreme lack of continuity ahead. Start with the audio dramas (think radio plays), since the Doctors and a lot of Classic Series companions are in them.
Recommendations: The ones feauring Charlie Pollard as companion both the 8th and 6th Doctor (in that order). You won't want to be spoilered, so go in release order, although if had to recommend one to listen to out of order, it would be "The Chimes of Midnight."
13. BBC Audio Dramas
The BBC has, on an off, done radio plays with the different Doctors, some of which were actually broadcast, others of which were released straight to CD. BBC Radio 4 Extra (Formerly Radio 7) has become the home of the 8th Doctor's semi-official adventures, and recently they've even persuaded Tom Baker to reprise his role as the Doctor for a few dramas.
Recommendations: The 8th Doctor series, especially with companion Lucie Miller. They should be heard in order, but my personal favorite, "Horror of Glam Rock," is only the second one in the series, and it is awesome.
14. Virgin New Adventures
After the series was canceled in 1989, Virgin bought the rights to publish books about the Doctor's continuing exploits and took the series in the darker, more mature track Cartmel had set it on. The quality varies from wonderful to God-awful, but most are competently written and entertaining. Oh, and they're also out of print, so good luck finding them.
Recommendations: There is a certain level of continuity in the series that suggests they should be read in order, but, as you pretty much have to read what you can get your hands on, just use the internet to fill yourself in on what you've missed. Anything written by either Classic or New Series writers are usually pretty good, but I think the best writers of this series are Paul Cornell and Kate Orman. My favorites are Cornell's Human Nature and Lance Parkin's The Dying Days, but, really, anything with Benny Summerfield as companion is good.
15. Eighth Doctor Adventures
After the TV movie, the BBC got their publishing rights back, and produced a series of novels about the continuing exploits of the 8th Doctor. About the same quality as the VNAs, they tend--most of the time--to be a bit lighter and have a tendency toward more whimsical plots. And they are also out of print.
Recommendations: Same problem with continuity as the VNAs. A lot of the good authors from that series carry over as well (especially Orman), but the best new author in the series is Paul Magrs. His Mad Dogs and Englishmen is made of win. Other favorites: The Blue Angel, The Banquo Legacy, Father Time, Earthworld. As a general rule, though, anything with companion Fitz Kreiner is going to be better than without.
16. Virgin Missing Adventures, Past Doctor Adventures, Short Trips and Side Steps
The VMAs and PDAs are series of novels from Virgin and BBC books giving new adventures to the old Doctors. Short Trips are collections of short stories in the same vein. Same quality concerns as the other novel series, though they are often looked upon as "lesser works" in comparison to the "continuing adventures" novels. Mostly out of print.
Recommendations: The continuity slots in with the TV series in most cases, so they can be read in any order. And a lot of the same authors who wrote the VMAs and EDAs wrote these as well. Goth Opera of the VMAs is continuity heavy, but it's by Paul Cornell and it's got vampires. Fear Itself, the only PDA novel with the 8th Doctor, has a great plot twist.
17. Comics
The problem with the Doctor Who comics is that there are several different series, including one that is only published in America, so the continuity is all over the place. However, they are fairly well-regarded among fans, especially ones featuring shape-shifting penguin Frobisher as companion, and the 6th Doctor graphic novel written by Colin Baker himself.
Recommendations: IDW's graphic novel Doctor Who: The Forgotten.
18. Cartoons
The Doctor has occasionally appeared in poorly animated form. Most recently, the David Tennant's Doctor has been in short cartoons both with companion Martha Jones and by himself with a character played by his fiancee/TV daughter. Before that, though, the BBC made some adventures with various Doctors in flash animation for their website.
Recommendations: Webcasts of "Shada" and "Scream of the Shalka." The former is a remake of the unfinished Tom Baker era serial by Douglas Adams, with Paul McGann as the Doctor and Lala Ward reprising her role as Romana--excuse me, President Romana. The latter is a new adventure of a future Doctor played by Richard E. Grant. Personally, I would like to see an action figure boxed set of these two Doctors. That comes with little tiny plastic wine bottles....
19. New Series Adventures
Novels of the doings of the 9th Doctor onward. The nice thing about the VNAs and EDAs was that they were a more grown-up than the TV series. These, however, are more targeted toward kids. Read if you are that desperate for more 9th, 10th, or 11th Doctor. Or if you're a kid.
20. Other Licensed Stuff
Congratulations, you are now a die-hard Whovian. Read novels and listen to audios that feature various companions and Doctor Who villains without the Doctor. Or watch fan-produced videos with original Doctor Who actors staring as Characters Who Are Totally Not Owned By The BBC. Nope. Not At All. *Whistles Innocently*
*Laugh with me now, Brits.
**As of writing, only available on VHS in the U.S.
***Originally, the episodes in a serial had individual titles, not the series itself. These are the generally accepted titles of the first three episodes.
If, however, you are one of those people who has been hooked into watching the show by the growing media attention it's receiving here in the states, then maybe it is. If you're addicted to Doctor Who, want more, but don't know where to start, I suggest you take the following steps.
First, however, make sure you're up to date with the current Doctor's (Matt Smith) era. Don't forget the Christmas special!
1. The New Series
Granted, the episodes of the Moffat era are still the new series, but it's important to go back and watch the Russel T. Davies era as well. And yes, you have to go back to the beginning ("Rose") and watch the ones with the big-eared guy (Christopher Eccelston). You can't just watch the David Tennant episodes.
Recommendations: Like most modern TV shows, there's a story arc to the seasons, so don't watch out of order. Although, if you must, "Blink" is a great episode without heavy continuity.
