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

David Bowie

1972

Buy At Rough Trade
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Album Summary

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (often shortened to Ziggy Stardust) is the fifth studio album by English musician David Bowie, released on 16 June 1972 in the United Kingdom through RCA Records. It was co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott and features Bowie's backing band the Spiders from Mars, comprising Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey. Most of the songs were written around the same time as Bowie's previous album Hunky Dory (1971). After that album was completed, recording for Ziggy Stardust commenced in November 1971 at Trident Studios in London, with further sessions in early February 1972. Described as a loose concept album and rock opera, Ziggy Stardust concerns Bowie's titular alter ego Ziggy Stardust, a fictional androgynous and bisexual rock star who is sent to Earth as a saviour before an impending apocalyptic disaster. In its story, Ziggy wins the hearts of fans but suffers a fall from grace after succumbing to his own ego. The character was inspired by numerous musicians, including singers Vince Taylor and Iggy Pop. Most of the album's concept was developed after the songs were recorded. The glam rock and proto-punk musical styles were influenced by Pop, the Velvet Underground, and Marc Bolan of T. Rex, while the lyrics discuss the artificiality of rock music, political issues, drug use, sexual orientation and stardom. The album cover, photographed in monochrome and recoloured, was taken in London, outside the home of furriers "K. West". Preceded by the single "Starman", Ziggy Stardust peaked at number 5 in the UK and number 75 in the United States. It initially received favourable reviews from music critics; some praised the musicality and concept while others were unable to comprehend it. Shortly after its release, Bowie performed "Starman" on Britain's Top of the Pops in early July 1972, which propelled him to stardom. The Ziggy character was retained for the subsequent Ziggy Stardust Tour, leaving Bowie unable to differentiate between Ziggy and himself. Not wanting Ziggy to define him, Bowie created a new character for his next album Aladdin Sane (1973), which Bowie described as "Ziggy goes to America". Performances from the tour were later released on a concert film of the same name with an accompanying live album (1983) and Live Santa Monica '72 (2008). Retrospectively, Ziggy Stardust is considered one of Bowie's best works and has appeared on numerous lists of the greatest albums of all time. Bowie had ideas for a musical based on the album, although this project never came to fruition; ideas were later used for Diamond Dogs (1974). Ziggy Stardust has been reissued several times and was remastered in 2012 for its 40th anniversary. In 2017, it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry, being deemed "culturally, historically, or artistically significant" by the Library of Congress.

Wikipedia

Rating

4.26

Votes

15991

Genres

  • Rock

Reviews

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Mar 25 2021
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5

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.

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Oct 14 2021
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5

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.

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Feb 04 2021
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5

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

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Jan 20 2021
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5

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

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Feb 13 2021
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5

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.

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Feb 04 2021
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5

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"

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Jan 24 2021
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3

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

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Feb 21 2022
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5

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

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Mar 02 2021
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5

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.

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Feb 13 2021
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5

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

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Feb 23 2022
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5

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

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Feb 12 2021
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5

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.

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Feb 01 2021
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5

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

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Feb 09 2021
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4

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

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Feb 08 2021
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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.

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May 07 2024
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5

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.

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May 03 2024
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5

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.

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May 02 2024
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5

THE Bowie album. Immediate 5 stars.

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Jun 28 2022
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5

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

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Jun 22 2022
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5

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

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Aug 05 2021
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5

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

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Jul 27 2021
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5

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.

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Mar 15 2021
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4

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!

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May 07 2021
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4

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

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Apr 02 2024
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3

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

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Nov 14 2024
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5

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.

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Sep 03 2024
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5

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!

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Sep 03 2024
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5

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.

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Sep 02 2024
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5

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

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Aug 22 2024
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5

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.

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Aug 20 2024
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5

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…

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Aug 09 2024
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5

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.

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Aug 09 2024
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5

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

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Aug 02 2024
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5

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!

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Jul 31 2024
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5

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

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Jul 22 2024
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5

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

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Jul 20 2024
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5

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.

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May 14 2024
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5

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.

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May 07 2024
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5

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.

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Feb 25 2021
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5

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.

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Feb 11 2021
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5

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.

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Jul 16 2021
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5

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.

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Dec 02 2020
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5

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.

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Jan 18 2021
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5

It’s up there with the Berlin years.

