Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Most of the reviews I've read about this album mention it in the context of Bowie's experimental Berlin period (Low/Heroes), but I find this is more of a shorthand for saying that he is defying pop convention, rather than an actual similarity in sound to those classic albums. I find this much more akin to Black Tie White Noise, The Buddha of Suburbia, and pieces of 1. Outside. Black Tie White Noise, in particular has a mix of jazziness, slickness, and atmosphere, though Blackstar is much darker in tone. Opening with the epic title track and moving through soundscapes that are dark and strange, yet still melodic and quintessentially latterday Bowie, finally reaching a glorious conclusion (much like 1. Outside did) with the gorgeous, insistent "I Can't Give Everything Away," Blackstar is an album that fully expresses what David Bowie is capable of at this late stage of his career. It's consistent from beginning to end, compelling in its nuances and left turns, arty, yet accessible. The Next Day was a great comeback album, but it often feels like something was missing from that record. Blackstar is a complete statement, and (though this is a cliché to say), it's his best in many years. *Update, 1/11/16: I awoke this morning to the news of David Bowie's death. It is difficult to describe my grief and that of his dedicated fans. It is a tremendous loss to the world, and it will take some time to process. This will of course affect the legacy of this, his final album, and it will color our perception of each of these songs. Blackstar is Bowie's farewell, his final gift to us after decades of wonderful music. That the album ends with such a beautiful song, as I mentioned earlier, is a comfort to me today, a blissful moment to cap such a tremendous life and career. I feel such sadness on this day, but so much gratitude as well. There will never be another like him. Thank you, David, for all you gave, and the world you sold to us.