2. The Tom Baker Era
We've left modern TV story telling behind, and have entered the realm of the serialized drama. The Classic Series stories were told across multiple episodes (usually 4), and so the pacing's a little slower and a bit hard to adjust to. You're starting with Tom Baker's reign as the Doctor for several reasons. First of all, as the longest running (on TV) Doctor, he was, before the revived series, the actor most often associated with the role. And, as the British often joke, the only one the Americans thought was the Doctor. Also, this tends to be one of the most well-loved times in the show's history. More importantly, though, I suggest that you start with the episodes featuring Sarah Jane Smith and then move on to the other companions. That way you'll have a familiar face to bridge your transition from the New to Classic Series.
Recommendations: The best thing about the Classic Series is that, for the most part, the serials can be watched in any order. I'd recommend "Robot," "The Ark in Space," "The Sontaran Experiment," "Genesis of the Daleks," "The Masque of Mandragora," "Pyramids of Mars," "The Brain of Morbius," "The Hand of Fear," "The Deadly Assassin," "The Robots of Death," "The Talons of Weng-Chiang," "Horror of Fang Rock," "Image of the Fendal," The Key to Time (comprised of 6 serials), "City of Death," The E-Space Trilogy (3 serials), "The Keeper of Traken," and "Logopolis."
3. The Peter Davison Era
After Tom Baker, Davison is probably the most accessible Doctor to modern audiences, especially since he appeared in the "Time Crash" sketch with David Tennant.
Recommendations: Davison was a great Doctor, but his era was not without its problems. (Like, for example, an entire serial about how great the Concord is. Avoid that one.) But there are still some very strong episodes from his run such as "Castrovalva," "Four to Doomsday," "Kinda,"** The Black Guardian Trilogy (3 serials), "Planet of Fire," "The Caves of Androzani," and, let us not forget, "The Five Doctors." Multi-Doctor episodes are always good fun, but this one's top-notch.
4. The Jon Pertwee Era
Go back to the Doctor before Tom Baker next. Yes, he's an old guy, but he kicks ass. This era, with some great, action packed stories, often rivals Tom Baker's for fan favorites. And with the heyday of U.N.I.T. (back when it was the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce) and the introduction of the Master, it's no wonder. If you like Earth invasion stories, this is the era for you.
Recommendations: "Spearhead from Space," "The Silurians," "Inferno," "Terror of the Autons,"** "The Three Doctors," "The Sea Devils," the Peladon stories ("Curse" and "Monster of"), "Carnival of Monsters," "The Green Death," and "The Time Monster."
5. The Sylvester McCoy Era
At first off to a rocky start, the McCoy Era soon fell under the head writership of Andrew Cartmel, who gradually made it a slightly darker, more mature Doctor Who. Too bad they were canceled two seasons later.
Recommendations: "Remebrance of the Daleks," "Ghostlight," "The Curse of Fenric," and "Survival." "Battlefield," "The Happiness Patrol," and "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy" sometimes get a lot of put-downs, but I thought they were rather good. Watch "Delta and the Bannermen" if you dare.
6. The Colin Baker Era
Oh, dear God, the coat! THE COAT!!! Once you get past all the 80s excesses, there are still a few good moments in this Doctor's run.
Recommendations: "Vengeance on Varos," "The Mark of the Rani," "The Two Doctors," "Revelation of the Daleks," and "The Trial of a Time Lord."
7. The Paul McGann Era
Confession time: Paul McGann is actually my favorite Doctor, though I rarely admit it. See, he was only ever in one 100% official Doctor Who release. And it was not well received. For one thing, it's bad. Not awful, and certainly not the worst thing ever done in Who history, but not great, either. And it was controversial. ("The Doctor's half human?! And he KISSES GIRLS?!?!?) Worst of all, it was--gasp!--American!! (Not that much, really.) But, it does have its redeeming qualities. It's much closer to the New Series in style and tone, McGann puts in an excellent performance, and there are moments--few though they may be--that are quintessentially Doctor Who.
Recommendations: Doctor Who: The Movie
8. The William Hartnell Era
If you thought the rest of the Classic Series stuff was slow and the effects cheap, then wait till see these. The first two Doctors' serials are not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but there are still some good ones if you have the patience for it.
Recommendations: "An Unearthly Child,"*** "The Daleks,"*** "The Edge of Destruction,"*** "The Aztecs," "The Dalek Invasion of Earth," "The Time Meddler."
9. The Patrick Troughton Era
Same problems as you'll find with the Hartenell era, only the majority of his episodes seem to have gotten themselves lost. Most of what's left is pretty bad. And, um, kinda trippy. It was the 60s, you know.
Recommendations: "Tomb of the Cybermen," "The Invasion," "The Mind Robber," "The War Games."
10. Torchwood
The first successful Doctor Who spin-off series, Torchwood really put its parent show on the map in the U.S. It was billed as "Doctor Who for grown-ups," which means that everybody has sex with each other, and Jack dies. A lot.
Recommendations: Watch in order, especially as it gets better as it progresses. The Children of Earth mini-series was heartbreaking.
11. The Sarah Jane Adventures
The return of Sarah Jane Smith to the New Series was so well-received she got her own spin-off show. Some say that it's better than Doctor Who itself, and, frankly, that claim is hard to argue against.
Recommendations: Watch in order, though, since it's a children's show, the continuity isn't unfathomable if you don't. I prefer the episodes with Rani to those with Maria.
12. Big Finish Audio Adventures
Now you're leaving the world of television behind for the more turbulent waters of the fandom. Extreme lack of continuity ahead. Start with the audio dramas (think radio plays), since the Doctors and a lot of Classic Series companions are in them.
Recommendations: The ones feauring Charlie Pollard as companion both the 8th and 6th Doctor (in that order). You won't want to be spoilered, so go in release order, although if had to recommend one to listen to out of order, it would be "The Chimes of Midnight."
