Sean,
I was reasonably aware of Bowie at the time,my older brother was a big fan in the 70's so I heard classic era Bowie growing up,on vinyl,on a record player that probably cost £5-:-)
I haven't heard anything on vinyl for a long time I admit and the only "high" end stuff I've ever heard is on digital-I don't doubt the quality of vinyl but I don't really have access to it.
I have listened to a lot of Bowie over the years so I very familar at least with the classic 70's albums.
Again I think we disagree on the music,as I said on my records of the year list,the idea of Bowie going back to record with Visconti filled me with fear because this type of move usually doesn't work.
Whilst it's impossible totally for Bowie to escape his past-I don't think this record actually recalls one specific era of Bowie-it has rockier moments,poppier moments,some atmospheric moments.
It works for me because I think the record simply stands on it's own as a collection of good/great songs.
I think the production is contemporary,you can hear that from the layers,the sampling,the keyboards,to my ears it enhances the songs without being overdone.
It might not be an "audiophile" production but then I'm not sure what that is or whether it exists in rock/popular music.
Yes,maybe because the songs are more straight forward it evokes 70's Bowie (which intself is a very very wide range of music)but imho the actual music is very good.
Sure others will disagree,it just works for me,as a new stand alone Bowie album.
Would it be fair to say give it 6 or so listens and then get back on it?