Propelled out of the ether by a whirling buzz of Eno’s quickly faded-up synthesiser, bold instrumental opener Speed Of Life exhibits many of Low’s sonic facets. There’s the impactful rhythm section – Dennis Davis’ processed drum sound, the inconspicuous but effortless bass playing of George Murray, the fizzing synth that increasingly dominates and a cyclic, tightly structured arrangement. Before we can get too comfortable, the track moves into a fade out, making for a tantalisingly unresolved listening experience.
As well as his writing and vocal duties, Bowie was very involved with the technical side of Low, personally tinkering on an ARP Solina string machine, a Chamberlin, a Minimoog and other assorted keyboards; he also supplied tape treatments of prerecorded instruments and added sax, harmonica, guitar, vibraphone, xylophone and what the LP sleeve mysteriously called “pump bass” (much of the other Low gear was also only cryptically identified, guaranteeing heated discussions for vintage synth fans in the future).