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

Good album. Iconic singer.

One of the all time greatest albums by who I consider the greatest artist of all time! See my other reviews to understand just how much I love Bowie.

“Starman” was definitely my favorite on this album and maybe the best overall David Bowie album I’ve heard so far.

My favorite Bowie album.

I do not like David Bowie

One of my favourite records of all time. One of the best records of all time. Just happy to listen to it again for the millionth time. 5

Such a good album. I was never a David Bowie hater but this record definitely got me a lot more into all his other stuff. No bad tracks. Essential Glam rock

There’s not much for me to say about this record, except that it lives up to all of the accolades that it has accrued since its release and that David Bowie is the GOAT.

4.5

Lempparit: Five years ja Moonage Daydream Vähiten lemppari: Suffragette city

mega❤️

What can you say about a legend?

A perfect album, a perfect rock star

Bardzo fajne, a nawet z 3 czy 4 piosenki, które sobie zapisałem. A tylko 11 utworów na płycie. Solidne 4/5

Really great album with a number of awesome songs. Listened to it twice through.

Gutes Bowie Album. Konzeptionell gelungenes Album mit einen David in Topform. In dieser “Rockoper” setzt er sich dystrophobisch mit seinen Ego-1972 auseinander. Mit “Starman” verfügt es über einen Toptitel, der als Zugpferd auch zum Wiederhören des Rests vom Album dient.

Love 4/5

Favorite Tracks: Starman Moonage Daydream Suffragette City

Soooo gooood

Every bit as good as everyone says. I’ve been trying to be a stickler about not listening to albums I know to be on the generator list, and I’m regretting that now. My Bowie education was clearly done a great disservice by getting this later than most of the rest of his stuff on here. The first thing I drew from him on here was "Low!" That's the wrong order!

Great album, once again cooking dinner but couldn't help having a bit of a boogie.

Five stars; no notes.

10/10. i don't have to explain this album lol.

The most amazing feverdream soundtrack! 5/5

The quintessential Bowie album feels wrong to give this anything but 5*

DB slay

not a Bowie fan by nature, but this is real quality

classic, enjoyable, endearing. 4.5/5

Starman and suffragette city are the stand outs!

Ok. I need to rethink my ratings system. So far I have been far too generous, and there isn't enough room for nuance at the top. So I'm going to adopt a new system, roughly adapted from a message I read on Reddit somewhere. 1 star: this offended me or was of such poor quality I would have commented on it if I heard it as background music in a restaurant. I could have done better myself. 2 stars: this was not a good or enjoyable album, but it could happily exist quietly in the background somewhere. 3 stars: this does nothing for me, but I could work to it. Either quite dull, or maybe an album of bad songs but with one or two ok ones. 4 stars: I might choose to listen to this again. But I'm not going to tell anyone about this. Happily would have this on rotation, and it might even have a few really good songs which I like a lot. 5 stars: I'm going to tell someone about this. This is a great album, which has 'changed' me in some way, emotionally or musically. The world would be a sadder place if this album were gone. With all this in mind, this album is a 4.

Five Years 4.5 Soul Love 4.4 Moonage Daydream 4.7 Starman 4.6 It Ain't Easy 4.5 Lady Stardust 4.6 Star 4.1 Hang On to Yourself 4.2 Ziggy Stardust 4.7 Suffragette City 4.5 Rock 'n' Roll Suicide 4.7 Score: 4.5

Great album!

хоть некоторые и интересные и не этот альбом меня тогда сломал, но в целом просто скучно

I love character albums, and this one is iconic. When an artist really takes a stab at encapsulating a particular quality and it pays off, it pays off in dividends. Listening to this album is like a time capsule, it takes me back to a time of psychedelic space race. There were some really interesting songs on here that I never heard before, that never end up on greatest hits albums. I think the only other artist that really encapsulates this feeling for me is Lady gaga. So many different character albums some of which don't pay off, but the ones that do. Iconic.

Classic for a reason

Banger after banger after banger. Phenomenal record, with a variety of great styles and tunes.

It's David Bowie. Enough said.

Holy crap. This is over 50 years old and sounds fresh. How have I not listened to this before. I now understand why folks hold Bowie in such high regard. This is the third album in my project and hear this has made the project worth it.

A non-trivial number of people think David Bowie is a genius. I do not. But this album is. 5 stars.

Gear: Aür Audio Aurora Artwork: 🧑🏼‍🎤🎸🧱 Produktion (Remaster 2012): 🎧😘🤌 Musik: 🧑🏼‍🎤🛸🌟 Wertung: 🧑🏼‍🎤🧑🏼‍🎤🧑🏼‍🎤🧑🏼‍🎤🧑🏼‍🎤/5

Full of bangers

Amazing!

I remember trying to get into Bowie and listening to this years ago, but it just didn't click for me then. Listening to it now, I felt like I was doing so for the first time. It's my third Bowie album and I can officially say I'm a fan. It's fun, grand, and weird, with great lyrics. The opener is absolutely amazing, the closer is too, and it's just an all around great album. Favorites: "Five Years", "Moonage Daydream", "Starman", "Hang on to Yourself", "Ziggy Stardust", "Suffragette City", "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"

This is one of those albums where I think surely it is universally appealing and how could anyone find something not to like here, but I bet I’m about to be proved wrong when I look at some of the other reviews.