13. BBC Audio Dramas
The BBC has, on an off, done radio plays with the different Doctors, some of which were actually broadcast, others of which were released straight to CD. BBC Radio 4 Extra (Formerly Radio 7) has become the home of the 8th Doctor's semi-official adventures, and recently they've even persuaded Tom Baker to reprise his role as the Doctor for a few dramas.
Recommendations: The 8th Doctor series, especially with companion Lucie Miller. They should be heard in order, but my personal favorite, "Horror of Glam Rock," is only the second one in the series, and it is awesome.
14. Virgin New Adventures
After the series was canceled in 1989, Virgin bought the rights to publish books about the Doctor's continuing exploits and took the series in the darker, more mature track Cartmel had set it on. The quality varies from wonderful to God-awful, but most are competently written and entertaining. Oh, and they're also out of print, so good luck finding them.
Recommendations: There is a certain level of continuity in the series that suggests they should be read in order, but, as you pretty much have to read what you can get your hands on, just use the internet to fill yourself in on what you've missed. Anything written by either Classic or New Series writers are usually pretty good, but I think the best writers of this series are Paul Cornell and Kate Orman. My favorites are Cornell's Human Nature and Lance Parkin's The Dying Days, but, really, anything with Benny Summerfield as companion is good.
15. Eighth Doctor Adventures
After the TV movie, the BBC got their publishing rights back, and produced a series of novels about the continuing exploits of the 8th Doctor. About the same quality as the VNAs, they tend--most of the time--to be a bit lighter and have a tendency toward more whimsical plots. And they are also out of print.
Recommendations: Same problem with continuity as the VNAs. A lot of the good authors from that series carry over as well (especially Orman), but the best new author in the series is Paul Magrs. His Mad Dogs and Englishmen is made of win. Other favorites: The Blue Angel, The Banquo Legacy, Father Time, Earthworld. As a general rule, though, anything with companion Fitz Kreiner is going to be better than without.
16. Virgin Missing Adventures, Past Doctor Adventures, Short Trips and Side Steps
The VMAs and PDAs are series of novels from Virgin and BBC books giving new adventures to the old Doctors. Short Trips are collections of short stories in the same vein. Same quality concerns as the other novel series, though they are often looked upon as "lesser works" in comparison to the "continuing adventures" novels. Mostly out of print.
Recommendations: The continuity slots in with the TV series in most cases, so they can be read in any order. And a lot of the same authors who wrote the VMAs and EDAs wrote these as well. Goth Opera of the VMAs is continuity heavy, but it's by Paul Cornell and it's got vampires. Fear Itself, the only PDA novel with the 8th Doctor, has a great plot twist.
17. Comics
The problem with the Doctor Who comics is that there are several different series, including one that is only published in America, so the continuity is all over the place. However, they are fairly well-regarded among fans, especially ones featuring shape-shifting penguin Frobisher as companion, and the 6th Doctor graphic novel written by Colin Baker himself.
Recommendations: IDW's graphic novel Doctor Who: The Forgotten.
18. Cartoons
The Doctor has occasionally appeared in poorly animated form. Most recently, the David Tennant's Doctor has been in short cartoons both with companion Martha Jones and by himself with a character played by his fiancee/TV daughter. Before that, though, the BBC made some adventures with various Doctors in flash animation for their website.
Recommendations: Webcasts of "Shada" and "Scream of the Shalka." The former is a remake of the unfinished Tom Baker era serial by Douglas Adams, with Paul McGann as the Doctor and Lala Ward reprising her role as Romana--excuse me, President Romana. The latter is a new adventure of a future Doctor played by Richard E. Grant. Personally, I would like to see an action figure boxed set of these two Doctors. That comes with little tiny plastic wine bottles....
19. New Series Adventures
Novels of the doings of the 9th Doctor onward. The nice thing about the VNAs and EDAs was that they were a more grown-up than the TV series. These, however, are more targeted toward kids. Read if you are that desperate for more 9th, 10th, or 11th Doctor. Or if you're a kid.
20. Other Licensed Stuff
Congratulations, you are now a die-hard Whovian. Read novels and listen to audios that feature various companions and Doctor Who villains without the Doctor. Or watch fan-produced videos with original Doctor Who actors staring as Characters Who Are Totally Not Owned By The BBC. Nope. Not At All. *Whistles Innocently*
*Laugh with me now, Brits.
**As of writing, only available on VHS in the U.S.
***Originally, the episodes in a serial had individual titles, not the series itself. These are the generally accepted titles of the first three episodes.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
How to Get into Dylan
A couple weeks ago, I wrote about how to get into David Bowie's music. Since he's not exactly everybody's cup of tea, I thought I'd give readers another option. Actually, I wanted to turn this into a regular feature, but then I realized there's really only about three artists who have catalogs I'm familiar enough with to do these. So, uh, consider this Part 2.
Once again, this is for someone who wants to get deeper into the music. For the curious, there are plenty of greatest hits collections you can check out. So, if you think of Bob Dylan just as that old guy who can't sing, this blog is not for you. However, if you think of Bob Dylan as that old guy who can't sing but you still want to know more, read on.
Pre-listening: Make sure you have heard Greatest Hits and Greatest Hits Volume II (Volume III optional). Even though the former is over 40-year-old and the later over 30, they are still the best Dylan hits records, and will give you the basic knowledge of his career necessary to continue.
Step 1: Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde
The three albums that changed rock 'n' roll forever. In Bringing Dylan transitions from an all acoustic folk sound to electrified accompaniment. Highway 61 kicks off (literally--listen to the drums) with the legendary "Like a Rolling Stone," rock's first major hit to push past the three and a half minute mark. And finally, Blonde on Blonde, a masterpiece on not one but TWO disks, that takes you from the intoxicating (or is that intoxicated?) "Rainy Day Women #12 & 25" with it's clever pun on "stoned," through the elegant "Visions of Johanna," the desperate "I Want You," the playful "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat," and the tender "Just Like a Woman," to the epic swells of Side 4's only song, "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands."
