Lodger: Vinyl LP.

Lodger (1979) was third in Bowie’s Berlin trilogy, his collaboration with legendary producer / experimentalist Brian Eno, which began withHeroesandLow(both released in 1977). While those dark records were heavy on alien-sounding instrumentals,Lodgerhad none, and even contained songs that seemed relatively straightforward. Considered inaccessible at the time,Lodgernow sounds like a classic, transitional Bowie album, if only for its rich spirit of experimentation. From the Middle Eastern strains ofYassassinto the bizarre wordplay ofAfrican Night Flight, Lodgerfeels like a journey through strange lands. Songs likeBoys Keep Swinging(later covered by ex-Bangle Susanna Hoffs) andDJhave the structure of traditional rock songs, but the odd textures, rough edges and dissonant elements make them into something richer and stranger.Look Back in Anger, with fierce guitar playing by Adrian Belew, became a staple of Bowie’s live concerts for years to come.Red Moneyis Bowie’s adaptation of Iggy Pop’s decadent, futuristic Sister Midnight fromThe Idiot. The anthemicRed Sails(co-written with Eno) has amajestic sense of forward motion, its glorious crescendo and fadeout providing the record’s most spine-tingling moments.