The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

Motha fucking classic. Best I've listened to do far, one of my favorites of all time. When this popped up I was celebrating. 5 years may be the best opening to an album ever and probably my favorite song. Moonage daydream and starman will be classics forever. It's just perfect. Everything sounds top, mixing is great, will play this on repeat. Most underrated song is rock-'n'-roll suicide, 8/8.

Always a pleasure to listen to this. The generator will have to get up pretty early in the morning to find a better opener/closer combo than Five Years and Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide. And then there’s Moonage Daydream, Ziggy Stardust, Suffragette City, Starman… Let all the children boogie, I say.

Simply the best album that exists, I'll die on this hill. Please kill me.

Bowie is the four B's of my early childhood musical education along with The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Beethoven. I feel like he's been with me all along during when I have felt a part of humanity or alienated from it. Fortunately, music has always been an amazing way to bridge the gap between those two worlds for me. Favorite line: My brain hurt like a warehouse It had no room to spare I had to cram so many things To store everything in there And all the fat-skinny people, and all the tall-short people And all the nobody people, and all the somebody people I never thought I'd need so many people

Probably my all time favourite album. This is the 7 star Dubai Hotel of albums, why can I only give it five? Five Years, great way to start the album, building to a climax. Soul Love, Moonage Daydream and Starman are a great glam rock trio with amazing guitar work from Mick Ronson on Moonage. It Ain't Easy, just ok but a good middle point of the album before an amazing ballad in Lady Stardust, possibly foreshadowing Bowie's later foray into Plastic Soul. Star and Hang On To Yourself are interchangeable but good. Title Track and Suffragette also a couple of bangers before ending on a sombre note with Rock and Roll Suicide. Best album there is, great flow and I think I've shown that long, pointless album reviews are possible here.

FINALLY! Holy heck is this a great album, and now I can see what people get out of David Bowie. Always knew it was me. It's like every favorite track I've ever had from Bowie just happens to be on this record. Favorite tracks: "Starman", "Moonage Daydream", "Five Years"

I remember an essay by a music critic in 1974 that set fourth a chronological listing of the great pioneers in rock: (1) Elvis Presley; (2) Bob Dylan; (3) John Lennon; and (4) David Bowie. Well, that may be how it looked to some folks at the time, but even then I thought Bowie didn’t belong on that list. Still don’t. This album is unquestionably innovative and well crafted, but it doesn’t stand the test of time. For a nice “pop vs. pop” comparison, listen to Bowie’s version of Ron Davies’ “It Ain’t Easy” and the version by Three Dog Night. 3/5

How have I never listened to this?! What's wrong with me? This album is amazing.

10/10. Duh.

Two things: 1. Never noticed how this album sounds like if Lou Reed produced the Beatles' White Album. 2. Some of the slang on this record is hilarious, but I love it. It really evokes a particular time and place in pop culture, which reminds me of slang used in hip hop music and how you can place the music based on the language being used. Anyway, this album is a classic and holds up really well.

Talk about a nice 2 day stretch of records. Under his eye. Praise be. Blessed be the fruit.

Don't need to listen! Lived with it most of my life! Mick Ronson deserved more credit for his contribution to this tremendous album.

Bowie is going to get a few 5s along the way. And this is the first one. Is there really anything I can say that hasn't been said already? He's a genius and this is evidence.

10/10 bruh this shit vibey good ass Bowie shit. FIVE YEARS !!!!!

