Originally, "Hours" was released in 1999, but this re-released issue is a welcome surprise. Back in 1999, Bowie's "Hours" did poorly, but on a second listen, there is a lot of talent and new material that seems at first seems like a throw-away "Hunky Dory". Sure, "Thursday's Child" and "Something In The Air" seem like frivolous pop, but take a second listen. There is a lot of layering going on and some of Bowie's lyrics are more complex than initially heard.

This new release with five new track versions is worth the purchase. "Seven" is pure pleasurable pop, mixed just right and "Something In The Air" seems like a precursor to the "Rapture" (yes, in the Bible), with its ethereal, doomsday insinuations. At the very least, it's all a good collection for a ride in the car.

Despite being a huge Bowie fan, I found this album to be very ordinary, which is difficult to say about anything by Bowie. There are a few great moments. "Seven" for instance is a fantastic stripped down song (well sort of stripped down) and is easily the best on the album. "Something in the Air" is great as well and I like the American Psycho Remix even better. "If I'm Dreaming my Life" is the second best song on here (and 7 minutes long).

But overall, this album really lacks any emotion at all. On the above mentioned tracks it works very well, but with the other songs there seems to be no extra movement.

I got the version of this album with the extra tracks and to me it's not really worth it, except for the American Psycho Remix of Something in the Air. I didn't like "The Pretty Things are Going to Hell" even though it seems everyone else does. Belongs in his bad '80s collection quite frankly. But if you have to have everything by Bowie, then get it for those three songs and maybe "Thursday's Child".

This is a newly remastered version of a 1999 release with five bonus tracks, mostly b-sides and demos. Unlike most of Bowie's recent releases, this is mostly mid-tempo and pretty straight forward. There are 4 very strong songs (Thursday's Child, Something in the Air, Seven, The Pretty Things are Going to Hell) and the rest is sort of average. Worth buying if you can find it for a good price.

Hours is the exact opposite of the previous album, Earthling, because it isn't heavy, loud, and upbeat. "The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell," is the only song that sounds like it could have been off of Earthling. It's still a really good CD though, just in a completley different way. I love both of them, but some fans seem to like just one or the other. I can see why because of the really big change in music. Even the lyrics are a good bit different. A lot of the songs Bowie sings on Hours deals with sadness and regret.

I'm pretty sure there were two hits off of Hours, and they were "Thursday's Child," and "Survive." I know for sure they were both made into music videos. It seems like a lot of people like "Thursday's Child" way better than "Survive," but I absolutley love that song. It's my favorite one off the album. Why don't more people like it?! Other great songs on here are "Something In The Air," "Seven," "The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell," "New Angels Of Promise," and "The Dreamers." If you like Bowie's music in the mid-late 90's and 00's, you'll probably like this one too. It's been selling for pretty cheap, so you should buy it and give it a chance!