The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
1972
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.
WikipediaMotha 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.
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"
Simply the best album that exists, I'll die on this hill. Please kill me.
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.
Talk about a nice 2 day stretch of records. Under his eye. Praise be. Blessed be the fruit.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
How have I never listened to this?! What's wrong with me? This album is amazing.
this is a legendary album for a reason, i’ll never not listen to it if given the chance.
The weirdest artist in popular music. A true one-of-a-kind and someone we'll never see again. Just legendary.
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.
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.
An album where I knew the singles but never had heard the album all the way through. Now I can see why its a classic; it sounds like the call of the early 70s.
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.
Easy 5 star. Great concept, great songs, very significant historically, has spawned many incredible covers...this is a true all timer. I always love a good rock opera
Mother fucking Bowie! I’d heard the hits off this album before, but even the songs I hadn’t heard were amazing. Listening to this album I felt like I’d been born in the wrong musical era.
Brilliant album, have been listening since 2001 or so when I bought it on CD
Such a great concept album, probably my favorite Bowie album. Got into it after Phish covered it for a Halloween show, but now I often will put it on to give it a full listen. Every song is a highlight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgqiSBxvdws https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auAGPN_keDs
Loved it. Probably going into my regular album rotation for the next couple months if not longer. 10
Discazo. I finally understand everything that it's said about David Bowie
I'm not always that into Bowie, but I think this album was a 10. Had a fun concept that was tied into a good amount, Starmanis a classic, and there were no songs that felt particularly weak.
Favorite tracks: 1. Starman (obvi) 2. Lady Stardust 3. Ziggy Stardust (obvi) 4. Rock'n'Roll Suicide Bowie is a fuckin' legend. Great album.
i've been itching for a concept album and this one hits. tons of fantastic tracks and a cool, ridiculous, loose rock opera story line. 10/10
I’m not a massive Bowie-guy and never listened to this album start to finish, but really pleased I now have. Don’t love all the tracks but Starman and Moonage Daydream are brilliant and those alone elevate this album above many others. Still don’t totally get why Bowie is SUCH a national treasure. Clearly has a lot to do with his androgynous, impossible to put-in-a-box, alter-ego which allows many to find escapism and vicariously live out fantasies through him.
Uno de mis discos preferidos, un par de veces al año siempre lo escucho.
El disco que más he escuchado de Bowie y el primero que me enganchó. Son todo temazos, ni un solo pero, prácticamente perfecto.
A hella good album and one of the most legendary from Bowie, a lotta songs I listened to already and more that I will listen to now.
One of my absolutely top favourite albums. Got so many complex memories and people such as Norma and Phil March.
Un discazo donde los haya. Bowie en estado puro. Destacables yo diría que absolutamente todas. Sólo cuando esto sucede un álbum se merece las 5 estrellas.
1. 5 yrs - kinda the wall Roger Waters vibe 2. idk 3. viibee slightly lz but its really cool 4. ok ive just listened to intro and i love it 5.bangeer 6. gimme soulmate to listen to that drinking wine 7. stimmdancee 8. nóżka chodzi 9. aaaaaaa absolute banger 10. aaaa 11. ill listen to that looking at stars
I tend to prefer Bowie’s weirder late 70s stuff, but this album is undeniable
I FORGOT TO DSVE WHAT I HAD SAID IM GNNA DIE. You were really liked opeining tho. Not doing it for this one fuck that Really good album i love it sm Final Thoughts: 5 out of 5
Extravagant, theatrical, melodic, amazing. One of the greatest albums I've heard, love it!
Hay algo que no se haya dicho de este álbum? Lo dudo mucho Un sólido 10/10, obra maestra
cool! I think I know most of this album anyway. I might even have it somewhere. five years: I guess i've listened to the Seu Jorge version, but actually this (remastered 2012 version) is much better! - but maybe a little slow in the middle. soul love: moonage daydream: I like this, but the middle horn-y bit is a bit annoying. starman: great it ain't easy: perhaps a bit weaker than some others. Lady Stardust: good Star: good Hang On to Yourself: chugg chug Ziggy Stardust: Obviously pretty amazing. Suffragette City: quite like it Rock 'n' Roll Suicide: very much like it The tracks are all a bit more jazz-y than I remember. I went for 5, but tempted by 4.