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May 04 2024
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4

Starman natürlich Ziggy Stardust

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Oct 10 2023
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4

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

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Sep 17 2024
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3

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

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Oct 14 2024
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2

I’m sorry. I don’t love David Bowie.

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May 24 2023
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1

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.

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Dec 17 2024
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5

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.

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Dec 16 2024
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5

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

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Dec 16 2024
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5

Love it. Although not a fan of Suffragette City

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Dec 16 2024
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5

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

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Dec 16 2024
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5

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

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Dec 16 2024
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5

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

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Dec 13 2024
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5

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.

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Dec 13 2024
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5

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

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Dec 12 2024
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5

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

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Dec 11 2024
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5

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

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Dec 10 2024
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5

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.

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Dec 09 2024
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5

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.

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Dec 09 2024
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5

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.

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Dec 09 2024
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5

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

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Dec 09 2024
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5

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.

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Dec 07 2024
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5

Another amazing album that I thought I knew, but actually didn’t. That’s what this project is great for

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Dec 07 2024
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5

Even though there's a whole trio of Bowie albums I prefer (Station to Station - Low - Heroes), this is undeniably still a classic. Not a single weak song, the songwriting is just stellar nonstop.

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Dec 05 2024
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5

с другой стороны открылись песни Hang on to Yourself, классный альбом

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Dec 03 2024
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5

I've listened to this album before, but I don't think I had HEARD it until today. I knew it was going to be a 5/5 from the tracklist alone, but it was even better than I had expected. The themes/story are present through most of the album, but never detract from the songs (I read some were written before the theme was decided then tweaked to fit it, which makes sense when you listen). It's grand but never over the top like I've come to expect anything called a "rock opera" to be. The songwriting is obviously amazing because Bowie, but the production is also superb, and I love how it starts and ends so strongly. Ziggy was right to be concerned - he's still blowing minds all these years later.

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Dec 03 2024
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5

i have always wanted to listen to this album and i think it rlly lived up to my expectations. i really like the storytelling aspect of it and david bowie does it in such a beautiful way and true to the time. it just sounds so gorgeous and is truly such an experience. starman and ziggy stardust deserve the recognition they get and more. this album definitely deserves to be on this list.

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Dec 03 2024
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5

Stone cold classic, one my favourites from Bowie

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Dec 02 2024
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5

Love this. I thought I was a bit bored of it but really enjoyed listening to it. Still sounds fantastic.

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Dec 02 2024
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5

This is one of those nose in the air, know all the words, sing-a-long record for me. Probably still the Bowie album I know and love best

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Dec 01 2024
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5

The man cooked something special with this man. It's such an excellent listen. You get Bowie's impactful aura and presence, near-perfect production, forward-thinking vision, and perfect sequencing. Peak glam rock right here. Top 3 Favorites: Soul Love, Starman, and Five Years NO BAD SONGS 4.50-4.75/5

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Nov 30 2024
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5

Easiest 5/5 of my life. I wish I could give it a 6. I think this has to be the best first listen to an album I’ve ever had. The first song set my expectations ridiculously high and the rest of the album somehow met and exceeded those expectations. All 11 songs are so good there are no misses and my favorites were Five Years, Moonage Daydream, and Rock N Roll Suicide. Overall absolutely fantastic album and I will be listening to more David Bowie.

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Nov 29 2024
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5

Ziggy, Moonage Daydream, Suffragette City, Hang On To Yourself, Starman; Ronson, Bolder, Woodie, Bowie. Apocalyptic glam. Extraterrestrial rock. Bowie’s first hit album and, as with so many of his albums, there’s an argument to be made that it’s his best. And some days it is…

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Nov 29 2024
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5

So good. Best opening track and closing track of any other album, maybe ever? all the tracks in the middle are great too.

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Nov 29 2024
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5

Bowie - so ahead of his time and so graceful in his execution lovelovelovehim Got to listen to Dr. Octagonacologist - that was a fun ride!

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Nov 29 2024
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5

Hell, yes! This album is incredible, and who doesn’t adore Bowie? He’s one of a kind, with an amazing voice that takes you to unexplored realms in your mind.

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Nov 29 2024
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5

Looking back to move forward. An album that shows you how it's done. From arrangements to songwriting, guitar tones to background vocal - this is just a complete package.