It sucks that I can’t do these a day in advance anymore, it means that crazy days like today cause me to rush these things. But I did listen today’s album! I liked it more than I thought I would. It started off a little too avant-garde for me but quickly settled down into just a good early 70’s rock album. This generator apparently has 9 Bowie albums on it, so I’ll definitely get another chance to talk more about him another day My enjoyment: 4/5 Did it belong: 5/5

This is a perfect glam-rock opera that highlights David Bowie's incredible talent for lyrical economy, packing as much feeling, soul, and hype into simple verses like no one else can. Five Years swells with heartfelt loss, pity, that if you aren't paying attention, you'll lose a tear. Soul Love transitions to a hope, and continues to Moonage Daydream that's light and innocent like newfound love. The entire saga of Ziggy Stardust transitions masterfully from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs, with the hardest lessons being that losing control isn't out of reach for even the most saintly of us. The album is experienced best when it's start-to-finish, but every track stands on its own, especially rock-and-roll anthem Suffragette City and it's pithy aside WHAM BAM THANK YOU, MA'AM. You just couldn't ask for a better album from a better artist.

So dense for one day of listening. Every track is interesting, great composition. Strong opening track starting with drums and building. Love how he rhymes Spiders with Guide us....Spidahs I did about 5 listens today and it's still not enough. It's like seeing cool stuff outside the windows of a speeding train, I couldn't process fast enough. I can hear that this influenced future artists.

So many good songs. I will admit to a certain amount of fatigue in regards to this record... because of that, there are several others that I usually enjoy listening to more. That said, one cannot argue its greatness.

THE Bowie album. Immediate 5 stars.

this is a legendary album for a reason, i’ll never not listen to it if given the chance.

Well, this is a 5 without having to listen or anything

I wish every album on this site was as breathtaking as this one.

What a rock n roll record sound sounds like. Cool songs, weird sounds, some butt-shaking rhythms, and an engaging character to build it all around. Ziggy is one kick-ass record.

Classic. No fat whatsoever.

Bowie really knows how to frame an album, making it theatrical without making it too campy. Each song is good, but when compiled together it makes an album greater than the sum of it's parts. And it's all under 40 minutes! One of the greatest albums of all time is actually pretty digestible; who knew? Anyway, I can see why this is considered the GOAT album but I don't love it like a lot of others do. It's great, don't get me wrong, but a 5-star album's gotta feel special!

The weirdest artist in popular music. A true one-of-a-kind and someone we'll never see again. Just legendary.

As someone living under a rock, this was my first intentional experience with David Bowie. The album was imaginative and I enjoyed he story, but the songs themselves were only ok. Starman is a banger but the rest were fine. Really reminded me of Elton John but more about the show than the music

Oh man lovely start to finish - Bowie released better albums but this one is the de facto standard concept record which is also stunningly objectively awesome.

What else really needs to be said about this one.. Fantastic album. It's recorded very well and hit's it stride when turned up to 11 on some bass heavy speakers from the 70s.

This is my favorite Bowie album.

I think there might be too much Bowie on this list, but this is the album I've been waiting for. By far my favorite album of his, and the one I go back and listen to the most.

all-time great

Really fucking cool

Banger

I think this the platonic ideal of a rock album

Basically a perfect album - i feel back to being 10 years old, listening to Starman

One of the greatest and most influential albums of all time.

Rock and roll was only about 15 years when Bowie dropped the Ziggy Stardust album, which codifies many of the legends and tropes of the rock star; the pan-sexual, androgynous, drug hoovering, alien rock god, messianic, paranoid, self-destructive, apocalyptic, prophesying and ultimately doomed ego monster. He was partly wishing himself into existence with this record, which is a key text in both Bowie's career and of rock itself. I couldn't count the number of English musicians who talk about his 1972 appearance on Top of the Pops singing Starman as a pivotal moment in their musical life, a moment when everything seemed possible. You would have to rate that appearance as one of the most important int he history of rock, up there with Elvis or the Beatles on Ed Sullivan for impact and influence. And, for all the rock opera, concept album pretention, Ziggy Stardust is a terrific listen. The songs are really, really strong. I own the 1990 reissue with a few bonus tracks, including the piano demo of Lady Stardust. You can clearly hear the Brecht-Weill influences on his songcraft. Bowie is also a lyrical magpie, picking up interesting tidbits from all over the place, cutting and pasting into an intriguing collage. And, it shouldn't be overlooked, there are a bunch of real bangers on here, too. Sophisticated as much of the songwriting might be, it all gets filtered through Mick Ronson's outstanding and unfussy band leadership. The band was tight and hard rockin', and bashed out muscular and dynamic versions of the songs in a few live takes. These songs were intended to be played live and are performed with minimal frills and overdubs, but considerable brio. To be played at maximum volume, indeed. I've been listening to this album regularly for nearly 40 years now. And it still works. I still get a thrill from the rock and roll urgency of this album, but it isn't stupid either. I still hear new and surprising ideas in it. I cannot praise too highly. This is probably in my all-time top ten albums of all time. Every home should have a copy.