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.
Bowie at his most accessible. This is a great rock record! "Starman" and "Ziggy Stardust" are karaoke staples. Even the B sides were great. Fave track - "Suffragette City" this time around, I think, but "Five Years" and "Moonage Daydream" were contenders too!
Didn't think I was a big Bowie fan. I want to give this album a 4, just because of Bowie, but after listening to it, I totally see why it's so great. I listened to it twice, because I couldn't believe my ears. It's really that great.
one of my favorite albums ever. the thematic experience and overall musical quality make this a must listen for anyone who truly appreciates music
Я очень рада, что этот альбом оказался первым! И очень рада, что наконец послушала его полностью! Он звучит великолепно, все эти гармонии, сочетания, переходы, гитары, трубы и скрипки, голос Боуи и тексты - это потрясающе! Сейчас 2:35 ночи, надеюсь завтра днём еще раз переслушать полностью, многие песни сразу отметила, очень много крутых моментов.
My favourite Bowie album! (At least so far) Just an awesome LP of songs from start to finish. The album has a biggest vibe to it and Bowie is at the peak of his powers
This is a masterpice from bowie, one of the most iconic albums in history, this album is perfect. 5/5
I’ll need to give this one another listen. I was reading at the same time.
Obviously classic Bowie. Top 3 Bowie album for me. 9-10/10 1. Rock 'n' Roll Suicide 2. Starman 3. Star
I do love a concept album and this one delivers on so many levels. The more I read about Bowie the more interesting the music becomes. Only listened to this a handful of times before but will be listening to more often now
This one is so familiar and so good that I didn’t have to listen to it in order to rate it, but I played it anyways. Consistently excellent throughout, with no filler. One of the all time greatest albums IMO
I don’t know what to say about this LP that already hasn’t been said. One of the things I just read was that most of the songs were written/recorded at the same time as Hunky Dory, which makes sense because side 1 sounds like it could have come from Hunky Dory and the bookends of the side 2 power chord trio (Hang on to Yourself >Suffragette City) sound a lot like to Queen Bitch, from HD. Ziggy Stardust always seemed like a stepping stone from his more acoustic, piano-based phase to a more electric one. The presence of Mick Ronson is front and center, as is the absence of Rick Wakeman. I think I still prefer HD but this is pretty great too.
This is Bowie at his best. It's not only my favourite Bowie album but also my favourite album overall. (OK before we're done with 1001 I might say that about another album or two but no more.) Bowie wrote an excellent batch of songs. This album is all about the vocals. Bowie's ability to sing sets this album apart from the pack. Five Years is an amazing song and a beast vocally. I like how the different vocal tracks talk to each other. Soul Love has Bowie doing a sax solo. I think he played sax on the Serious Moonlight tour but I can't remember which song. Since Rick Wakeman checked out of this album, Ronson was able to show his stuff and he shines - particularly his solos at the end of Moonage Daydream. He really knows how to make a raunchy sound and make the notes hang until almost distorted. Many albums with a string side 1 start tailing off by the middle of side 2? Not this bad boy. The best songs might be the last three on Side 2. If we didn't know better we might think that verse one and verse two of Ziggy Stardust were sung by two different singers. He doesn't change key or anything; he just sings like two different singers. Two different and excellent singers. A version of this song with the vocals isolated is easy to find on the internet. Apparently Bowie laid these lyrics down in one take. In the fade of R&R Suicide it's clever how the lead vocals sing "You're not alone" while the back up vocals sing "Wonderful' and then the lead vocals finally come around and also sing "Wonderful" What an ending to a fabulous album.
Already knew this well. Not much more to say than this is an unequivocal classic. Obvious five stars.
22nd October 2021 Listened on my phone while working from home on Friday. Just magic. Bowie is transformative and transportative (if that's a word).
A true classic, timeless, innovative and still relevant. Defined this era for Bowie and the yardstick to measure his other works by. Musically diverse and full of hits and hidden gems. Top tracks: Suffragette City, Ziggy Stardust, Star, Starman
Was a bit hesitant about rating it a 5, I mean, it’s not my favorite Bowie but good damn it is a stone cold classic!