Never understood the hype around Bowie. Nothing on this album helped me see the light. Very meh.

I'm not a huge Bowie fan, but every track on this is a single. Fantastic album

okay maybe i've wrongly dismissed this as overrated...certainly Bowie did better stuff but this remains anthemic, existential, primal sing-along...i get it okay? 10/10

A classic.

Too much Bowie.

What can I say that has not been said about this classic? It might be the best known work by Bowie. I don't think it's his best though. It certainly is interesting and has been obviously hugely influential, and yet when you know what he did afterwards, it does feel a bit short and empty. Bowie basically spend his whole life developing his craft as a songwriter, so it's not to say that he hasn't arrived yet. In fact, I think Bowie understood better than most people that arriving is a never ending process. This, as a step, was a significant one. Just not the one I resonated with the most, I guess.

An end to end masterpiece concept album. The concept does not override the creativity of each song. They have wonderful strengths outside of their inclusion in the album, yet also contribute to the “concept”. Inventive vocal arrangements help it rise above standard rock music.

this was a fun interesting album and i liked the weird of it

yeah its alright i guess

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

Un album fundamental (solo una canción desmerece; la 5 de la primera cara). Sonido para poner a tope de volumen.

I looved this album! Honestly was so pleasantly surprised to hear so many pop references that have derived from this album. I hear so much of Coldplay's early work in this album. Since I started listening this morning, it has been on repeat while I work. The vibe of the songs on this album was immaculate; the story telling, the lyrics, and more than anything just the sonic palette. I have never heard a Bowie album from start to finish before and this was an absolute treat! I agree with Daniel, Starman stood out to me. As I was listening to it and reading the lyrics online, I noticed it was actually used in the Ridley Scott's Martian movie starring Mat Damon - clip. I have watched this movie so many times and never realized how seamless this soundtrack was in context. My review in one line, "It left me wanting more". I can't wait to hear more from Bowie. Some of these songs will definitely be added to my regular playlist. I came into the office thinking i'd give it a 4/5 but honestly the songs have been on repeat all morning and its grown on me further. Unequivocally, 5/5.

David Bowie has been a pretty regular part of my whole life, enough so I was able to listen to this from our personal collection instead of digitally. My mom was a big David Bowie fan, and I remember as a kid loving this album, and also Diamond Dogs. The cover of which will always haunt me. I enjoy most of the music Bowie created, and I love Labryinth. Is this a perfect album? No. Am I still giving it 5/5? Yes.

First of all, the name of this album is amazing. Right away, I love the production and the mix. The drums are punchy but not in your face, which is perfect as it allows you to hear everything else. I've never gave David Bowie a proper chance before. I knew of him, I knew a lot of people liked him, but I've never really listened to anything more than his singles, and maybe even just Space Oddity at that. Starman is a song that stood out to me. Never heard this song before and it's absolutely fantastic. Catchy, great guitar parts, great rhythm, this song is definitely added to my rotation. I can kind of hear how modern artists have drawn influence from Bowie. In Suffragette City for example, there's a "punky" kind of vibe with how Bowie sings. "Wow", is the only descriptive word I can find to describe this album. Every song was great and had my foot tapping and head bobbing the entire time. The mix of the album is great as I've said previously and by the end of the album I maintain that thought. A lot of really catchy riffs and melodies throughout the entire album and nothing too in your face. The best way I can describe this album, "It doesn't try to do too much, and it's absolutely perfect". I'm trying to find a reason to not give it a 5/5, and frankly, I can't. I will definitely be coming back to this album and will listen to it for years to come. 5/5

It was alright. Dated. I still don’t get the DB hype

Call me basic - the best Bowie album period.

Just Bowie

best opening and closing tracks to an album? perhaps

I like a lot of Bowie's music. This one is probably my least favorite of his library though.

Amazing

Some stand out songs, the rest is good but not amazing

4.5 fantastic album

One of the greatest albums of all time. Not a bad song on here, and it's short and punchy - wham bam, thank you ma'am! Some fantastic riffs, really interesting and unique sci-fi concept, and Bowie himself is of course gives a transcendent performance throughout. I enjoyed giving this a listen on vinyl, haven't dug it out in a while. My copy is the 40th anniversary edition, which I just noticed is pressed from the original analogue tapes. Pretty cool. Still sounds fantastic, even now, well past the 50th anniversary.

Masterpiece

9/10

The first half Does not feel like spiders from mars, however comma it does feel like a trip into space and finding the ever expanding nothingness and just being cool with it being that way. And once you reach space you realize how much you do care about the little things you experience in your day to day. The second half feels like you just came back from space, survived and started telling everyone you see that you killed god with music and lasers in space. Unfortunately however the more people you tell, the less impressive it becomes and then you end up in that same void of emptiness where you were in the beginning of the record. Feels like black country new road took some inspiration from this record

Not my taste, and not his best work.

David Bowie makes me cum like a whale 🥺😜🤤

So David Bowie created the Ziggy Stardust character, performed in character, then was unable to differentiate Ziggy Stardust from himself. So in other words, he presented as his true, authentic self. In 1972. Good for him!! Regarding the album - it’s really good. Fantastic progressive rock, clean editing, well balanced. Just wow. Like really, really good. How have I never listened to this?

I remember listening to this a while ago. It’s better on a relisten

An all time great album! 4.6 stars

Best Bowie

Bowie at his peak

Such amazing work by a legendary artist. Arguably my favorite album by Bowie.