An outstanding classic which builds a beautifully designed narrative of the protagonist, despite not being a ‘proper’ concept album, through a variety of song types, all of them singularly excellent. Marvellous!

One of my favorite albums of all time. Rock and roll was never as fun as a party with the Spiders from Mars. One of those albums in which you find something new with every single listen (and believe me, I've listened to this one hundreds of times). I would rate it as a 4.99 album because I'm not a huge fan of "It Ain't Easy", but I prefer to leave it as a perfect album.

Well, one of the greatest albums of all time, and listen to this again, you can really see why.

What an album. It's literally like the positive interpretation of insanity, amazing melodies and very weird lyrics and storyline, but for me adds up to this idea of just going crazy. Iconic as fuck.

So always been a big Bowie fan, but it had been a long time since I listened to “Ziggy” all the way through… Really enjoyed the journey, as the album has to be one of Bowie’s best… Outstanding musicianship, song-writing, and vocal delivery throughout – and nice diversity among the tracks, which is always appreciated… Best tracks IMO have not changed since when I first heard this a long time ago – “Moonage Daydream” – 5-stars out of 7… “Starman” – 7-stars out of 7… “Ziggy Stardust” – 7-starts out of 7… “Suffragette City” – 5-stars out of 7… “Rock & Roll Suicide” – 4-stars out of 7… The one thing that did stand out a bit, was that some of the lesser-known tracks, were not nearly as strong as I expected, or remembered – still solid, but the gap between the best of this album and the weaker ones was pretty wide… Guess the overall goodness of the album “halo-effected” them – at least in my mind… Hard to give this a 5 with some many “decent” – not stellar tracks, but how do you NOT give this a 5 as it is a great concept album with 2 of all-time classic tracks on it… Ultimately, what I would rate as a 4.50, I will bump up to a 5 given the historical significance of this album, and all those that it likely inspired…

my brain hurts a lot

I grew up listening to Bowie because of my parents, except mostly his later material. It took me forever to discover there was a world outside of 80s Bowie. I felt betrayed when I realized his 70s material was even better 😭. To be serious though, this album is perfect. Every song is wonderful and beautiful and this world wouldn't be the same without our beloved Ziggy Stardust. RIP Starman, we miss you. Favorite Tracks: Hang on to Yourself, Suffragette City, Starman Oh, also fun fact, I named my plant Ziggy after this album.

I’ve been waiting for this one. So good. Creative. Masterpiece.

After a run of ghastly albums, the generator gave me a well deserved reward with this all time classic. Timeless, innovative, freaky, and so much Bowie goodness. Mick Ronson's guitar work is exemplary. Everything about this works to a tee. Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma'am!

Very strange even 50 years later. So I guess I'd say mission accomplished, Ziggy.

He told me Let the children lose it Let the children use it Let all the children boogie I miss you, Starman.

They don't make em much better than this. It's infused with heart, soul, emotion, joy, sadness, pain, and most importantly, damn good music. The entire album is actually enjoyable, and it doesn't get boring for a second. It's beautiful, and it is truly a wonder that we get to experience a musical arrangement this powerful.

Only got to listen to this once today, which feels like a crime. Starman jumps out by having many parts to it and each part being great enough to be the basis of a fantastic song by itself, yet all cohering. The rest ranged from intriguing to exquisite. I need to listen to this again; prefer what came right after, but its class declares itself.

