LET'S DANCE

With the release of "Scary Monsters", David was able to combine critics acclaim for this original album as well as huge sales (number one in the UK, and twelve in the US). With "Let's Dance", David will do even better: same Nr. one in the UK, but Nr. 3 in the US. But this album won't be praised by the critics and some fans will also be disappointed by the popish and excessive simplicityof this work.

Nile Roger ("Chic") is playing the guitar but also co-produced the album. So, no wonder that it will sound more commercial ("China Girl" and "Let's Dance").

But unlike the album "Young Americans" which I could never swallowed, I instantly liked "Let's Dance". Of course, there is no talk of a masterpiece here, but songs are catchy, easily memorable and fun. Almost from "Modern Love" through "Shake It".

It features a version of "China Girl" which David originally wrote for Iggy Pop ("The Idiot"). This version is of course more "disco" oriented and will be famous for its video clip (the end of it was even censured). I preferred the original and much rawer version from Iggy.

Most of the critics will concern the title track. Fully discotheque oriented and repetitive. It will be a HUGE hit worldwide, peaking at the first spot both in the UK and in the US. It is Bowie sole example of this feat.

Actually, side one is very enjoyable, great for nightclubbing. Even if the closing song "Without You" is a bit too much "Chic" oriented.(just as "Criminal World on the other side of the vinyl).

B-side opens on a more complex song. "Ricochet" and its funky-reggae-pop mood is not easy to apprehend but is one of the best moments of this second side of the album, which is by far the weakest one. At this time, the disco mood is just too much especially during "Criminal World" which is just a sub, sub-par "China Girl "(Bowie's version).

My fave out of this second side is by no doubt "Cat's People". Lyrics were written by David and the song is the main theme of the soundtrack for the movie. Unfortunately, the album version is a cut-down version of four minutes, while the whole appeared on a 12" and lasted for about nine minutes.

The closing number "Shake It" is the weakest of the whole. Some sort of clone for "Let's Dance". Best avoidable.

All in all, "Let's Dance" is not a bad album. Of course, David was used to lot better but it was the occasion for him to reach a worldwide recognition, the tour will be EXTREMELY successful. Three stars.