The Pop Album

Wisely recognized David Bowie 1982 Signs of the Times and its role as a trendsetter itself was very aware when he then a year later the Pop album, Let's Dance 'published. The 80s were the decade of popular music - with all its drawbacks - in the annals of music history.

After an impressive series of electronic-heavy works ('Low', Heroes 'and' Lodger ') and the creative peak of his career with the rock crossover album, Scary Monsters' it was time to leave for new horizons. During the whole of England still made the music for which he had already prepared the ground years ago (Wave and synth pop), Bowie outlined his vision of a modern genre-merging pop sounds. The choice of Nile Rodgers as a producer was not necessarily the happiest, but at that time the most obvious, was Rodgers - coming from the disco - but then knew than that of the producer no reservations to other styles. On, Let's Dance 'fused R & B, funk, rock and beat to modern, danceable - all too smooth - Pop. Leading the way was all why this album yet not to Bowie's crowning achievements is one - despite the immense commercial success - is quite simply because it contains too much filler material (50%). The singles (Let's Dance, China Girl and foremost, Modern Love ') are great, and Bowie's new interpretation of the Metro songs, Criminal World' is funky-pop how better can not make it, but the rest is all the more weaker. , Without You ',' Ricochet 'and' Shake It 'are simply weak and composed songs - actually very good - Cat People' is deprived of the dark and threatening aura entirely in Rodgers hands Moroder's distinguished original version.

That Rodgers smoothly ironed almost all edges here also like to Bowie's mega deal with EMI America have located over 3 albums which led him ultimately artistically then almost broke his neck and, never let me down 'to its absolute career low.
A pity that of all the known for consistently good albums Bowie was partly responsible for the trend, albums around a two hits enrich with filler. In Let's Dance the goes out somehow, and with 3 singles proved Bowie, that commerce can be good (so good that Falco for the song, Junge Römer 'more than just a slice of, Let's Dance' section) , It would be interesting to hear what probably Trevor Horn had his day made this album; but who was at that time too busy a 80s supergroup called, Frankie Goes To Hollywood 'build.