An easy five. One of the best albums from one of the best artists. If this wasn't new and inventive it would still be incredible. Five Years alone is better than most albums and is such a strong way to start the album. Soul Love has so much texture in the percussion and bass. Moonage Daydream is unreal; the outro to it is world-class. I could sit and listen to an hour extended jam of just that. Starman is iconic for Bowie. I'm not going to write for everyone song but you could on this album.

Described as a rock opera and a loose concept album, Ziggy Stardust concerns Bowie's titular alter ego Ziggy Stardust, a fictional androgynous, bisexual rock star who is sent to Earth as a savior before an impending apocalyptic disaster. Influences for the character were English singer Vince Taylor, the Legendary Stardust Cowboy and Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto. Most of the album's concept was developed after the songs were recorded. The character was retained for the subsequent Ziggy Stardust Tour. A concert film of the same name, directed by D. A. Pennebaker, was filmed in July 1973 and released in 1979, and a live album from the same show followed in 1983. The music on Ziggy Stardust has been characterised as glam rock and proto-punk. Unlike its predecessor Hunky Dory, which was generally piano-led, the songs on Ziggy Stardust are primarily guitar-based, mostly due to the departure of keyboardist Rick Wakeman. The songs were influenced by Iggy Pop of the Stooges, Lou Reed of the Velvet Underground, and Marc Bolan of T. Rex. The album's lyrics discuss the artificiality of rock music, political issues, drug use, sexual orientation and stardom. Bowie also uses American slang and pronunciations throughout. The album cover, photographed by Brian Ward in monochrome and recoloured by Terry Pastor, was taken at 23 Heddon Street in London, outside the home of furriers "K. West". The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars is about a bisexual alien rock superstar named Ziggy Stardust.[38][39] Ziggy Stardust was not conceived as a concept album and much of the story was written after the album was recorded.[40][41] The characters were androgynous. Mick Woodmansey, said the clothes they had worn had "femininity and sheer outrageousness", and that the characters' looks "definitely appealed to our rebellious artistic instincts".[42] Nenad Georgievski of All About Jazz said the record was presented with "high-heeled boots, multicolored dresses, extravagant makeup and outrageous sexuality".[43] Bowie had already developed an androgynous appearance, which was approved by critics, but received mixed reactions from audiences.[44] His love of acting led his total immersion in the characters he created for his music. After acting the same role over an extended period, it became impossible for him to separate Ziggy Stardust from his own offstage character. Bowie said that Ziggy "wouldn't leave me alone for years. That was when it all started to go sour ... My whole personality was affected. It became very dangerous. I really did have doubts about my sanity."[45] Fearing that Ziggy would define his career, Bowie quickly developed the persona of Aladdin Sane in his subsequent album. Unlike Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane was far less optimistic, instead engaging in aggressive sexual activities and heavy drugs.[46] In the album's story, the Earth is saved by the rock n' roll messiah, Ziggy Stardust, with only five years to survive. He wins the hearts of teens, scares parents, seduces everyone in his path, and eventually dies a victim of his own fame. According to Bowie, he "takes himself up to the incredible spiritual heights and is kept alive by his disciples". During the song "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide", the infinites (extraterrestrials) arrive, and tear Ziggy Stardust to pieces on stage.

This album is a classic for a reason, and David Bowie deserves every ounce of fame he ever received. He reinvented himself completely for 1 album. He's the man.

Quite simply the standard-bearing LP of glam rock. It was my first Bowie, and my perspective is forever tainted, but I doubt it will ever stop contending for a top spot in my all-time albums. Each time I listen to the full record, I'm blown away by the amount of musical material developed: This feels longer than it is in the good way. This time, though, I was struck by the sparse environment in which we start. Granted, it's only a minute and a half and then we're fully in Ziggy's world.

