![]() He explained: "There was very little experimentation in the studio. Unlike the experimental cut-up nature of Bowie's other 1990s recordings, the tracks were written in a more conventional style reminiscent of his mid-1980s works. Between late 1998 and early 1999, he and Gabrels amassed a large number of songs, some of which were written for Omikron and others for a Gabrels solo album, including " Survive", " The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell" and the B-side "We All Go Through". The Omikron project was the springboard for Bowie's next studio album. Along with composing the music, Bowie appeared in the game, along with guitarist Reeves Gabrels and bassist Gail Ann Dorsey, as the singer of an in-game band performing gigs in the bars of Omikron City. Biographer Nicholas Pegg contends that Bowie was drawn to the game due to its Buddhist overtones, noting that when a character died, he or she was reincarnated. Writer and director David Cage chose him over a list of applicants including Björk, Massive Attack and Archive. In late 1998, Bowie composed the soundtrack for the upcoming video game Omikron: The Nomad Soul, developed by Quantic Dream and published by Eidos Interactive. He also reconciled with his former collaborator and producer Tony Visconti. He mixed a potential live album from the Earthling Tour, later released in 1999 as, but was mostly inactive in the studio throughout 1998 his sole recording from the year was a cover of George and Ira Gershwin's " A Foggy Day in London Town", which appeared on the Red Hot + Rhapsody: The Gershwin Groove compilation. Hours marked the final collaboration between Bowie and guitarist Reeves Gabrels (pictured in 2012), who departed following its release.Īfter maintaining a relatively large media profile throughout 1997, David Bowie retreated from the limelight in 1998, primarily devoting his time to ventures outside of music, such as establishing his website BowieNet, but nevertheless continued making film appearances. The album was reissued with bonus tracks in 2004 and remastered in 2021 for inclusion on the box set Brilliant Adventure (1992–2001). Retrospective lists ranking all of Bowie's studio albums have placed Hours among Bowie's weaker efforts. Bowie promoted the album through the Hours Tour and various television appearances. It also received mixed reviews from music critics, many of whom praised individual tracks but criticised the album as a whole, sentiments echoed by later reviewers. The title, originally The Dreamers, is a play on "ours".Īccompanied by multiple UK top 40 singles, Hours peaked at number five on the UK Albums Chart but was Bowie's first album to miss the US Billboard 200 top 40 since 1972. ![]() Inspired by the Pietà, it depicts the short-haired Bowie persona from the Earthling era, resting in the arms of a long-haired, more youthful version of Bowie. Also present are overtly Christian themes, which is reflected in the cover artwork. The lyrics are introspective, detailing topics such as the collapse of relationships and subjects of angst. In contrast to the experimental nature of Bowie's other works throughout the decade, Hours presents a pop rock and art pop style reminiscent of 1971's Hunky Dory, further evoking styles and ideals previously explored on Bowie's past works. A song contest conducted on BowieNet in late 1998 resulted in a fan contributing lyrics and backing vocals to one of the tracks. The album was recorded in mid-1999 between studios in Bermuda and New York City. Originating as a soundtrack to the video game Omikron: The Nomad Soul (1999), Hours was the final collaboration between Bowie and guitarist Reeves Gabrels, with whom he had worked since 1988. It was the first album by a major artist available to download over the Internet. It was originally released on 21 September 1999 through the Internet on the artist's website BowieNet, followed by a physical CD release on 4 October through Virgin Records. Hours (stylised as 'hours.' ) is the 22nd studio album by English musician David Bowie. Released: September 1999 (Australia/Japan)
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