Never fails. Always found Ziggy to be strange and a little frightening. Really "trippy" without a TRACE of psychedelia. I wonder what it would have been like to hear this for the first time as a 17 year old, when it first came out. Imaginative and a little overwhelming. I don't think I ever really understood what was happening. It seems a little like a three act play, a musical (maybe? just brainstorming here). Act one, Ziggy and "his" crew are not here yet, they're on their way. It's a Five Year mission, and someone is screaming at the end: maybe this is where they enter our world, where they discover love. Different kinds, different ways. This is our weakness, our strength, that we all share.I am also busting up my brains for the words. Moonage Daydream, arguably the best song on tis album. The protagonist is singing to the alien, he wants them (?) to love him. Desperately. We've all been there. Notice how Starman starts. Like it's not in it's groove yet. I see this as the start of the next part, when the aliens figure out how to get here, how they're going to infiltrate us. See, a long time ago, aliens were not always evil, more like benefactors. Like the mythological Jesus. Is Ziggy the 2nd coming of Jesus, but now he shows up like this? At the END of Starman, "let the children boogie" and now there's a groove, right. They figured out how to play. Every song has some strange apparition at the beginning. Through part two, we get sermons from, it would appear. We see the first worshiping by Lady Stardust. Star - has that early rock/doo wop vibe cut in with some heavy power chords. "I could play the wild mutation as a rock and star." WHO'S point ogf view is this? Ziggy? Wants to be a rock star so he can fall in love? THinks it will be easy? hmm So, part three, the post-transformation, now Ziggy exists as a thing, too perfect, falls victim to the excesses of stardom (Suffragette City), then Rock 'n Roll Suicide, it's over man. But your NOT alone. Just put this on, Ziggy is here to save us with his message of love.

Enjoyed some of the more "rock" songs. Moonage Daydream had a cool ray gun guitar solo. Starman was fun and seemed familiar. Suffragette City was fun too. Some of the more spoken or ballad songs were weird and not for me.

9/10

One of my favorite albums of all time. There will never be another David Bowie.

I don’t usually like Bowie’s main work but this was fun. Probs won’t listen to it again though.

Really good, moonage daydream is a banger

Of course this is a very famous album. Of course the great song Starman is on it. Of course Ziggy Stardust is also quite good. Of course Lady Stardust is ok. Of course the rest is simply not so great. A important album in the career of Bowie but in my opinion not one of his best.

Bowies masterpiece, great band, not a bad song on it

Bowie is one of my favorite artists of all time. And although this album is considered by many his magnum opus, it is definitely not my favorite Bowie's work. I don't really know what it is, but the glam is really not my cup of tea. There are amazing songs on this that I love with all my heart, but there's much better work ahead and I feel like giving this one 5/5 would not be fair to albums like Station to Station, Low or Heroes. 4.5/5

Was expecting more. Good though, liked other early Bowie better.

Odd. I have a weird relationship with Bowie. Love some songs but must are too strange for me. This has some good stuff, some pretty average stuff

This was great. Not a bad track on here. I wouldn’t listen to them all just randomly, definitely some. most I would only listen to again when listening to the album in full. I don’t mean that as a bad thing, the album just feels like it’s meant to be listened to as a whole.

I liked this! I knew starman already, but "hang on to yourself" is pretty great too.

Thinking of my sweet son in law who idolized Bowie. ❤️

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!

Quite good. Prob the best glam rock (def like it more than t rex,) but Blackstar is prob my favorite Bowie

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.

Perfecto

I’ve loved this record since I was a kid. It was the first album my dad ever told me to listen to, and I’ve never regretted it. Cosmic and wonderful.

Nothing to say that hasn't already been said about this album. Absolutely outstanding. Even the lesser known songs on the album are excellent, not a single track I'd skip.

Another Bowie Banger! Lots of excellent music here. I’m enjoying ever Bowie album I get and this one is no exception. It’s zany and fun, awesome vocals, awesome production, totally wild and weird.

Masterful 4.6

Certainly one of the best, with a lot of familiar songs on it. Bowie was on a roll here, and this album was a regular on our turntable.

Classic Bowie with some of his best songs

then the spiders started attacking

No private session used for Spotify. I really don't need to listen to this album as I have listened to it lots and I know I love it. I listened to it anyway, happily, then the rest of the day was going through some other excellent Bowie albums.

I mean come on !!!!!!

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.

Great album

Incredible

Not my artist, still ok, Suffragette City rocks at least

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…

Really enjoyed this album. Five years is an amazing intro track to this album. Nothing much else to say.

Another banger

Groovy

Theatrical pop that is over-the-top and quirky at times (sometimes even veering into cheese), but the catchy melodies and very good production help most things land. Highlights: "Five Years" (piano ballad), "Moonage Daydream" (proto-glam, guitars just need to be a touch louder and crunchier), "Starman" (Beatles-esque with jangly guitar and double-tracked choruses), "Ziggy Stardust" (Bob Dylan goes glam) Notable: "Suffragette City" (verses definitely influenced by Lou Reed)

Demorei para conseguir escutar, antes contentava em perceber a imensa qualidade pelas versões das músicas com bandas que gosto. Não cheguei a entender o conceito da história do disco, mas os clássicos sustentam formidavelmente o deleite da audição.