I am really loving the chance to visit these Bowie albums in their entirety. I can't believe how great they are. I love so many of his songs, but these albums are spectacular. This one might have the best "closing act" I've ever heard: Ziggy into Suffragette City and then finishes with Rock n Roll Suicide. Just awesome!
This was actually a strong album from start to finish. Lots of great songs. 9/10.
fuck yeah, man. i don't think i've ever sat down and listened to this whole album all the way through. obviously i'd heard the big tracks, but definitely not some of the others. it's hard to overstate the admiration i have for the man's talent. he truly never got old, even when he was making music i didn't much care for.
Great album. Highlights include the trippy Moonage Daydream, the joyful Starman, Ziggy Stardust, the raucous Suffragette City and the emotional Rock 'n' Roll Suicide.
There isn’t anything I can really say about this album that hasn’t been said. I listen to Ziggy Stardust all the time. I can listen to it all day, every day, and it still moves me. I can’t say that about very many albums. I always say I don't have a favorite album but come on, does it get any better than this? I think technically, David Bowie probably made “better” albums than Ziggy Stardust. He didn't peak here. He produced plenty of smart, musically adventurous albums in the years that followed. But. This. Is. The. Album. This is the one. Of all of his works, I feel this is the most perfectly realized work. It's absolutely his most accessible album, which doesn’t sacrifice his art one bit. Front to back, every song is perfectly crafted and perfectly placed. There is no filler and there is no chaff. The concept aspect of the album is subtle but clever, apparently devised after many of the songs had already been written. You don’t need to be aware of it to enjoy the songs, which are all exceptional on their own. But if you consider the songs as a narrative, it’s even more enjoyable. Musically, the songs are gorgeously arranged, a joy to listen to. The songs range from dreamy and soulful to glammy and sexy without skipping a note. Mick Ronson’s guitar and string arrangements are masterful. “Suffragette City” and “Ziggy Stardust” are the classic rock mainstays, but it’s the deep tracks that give this album its substance. Fave Songs (all songs, ranked most to least favorite): Rock 'n' Roll Suicide, Moonage Daydream, Five Years, Starman, Soul Love, Suffragette City, Lady Stardust, Ziggy Stardust, Star, Hang on to Yourself, It Ain't Easy
Objectively? Maybe Bowie's best album. I know that's saying a lot, given his ouvre, but hear me out: many of his great albums need a specific mindset to enjoy; I wouldn't feel like I could on something like Blackstar, Low, "Heroes," Station to Station, or even Young Americans all willy nilly. The only other excellent records of his that I could are Hunky Dory and Let's Dance, and this is better than both of those. Ergo, it's his best record.
Legendary character and inventive genius by David Bowie on full display.
I would consider this David Bowie's career-defining masterpiece. When I think of the different phases and musical styles of Bowie's career, I keep coming back to the trio of albums, Hunky Dory, Ziggy and Aladdin Sane recorded with his outstanding band, The Spiders From Mars. All these records are essential and Ziggy is up there with the classic albums of the 70's.
A great album. Many well known songs. There isn't a weak song on the album. I have heard the album before and will listen to it again.
Topalbum die over de hele lijn goed opbouwt. Startend met iets meer piano-gebaseerde nummers, en iets meer gitaar naar het einde toe
Driver mi je otkrio Bowiea sa Suffragette Cityem and I never looked back.
Well, this should be easy. Daleko u top 3 njegova albuma. Nema se šta govoriti, a i nevjerovatan je čovjek (legenda) kad je mogao predvidjeti legendu - znak iznad njega. Svaka mu čast na tome. Back to the topic. Stvarno odličan album, čekam da ga uzmem na vinylu, jednom mi je uteko iz dirty-a prije nego što sam došao u ZG, ali idući puta čim bude, nabavlja se. Pjesme poput: Five Years, Moonage Daydream, Starman, Star, Suffragette City...ostat će vječne pjesme kao i on sam.
