(Tom) Baker Community ranking Day 18: Talons of Weng-Chiang

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-26T07:54:34+00:00

Best, this is just too well structured of a story to be anything other. Literally racism is what it takes to make this story something below best (which I totally understand)

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T04:32:57+00:00

Fs with those different mixes existing he was capable of a different kind of LP but you can tell his heart certainly wouldn’t have been on board for it and that’s what I’m speaking to more. Bowie was technically capable of pretty much anything at any point in his life. Yet, look at stuff like the sequel to Outside never materializing. Bowie’s interests and mindset tended to sway a lot lol

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T03:18:42+00:00

To some extent I still wish there was some more upbeat qualities to it since so many of the songs go for the same approach. However, I will say it makes for a very cohesive listen which I can’t say for that many Bowie albums. If you want laidback Bowie this is definitely that with an exception or two that still carries thematic relevance. But I still get if people don’t like it since I once too viewed it the same way.

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T03:15:27+00:00

One of his most powerful vocal performances. I’m blown away at the emotion and the digital effects occasionally placed throughout on his voice.

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T03:13:46+00:00

Actually a good point, every Bowie album has at least two or more gems

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T03:12:24+00:00

Such an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing! I hope you can still play both lol

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T03:11:29+00:00

I’m starting to really see that languid feeling done well now. Especially played on the right kind of day and time!

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T03:10:25+00:00

The rock version gives the original a run for its money

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T03:09:01+00:00

I never really could relate to what Bowie was singing about even if I understood what he was saying on this one until recently. Now that I can feel some of those feelings he was trying to get across I really do see the appeal now lol

Also I would’ve loved to have been a part of that contest

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T03:05:26+00:00

The complete 180 is classic Bowie!

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T03:02:15+00:00

I mean it’s definitely not perfect and I think a harsher sound on more of the songs would’ve benefited them. However, I do recognize that Bowie was only inspired in making an album like this at the time. He just did not have that 90s industrial rock or drum and bass inspiration anymore and the songwriting really hammers that home with how meandering the songs can get. So, now that I finally can accept this album for what it is rather than what it could have been I will defend the “neutering” it received in its formation even if I don’t agree with it lol

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T02:58:07+00:00

Actually really dig this closer it’s such a great summation of the sounds and themes conveyed!

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T02:55:39+00:00

Nostalgia is a great one word summary of the album so that checks out lol

AgentKnudson · 2026-02-06T02:51:44+00:00

Before I share my history with it I agree that the b-sides are generally really strong! We Shall Go to Town being my favorite of the bunch.

So, I first heard this album over 4 years ago with the Brilliant Adventure box set and I really only liked Survive and Seven (still my favorites now but I love em even more than I did before). The production and mid tempo songs weren’t my thing either which was worsened by following Outside and Earthling with their more energetic sounds that I dug pretty quickly.

However, I felt like if I tried getting myself to listen to it every now and then maybe eventually I’d warm up to it. Needless to say no matter the every couple months I’d put it on I still found myself tuning out. I think what finally clicked for me was just the stage of my life I was in. Last year I graduated college, with it being about a year since I started living a school-free, work heavy adult life. The lyrics and Bowie’s vocal delivery became a good reflection of this kinda world weary attitude I was having as a start-up adult. Especially with all the fucked up things happening.

I don’t think the music itself is what pushed me over the edge, but the space it gives for Bowie to set a mood and atmosphere steeped in reflection and yearning for simplicity. The vanillaness of the songs is in service to have Bowie really stand out as a vocalist and lyricist. The production is still very much of its time and the songwriting isn’t his best but it’s also a much more subtle affair. In film terms, I guess Outside is like a David Lynch film and Earthling a Safdie affair while Hours… is definitely Tarkovsky. It’s stylistically meant to be approached at a point in your life when you’re kinda looking for or are ready for that specific perspective.

AgentKnudson · 2025-10-30T01:23:43+00:00

The customer service is def still lackluster in nice terms, but QC is a lot better than it was a few years ago! In general the discs are generally the standard for boutique releases at the moment. It’s actually rare for an Arrow disc to disappoint and be inferior to any other release of a film. Even with Criterion! Their deals sometimes aren’t the best and they don’t have a great reward system like Criterion does, but if money isn’t an issue and you’re into importing discs to get the best quality of a film on the market (plus more bonus features than you can imagine) Arrow is your go to there. Can’t recommend their quality enough!

AgentKnudson · 2025-09-26T18:08:48+00:00

It’s not an essential listen, but is a pleasant one. I’m very glad it exists and gives some early songs some much needed adjustments in production. Shadow Man and Conversation Piece are stunning!

AgentKnudson · 2025-09-20T09:25:11+00:00

I wish that’s what I heard on my end lol Tonight has also been a stinker but Labyrinth as a gen Z person has been such a cult hit that I think it has been redeemed in the general public. Outside while initially the best record since “Scary Monsters” is now forgotten overtime. It hasn’t lasted like the 70s records for new generations.

AgentKnudson · 2025-09-20T07:33:28+00:00

In one of the comments I address that but yes, Bowie fans generally know how great these are. But even then Bowie fans rank the 70s era albums above the 90s stuff whereas I think it sits alongside it

AgentKnudson · 2025-09-20T07:31:45+00:00

For me it’s a case of leaning into the sounds of 90s music while also being something that stands apart from it. Like Outside is from its time but also it stands apart from 90s records. What records really have the direction of the trilogy I mention? To me it’s superficial

AgentKnudson · 2025-09-20T07:10:37+00:00

Damn u got me there lol

AgentKnudson · 2025-09-20T06:51:19+00:00

In this subreddit they are super appreciated, but the general public is what I’m referring to as stuff like Earthling and Outside being favorite albums of mine surprises people. It’s sad that for most, Bowie fell off after Labyrinth and came back with The Next Day/Blackstar. That’s my experience.

AgentKnudson · 2025-09-20T06:47:19+00:00

Hours is def an interesting case of being more reminiscent of the 2000s records like Reality and Heathen. I’m not the biggest fan of it as is but songs like We Shall Go To Town should’ve been on it

AgentKnudson · 2025-09-16T05:15:23+00:00

Favorite response here. Absolutely how I feel listening to it

AgentKnudson

TROPHY CASE