I know Bowie is a legend and Starman and Ziggy Stardust are classics, but other than that ... I am just not that into it

Genius.

its good ig

Nice album, that I just recently listened to a podcast about. This was one of the first albums with a story on it, less of a collection of songs. It is cool that this came in my recommendations only a week later. I do find some of the songs a bit lack-luster. But Bowie never was my style.

my brain hurts a lot

Best album of all time.

This album was great. The start of it was not as interesting as the second half. Or day I say 1/3 wasn't as interesting as the other 2/3. That's how fractions work. David Bowie always surprises me with albums that sound very different but also sound very Bowie at the same time. I appreciate that approach when one can pull it off. Separates the musical geniuses from the musical snobs I guess. Not my favorite record of his. But I cant deny its brilliance.

So bland please no more David Bowie albums.

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.

Personally, not my favourite Bowie album. That doesn’t mean, however, that it’s not fantastic.

Off beat and interesting when released has matured into brilliant and noteworthy. Exceptional!

4.4 stars rounded down.

This was the first David Bowie album I ever heard. And it's still my favorite of his - and in my Top 10 Favorites of all. I love the whole thing start to finish. Still love it. Start to finish.

Weird

***An ok album

Enjoyed it.

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!

David Bowie at his almost best. Almost, because Low is easily his best album that I have listened to so far, and Ziggy was just a little bit underwhelming, taking into consideration his other work. Still, a really good record, easily a classic album now.

Please no more Bowie

Day208 - a genius doing genius things

Maybe stop giving me Bowie albums. 2/5

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

Good car rock album

One of the main albums of my youth, 100% love and faith 5 stars all the way

it's good but i don't think i like it as much as i should

classic, also the best bowie album imo

Not my favourite Bowie album, but it's pretty damn good

Probably my favorite Bowie from beginning to end. Rock ‘n’ roll forward really good

Flawless - even the songs that have been forgotten are better than most artists ever manage!

Warum soviel David Bowie????

Very boring and empty sounding overall other than like 2 or 3 songs

Nothing too special

I mean, c'mon

A messianic, egotistical, androgynous alien as a metaphor for a rock star is so on the nose that it’s almost a cliche at this point, but Bowie made the connection perfectly with this album and the songs are just as strong as the ideas behind them. I think people get a little too hyped about David Bowie. Like, he’s good, but calm down. But this is an undeniably great album.

Five years 😩

love

Love Starman! - 9/10

There are a lot of David Bowie albums on this. Most have ideal runtimes but are kinda weird, which made them hard for me to review. But I was waiting for this one given that it is one of the highest rated albums on the website. Still weird but it's good. Ziggy Stardust was great. Low 5.

idk I feel like ppl say this is one of bowies best albums but I didn't really like it more/less than his other stuff. pretty good.

Eh, just sounded like David Bowie, it was fine 6/10

8/10 - this was better than the other David Bowie albums. I enjoyed a bunch of the songs that I had heard before and some other ones that I hadn’t.

Goatee album, I didn’t realize how many bangers were on here 10/10

Bowie finally delivering an album that doesn't make me want to fall asleep. This was great

2nd Bowie in a row and this one is my favorite. Every song is a banger. There is not a second of fat to trim on this absolute classic.

Bowie is such a good frontman. The way he sings and the words he chooses all the listener to get a real feel for his intelligence and charisma just by hearing him. That said, this album does leave you wanting a bit more variety in tone and instrumentation.

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

Bowie was an artist of much inspiration… but this is peak Bowie

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.

NÃO ACREDITO QUE DAVID BOWIE PLAGIOU NENHUM DE NÓS, JUSTIÇA POR THEDY CORREA!!

One of my alltime favourites. Every song is a complete hit and by now a classic rock anthem. What else is there to say? It influenced so many musicians that 5 stars is the only option here!

Three Bowie albums in and thought this was going to be the best one. Gave it two listens and it is a good album with a cool concept however my expectations were high for this. Just 3 stars for now

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (2012 Remaster) by David Bowie 6.9 This is Ana album where I think I am going to come back in like a few years and be like how did you possibly rank this so low and I can understand why someone would think that to be honest but it is just my opinion. I think that this album although being a solid showing is something that had a few songs that really stood out to me like Star Man Suffragette City Rock ’n’ role Suicide and that was it. I think it might just be how I need my music to be stimulating and fast but it was fine and something where if the songs that I added I have on repeat for a long time it might go higher but at the moment it is not going to be something that will get scored where it is. I asked Dad if he liked it and I will see what he says later but for me it was a solid album but nothing that I willl not listen to again.

This is a great album. Starts and ends really strong.

I’m a David bowie enjoyer ofc but not like the biggest expert ever who knows every album and song. One of those artists I think is awesome but casually so and haven’t listen to albums from back to front. So I dooooo feel like this didn’t include as many of my favorites of his and was solid but coulda had a touch more. But still epic.

c'mon. c'mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon.

This was not my first listen of this album in its entirety. I am a David Bowie fan, but this record never had impact on me that it had on my friends and colleagues. My album favorites have always been LOW and OUTSIDE, and EARTHLING, with a just smattering of singles here and there from all of his other albums. "Starman", "Ziggy Stardust", and "Suffragette City" are the only tracks off this album that have ever captured my imagination. Depending on my mood on any given day I can go for "Moonage Dream" and occasionally I am up for "Rock n' Roll Suicide"; but I never been into the rest of the album, no matter how many times I hear it. I recognize its importance in the evolution of pop star as art/artifice persona as well its importance as a concept album, but I find it difficult to justify giving it 5 stars or even 4 stars, and I certainly don't think it is the 9th most important album of this exercise, which is where it sits among the global rankings on the list as I listen to it today. So 3 stars it is.