It does not overstay its welcome and has a great variety of sounds, ranging from slow and sweet to fast and rocking. I don't think there are any duds on this album.

It’s up there with the Berlin years.

Starman natürlich Ziggy Stardust

five years- 8 soul love- 7.9 moonage daydream- 8.8 starman- 8.9 it ain't easy-8.1 lady stardust- 7.8 star- 7 hang on to yourself- 7 ziggy stardust- 9.2 suffragette city- 8.2 rock 'n' roll suicide- 8.3 damn so fucking good how did he make this in 1972 4 stars

I’ve never been the hugest David Bowie fan but understand his importance and he has influenced some of my favourite artists. This album is definitely very good and Bowies voice doesn’t annoy me like in some of his other releases. His singing is pretty decent and the songs are all pretty good. Nothing eye rolling or Nothing screamed TURN THIS OFF Stand Out Tracks Five Years Starman Lady Stardust (one of my favourites here) Star Ziggy Stardust It’s not my total cup of tea so I can’t give it a 4 but I also don’t think it’s just good for a 3. It definitely deserves to be here and is a classic for his fans. Even if I’m not falling head over heels for it I bet it was ground breaking in the 70s 3.5/5

I’m sorry. I don’t love David Bowie.

Not really my kind of music. Too much "talk-singing". Even when he does hold a note for longer, I don't really like his timbre. I may just have to give it a listen another time.

I love this kind of themed album, and it was full of excellent songs as well! I remember hearing this album for the first time when I was probably 13 or 14 and was amazed and in awe of the whole concept. Loved David Bowie ever since

I've always admired how out of the ordinary David Bowie was in his work. You can't expect anything from him because he's always one step ahead. "Ziggy Stardust" is the greatest example of this. Bringing a well-told story packed with the infectious sound of glam rock, he brings a wealth of material and gives a lesson in music. Of course, the album has many highlights, but the overall project is simply brilliant. David was already big at that time, but "Ziggy Stardust" made him gigantic!

This album made me understand the David Bowie hype

Classic album. Bowies best in my opinion. Not a bad track on here.

Classic

Absolute classic! Moonage Daydream, Starman,...some of my all time favourite Bowie tracks.

I of course we liked it it's David bowie

perfect

After so many bad to mid David Bowie albums on this list I was tempted to give this 4 stars instead of 5. I found the albums instructions that it was "To be played at maximum volume" to still hold true however. This really is his masterpiece however and while I'll undoubtedly listen to this a hundred more times in my life I don't think I'll ever be listening to any other of his albums again as I think I've made it through all the horrible later albums and OKish early albums by him on this list.

Classic.

Can’t go wrong with Ziggy Stardust.

The first appearance of our friend Ziggy Stardust. This album is a trip; very fantastical, otherworldly, and sexually charged. But that's to be expected from Bowie, considering his "Ziggy Stardust" character would stay for a bit after this. Pretty versatile album too, with touches of glam rock and proto punk among others. This is mostly thanks to Bowie's wonderful backing band, as well as the acoustic guitar playing from Bowie and the electric guitar from Ronson. Probably not shocking many in saying that this is Bowie's best work. It signaled the introduction of Ziggy Stardust after all! These rock operas tend to feel a bit bloated and overblown, but in some cases they flow effortlessly and never falter, such as here. Hard to believe that I've already gotten six Bowie albums from this list, but none of the prior ones topped this, nor will any of the remaining ones. Best tracks: Moonage Daydream, Starman, Ziggy Stardust, Suffragette City

Easy 5 and one of Bowie’s best. Honestly it might be equally as much Mick Ronson’s guitar that drives the record. Highlight: Hang on to Yourself and of course Ziggy Stardust

This is probably my favourite Bowie record, the fact that it’s such an excellent concept album really helps. It’s really well written, recorded, and performed. The vibes are decidedly immaculate. “Suffragette City” is almost a very early punk rock song, and my favourite track on the album. I don’t know if I really have a lot more to say about this record. Catchy hooks, deep verses, and it’s very entertaining. One of those albums that has the capability of holding your attention through the entire run. At 39 minutes, I found myself wishing it was longer.

