David Bowie - A New Career In A New Town
Speaking of the Berlin Trilogy, here’s an old post I wrote about that same topic.
Somewhere between 1974’s Diamond Dogs and 1976’s Station to Station, David Bowie had developed an addiction to cocaine, and his dependency was growing increasingly conspicuous in his media appearances. In 1977, in an effort to put his life and career back into order, David Bowie, along with his friend Iggy Pop, took up residency in West Berlin. As he overcame his addiction, Bowie’s artistic interests became rejuvenated by the change of locale. In particular, he was exposed to the musical styles of Germany at the time, especially the mechanical and synthesized sounds of Krautrock. During this time, Bowie recorded three albums which reflected his experiences at this time, three albums collectively known as the Berlin Trilogy.
Today’s track is an instrumental selection from first record of the trilogy Low. Structurally, Low is an odd record in that it is comprised of two discrete halves, the first side dedicated to short experimental pop songs and the second side comprised of longer, more ambient instrumental pieces (the two most striking of which were cowritten by ambient pioneer Brian Eno). Given the juxtaposition of experimental pop tracks and more exploratory instrumentals, Low became a touchstone for the generation of post-punk and new wave bands that would spring up in 1978 and onwards.
Located at the end of the pop side of Low, “A New Career In A New Town” is bridge between the two halves of the record. On the one hand, it is a jaunty rock track punctuated with upbeat electronics and underscored by a warm synth sound, not unlike many of the more upbeat tracks that precede it; on the other hand, it is an instrumental track, the most expressive element of it being Bowie’s harmonica, and the subtle sense of melancholy in Bowie’s performance coheres with the album’s somber second half.
Of course, there is also the song’s title, which is an overt allusion to the new surroundings and possibilities Bowie was experiencing at the time. By its placement and design, then, the song itself is abbreviation for Low and consequently Bowie’s Berlin experience itself: it’s a reflective moment that while at best cautiously optimistic takes strides forwards, a moment where a change in scenery enables one to break new ground, musically and personally.
October 4, 2008
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