Suggested Viewing: The documentary Don't Look Back. And if you can find a bootleg of the experimental-ish Eat the Document, more power to you.
Step 2: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, The Times They Are A-Changin', Another Side of Bob Dylan
The above may be the three albums that changed rock 'n' roll, but these are the albums that changed the world. If there was an instruction manual on how to be labeled the "spokesman of a generation" this would be it. Freewheelin begins the song "Blowin' in the Wind," a song that would be taken up by people around the world as a cry for freedom. The album contains a few other "protest songs," notably "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," but there are also a few songs in a more traditional folk idiom, as well as love songs like "Girl from the North Country." Most of Dylan's "finger pointin'" (his term) work is on Times--the title track, for example, or "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol" which uses Brechtian techniques to make the listener understand the inequality of the Southern justice system. Another Side tends shies away from topical songwriting, and instead is more personal, whimsical, and, dare I say it, pop.
Suggested Viewing: The Martin Scorsese directed doc No Direction Home. Technically, it probably fits better after Step 1, but this way you're all caught up on the music.
Step 3: John Wesley Harding, Nashville Skyline, The Basement Tapes
Dylan's post-motorcycle accident return to roots music. John Wesley Harding, best known for having the original version of Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower," is atmospheric and calls to mind an uncanny America long gone. Nashville Skyline is a straight-up, un-ironic country album. "Lay Lady Lay" may have been the big hit, but the real highlight is Dylan's revisit of "Girl from the North Country" in a duet with Johnny Cash. Finally, The Basement Tapes are the official release of a former bootleg of the demos made by Dylan and The Band in the latter's basement. A lot were songs written for other artists, others were songs they'd later flesh out and put on their own albums, but there are some otherwise lost gems as well.
Suggested Viewing and Reading: Dylan's performance in The Concert for Bangladesh, and Greil Marcus's book on the basement tapes, Old Weird America, formerly called Invisible Republic, if you find an old copy.
Step 4: Planet Waves, Blood on the Tracks, Desire
The mid-career renaissance, these three albums could be called the rise and fall of a marriage. Planet Waves, best remembered for the benedictory "Forever Young," celebrates love and family. Desire, with the heart-breaking "Sara," is the desperate attempt to get back together. (It didn't work.) But the real highlight of the three is Blood on the Tracks, which presents all the real emotions involved in a breakup. It's raw, painful, and beautiful.
Suggested Viewing: The film that chronicles The Band's last ever concert, The Last Waltz. Dylan's performance with the band is as magical as ever, but the film is great and deserves a watch on its own merit.
Step 5: Time Out of Mind, "Love and Theft", Modern Times
The late-career renaissance. With 1997's Time and its seeming meditations on aging and mortality (Dylan claims not), Dylan went from being perceived as irrelevant middle aged guy to cool rockin' grandpa. Suddenly, hipsters could listen to Dylan again. (But they'd always been listening to him before he was popular again.) The latter two albums are a bit different from that one in that their certainty that the world is pretty much going to hell in a handbasket (an observation not too far off, given that "Love and Theft" was released September 11, 2001) and distrust of all things modern is complimented by an old-timey sound influenced by rhythm and blues, honky-tonk, and country swing.
Suggested Viewing and Further Listening: Dylan's most recent releases, Together Through Life and Christmas in the Heart. Warning: may contain polka. Now would also be a good time to watch the meta-biopic I'm Not There.
Step 6: Slow Train Coming, Saved, Shot of Love
The gospel period. Slow Train is the first, and, according to many critics, the best of these evangelical albums. Saved is the most dogmatic, and Shot of Love subtly shifts back to secular music. Although containing some of Dylan's best songwriting, even some hard-core fans find these albums alienating. So I'd suggest moving on to the next Step 7 even if this has put you off.
Suggested Reading: Esteemed literary scholar Christopher Ricks's Dylan's Visions of Sin, which, despite the title, isn't actually about religion.
Step 7: New Morning, Street Legal, Infidels, Oh Mercy
The overlooked albums. They're not bad, but they've often been ignored when first released and/or since overshadowed by stronger albums. New Morning, Infidels, and Oh Mercy came after periods when Dylan was being particularly difficult toward his fans. The original pressing of Street Legal suffered from a bad mix, so look for the remastered version. Anyway, these four albums definitely deserve rediscovery.
Suggested Reading and Further Listening: You've heard pretty much all the music you need to have the background to read Dylan's memoirs, Chronicles Volume One* by now. And this might be a good time to check out the Traveling Wilburys, too.
Step 8: Bob Dylan, Good as I Been to You, World Gone Wrong
The traditional folk albums. Bob Dylan is his first album, and as such only contains two "original" ("Song to Woody" borrows the tune from Guthrie's "1913 Massacre") compositions. The latter two are from a period in the 1990s when Dylan was trying to find himself musically. The return to basics lead to Time Out of Mind, so it must have worked.
Suggested Listening: Try to find yourself some episodes of Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour. More than anything else, this should really tell you where he's coming from.
Step 9: Bootlegs.
Time to get away from the studio albums. You might want to check out some of the official live recordings, but those have been of variable quality. (As cool as Dylan and the Dead sounds, I wouldn't recommend it.) But, as any true Dylan fan knows, some of his best stuff has never been "officially" released. In fact, Dylan bootlegs are practically a cottage industry. Columbia Records has, over the years, put out a few records with previously unreleased tracks, including The Basement Tapes (to which you will have already listened) and Biograph, which mixes greatest hits with archival materials. But the creme de la creme of "official" bootlegs is The Bootleg Series which has, at present, nine volumes featuring outtakes, demos, live tracks, and more. In fact, three whole volumes (4-6) are devoted to live recordings--the Rolling Thunder Review tour, a concert with Joan Baez, and the infamous 1966 "Royal Albert Hall" (Manchester Free Trade Hall, really) performance. Then there are the other kinds of bootlegs, that often contain even better stuff than the official--um, I mean, that you shouldn't listen to because that's totally illegal. Yup. *whistles innocently*
Suggested Reading: Tarantula Dylan's only published book of poetry (that isn't a collection of song lyrics). Out of print for a long time, it's currently available in bookstores. But it's... kinda weird.
