You call yourself a prophet?

May 10, 2013 5:50 AM

David Bowie continues his return with The Next Day, the third video from his latest album. [YouTube link, requires age verification] This time around, he has assistance from Gary Oldman and Marion Cotillard. Some controversy surrounds this release. Bowie himself finally broke his silence about his new album by sharing 42 words with The Ice Storm author Rick Moody.

David Bowie's new album previously and previouslier.

posted by hippybear (16 comments total)

"Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has called the video "juvenile"

Lord Carey told The Telegraph: "If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery perhaps Christians should not worry too much at such an exploitation of religious imagery.

"I doubt that Bowie would have the courage to use Islamic imagery - I very much doubt it.
posted by marienbad at 6:11 AM on May 10, 2013

Nothing says juvenile like imaginary friends.
posted by samworm at 6:13 AM on May 10, 2013 [2 favorites]

One would think that Lord Carey would be familiar with Matthew 7:5, right?
posted by vetala at 6:16 AM on May 10, 2013

This is the same Bowie who recorded an album retelling the Passion narrative using a Rock n Roll alien in place of Jesus, right?

Also, I thought we got all of our "pop stars are ruining my religion" out with Madonna, like 20 years ago.
posted by khaibit at 6:29 AM on May 10, 2013 [2 favorites]

David Bowie never really left, he was just in apoapsis relative to Earth.
posted by shakespeherian at 6:35 AM on May 10, 2013 [3 favorites]

"I doubt that Bowie would have the courage to use Islamic imagery - I very much doubt it."

Oh, good grief. Former archbishop of Canterbury imitates standard-issue Internet Tough Guy.

I also admire that one of the 42 words was "chthonic."
posted by Halloween Jack at 6:43 AM on May 10, 2013 [1 favorite]

Y'know, without even having seen the video, I read "Catholic imagery" and "controversy" and "Bowie," and thought "Could this have been directed by my old classmate?" Why, yes it has.

It is strange -- we were in school together when Bowie was at his ubiquitous commercial height with Let's Dance. I really wish I could offer some recollection of what she said about Bowie when we were teenagers. As she has done four videos for him since, it might make for a good story.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:54 AM on May 10, 2013 [2 favorites]

sharing 42 words with The Ice Storm author Rick Moody

Wait, what now?
Oh. I think I'm going to take a break from this Castle binge I've been on.
posted by fullerine at 7:38 AM on May 10, 2013 [3 favorites]

Bowie is Eternal, and without time.
posted by The Whelk at 7:47 AM on May 10, 2013 [4 favorites]

I'm only halfway through but really enjoying the Rick Moody piece, thanks for that.
posted by kjh at 7:50 AM on May 10, 2013

Although I disagree with Mr. Moody's choice to center Mr. Bowie's word list. The left justify is better. It's a list, not the 10 Commandments (which, incidentally, I think is and important point here). Haven't finished the article yet but it's some damn fine music writing overall.

Guess I better pick up the new album.
posted by Doleful Creature at 8:20 AM on May 10, 2013

I can't say I disliked the video, but I did feel as though it covered some well-trodden ground with respect to the hypocrisy of Christianity. The execution was fantastic, but I expect no less from Bowie.

Having said that, I do like the (re)turn to mini-films for music videos. Or maybe they never really went away and I just stopped knowing where to look when MTV stopped airing them back in the day.
posted by immlass at 9:12 AM on May 10, 2013

I wasn't impressed by the video which is a candidate for addition to Gary Oldman Loses his Shit, or the song although it might just be one of those things that sound better live. My soft spot for it comes from Donohue demonstrating yet another reason why I identify as bisexual as opposed to any new-fangled alternatives.
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 12:33 PM on May 10, 2013

Although there's a line that Bowies out to me as a very Bowie Bowieism in delivery, "Ignoring all the pain of their par-tic-u-lar dis-eas-es."
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 1:00 PM on May 10, 2013

My reading of the 42 words is influenced by 11 earlier words from David Bowie set to music, from Looking for Satellites:

nowhere
shampoo
TV
combat
boyzone
slim tie
showdown
can't stop

The album cover from Heroes, and the line therein ".. just for one day.", makes me wonder about what happens The Next Day.
posted by the Real Dan at 6:35 PM on May 10, 2013

Well, you should stop wondering and get the album. It's outstanding. I love the way it continually quotes from his past work. I've been returning to it again and again since it was released.
posted by hippybear at 6:42 PM on May 10, 2013