This was a wacky one. I'm pretty familiar with Bowie's early albums, but had never listened to this. I definitely didn't expect how straight up experimental this was, and so much electronica/hip-hop/drum'n'bass to come through, but I listened through twice back to back and absolutely look forward to spending more time in it.

This album blew my little artsy high school mind when it came out almost 20 (!!) years ago. Though I stopped paying attention to the Arcade Fire around the time of The Suburbs and I haven't listened in many years, I can't believe how much I enjoyed coming back. It sounds like emotional euro dance club music for the Great Depression. Was this the blueprint for the next decade's worth of "hey ho stomp clap" to follow? Maybe. Did it change the game for myself and all my artsy hipster friends forever? Absolutely.

I realized I've been a "real instruments only" snob for a long time. I wanted to hate this. I loved it.