David Bowie - Heroes
Year Released: 1977
Genre: Art Rock, Experimental Rock, Electronic, Ambient
Description:
“Heroes” is the twelfth studio album by David Bowie, released on October 14, 1977. It is the second installment of what is known as Bowie's "Berlin Trilogy," following Low (1977) and preceding Lodger (1979). The album was recorded at Hansa Tonstudio, also known as "Hansa by the Wall," due to its proximity to the Berlin Wall. This setting was a crucial influence on the album's atmosphere, as the studio's windows offered a direct view of the Wall and its watchtowers.
The album's sound builds upon the experimental, electronic, and ambient foundations of Low, but with a more passionate and a slightly more optimistic tone. The album is a collaborative masterpiece, with Bowie working again with producer Tony Visconti and co-writer/collaborator Brian Eno. The addition of the legendary King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp was a key element, with his soaring, feedback-driven guitar work becoming a defining feature of the album's sound. The album is structured in two halves, a formula established on Low: Side A features more conventional, though still experimental, rock tracks, while Side B is composed of predominantly instrumental, ambient pieces.
The album's most famous and iconic track is the title song, ""Heroes"." A six-minute epic, it is a timeless anthem of hope and defiance. The lyrics, famously inspired by Visconti and his mistress kissing near the Berlin Wall, tell the story of two lovers overcoming adversity. The song's unique sound was achieved through Visconti's innovative use of multiple microphones placed at varying distances from Bowie's voice, creating a layered, cavernous vocal effect that grows more intense as the song progresses. The album also features other standout tracks, including the hard-rocking opener "Beauty and the Beast" and the Krautrock-inspired "V-2 Schneider," a tribute to Florian Schneider of the German electronic band Kraftwerk.
While the album wasn't a huge commercial hit upon its release, it was met with widespread critical acclaim and has become one of Bowie's most celebrated works. Its influence is immense, inspiring a new generation of musicians and cementing Bowie's reputation as a fearless and innovative artist.