I've heard many things about this album from all sorts of sources. Many rave on and on about "Earthling" (a great album to be sure) but then dismiss "Hours" because it went in a totally new direction. However, that is precisely why I love "Hours". It takes Bowie's music in a totally new direction, adding one more style to the large Bowie collection. If you're looking for the hard rock Bowie that was Earthling, you won't find it here. However, if you want something soft, soothing, yet still undeniably Bowie, this is for you! There is also something to be said about the multiple references to Bowie's past. It seems that this album and "Scary Monsters" of 1980 serve as ways for Bowie to let off all that's been building up over the years. Incredibly different, but still good. Now all we have to do is wait for the rumored jazz of "Heathen"!