Metrobolist

Introduction

I just came across this recently and wondered what it was. Turns out it is the original title of David Bowie's "Man Who Sold The World" which is a great album, but I am not sure of the real reason for this reissue apart from making money.

I haven't a clue what "Metrobolist" means but this blog may help:

I was going to put together a Bowie playlist until I discovered what it was, so it will have to be focused on the songs on this album now, so I will choose a few of my favourites with some notes on them.

This was Bowie's third album, and the only song that I am not hooked on is "She Shook Me Cold" but I never skip it when I play the album, so I have a choice of nine excellent songs to share with you.

Originally titled Metrobolist, the album's name was changed at the last minute to The Man Who Sold The World -- the original stereo master tapes were in fact labelled Metrobolist, with the title ultimately crossed out. The 2020 re-release of the album under its Metrobolist moniker has been remixed by original producer Tony Visconti, with the exception of the track ‘After All’ which Tony considered perfect as is, and is featured in its 2015 remaster incarnation.

Metrobolist - The Man Who Sold The World

As I have said, this is a reissue of David Bowie's third album, so I will tell you how I was introduced to or became aware of the songs.

I will try and track down the 2020 remixes to share with you, and I hope you can play them.

Many have a disturbing aura to them, even today, and it will be interesting to hear the remixes by Tony Visconti.

The title track has been covered by many artists and has a feel of the poem "Antigonish" by William Hughes Mearns. This is the poem:

Yesterday, upon the stair,

I met a man who wasn't there!

He wasn't there again today,

I wish, I wish he'd go away!

When I came home last night at three,

The man was waiting there for me

*

But when I looked around the hall,

I couldn't see him there at all!

Go away, go away, don't you come back any more!

Go away, go away, and please don't slam the door... (slam!)

*

Last night I saw upon the stair,

A little man who wasn't there

He wasn't there again today

Oh, how I wish he'd go away...

So on to some of the songs:

"The Supermen"

I first heard this on the first Glastonbury album, and it is very brooding and threatening. This is the album closer, and typical of me to start with this one.

"The Width Of A Circle"

This opens with a descending single string riff, which again carries threat and this is the opening song to the album. This was introduced to me by my friend James Bunting, another friend from my youth whom I lost touch.

This is nine minutes of darkness and doom, and that simple one-string riif drops into the song throughout the various phases.

"After All"

You can hear a twisted Anthony Newley influence permeating this song, you think everything is fine, but the children's choir and instrumentation make me think of "The Midwich Cuckoos". It does put you on edge.

"The Man Who Sold The World"

The two covers that spring to mind are Lulu and Nirvana. The hypnotic riff drills into your mind, and once heard, it never leaves you. And so I leave you with this.

Thank you so much for listening.