Step 10: Congratulations! You are totally into Dylan.
It's now okay to listen to the lesser works: Self Portrait, Pat Garret and Billy the Kid soundtrack, Dylan, Empire Burlesque, Down in the Groove, Knocked Out Loaded, and Under the Red Sky. As Bruce Springsteen once said, if any new artist had written a record like these, we'd say they were going to be the next Dylan. So, really, they're only bad because he actually is Dylan. Most of these albums have a track or two that's redeemable--even the genuinely awful Self Portrait has a couple of okay live tracks.
Suggested Viewing: If really, really awful is what you're after, then check out the roles Dylan has played in Pat Garret and Billy the Kid, Hearts of Fire, and Masked and Anonymous, which he co-wrote. It's almost incomprehensible. For completely incomprehensible, search the deepest, darkest corners of the internet (or YouTube) for Renaldo and Clara, which he conceived, directed, and starred in. But hey, the music's good.
*You want to know where Volume Two is? Wouldn't we all like to know....
Once again, this is for someone who wants to get deeper into the music. For the curious, there are plenty of greatest hits collections you can check out. So, if you think of Bob Dylan just as that old guy who can't sing, this blog is not for you. However, if you think of Bob Dylan as that old guy who can't sing but you still want to know more, read on.
Pre-listening: Make sure you have heard Greatest Hits and Greatest Hits Volume II (Volume III optional). Even though the former is over 40-year-old and the later over 30, they are still the best Dylan hits records, and will give you the basic knowledge of his career necessary to continue.
Step 1: Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde
The three albums that changed rock 'n' roll forever. In Bringing Dylan transitions from an all acoustic folk sound to electrified accompaniment. Highway 61 kicks off (literally--listen to the drums) with the legendary "Like a Rolling Stone," rock's first major hit to push past the three and a half minute mark. And finally, Blonde on Blonde, a masterpiece on not one but TWO disks, that takes you from the intoxicating (or is that intoxicated?) "Rainy Day Women #12 & 25" with it's clever pun on "stoned," through the elegant "Visions of Johanna," the desperate "I Want You," the playful "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat," and the tender "Just Like a Woman," to the epic swells of Side 4's only song, "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands."
Suggested Viewing: The documentary Don't Look Back. And if you can find a bootleg of the experimental-ish Eat the Document, more power to you.
Step 2: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, The Times They Are A-Changin', Another Side of Bob Dylan
The above may be the three albums that changed rock 'n' roll, but these are the albums that changed the world. If there was an instruction manual on how to be labeled the "spokesman of a generation" this would be it. Freewheelin begins the song "Blowin' in the Wind," a song that would be taken up by people around the world as a cry for freedom. The album contains a few other "protest songs," notably "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," but there are also a few songs in a more traditional folk idiom, as well as love songs like "Girl from the North Country." Most of Dylan's "finger pointin'" (his term) work is on Times--the title track, for example, or "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol" which uses Brechtian techniques to make the listener understand the inequality of the Southern justice system. Another Side tends shies away from topical songwriting, and instead is more personal, whimsical, and, dare I say it, pop.
Suggested Viewing: The Martin Scorsese directed doc No Direction Home. Technically, it probably fits better after Step 1, but this way you're all caught up on the music.
Step 3: John Wesley Harding, Nashville Skyline, The Basement Tapes
Dylan's post-motorcycle accident return to roots music. John Wesley Harding, best known for having the original version of Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower," is atmospheric and calls to mind an uncanny America long gone. Nashville Skyline is a straight-up, un-ironic country album. "Lay Lady Lay" may have been the big hit, but the real highlight is Dylan's revisit of "Girl from the North Country" in a duet with Johnny Cash. Finally, The Basement Tapes are the official release of a former bootleg of the demos made by Dylan and The Band in the latter's basement. A lot were songs written for other artists, others were songs they'd later flesh out and put on their own albums, but there are some otherwise lost gems as well.
Suggested Viewing and Reading: Dylan's performance in The Concert for Bangladesh, and Greil Marcus's book on the basement tapes, Old Weird America, formerly called Invisible Republic, if you find an old copy.
Step 4: Planet Waves, Blood on the Tracks, Desire
The mid-career renaissance, these three albums could be called the rise and fall of a marriage. Planet Waves, best remembered for the benedictory "Forever Young," celebrates love and family. Desire, with the heart-breaking "Sara," is the desperate attempt to get back together. (It didn't work.) But the real highlight of the three is Blood on the Tracks, which presents all the real emotions involved in a breakup. It's raw, painful, and beautiful.
Suggested Viewing: The film that chronicles The Band's last ever concert, The Last Waltz. Dylan's performance with the band is as magical as ever, but the film is great and deserves a watch on its own merit.
Step 5: Time Out of Mind, "Love and Theft", Modern Times
The late-career renaissance. With 1997's Time and its seeming meditations on aging and mortality (Dylan claims not), Dylan went from being perceived as irrelevant middle aged guy to cool rockin' grandpa. Suddenly, hipsters could listen to Dylan again. (But they'd always been listening to him before he was popular again.) The latter two albums are a bit different from that one in that their certainty that the world is pretty much going to hell in a handbasket (an observation not too far off, given that "Love and Theft" was released September 11, 2001) and distrust of all things modern is complimented by an old-timey sound influenced by rhythm and blues, honky-tonk, and country swing.