Savršen album od prve do zadnje pjesme i meni njegov najdraži. S 15 godina sam prvi put čula pjesmu "Starman" i krenula ga slusat, a to se poklapalo s mojim periodom di me nitko ne razumije i svijet je protiv mene jer imam prištiće i masnu kosu. Ali eto bar je David bio uz mene i to cijenim.
I first gave this a listen later in life, but was then unable to stop for a few weeks after. Really the epitome of what a concept album should be: diverse, high-quality songs all the way through, plenty of virtuosity in all departments, and incredibly unique.
Wham bam. Oiskohan helpoin arvosana tähän asti. Bowien musa iskenyt aina kovaa ja tämä kaverin top3-levyjä. Tuntuu, että levyn intensiivisyys ei häviä minnekään, vaikka kuinka yrittää kuluttaa puhki. Virtuoosimaista, tunnerikasta tykitystä alusta loppuun. Rokkari vailla vertaa.
This is such a classic and brings me right back to my teens when I loved this kind of classic rock, especially when it was kind of experimental.
10/10 como cualquier cosa creada por este hombre del bien. cada canción es mejor que la anterior y en cada tema podemos ver por qué este es un álbum tan famoso. mis canciones favoritas fueron: five years, ziggy stardust, lady stardust y rock 'n' roll suicide (que me parece la canción más malditamente infravalorada de todo el álbum)
Pretty much THE Bowie album, the man has produced a lot of great music but this is his crowning achievement. A fun concept album, definitely worth a spot on this list, lots of great hits and none of the songs really drag here. Just a wacky guy singing about space.
Top notch. Absolutely classics in here with Moonage Daydream being a personal favorite.
This is one of the very best Bowie joints ever. It's a remarkably tight and smart album. Every track is enjoyable and engaging. Bowie as Ziggy is lightyears ahead of his time and this album stands up as a remarkable even 50 years later.
So we had a Bowie album earlier and I gave it an analytical 4. And even though, no, I have never listened to any of his albums, I was super excited to listen to this one when I saw it and the track listing. Suffragette City, Moonage Daydream, Starman, and my favorite Ziggy they're all here (channeling my inner Principal Skinner). Really getting spoiled with this list recently. Incredible album. Bowie shows some deft acoustic guitar playing (Starman, Rock N Roll Suicide) and Ronson is amazing on the electric guitar (the main riff on the title track is one of the greatest of all time). Bowie's great songwriting skills are on full display especially his lyrics (Soul Love, It Ain't Easy were some highlights for me). I will say that for a concept rock opera album, the pieces don't always connect in a linear or coherent way, but the themes are all there. And the whole effort is masterful. Every listen the album gets better and better.
I think I heard a lot of the songs from this album from different concerts ("Stage", in particular). It's amazing how many great songs are on this album, and they vary so much in style, too... things like "Ziggy Stardust" and "Suffragette City." But even deeper cuts like "Starman" and "Five Years" (which really aren't that much deeper when you think about it) vary in style. People talk about the short shelf life of prog rock, but when it was in big heyday in the early 70s it was something to behold. Glam rock was the same, and T-Rex and this album in particular. The true test of an album is its "re-listenability". I listened to it, and wanted to listen to it again right away. Definitely tells you something about the addictiveness and how much those songs become earworms in your head. "Five Years" for me really sticks with me for a long time. Maybe it was because I first heard it on "Stage" and it was so intriguing, but just... man, I feel like listening to it again right now. Great, great album.
