Hours... by David Bowie - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

Since David Bowie spent the '90s jumping from style to style, it comes as a shock that Hours, his final album of the decade, is a relatively straightforward affair. Not only that, but it feels unlike anything else in his catalog. Bowie's music has always been a product of artifice, intelligence, and synthesis. Hours is a relaxed, natural departure from this method. Arriving after two labored albums, the shift in tone is quite refreshing. "Thursday's Child," the album's engaging mid-tempo opener, is a good indication of what lays ahead. It feels like classic Bowie, yet recalls no specific era of his career. For the first time, Bowie has absorbed all the disparate strands of his music, from Hunky Dory through Earthling. That doesn't mean Hours is on par with his earlier masterworks; it never attempts to be that bold. What it does mean is that it's the first album where he has accepted his past and is willing to use it as a foundation for new music. That's the reason why Hours feels open, even organic -- he's no longer self-conscious, either about living up to his past or creating a new future. It's a welcome change, and it produces some fine music, particularly on the first half of the record, which is filled with such subdued, subtly winning songs as "Something in the Air," "Survive," and "Seven." Toward the end of the album, Bowie branches into harder material, which isn't quite as successful as the first half of the album, yet shares a similar sensibility. And that's what's appealing about Hours -- it may not be one of Bowie's classics, but it's the work of a masterful musician who has begun to enjoy his craft again and isn't afraid to let things develop naturally. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

1. Thursday's Child

12-string Guitar: David Bowie; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Primary Artist: David Bowie; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Holly Palmer; Performer
Drum Programming: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Drums: Mike Levesque; Performer
Additional Production: Mark Plati; Production
Assistant Engineer: Jay Nicholas
Ryoji Hata; Production
Additional Engineer: Mark Plati; Other
Electric Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Guitar: Mark Plati
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Keyboard: David Bowie; Performer
Lead Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Synthesizer Programming: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Vocals: David Bowie; Performer
Composer: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie; Composer
Engineer: Kevin Paul; Production
Mastering: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mastering Engineer: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mixing: Mark Plati; Production
Producer: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Production
Drum Loops: Reeves Gabrels; Other

2. Something in the Air

12-string Guitar: David Bowie; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Composer: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Composer
Drum Programming: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Drums: Mike Levesque; Performer
Additional Production: Mark Plati; Production
Assistant Engineer: Ryoji Hata
Jay Nicholas; Production
Additional Engineer: Mark Plati; Other
Electric Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Guitar: Reeves Gabrels
Mark Plati; Performer
Keyboard: David Bowie; Performer
Lead Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Synthesizer Programming: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Vocals: David Bowie; Performer
Engineer: Kevin Paul; Production
Mastering: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mastering Engineer: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mixing: Mark Plati; Production
Producer: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Production
Primary Artist: David Bowie; Main Performer
Drum Loops: Reeves Gabrels; Other

3. Survive

12-string Guitar: David Bowie; Performer
Background Vocals: Holly Palmer; Performer
Drum Programming: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie; Performer
Drums: Mike Levesque; Performer
Additional Production: Mark Plati; Production
Assistant Engineer: Ryoji Hata
Jay Nicholas; Production
Additional Engineer: Mark Plati; Other
Acoustic Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Primary Artist: David Bowie; Main Performer
Electric Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Composer: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Composer
Guitar: Reeves Gabrels
Mark Plati; Performer
Keyboard: David Bowie; Performer
Lead Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Mellotron: Mark Plati; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Synthesizer Programming: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Vocals: David Bowie; Performer
Engineer: Kevin Paul; Production
Mastering: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mastering Engineer: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mixing: Mark Plati; Production
Producer: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Production
Drum Loops: Reeves Gabrels; Other

4. If I'm Dreaming My Life

12-string Guitar: David Bowie; Performer
Background Vocals: Holly Palmer; Performer
Drum Programming: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Drums: Mike Levesque; Performer
Electric Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Additional Production: Mark Plati; Production
Assistant Engineer: Jay Nicholas
Ryoji Hata; Production
Additional Engineer: Mark Plati; Other
Acoustic Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Guitar: Reeves Gabrels
Mark Plati; Performer
Keyboard: David Bowie; Performer
Composer: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie; Composer
Lead Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Chris Haskett
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Synthesizer Programming: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Vocals: David Bowie; Performer
Engineer: Kevin Paul; Production
Mastering: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mastering Engineer: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mixing: Mark Plati; Production
Producer: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie; Production
Primary Artist: David Bowie; Main Performer
Drum Loops: Reeves Gabrels; Other

