By almost anyone’s standard, “Heroes” is a strange album, but by the same standard the song “Heroes” is undeniably awesome.

This album sits on that strange brink where it represents one of the most significant pop songs of its era - bar none – with a series of other songs that invoke confusion, sociological awkwardness, etc., until the fan base is no longer comfortable with the artist responsible for the chaos and turmoil in the lyrics of side one, or the musical disorientation of side two. Side two will cause 100,000 people to have 100,000 different visions and thought patterns…and maybe that is the point.

Maybe Bowie isn’t overtly trying to make a distinct perspective regarding politics -perhaps because politics are best resolved if you think about it on your own ground – but German politics (and culture) are referenced throughout “Heroes” That is the fundamental reason as for why “Heroes” is considered to be a capital A “Art” album. There is only one song on this entire album that is “almost” straightforward. The rest is a bed of distraction that lingers in darkness, self-doubt and discomfort.

Featured Tracks:

Beauty and the Beast

Joe the Lion

Heroes

Sons of the Silent Age

Blackout

V-@ Schneider

Sense of Doubt

Moss Garden

Neuköln

The Secret Life of Arabia

October 1977 - Billboard Charted #35