So there’s a new David Bowie box set out, with the rather ingenious title of “David Bowie Box Set.” Surprisingly enough this is the first David Bowie album to include several complete albums. This best-of box sets were just extended Greatest Hits compilations, and Sound + Vision was a disastrous combination of rarities and album-cuts that made no sense.

So for his first box set does he focus on his 70s Glam Rock heyday? No. Does he re-visit the fabled Berlin Trilogy with bonus tracks and B-sides? Nope. What about his superstar high-profile/low-talent period in the 80s? That area is skipped too.

No, for Bowie’s first true box set he chose to re-release his work from 1995-2003, including several remixes, B-sides and previously unreleased and hard-to-find tracks from that time period.

That’s five complete albums, each of which include their own bonus disc of remixes, b-sides and other assorted goodies. Today I’ll be talking about and posting tracks from the first two albums and I’ll finish up later this week with the last three.

Experts From Outside: The Nathan Adler Diaries – A Hyper Cycle
Hallo Spaceboy (12″ Remix)
I’m Deranged (Jungle Mix)
Get Real
Nothing To Be Desired
First of all check out that name. When this album first came out in 1995 it was just called 1. Outside. The #1 implied that a sequel was coming. But I guess disappointing album sales and a less-than-outstanding critical reception nicked those plans in the butt. Despite the rather lengthy new title the original album remains in-tact, nothing has been cut or removed to justify the “Experts” part of the title. I still enjoy Outside, even with all it’s flaws (it’s way to damn long and the segues are just stupid).

The bonus disc includes 14 tracks and I’m putting up four. I’m not including any of the various remixes of “The Hearts Filthy Lesson” because I already put them up a few months ago. The 12” Remix of “Hallo Spaceboy” is a variation of the version with the Pet Shop Boys. The “I’m Deranged” mix should be a real treat for hardcore Bowie fans since it was so damn hard to find before this.

The two other tracks are B-sides. “Get Real” is good and “Nothing To Be Desired” is amazing.

Earthling
Dead Man Walking (Moby Mix 1)
Telling Lies (Paradox Mix)
I’m Afraid of Americans (Show Girls OST Version)
David Bowie followed up Outside with this jungle-infused experiment that really proved to be a hit-or-miss affair. On one had it featured awesome tunes like “Dead Man Walking”, “Seven Years In Tibet” and the hit “I’m Afraid Of Americans” but on the other it included “Little Wonder” and “The Last Thing You Should Do” – two of my all-time most-hated David Bowie tracks.

Unfortunately the former is represented three times over on the bonus disc, but the two Moby mixes of “Dead Man Walking” almost make up for that. Several remixes of “Seven Years In Tibet”, “I’m Afraid Of Americans” and “Telling Lies” make up most of the disc. A lot of the stuff on this disc is also on an EP I’m posting later this week so if you like Earthling then keep tuned because you’ll be in heaven later. The remix of “I’m Afraid Of Americans” is vastly different than the album version and kind of sounds like a demo – it’s bitchin’.

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