5. Seven

12-string Guitar: David Bowie; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Primary Artist: David Bowie; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Holly Palmer; Performer
Drum Programming: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie; Performer
Drums: Sterling Campbell; Performer
Additional Production: Mark Plati; Production
Assistant Engineer: Jay Nicholas
Ryoji Hata; Production
Additional Engineer: Mark Plati; Other
Electric Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Guitar: Reeves Gabrels
Mark Plati; Performer
Keyboard: David Bowie; Performer
Lead Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Percussion: Everett Bradley; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Synthesizer Programming: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Vocals: David Bowie; Performer
Composer: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Composer
Engineer: Kevin Paul; Production
Mastering: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mastering Engineer: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mixing: Mark Plati; Production
Producer: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Production
Drum Loops: Reeves Gabrels; Other

6. What's Really Happening?

12-string Guitar: David Bowie; Performer
Additional Production: Mark Plati; Production
Assistant Engineer: Jay Nicholas
Ryoji Hata; Production
Additional Engineer: Mark Plati; Other
Acoustic Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Background Vocals: Holly Palmer; Performer
Drum Programming: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Drums: Mike Levesque; Performer
Electric Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Guitar: Reeves Gabrels
Mark Plati; Performer
Keyboard: David Bowie; Performer
Lead Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Synthesizer Programming: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Vocals: David Bowie; Performer
Composer: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie
Alex Grant; Composer
Engineer: Kevin Paul
Mark Plati; Production
Mastering: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mastering Engineer: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mixing: Mark Plati; Production
Primary Artist: David Bowie; Main Performer
Producer: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Production
Drum Loops: Reeves Gabrels; Other

7. The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell

12-string Guitar: David Bowie; Performer
Background Vocals: Holly Palmer; Performer
Additional Production: Mark Plati; Production
Assistant Engineer: Jay Nicholas
Ryoji Hata; Production
Additional Engineer: Mark Plati; Other
Acoustic Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Drum Programming: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Drums: Mike Levesque; Performer
Composer: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie; Composer
Electric Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Guitar: Reeves Gabrels
Mark Plati; Performer
Keyboard: David Bowie; Performer
Lead Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Synthesizer Programming: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Vocals: David Bowie; Performer
Engineer: Kevin Paul; Production
Mastering: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mastering Engineer: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mixing: Mark Plati; Production
Producer: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie; Production
Primary Artist: David Bowie; Main Performer
Drum Loops: Reeves Gabrels; Other

8. New Angels of Promise

12-string Guitar: David Bowie; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Primary Artist: David Bowie; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Holly Palmer; Performer
Drum Programming: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Drums: Sterling Campbell; Performer
Additional Production: Mark Plati; Production
Assistant Engineer: Jay Nicholas
Ryoji Hata; Production
Additional Engineer: Mark Plati; Other
Electric Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Guitar: Mark Plati
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Keyboard: David Bowie; Performer
Lead Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Synthesizer Programming: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Vocals: David Bowie; Performer
Composer: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie; Composer
Engineer: Kevin Paul; Production
Mastering: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mastering Engineer: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mixing: Mark Plati; Production
Producer: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Production
Drum Loops: Reeves Gabrels; Other

9. Brilliant Adventure

12-string Guitar: David Bowie; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Primary Artist: David Bowie; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Holly Palmer; Performer
Drum Programming: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Drums: Mike Levesque; Performer
Additional Production: Mark Plati; Production
Assistant Engineer: Jay Nicholas
Ryoji Hata; Production
Additional Engineer: Mark Plati; Other
Electric Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Guitar: Mark Plati
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Keyboard: David Bowie; Performer
Lead Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Synthesizer Programming: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Vocals: David Bowie; Performer
Composer: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie; Composer
Engineer: Kevin Paul; Production
Mastering: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mastering Engineer: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mixing: Mark Plati; Production
Producer: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Production
Drum Loops: Reeves Gabrels; Other

10. The Dreamers

12-string Guitar: David Bowie; Performer
Background Vocals: Holly Palmer; Performer
Additional Production: Mark Plati; Production
Assistant Engineer: Jay Nicholas
Ryoji Hata; Production
Additional Engineer: Mark Plati; Other
Acoustic Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Drum Programming: David Bowie
Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Drums: Sterling Campbell; Performer
Composer: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie; Composer
Electric Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Guitar: Reeves Gabrels
Mark Plati; Performer
Keyboard: David Bowie; Performer
Lead Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Synthesizer Programming: Reeves Gabrels; Performer
Vocals: David Bowie; Performer
Engineer: Kevin Paul; Production
Mastering: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mastering Engineer: Andy Van Dette; Production
Mixing: Mark Plati; Production
Producer: Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie; Production
Primary Artist: David Bowie; Main Performer
Drum Loops: Reeves Gabrels; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

10 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

47 minutes and 3 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 3000x3000 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

All tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Prog-Rock, Art Rock, Hard Rock, Adult Alternative, Glam, New Romantic

Label

Parlophone UK

Music Distribution Service

WMG Mora

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Sep 20, 1999

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

825646001637