David Bowie – Never Let Me Down

Yes I’m one of the loonies who enjoys this slab of 80s pop. Sure, we’re a long way from Hunky Dory or Low, BUT it’s not that bad ! Honest 😀.
I would imagine we would all agree that the main problem here is the production. It’s so unsubtle. Bowie has called the 80s his Phil Collins years, but I suspect even Phil would do a runner from the sound of this record.
However, the songs. There’s some great stuff on here. Admittedly it took the 2018 redone version to open my ears, but things like Time Will Crawl, the title track, Zeroes, Glass Spider - they’re good songs. I ever like Too Dizzy. Not sure why Bowie was so down on the song. It’s no less throw away than Modern Love. I actually prefer it to that turkey.
I wonder how much of this albums reputation was damaged by the Glass Spider tour. Even by Bowies standards it was way OTT. Also, it’s worth remembering that David was far from being the critics darling in 1987 so even if he’d released Blackstar back then I suspect they would have rubbished it.
I can’t see a time when Never Let Me Down has a revival but I’m standing by my opinion that it’s alright. It’s got more balls than both Let’s Dance and Tonight, sounds more vital than the yawnsome Black Tie White Noise, and is positively punk rock compared to the Zimmer frame plod of …hourzzzzz.
So, let’s have a bit more ❤️ fot this crazy folly. Beneath the banging drums, the cocaine fuelled brass, and the DX7s set to stun lives a strange, slice of 80s pop. And besides - it’s Bowie 🤷‍♂️😀

Anyone got a vinyl copy of the 2018 version I can buy ?

The songs New York's In Love and Bang Bang were the first highlights from the album Never Let Me Down upon which many listeners grew up! After it, the tracks Never Let Me Down and '87 And Cry added rock emotions to wish playing this release again and again. The artwork speaks for it! Very nearly forgot associations with the film Curly Sue, when the main characters were playing the piano. Recommended for winter listening!

Sounds bad to me... too much high end, pressing is good but ear fatinguing

I don't remember much about this Lp aside from the title track. Looking back on this, it must of been difficult for orginal fans to grasp the production. The stand out for me is how strong Bowie's vocal is!!! Alot of range. Songs are great too, but just like the Clash's "Cut the Crap" it was the 80s sound that defeated the music.

The pressing of this album is absolutely fantastic, and I honestly really like some of the songs here. Out of all the albums from Bowie's "Commercial Era" ('Let's Dance' - 'NLMD'), I'd actually say 'NLMD' is my favourite. The song writing is really damn good even if the production is a bit naff (the dreaded drum-machine sounds like a shotgun to the ear and 'Glass Spider' from a music perspective doesn't really work for me, I just think it sounds to quick).

Luckily if the production is too off-putting for you, there is another version of this LP that exists, 'NLMD 2018', which has a more up to date production and not a drum machine in sight. Personally I enjoy both (but if it came down to 'Glass Spider', I'd pick the 2018 variant as it sounds like an outtake from my favourite Bowie LP, 'Outside').

From his much-derided 80s period but it's an improvement on "Tonight"! "Time Will Crawl" and the title track still stand up and good to hear Bowie go back to his experimental tendencies on tracks like "Glass Spider". Another excellent DB remastering for vinyl and the pressing is super quiet.

Have a copy with matrix CDP 7 46677 2 AR 2A5 TO. Barcode sticker on back of jewel case.

Fun fact: Peter Frampton actually played lead guitar on most of the songs on the album Never Let Me Down, and the subsequent Glass Spider tour. Apparently, he & Bowie were childhood friends.

Sue me, I enjoy this record. Yes, it's definitely very 80's sounding and doesn't sound like Bowie from the 70's. But it's got its moments, and it's still a distinct era in his legacy. This pressing sounds quite good, and it's nice to see a remastered version on vinyl. Really my only complaint is the absence of "Too Dizzy", not because it's a particularly good song (it's not), but because I just have this nagging thing about censoring an established body of work for such an inane reason as "I just don't like the song," But oh well, it's Bowie's prerogative!

Sounds fine - a good quality pressing. If you’re here then you know your music and can appreciate an artists full worth. It’s not Ziggy and it’s not Outside it is another expression of the artist. Enjoy it for what’s here - pop and eighties production - big hair and big suits! Chill out you militant types!