I think maybe my most controversial music nerd opinion is that Ziggy Stardust isn’t a perfect album. I know, it’s blasphemy, but the three song run of It Ain’t Easy, Lady Stardust, and Star is relatively weak. I do use the term relatively extremely carefully, because they’re all still good songs, they just happen to be the three weaker links in a chain of some of the greatest Rock n Roll ever written. Even if I don’t think it’s perfect, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else

With the "Moonage Daydream" + "Starman" one-two punch, the rest of the album could be white noise and still 5/5. Yet all the rest of the tracks are great as well. Not a single bad or even mediocre song here. There are probably better concept albums out there, but musically this is unbeatable.

Rad

It's not perfect, but it fits the era perfectly. just a great album and a great feeling.

This and Station to Station seem to me to be Bowie's major peaks. This 'hazy cosmic jive' has a lot going for it, but I'd like to think it abides b/c it has the humor and vitality that 'conceptual' projects do not always carry. This never crumbles under its own pretensions - no tedium or inanity here.

time takes a cigarette // puts it in your mouth...

5/5

El mejor álbum de Bowie, que ya es decir. Corto, increíble de principio a fin, y precioso. Gracias por tanto.

Eeehh...ya lo escuché mil veces es genial nosé que decir de este disco. Lo amaba tanto que lo escuchaba mil veces, me canso un poco y ahora nosé si lo volvería a escuchar como en ese momento puede ser que una vez más pero no me fascina como antes. Es un 5 estrellas igual.

What a legend. A bit rough around the edges still. Theatrical and a bit weird, musically very rich. An absolute classic. Deeply emotional.

Love it. Although not a fan of Suffragette City

Not a huge fan of Glam Rock - but more than enough quality here to transcend the genre and ease to 5*

One of my all time faves. If we had 5 years left to listen to music, this would play a significant role

All time great. Flawless.

Qué obra maestra tan rotunda. Hasta me atrasé en esta lista porque desde que me salió lo he escuchado una y otra vez sin poder pasar a otro disco. Te amo, Bowie.

Best album ever made imo. Every song is 5/5.

whole album is insanely good

Pre-listening thoughts: ya know anything would have been a relief after Kollaps but this is just like a blessing. When people think of Bowie this tends to be the album they picture. So excited to dive into this one. Post/during listening thoughts: I’ve heard a few songs off of this before but my god this is such a treat of an album. It is so sonically cohesive but every song has such character and distinction from the last. Bowie’s lyrics are playful and vivid, while also having a story to follow about Ziggy themself. Even if the story wasn’t intentional I think it absolutely works. I listened to this one twice and I will definitely be revisiting this in the future. 10/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes Fav tracks: all of them. I have a special soft spot for Moonage Daydream and Starman but this whole album is phenomenal Least fav tracks: none

5 out of 5. Higher ranked than Aladdin Sane and probably should take it's place for another artist on this list.

Bowie was one of a kind. This is one of his finest, but it's even more extraordinary how far he came from the David Jones of 1967 to this in 1972. Mainline Glam Rock.

Undisputed classic. Not a regular listen for me, Bowiewise, as I tend to reach for the later 70s records or even later era records that lack the overfamiliarity that the canon records suffer from. But this is such a solid collection. It shimmers with the promise and realisation of an imperial phase commencing. Happy to revisit and I will again, many times.

So good. Interesting. Ground breaking. Hits. Deep cuts. Great songwriting. Peak Bowie, or one of his peaks anyway. Seems he knew when he peaked and moved on. Five stars.

This would’ve been my pick for “favorite album of all time” even before starting this project. Nothing I’ve heard changed that opinion. Gotta be on the shortlist for greatest album of all time.

david bowie good