Album of the Day
EARTHLING

David Bowie had 20 albums – and several career reinventions – under his belt when he released EARTHLING on this day in 1997. Crossing paths with groups like the Prodigy and Underworld on festival tours inspired the performer, who explained "we came into the studio specifically with the idea of trying to juxtapose all the dance styles that we'd been working with live. Jungle, aggressive rock and industrial.” Produced by Bowie with an assist from bandmates Reeves Gabrels and Mark Plati, the collection was written and recorded in under three weeks, taking full advantage of digital technology. Highlighted by such tracks as “I'm Afraid of Americans,” “Little Wonder” and “Seven Years in Tibet,” the set explores themes of alienation, spirituality and the artist’s relationship to his native England. The underrated EARTHLING is among the Starman’s best of the 1990s.