Troche bylo trzeba czekac, ale czlowiek sie doczekal osmego pojawienia sie pana Bowiego na liscie, dodatkowo z jednym z moich ulubionych krazkow, a jesli last fm nie klamie takze najbardziej osluchany, ale jakich innych sie spodziewac, jesli juz tyle sie przewinelo i jak tak mysle, to sadze, ze jeszcze maksymalnie dwa da sie upchnac, chyba najbardziej rokowo punkowy krazek w dyskografii Bowiego i poczatek Ziggowej persony, nagrany w pomiedzy 71 a 72 i wydany w tym samym roku, no i ostatni nagrany na wyspach przed wyruszeniem na podboj hameryki z aladdinem, ciezko sie doszukiwac czegos nowego gdy juz tyle razy sie slyszalo plyte, wiec zadnych zaskoczen nie bylo, album na ktorym gitarkowo Bowie jest najlepszy w swojej karierze, moze ze wzgledu na to ze jest to jedyny instrument jakiego dytyka, reszta zajmuja sie tytulowe spidery z marsa, wiec taki prywatny bend z ktorym David bedzie colabowal na kolejnych krazkach, w sklad ktorego wchodza przedewszystkim Mick Ronson na elektrykach i klawiszach, robiacy takze za backujace wokale, ktore sa tak nieinwazyjnie podane, a jednak robia to cos, Trevor Bolder na basie i Mick Woodmansey drumujacy, najlepszy sklad backujacy Davida, tak autentycznie rokowego brzmienia ciezko sie doszukac na innych jego krazkach, niby nie jest to konceptowy album, ale piosenki lirycznie tak sie uzupelniaja, ze razem tworza historie majaca rece i nogi opowiadajca o lepperskim mesjaszu Ziggim, ktoremu zostalo powierzone zadanie uratowania swiata, ale boski tylek i skillsy gitarkowe tak podbily mu ego, ze musial je wyruchac, w wyniku czego fani go pozarli i spajdery musialy rozwiazac benda, piekna opowiesc zamknieta na 38 minutach i jedenastu trakach, pewnie na hunkowej dory pisalem, ze w tym okresie pan David mial najlepsze wokale, jeszcze niewyniszczone przez dawanie po kablach, polaczone z, jak na tamte czasy, ambitnie rewolucyjnymi technikami efektami jak echa i przestery z moonage daydreama tworza wspaniala uczte dla uszu, wiec moze jakos odkrywczy ten odsluch nie byl, ale dobrze sobie przypomniec tak klasyczne albumy, jak tak teraz slucham to juz wiem jakiego kawalka mi zabraklo na lazarusie, z pewnoscia byl to starman, ktorego wrecz slysze jako good ending spektaklu, ale tak samo dobrze moglby byc openingiem, no i co do samej postaci ziggiego, to przynajmniej dowiedzialem sie na kim byl bazowany, byl to podobno Vince Taylor, ktory mial tak zbazowane zalamanie nerwowe, poprzedzone alkoholizacja narkotyzacja i religizacja, ze uwazal sie za czyms pomiedzy bogiem a aljenem, czyli istny ziggy, dodatowo sama ksywka alter ego Bowiego z tego krazka moze nawiazywac do Iggiego Popa i pewnie x sluchalnych muzykow tamtego okresu, bo co jak co Bowie zawsze czerpal inspiracje z tego co akurat dzialo sie w okol niego zarowno w spoleczenstwie jak i w branzy muzykowej, mocarna baza, ciezko dodac cos na plejke z tak osluchanej plyty, ktora juz i tak znajduje sie w bibliteczce, ale znajde jeszcze miejsce dla suffragette city
Don't need to listen! Lived with it most of my life! Mick Ronson deserved more credit for his contribution to this tremendous album.
You know, Ziggy Stardust is not all that different to the album that precedes it, i.e. Hunky Dory. After all, most of the songs on both albums were recorded at the same time, the major differences being the overarching Ziggy concept/story (albeit a bit loose at times) and the mystique of the Ziggy Stardust character, which make this album more immediately accessible than Hunky Dory. That’s it…oh and Ziggy rocks a little bit harder than its predecessor. It’s an excellent album, with an immense legacy, that has stood (and continues to stand) the test of time.
Incredible, beautiful, everything a rock album should be. Moments of youth and freedom and light and noise and possibility frozen smiling in amber. I listened to it twice in a row. It's newer now than ever, and has always been here, close. More gushing is possible. What I didn't notice before was the debt Hotel California owed to Moonage Daydream, or the echoes of Lady Stardust in Young Americans. Just perfect. Hurry up tomorrow, I want to give this five stars.