Suggested Viewing and Further Listening: Dylan's most recent releases, Together Through Life and Christmas in the Heart. Warning: may contain polka. Now would also be a good time to watch the meta-biopic I'm Not There.
Step 6: Slow Train Coming, Saved, Shot of Love
The gospel period. Slow Train is the first, and, according to many critics, the best of these evangelical albums. Saved is the most dogmatic, and Shot of Love subtly shifts back to secular music. Although containing some of Dylan's best songwriting, even some hard-core fans find these albums alienating. So I'd suggest moving on to the next Step 7 even if this has put you off.
Suggested Reading: Esteemed literary scholar Christopher Ricks's Dylan's Visions of Sin, which, despite the title, isn't actually about religion.
Step 7: New Morning, Street Legal, Infidels, Oh Mercy
The overlooked albums. They're not bad, but they've often been ignored when first released and/or since overshadowed by stronger albums. New Morning, Infidels, and Oh Mercy came after periods when Dylan was being particularly difficult toward his fans. The original pressing of Street Legal suffered from a bad mix, so look for the remastered version. Anyway, these four albums definitely deserve rediscovery.
Suggested Reading and Further Listening: You've heard pretty much all the music you need to have the background to read Dylan's memoirs, Chronicles Volume One* by now. And this might be a good time to check out the Traveling Wilburys, too.
Step 8: Bob Dylan, Good as I Been to You, World Gone Wrong
The traditional folk albums. Bob Dylan is his first album, and as such only contains two "original" ("Song to Woody" borrows the tune from Guthrie's "1913 Massacre") compositions. The latter two are from a period in the 1990s when Dylan was trying to find himself musically. The return to basics lead to Time Out of Mind, so it must have worked.
Suggested Listening: Try to find yourself some episodes of Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour. More than anything else, this should really tell you where he's coming from.
Step 9: Bootlegs.
Time to get away from the studio albums. You might want to check out some of the official live recordings, but those have been of variable quality. (As cool as Dylan and the Dead sounds, I wouldn't recommend it.) But, as any true Dylan fan knows, some of his best stuff has never been "officially" released. In fact, Dylan bootlegs are practically a cottage industry. Columbia Records has, over the years, put out a few records with previously unreleased tracks, including The Basement Tapes (to which you will have already listened) and Biograph, which mixes greatest hits with archival materials. But the creme de la creme of "official" bootlegs is The Bootleg Series which has, at present, nine volumes featuring outtakes, demos, live tracks, and more. In fact, three whole volumes (4-6) are devoted to live recordings--the Rolling Thunder Review tour, a concert with Joan Baez, and the infamous 1966 "Royal Albert Hall" (Manchester Free Trade Hall, really) performance. Then there are the other kinds of bootlegs, that often contain even better stuff than the official--um, I mean, that you shouldn't listen to because that's totally illegal. Yup. *whistles innocently*
Suggested Reading: Tarantula Dylan's only published book of poetry (that isn't a collection of song lyrics). Out of print for a long time, it's currently available in bookstores. But it's... kinda weird.
Step 10: Congratulations! You are totally into Dylan.
It's now okay to listen to the lesser works: Self Portrait, Pat Garret and Billy the Kid soundtrack, Dylan, Empire Burlesque, Down in the Groove, Knocked Out Loaded, and Under the Red Sky. As Bruce Springsteen once said, if any new artist had written a record like these, we'd say they were going to be the next Dylan. So, really, they're only bad because he actually is Dylan. Most of these albums have a track or two that's redeemable--even the genuinely awful Self Portrait has a couple of okay live tracks.
Suggested Viewing: If really, really awful is what you're after, then check out the roles Dylan has played in Pat Garret and Billy the Kid, Hearts of Fire, and Masked and Anonymous, which he co-wrote. It's almost incomprehensible. For completely incomprehensible, search the deepest, darkest corners of the internet (or YouTube) for Renaldo and Clara, which he conceived, directed, and starred in. But hey, the music's good.
*You want to know where Volume Two is? Wouldn't we all like to know....
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
How to Get Into Bowie
The other night, I was YouTube-ing interviews with Venture Brothers creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer. In one of them, Hammer advised a fan on where he should start if he wanted to get into Bowie's albums. Now, these guys are the biggest Bowie fans in animation*, but I found myself disagreeing with a lot of what he had to say.
Now, if I were trying to get someone into Bowie, this is how I'd do it. Before we begin, let's be clear on one thing: this isn't for someone who thinks of Bowie as "that old guy Lady Gaga's always talking about." Anyone going through this process should already be familiar with the greatest hits and should be wondering where to start on the albums. So let's begin.
Step 1: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Hunky Dory
These are without a doubt his two best albums, so naturally they'd be the best place to start. But there are other good reasons to begin here. I'm having you initiates start with Ziggy Stardust because, after nearly forty years, it's his best known work. Despite the reputation of being "rock's chameleon," we still tend to characterize Bowie as that androgynous rock star from outer space. Next, go back one album and listen to Hunky Dory, which I think is the better (if only slightly) of the two. It's important to hear this one early not only because of its quality, but because, with its different musical styles, it's practically Bowie's career in microcosm. It's all about "Ch-ch-ch-Changes", right? And, also, "Life on Mars?" is made of win.
Like what you've heard so far? Be sure to pick up the highlights of the Ziggy period before moving on. Listen to Aladdin Sane (another strong album) and Live Santa Monica 72 and watch D. A. Pennebaker's documentary Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Step 2: Diamond Dogs
We've moved past Ziggy Stardust here, but we're still in our glam rock comfort zone. (You'll recognize "Rebel Rebel.") This concept album loosely based on 1984 should be a good introduction to a more soulful sound as well as heavier stuff to come.