Easily my most anticipated album in the project. Ziggy Stardust is a timeless masterpiece, blending rock and storytelling into a cosmic journey that redefined music and inspired generations. An absolute pinnacle of artistic genius.

I really haven't listened to much Bowie, but through this project I've realized I like him quite a bit. That said, I got Aladdin Sane last week, and that was a dog's album. awful. So I was actually nervous when this popped up today, but I shouldn't have been. I'm not sure if this is considered Bowie's magnum opus, but it should be. Magnificent writing, excellent vocals, and timeless musicality...for the most part. It starts off very strong through Starman, which is one of the best two songs on the album. It falters a bit in the middle starting with It Ain't Easy, but it ends very strong. If not Starman, Rock n Roll Suicide is the standout track of the album. Overall, I think the middle portion is a little too corny to give the entire album 5 stars, but this is a stellar album. Easy 4 stars, and another example of why we need half stars.

FIVE YEARS FIVE YEARS FIVE YEARS

Like, cmon an argument can be made that this is a flawless album.

⭐⭐⭐/5

Favourite song so far is “it ain’t easy” - very bluesy! Same with suffragette city, classic. Overall solid album, some classics. Some songs a bit same-samey

Lots of catchy moments in between softer but well crafted glam. My favorite Bowie album

10

oh it’s david bowie again! on first listen: five years omg. the crescendo! the strings!!!!! soul love is pretty groovy, somehow reminds me of the little mermaid’s kiss the girl 🫣 THAT OUTRO IN MOONAGE DAYDREAM. i really like the vibe of the album, groovy but also sentimental i think lady stardust may be one of my favourites from the album. some other faves as of right now are five years, ziggy stardust and rock ‘n’ roll suicide (i love that the last track ends on strings too 🥹🤭) overall i really like the album!! i think i’ll come to love it more over time, but for now i’ll rate it a 4 ☺️

Tää oli parempaa Bowieta. Semmosta kevyttä, mutta menevää rockia. Parhaat: Starman, Moonage Daydream, Rock N Roll Suicide

Zo kort na Elton John besef ik me nu pas goed hoeveel de twee gemeen hebben. Dit album in het speciaal laat het alter ego Ziggy zien als een punky Elton John, eigenlijk. Misschien wel het 'grootste' glam rock album, dat voor mij pas echt goed los komt naarmate het einde wordt genaderd. Één en al vuurwerk vanaf de profetische proto-punk van 'Hang on to Yourself' tot en met de intrigerende afsluiter, die een indruk achter laat zoals een afsluiter dat dient te doen, 'Rock 'n' Roll Suicide'. Die reeks pakt het op waar het begin van de plaat met 'Five Years' al mee begon, epische en emotionele art rock die zoet en zuur nagenoeg perfect mixt. Het fijne gitaarwerk van Mick Ronson is the icing on the cake. Los van de hit 'Starman', die de popwereld op z'n grondvesten liet schudden na David's buitenaardse optreden in Top of the Pops, zakt de plaat in het middenstuk wel een beetje in elkaar. Maar dat neemt niet weg dat het elke keer weer verbaasd hoe bol deze plaat staat van de creativiteit. Een toppunt van inventiviteit in een carrière die bij uitstek wordt gekleurd door artistieke vindingrijkheid, belangrijk voor zowel de sturing van alternatieve rock als dat van popmuziek. 8,5/10 Highlights: Five Years Starman Hang on to Yourself Ziggy Stardust Rock 'n' Roll Suicide

Prime Bowie. Rock opera waarin Bowie speelt met een fictief androgyn karakter. Waar hij als persoon alle kanten op is gevlogen, zit er in zo'n album juist een super mooie lijn en stijl. Five Years is echt een weergaloze opener. Opbouwend, ongemakkelijk, mooi en rouw tegelijkertijd. Daarna volgen de klassiekers elkaar op. De film Moonage Daydream die ik een paar jaar geleden zag was echt een trip, dwars door het hoofd van Bowie. Tegen de tijd dat we bij Starman zijn aanbeland, zit ik er weer middenin. Het middenstuk mag dan een klein beetje inkakken, Lady Stardust vind ik ook gewoon een prachtig nummer. Suffragette City is een dikke rockplaat en sluit het album eigenlijk prima af. Rock 'n Roll suicide sluit het verhaal van het concept misschien af, muzikaal vind ik hem overbodig. 9/10 Highlights Five Years Starman Lady Stardust Suffragette City

felt

Can't find fault with this. Bowie classic, tuneful and easy. Sits with the best of his early era.

I really wanted to like this more, but it was just okay to me.

A transcendent experience.

I don't really like 5 years but the rest is perfect

What to say! I've listened to this album minimum like twice a year since I was 14. It's not the perfect album, I think it's a little light sometimes, but it's one of my favorite albums. Rock and Roll Suicide is a top tier track and a perfect album closer. Love a concept album, especially here, where it's all firmly on theme but really let's your thoughts run. Anyone else feel like watching Velvet Goldmine? If Bowie never did anything but this album he'd still be a hell of an entertainer.