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Nov 26 2024
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5

This album is a classic and a clear 5/5. I think five yearrs is one of the best album openers there is, then you have the album (which is superb!!) followed by the best close to an album you can find with Suffragette City and Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide Favourite song: Starman, Suffragette City and Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide Least favourite: Every song is brilliant Album artwork: Iconic cover

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Nov 24 2024
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5

As far as I’m concerned, this is THE Bowie album. 5/5 Highlights: Moonage Daydream Starman Suffragette City

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Nov 24 2024
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5

senza la minima esitazione, un capolavoro

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Nov 22 2024
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5

The strings, the rock 'n' roll piano, the guitar, the persona. A goddamn perfect album.

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Nov 21 2024
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5

This album is perfection, starting with 5 years and ending on rock and roll suicide and with everything in between so goddamn amazing. its a rare, never skip a song, album. I was so happy it came up as its one of my all time fave albums and my 1st go to when I have a vinyl day.

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Nov 21 2024
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5

Only album in this collection that I immediately listened to again. Bowies finest.

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Nov 19 2024
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5

Еден од најдобрите албуми на сите времиња.

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Nov 19 2024
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5

The first four tracks are epic, incredible bangers. And it finishes with Ziggy, Suffragette and Rock & Roll Suicide?!

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Nov 18 2024
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5

This is undoubtedly a solid concept album, with a clear narrative journey and remarkable social impact, as it propelled the visibility of non-binary identities and a compassionate look at humanity in the very last years of their existence. Ziggy's character is still a wonderful and moving invention today. However, the album is not perfect, at least not in purely musical terms. Along with immediately anthemic songs ("Starman", "Ziggy Stardust") there are some uneven tracks ("Star" comes to mind as the weakest of them all). Even memorable songs like "Moonage Daydream" are inconsistent and fall into harmonic clichés in some instrumental fillers. And yet, the overall impression is still great. This is an album that requires time, careful listening, and attention to lyrics. I was particularly taken aback by the incredible ingenuity and Bowie's lyrical craft, as when the narrator involves the audience in "Five Years", or in the powerful poetry of "Soul Love" (where we move from mourning to morning, from loss to love; with a slogan speaking between mother and deceased son at a cemetery). Also, although it is not seemingly an overwhelming fan favorite, I fell immediately in love with "Starman", a song that reminds us of the power of children´s imagination and impulses to embrace again a carefree spirit. "The Rise and Fall" is also successful from a musical standpoint when Bowie produces dizzying modulations, and shortens time signatures, when he embodies a remarkable marriage between Led Zeppelin (in "It ain´t easy") and The Velvet Underground. All this considered, this is a memorable album. 8.5/10.

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Nov 18 2024
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5

This should be mandatory listening to anyone younger than 30 for what real music should sound like. Perfect album all the way through. Can't Miss Songs: Five Years Starman Ziggy Stardust Suffragette City

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Nov 18 2024
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5

Now this album started off with the biggest disadvantage of any so far.all the hype and paudits for an album I had never heard. And sad to say, it totally lived up to them. It is a brilliant album. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes it was obviously a 70's album, the general sound and production told you that, but the songs and the performance was spot on. I truly didn't expect it to live up to its reputation, but it did. Can only be one score. 5

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Nov 14 2024
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5

Musical dna. My favourite Bowie album. 25000 stars. The band is incredible. Mick Ronson. Trevor Bolder. Woody Woodsmansy. And I think a much better album than a lot of his later self indulgent guff. I know a lot of the criticism is that this was a poor album and of its time. Nope. Timeless and great. And the songs. You can have the best concept in the world but it won’t work without great songs. The title track is incredible. The apocalyptic Five Years feels even more relevant today. Starman was a brilliant single and an even better album track. Lady stardust - my god. Suffragette City - wham bam thank you ma’am. 30000 stars. (Also bonus points for the nutjobs who noticed he was standing under a k west sign the year Kanye was born. And tried to make something of it) 35000 stars.

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Nov 12 2024
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5

I hardly need to listen to this. It's a particular favourite of mine, and rarely far from my playlist. Over fifty years old, and it still sounds fresh. There's a fine mix of song styles, and the music and lyrics are basically top quality. The band is awesome, wit Mick's guitar playing an obvious highlight. A very easy Five Star rating. Incidentally, the Easy Star All Stars have a reggae/dub version of this album which doesn't disgrace the original. Check it out ("Ziggy Stardub")

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