Think you're ready to move on? Be sure to check out David Live and Young Americans so you can get a better sense of the whole "plastic soul" thing before you do so. And track down a bootleg of Cracked Actor for some cocaine-fueled craziness. Trust me, you'll need it for where we're going next.
Step 3: Station to Station
Experimentation doesn't get much more complex than on the epic title track, but this is a much more complex album than the one that preceded it. And hoo-boy is it dark! "It's not the side effects of the cocaine," he sings, but I'm thinking that it might be. This is a weird little (only six tracks) album, albeit a very good one. Seriously, don't skip it.
Not storing your urine in the fridge, are you? Good, then before you move on, listen to Live Nassau Coliseum 76 (available on the special and deluxe editions of Station and as a bootleg) and check him out in The Man Who Fell to Earth. Keep an open mind; it's "arty."
Step 4: Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
Note: If you feel you can handle more experimental stuff, by all means feel free to keep things chronological and skip ahead to Step 5.
This album emerged after a period of intense experimentation, so it's sort-of like he figured out how to use all the weird shit he and Brian Eno did in a way people would actually want to listen to. But don't think of it as an exercise in crass commercialism. It is as fresh and vibrant as and holds up very well next to all the stuff the New Wave kids were also doing in 1980. Many critics and fans alike call Scary Monsters Bowie's last good album, though that's debatable. Not that it's a good album, that it's his last good album.
Still with me? Iron your clown suit and watch a couple of his "better"** 80s roles--Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and The Hunger (the first act, anyway--after that it pretty much sucks)--before we move back a few albums.
Step 5: Low and "Heroes"
At the time, these albums were considered highly experimental. Now that their electronic techniques have been widely adopted, they don't come off quite as shocking, though they are by no means dated. What might be a turn-off for some is that they both feature album sides that are almost entirely instrumental. But don't let that stop you from giving these two a listen. The Side 2's feature some very moving pieces, and there are great songs on the Side 1's, including "'Heroes,'" considered Bowie's best by everyone who doesn't favor "Life on Mars?"
Haven't gotten stuck on the wrong side of the Wall without a passport, have you? Then be sure to listen to Lodger and Stage (look for the version where the track order's been fixed) before continuing on to the next step.
Step 6: Heathen and Hours...
Stop! Those of you who skipped to Step 5, have you gone back to pick up Step 4? Okay, then you may proceed.
Next, we're going to move ahead to what likely is the end of Bowie's career. But, hey, it's not a bad end. First, listen to Heathen, which holds up well to all the albums I've had you listen to already while still being thoroughly modern. Next listen to Hours... which despite poor reviews when it came out, has grown on many fans with age.
Are you ready to retire? If not, listen to Reality (good songs, but not as coherent as the other two) and watch A Reality Tour and The Prestige.
Step 7: The weird stuff. This has two parts, which can be done in any order.
Step 7a: Space Oddity and The Man Who Sold the World
Bowie's psychedelic folkie period. Though the title tracks have become Bowie classics, some of the other songs are a bit of an acquired taste. Especially if, in the case of the latter, psychedelic folk/hard rock fusion isn't exactly your thing.
Step 7b: Earthling and 1. Outside
Bowie's 90s experimental phase. I'm having you start with Earthling, though it's not as strong an album as the other, because it's more accessible. Underneath all the drum 'n' bass stuff are some pretty good songs. 1. Outside, on the other hand, is a concept album, or, rather, a "non-linear Gothic Drama Hyper-Cycle." It's the first in a series of three albums about a detective looking into the disappearance of a teenage girl who's being murdered for Art... that's not told in any particular order... or finished, for that matter. But other than that it's really good! I'm serious. You've gotta hear it. Just... not at night. It's really creepy.
Are you now terrified of those citizens of the land between Canada and Mexico? Or ready to pack it all in and join a Buddhist monastery? If not, proceed to the next step.
Step 8: Let's Dance
The first time Bowie's music actually found favor with a mainstream audience. Much debate among fans and music critics over whether this is actually a good album or if its popularity was supported by a couple of hit singles with interesting music videos.
Do you find yourself forgiving Bowie his commercial sins, even after you've also watched Labyrinth and the Serious Moonlight tour documentary? Congratualtions, you are now truly into Bowie. And while you're at it, have a Pepsi.
Take a victory lap. Listen to some rare stuff like Sound + Vision or Bowie at the Beeb and check out some of his soundtrack work such as The Buddha of Suburbia.
Or, for the brave, check out the more dubious albums: David Bowie (cabaret???), Pin Ups, Tonight, Never Let Me Down, Black Tie White Noise (Okay, some people liked it), and the whole Tin Machine debacle. And there are plenty of really bad film roles to check out. (Absolute Beginners, anyone?)
*Bigger than the Sponge Bob people, you ask? Let's see... 1) The Sovereign, head of The Guild of Calamitous Intent and most powerful, least failure-prone character in the series, is none other than David Bowie. 2) The episode "Ghosts of the Sargasso" opens with characters basically acting out "Space Oddity," dialogue lifted straight from the song. 3) Tons and tons of other Bowie references. So, yes.
**Labyrinth rules!!!
Now, if I were trying to get someone into Bowie, this is how I'd do it. Before we begin, let's be clear on one thing: this isn't for someone who thinks of Bowie as "that old guy Lady Gaga's always talking about." Anyone going through this process should already be familiar with the greatest hits and should be wondering where to start on the albums. So let's begin.
Step 1: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Hunky Dory
These are without a doubt his two best albums, so naturally they'd be the best place to start. But there are other good reasons to begin here. I'm having you initiates start with Ziggy Stardust because, after nearly forty years, it's his best known work. Despite the reputation of being "rock's chameleon," we still tend to characterize Bowie as that androgynous rock star from outer space. Next, go back one album and listen to Hunky Dory, which I think is the better (if only slightly) of the two. It's important to hear this one early not only because of its quality, but because, with its different musical styles, it's practically Bowie's career in microcosm. It's all about "Ch-ch-ch-Changes", right? And, also, "Life on Mars?" is made of win.