Good piece of art, like some songs, but not for me. I think this is amazing choice for ones who love queen kind of things

Absolutely essential

Noteable album for Bowie

Apologies in advance, but I just don't get it with Bowie. I've tried, and tried again. And again, with this album. Not for me.

Heard it while sleepy, solid, not my thing tho

Nice album wel

Getting in a bit of a stink with these albums lately, and I think I know why. It's like cognitive easing (oooh I've been reading Daniel Kahneman, look at me) to prejudge the stuff you've been exposed to a lot on this list so its harder to really focus and judge each thing by itself. I've never liked David Bowie, which is a problem for a lot of people and thus only intensified my dislike of him. Thefore I don't really have new critical insights to share other than this is David Bowie and I still don't like it.

Excellent from beginning to end.

absolute banger end to end.

Ziggy played guitaaaaaaaar.

Awesome

This album is very legendary. Without this album there wouldn't be a lot of albums that were influenced by Ziggy. One of Bowie's greatest.

Pure perfection and genius. Still one of my favourite albums of all time 10/10

Hard to find much wrong with this album. From start to finish Bowie takes you on a journey with every song offering something different yet still being cohesive. Starman, Lady Stardust, and Ziggy Stardust are my top 3.

Idk kind of a perfect classic rock album. Almost every song on here is super good.

classic

All time from Bowie

A true story

9/10.

This album had a lot of very good tracks and sonically was very pleasing. My delve into Bowie has been incredibly rewarding and so far this album stands at the peak. 9.3/10

Awesome! One of the greatest albums of all time!

INCREIBLE MEJOR QUE EL SEXO. David Bowie nos presenta a Ziggy Stardust, un alienigena androgeno bisexual en donde la figura de Ziggy llega del espacio a al tierra como si de un mesías se tratara a regalarle al mundo entretenimiento y ganarse el corazón del planeta hasta que sucumbe a sentimientos más humanos en los que su propio ego se pone pone en frente de si mismo. ROCK OPERA, GLAM ROCK; ALBUM CONCEPTUAL????? La producción es excepcional, canciones sumamente icónicas y fenomenales, casi si parecieran salidas de este planeta. 10/10. One of the Best albums of all time.

Iconic album from the Starman. From the burgeoning rock-as-art Era, he tells a good story with great instrumentation. Always a fun one to come back to.

Incredible album. Flawless

Mostly blah for me with a couple of gems.

One of the best stories ever told.

I knew a couple of the tracks and I ended up liking three: Starman, Ziggy Stardust, Suffragate City (this one especially). The album is growing on me.

Waffled between a 4 and a 5. I'm not sure how many Bowie albums are on this list, but I suspect this will be my favorite, so 5 it is!

Such a genius album from front to back. Such a mix of sounds, soulful, rocking, funky - and yet coheres together in a way that very few could make work as well as Bowie did. A total joy to listen to.

Favorite Bowie album so far

great album, one of my favorites from bowie

Nice

Classic.

Enjoyed. Hadn’t heard before 8

mid but starman is nice

Pretty solid concept album.

Top 5 rock album of all time

All timer. Nothing else to say

it’s a 5. So many bangers on this album. I don’t really have much to say besides i love the album and even the 3 songs i don’t like are still good. ezzzz 5

holy moly

He’s the Star Man!

“Maybe I might like Bowie” *Listens to this album* “No, he sucks.”

Truly outstanding. Had to listen twice to make sure I had it right but it’s a high 4 that I was really tempted to give a 5 to, but didn’t since that’s such rare air

I always think of The Martian when Starman comes on and it is a highlight to me on the album. I think that I don't love David Bowie music, it kind of all sounds the same, which vocally is not as fun, but instrumentally is nice.

Maybe it's the glam rock or the punk-ish sound, maybe it's his voice or nonsensical "eccentric" lyrics, but I'm beginning to think that Bowie just isn't for me. I realize many people speak highly of him and this album in particular, but i just don't get the reverence. Album is still good (especially the music and arrangements), particularly Starman.

Gotta be in the top ten on this whole list. Starts out so strong with Five Years and Soul Love, Moonage Daydream and of course Starman. Probably my favourite Bowie album. RIP.

Annie did not like but I found some of it pretty good

4 stars

BOWIE BABY!!!

Pretty much a perfect album, everything about it just fits together exactly as it should. It has such a consistent sound across the whole album that unites with a pretty loose theme about an alien guy coming to earth and rocking out or something. The instrumentals are phenomenal, the musicians just seem to play off each other perfectly and give songs room to breathe. The bass lines across the album are phenomenal. I really don’t know what to write here, it’s an amazing album that’s one of the top of all time. No bad or boring songs - sure a handful stand out at the top, but the “lesser” songs are still of super high quality.

I can recognise it's a masterpiece but I just don't like it

I really don't like Bowie's voice and the songs are just meh, with the obvious exceptions of Ziggy Stardust and Suffragette City. Hard to believe this album is so beloved.

Classic Bowie. I think I take it for granted really. It's the glam Dark Side of the Moon. Easy 5

Great album.

