David Bowie: Space Oddity (1969)

Space Oddity (1969) is actually titled David Bowie, much like his first album. This is interesting because it goes to show the degree to which that first album from last week was relatively unheard. The first track, "Space Oddity" takes the title because it is without a doubt the standout track on the album. Even I had heard the song before even knowing that David Bowie was the mind behind it.

Beyond that this album features so much more jamming than the previous album did. Songs often last a minute longer than their run time, and Bowie isn't afraid to drop his lyrics and voice out to let the music carry the song.

So we will once again go track by track to examine not only the obvious masterpiece, but the evolution of Bowie's sound. Here the Beatles have fallen away and something more rock and folk has taken root.

Death Note Episode 1: Rebirth

Introduction

We have all considered it. If we could kill anyone in the world, magically, without even incriminating ourselves, wouldn't we? Would there be anything such as abiding by crimes happening in front of us. If we happened to be in a store that happened to get robbed while we were there, would we stop it?

The fact is that most people feel that the world would be better off minus a few people. Rapists, Murderers, some Politicians. Death Note capitalizes on these feelings. It shows us a world where one man gets the power to kill anyone he wants. And it takes a look at the psychological, social, criminal, and realistic impacts of such power.

The first episode, Rebirth, is a great introduction to Death Note. It is a great argument for the medium of Anime. The best aspects of Anime's unique style comes together with a demonic talent for shot framing that only works in this medium. Death Note is a special anime, worth not just one week, but thirty-seven weeks of appreciation.

Death Note is a gem. It's one of the greatest stories from the last decade. It's one of the best psychological thrillers, detective stories, and divine epics rolled into one. So join me as I take apart the series and examine is cinematic, animated, narrative, and psychological messages.