Would give this six or even seven stars, just one of the greatest albums ever written. No skips
A top 10 rock album for me. Musically it’s a perfect cocktail of a lot of my tastes: Beatles-esque pop mixed with hard rock, psychedelic vibes, punk riffs and big drama. It’s a loose concept album about the rise and fall of a self-obsessed rock star (I think)* and the sequencing of the album has such a great emotional sweep to it. The melodies are so catchy, the hooks are big and Bowie is a hell of a performer. “Moonage Daydream” is a personal favorite and “Five Years” kills me every time. But every song is great - truly an album with no filler. *Wikipedia explains that Ziggy Stardust is an alien who becomes a self-obsessed rock star, so I was close. 👽😁
Ah Ziggy. Imagine knowing the hits from the album but not knowing the joys of Moonahe Daydream screaming into your earlugs. Perfect justification for why albums are greater than greatest hits
One of my all time favourite albums. Can't listen to the last song loud enough.
A classic from start to finish - perhaps the only bad thing is the familiarity of all the songs as I have heard it so much that my 'go to' Bowie albums are either from 75-80 or from 93 onwards. I will never tire of hearing Five Years, Suffragette City, Moonage Daydream, Starman and Ziggy.
Absolutely Timeless. Not my fave from Bowie, but it is so damn consistent and strong.
Yup, absolutely lived up to the hype. This list is turning me into a Bowie fan for sure. I still think Heroes is my favorite, but this is a very close second.
gave this album a spin since i have it on vinyl, still blows me away years after i first got it.
One of my favorite albums. Every time I listen to it I like it more. I don't have much more to say. It is amazing.
I think this is the first album we've listened to that, for me, suffers from being made so long ago and being so influential. I feel like if I had heard this for the first time in 1972 when it was released, it would have absolutely blown my mind. But people have been making music inspired by Bowie for 50+ years at this point, so none of this felt particularly "new" to me, even though it surely was at the time. I still think the album was very very enjoyable to listen to, worth 5 stars, and I will likely listen to it again since I'm a sucker for concept albums, but I think this will be in the lower tier of 5 star ratings for me.
Is this the first appearance of Kanye West? Albeit just as a street sign? This is a transformational album. Astonishing. And a star that was willing to be different from the dozens of stars that were climbing the charts at the time. That was great.
David Bowie has to be my favourite of those classic super popular musicians this review is very positive so to balance it out I will say that hunky dory is the superior Bowie work but this album still deserves classic status and this is why… Five years has to be one of the best openers ever, fine it doesn’t have any big instrumental build up at the start, but it does have a slow but great build up on the verses then the outro which acts like an extended chorus at the end. Soul love is the kind of song I think of when I think David Bowie an amazing pop rock song, great guitars, great lyrics, great chorus and a well done outro. I love the use of the electric guitar in Moonage Daydream, the instrumental break also works really well with the song and that outro oh my very, very good. Starman has to be the most iconic Bowie song it’s just such a well done song main highlights here are the chorus the small instrumental break before the chorus and basically anything to do with this iconic songs chorus. The verses aren’t as good as the chorus but they’re still great. It ain’t easy feels like a much needed comedown from the first four songs while still retaining that Bowie magic, great to close off side one. Lady stardust isn’t one of my favourites on here but it’s got some piano work and works well as being a second opener for side two. Star is a good song for sure its very enjoyable the main song is very fast paced only for my favourite part that outro. Hang on to yourself is the album’s weakest point but it still provides good time entertainment and like any Bowie song the instrumental work us so good. The intro of Ziggy stardust is great and the song tells the story that’s kinda been hidden by the great music we’ve been getting the changing chorus is really good ( man Bowie knows how to make a chorus). Suffragette city is a good song but that intro with the heavier guitars has ti be my favourite bit. The repeated “ hey man’s” Would probably be made really annoying by a lesser artist but they work in this tune and the subtler piano works makes this song so special. Rock and roll suicide is everything you want from a closer a good slower song that builds up to make this such a satisfying closer to such a classic album.
The songwriting is more basic than on Hunky Dory, but it is still great
Five Years Soul Love Moonage Daydream Starman Star Ziggy Stardust Suffragette City Rock n roll suicide ... que dire. Le plus grand artiste de tous le temps qui sort son meilleur album? 5 étoiles en or massif