"The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars," released in 1972, is one of David Bowie's most iconic albums. This concept album tells the story of Ziggy Stardust, a fictional rock star who acts as a messenger for extraterrestrial beings. Below is an in-depth review focusing on the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, as well as its pros and cons. ### Lyrics The lyrics of "Ziggy Stardust" are rich in imagery, storytelling, and character development. Bowie crafts a narrative that follows the rise and fall of Ziggy, a messianic rock star who ultimately faces his downfall due to the pressures of fame and excess. Each song contributes to this overarching storyline, offering a glimpse into Ziggy's world and the various characters he encounters. #### Key Tracks: 1. **"Five Years"** - The album opens with a somber prediction of Earth's impending doom, setting a dystopian tone. Bowie describes a society in panic, offering vivid imagery and emotional depth. 2. **"Starman"** - This song introduces hope, with Ziggy delivering a message of salvation from extraterrestrial beings. The lyrics are optimistic and convey a sense of wonder. 3. **"Ziggy Stardust"** - This track serves as a biography of the titular character, highlighting Ziggy's charisma and ultimate self-destruction. The lyrics are poignant and reflect themes of fame and alienation. 4. **"Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"** - The closing track depicts Ziggy's demise, with Bowie’s passionate delivery enhancing the tragic narrative. ### Music Musically, "Ziggy Stardust" blends rock, glam, and proto-punk, showcasing Bowie's versatility. The album features a mix of hard-driving rock anthems and melodic ballads, each track contributing to the album's unique sound. #### Instrumentation: 1. **Guitars** - Mick Ronson's guitar work is a standout, providing powerful riffs and solos that define many of the tracks. His contributions are particularly notable on "Moonage Daydream" and "Suffragette City." 2. **Vocals** - Bowie's vocal performance is dynamic, shifting from tender crooning to raw intensity. His ability to convey emotion and character through his voice is evident throughout the album. 3. **Rhythm Section** - The rhythm section, comprising Trevor Bolder (bass) and Mick Woodmansey (drums), offers a solid foundation, driving the songs with precision and energy. ### Production Produced by Ken Scott and David Bowie, the album's production is polished yet raw, capturing the essence of glam rock while maintaining a sense of immediacy. The production techniques used contribute to the album's atmospheric and otherworldly feel. #### Production Highlights: 1. **Mixing and Layering** - The album features meticulous mixing and layering, with Ronson’s guitar often taking center stage, supported by lush arrangements and harmonies. 2. **Sound Effects** - Use of sound effects, particularly on tracks like "Five Years" and "Starman," enhances the storytelling and creates an immersive experience. 3. **Balance** - The production strikes a balance between the grandeur of the concept and the accessibility of the music, making it both ambitious and approachable. ### Themes The themes of "Ziggy Stardust" are multifaceted, exploring topics such as fame, identity, alienation, and the human condition. Bowie delves into these themes through the lens of Ziggy, offering commentary on the nature of stardom and its impact on individuals and society. #### Major Themes: 1. **Fame and Excess** - The album examines the allure and pitfalls of fame, portraying Ziggy as a figure who is both idolized and destroyed by his celebrity. 2. **Identity and Transformation** - Bowie explores the concept of identity, with Ziggy representing an alter ego through which Bowie could express his own feelings of alienation and transformation. 3. **Hope and Despair** - The narrative oscillates between hope, as seen in "Starman," and despair, culminating in "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide," reflecting the dualities of the human experience. ### Influence "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" has had a profound influence on music and popular culture. It is considered a cornerstone of glam rock and has inspired countless artists across various genres. #### Impact on Music: 1. **Glam Rock Movement** - The album is a defining work of the glam rock movement, influencing contemporaries and future generations of musicians. 2. **Innovative Storytelling** - Bowie's concept album format and character-driven storytelling have inspired numerous artists to explore similar approaches in their work. 3. **Fashion and Style** - Ziggy's flamboyant style and androgynous appearance challenged traditional gender norms and left a lasting impact on fashion and cultural aesthetics. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros: 1. **Innovative Concept** - The concept album format was groundbreaking and showcased Bowie's creative vision and storytelling prowess. 2. **Musical Diversity** - The album features a diverse range of musical styles, from rock to ballads, demonstrating Bowie's versatility. 3. **Strong Performances** - The performances by Bowie and his band are exceptional, with standout contributions from Mick Ronson. 4. **Cultural Impact** - The album's influence on music, fashion, and culture is undeniable, cementing Bowie's status as an icon. #### Cons: 1. **Cohesion** - While the concept is ambitious, some critics argue that not all tracks seamlessly fit into the overarching narrative, leading to moments of disjointedness. 2. **Production Choices** - Some production choices, such as the prominence of certain sound effects, may feel dated to modern listeners. 3. **Pacing** - The album's pacing can be uneven, with some tracks feeling slower and less engaging compared to the high-energy anthems. ### Conclusion "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" remains a landmark album in David Bowie's discography and in the history of rock music. Its innovative concept, rich lyrics, and diverse musical styles have left an indelible mark on popular culture. While it has minor flaws in terms of cohesion and production, its strengths far outweigh these, solidifying its status as a masterpiece. Bowie's creation of Ziggy Stardust not only provided a new direction for his career but also offered a blueprint for future artists to explore themes of identity, fame, and transformation. The album's legacy continues to resonate, inspiring new generations to push the boundaries of music and art.