Like what you've heard so far? Be sure to pick up the highlights of the Ziggy period before moving on. Listen to Aladdin Sane (another strong album) and Live Santa Monica 72 and watch D. A. Pennebaker's documentary Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Step 2: Diamond Dogs
We've moved past Ziggy Stardust here, but we're still in our glam rock comfort zone. (You'll recognize "Rebel Rebel.") This concept album loosely based on 1984 should be a good introduction to a more soulful sound as well as heavier stuff to come.
Think you're ready to move on? Be sure to check out David Live and Young Americans so you can get a better sense of the whole "plastic soul" thing before you do so. And track down a bootleg of Cracked Actor for some cocaine-fueled craziness. Trust me, you'll need it for where we're going next.
Step 3: Station to Station
Experimentation doesn't get much more complex than on the epic title track, but this is a much more complex album than the one that preceded it. And hoo-boy is it dark! "It's not the side effects of the cocaine," he sings, but I'm thinking that it might be. This is a weird little (only six tracks) album, albeit a very good one. Seriously, don't skip it.
Not storing your urine in the fridge, are you? Good, then before you move on, listen to Live Nassau Coliseum 76 (available on the special and deluxe editions of Station and as a bootleg) and check him out in The Man Who Fell to Earth. Keep an open mind; it's "arty."
Step 4: Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
Note: If you feel you can handle more experimental stuff, by all means feel free to keep things chronological and skip ahead to Step 5.
This album emerged after a period of intense experimentation, so it's sort-of like he figured out how to use all the weird shit he and Brian Eno did in a way people would actually want to listen to. But don't think of it as an exercise in crass commercialism. It is as fresh and vibrant as and holds up very well next to all the stuff the New Wave kids were also doing in 1980. Many critics and fans alike call Scary Monsters Bowie's last good album, though that's debatable. Not that it's a good album, that it's his last good album.
Still with me? Iron your clown suit and watch a couple of his "better"** 80s roles--Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and The Hunger (the first act, anyway--after that it pretty much sucks)--before we move back a few albums.
Step 5: Low and "Heroes"
At the time, these albums were considered highly experimental. Now that their electronic techniques have been widely adopted, they don't come off quite as shocking, though they are by no means dated. What might be a turn-off for some is that they both feature album sides that are almost entirely instrumental. But don't let that stop you from giving these two a listen. The Side 2's feature some very moving pieces, and there are great songs on the Side 1's, including "'Heroes,'" considered Bowie's best by everyone who doesn't favor "Life on Mars?"
Haven't gotten stuck on the wrong side of the Wall without a passport, have you? Then be sure to listen to Lodger and Stage (look for the version where the track order's been fixed) before continuing on to the next step.
Step 6: Heathen and Hours...
Stop! Those of you who skipped to Step 5, have you gone back to pick up Step 4? Okay, then you may proceed.
Next, we're going to move ahead to what likely is the end of Bowie's career. But, hey, it's not a bad end. First, listen to Heathen, which holds up well to all the albums I've had you listen to already while still being thoroughly modern. Next listen to Hours... which despite poor reviews when it came out, has grown on many fans with age.
Are you ready to retire? If not, listen to Reality (good songs, but not as coherent as the other two) and watch A Reality Tour and The Prestige.
Step 7: The weird stuff. This has two parts, which can be done in any order.
Step 7a: Space Oddity and The Man Who Sold the World
Bowie's psychedelic folkie period. Though the title tracks have become Bowie classics, some of the other songs are a bit of an acquired taste. Especially if, in the case of the latter, psychedelic folk/hard rock fusion isn't exactly your thing.
Step 7b: Earthling and 1. Outside
Bowie's 90s experimental phase. I'm having you start with Earthling, though it's not as strong an album as the other, because it's more accessible. Underneath all the drum 'n' bass stuff are some pretty good songs. 1. Outside, on the other hand, is a concept album, or, rather, a "non-linear Gothic Drama Hyper-Cycle." It's the first in a series of three albums about a detective looking into the disappearance of a teenage girl who's being murdered for Art... that's not told in any particular order... or finished, for that matter. But other than that it's really good! I'm serious. You've gotta hear it. Just... not at night. It's really creepy.
Are you now terrified of those citizens of the land between Canada and Mexico? Or ready to pack it all in and join a Buddhist monastery? If not, proceed to the next step.
Step 8: Let's Dance
The first time Bowie's music actually found favor with a mainstream audience. Much debate among fans and music critics over whether this is actually a good album or if its popularity was supported by a couple of hit singles with interesting music videos.
Do you find yourself forgiving Bowie his commercial sins, even after you've also watched Labyrinth and the Serious Moonlight tour documentary? Congratualtions, you are now truly into Bowie. And while you're at it, have a Pepsi.
Take a victory lap. Listen to some rare stuff like Sound + Vision or Bowie at the Beeb and check out some of his soundtrack work such as The Buddha of Suburbia.
Or, for the brave, check out the more dubious albums: David Bowie (cabaret???), Pin Ups, Tonight, Never Let Me Down, Black Tie White Noise (Okay, some people liked it), and the whole Tin Machine debacle. And there are plenty of really bad film roles to check out. (Absolute Beginners, anyone?)
*Bigger than the Sponge Bob people, you ask? Let's see... 1) The Sovereign, head of The Guild of Calamitous Intent and most powerful, least failure-prone character in the series, is none other than David Bowie. 2) The episode "Ghosts of the Sargasso" opens with characters basically acting out "Space Oddity," dialogue lifted straight from the song. 3) Tons and tons of other Bowie references. So, yes.
**Labyrinth rules!!!
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