This is probably 1 of the few albums I would give 5 stars to without hesitation. It's a masterpiece across all of music in my eyes and a uniquely special album to many people due to its quality, style, depth, and glam. I loved each and every track of this when I first heard it, and still do. I'll also be the stereotype and say Starman is my favorite track. Call me basic but I love it.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars Another easy 5. I don’t listen as much as I should, it’s so good. Aside from the songs I love the atmosphere of the whole thing, it’s so immersive. No need to go track by track but I fucking love 5 years. One of my all time favourite Bowie songs, pulsing and spiralling upwards, fantastic drum pattern and sound, swirling strings, brilliant vocal, just an amazing song. What an opener, matched by closing with the similarly dramatic and superb Rock ’n’Roll Suicide. Everything inbetween I love too, not only are there no weak tracks, there is not one weak moment or second. Everything is just right for each song. Ronson’s guitar is incredible, as Paul mentioned, the tone is soo good, I particularly love it on Moonage Daydream. The whole sound of the records is great as well, especially the drum sound. I meant to only listen through twice, but I’ve just let it go on repeat all day. Probably on listen 7 now. 5 forever ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I thought this album was cool, creative and fun to listen to. Bowie’s style and voice are so offbeat and his lyrics are downright weird sometimes, but it keeps things interesting. Besides the notables…Starman (one of my favorite Bowie songs), Ziggy Stardust, and Suffragette City, there were some other songs that stood out, like Five Years, Moonage Daydream, and Lady Stardust. Rock n Roll Suicide was just a perfect ending. David Bowie is his own genre.

The music is fantastic and if you can follow the story, it's just that much better. A solid listen for sure.

Starman bangs

David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust is one of the most iconic albums of all time and certainly of his own albums. I wouldn't call this my favorite, however; but perhaps it could be considered his most consistent. This album is very solid and made of pure rock and roll. An album made of bangers, one could say. The artistry and creation of Bowie's persona allowed this album stand out the most, out of his prior albums. While I said Ziggy Stardust is pure rock and roll, I suppose it's become such a classic to me that this album reads as pure rock and roll, though I recognize that it's mostly glam rock with a few punk notes. Analyzing albums retrospectively is so interesting.

If "Hunky Dory" put David Bowie on the map of stardom, "Ziggy Stardust" is what cemented things for decades to come. This album is an exciting exploration of glam rock, hard rock, proto-punk, and more. In the best way possible, a first time listener wouldn't be sure what to expect from song to song. Like David Bowie himself, "Ziggy Stardust" kind of exists in between the lines of definition; it is loosely a concept album and loosely a rock opera, but it's not firmly in either of those camps. The album also works perfectly outside of the concept that it plays around with. David Bowie was known for his many stage personas, but Ziggy Stardust may be his most famous persona. David Bowie wasn't the first to adopt a persona on stage, but he's among the most influential to do so, without a doubt. He would go on to do it many times throughout his career, continually inspiring artists through the decades who wanted to incorporate personas, alter-egos and loose concepts in their work. Again, Ziggy wasn't the first, but Ziggy was among the most influential here. There really just isn't a level where this album doesn't succeed; it succeeds on defying and pushing genres; it succeeds as a concept album; it succeeds as a musical album in general; it succeeds in having outstanding individual songs that all stand on their own, from vocals to production to lyrics; it succeeds at being an early example of a singer being thrust into pop/rock stardom. Bowie would be an absolute force for his entire life, constantly pushing creative boundaries, but this album may be him at his finest.

Loved it, possibly his best album :thinking:

This is this listener's fourth album by superstar David Bowie. "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" is a fantastic rock opera concept album featuring Bowie's titular alter ego. Beautiful and moving, this is undeniably one of the best albums.

Ziggy Stardust and Suffragette City are great tracks. I'm "meh-" on the rest of the album.

Großartiger Rock aus den 70ern 5/5

This isn't the first time I've heard this. Brilliant album, great vocalist, excellent musically. Love it.

Sensational album. The sound is a bit tinny and under-produced, but it still has it's own charm. Top tracks include Starman and Suffragette City.

Me ENCANTA Bowie y este disco es muy especial.

Tellement de tubes réunis dans cet album qu'on se demande si c'est pas le premier volume d'un best of de Bowie. Un classique qui réunit tous mes ingrédients favoris du glam 70's. C'est cinématographique, grandiose, épique, sexy, superbement composé, orchestré et chanté. Quel live ce devait être !!

overrated af

super outdated drug induced music.

There isn't much to say about Ziggy, it's just that good. It reaches this level off of a lack of faults.

So where were the spidersss🗣🗣🔥🔥 favourites: moonage daydream, soul love, ziggy stardust, starman least: they're all good but I'm not a big fan of suffragette city ziggy played his guitarrrrr...

Best album by Bowie. Best concept album. Everything is tight musically and lyrically.

Can appreciate but not my favorite.

Up there with Bowie's best work, virtually every song is a winner and I don't think Bowie every sang better than he did on Ziggy. Highly recommended!

Would I listen to it again: yes Is it a no-skip album: yes Favorite song: Moonage Daydream Least favorite song: It Ain't Easy Do I like it: yes

A personal top 10. Love this album so much.

I love David Bowie and I adore this album.

The premise of this album is undeniably whimsical and eccentric especially for the time - with Bowie drawing parallels between Ziggy and himself to create one of popular music's landmark concept albums. To me though, I've always felt that *SOME* of the music undershot Bowie's thematic target. The song 'Five Years' which crescendos into this gorgeous string piece with lyrics detailing impending doom on earth is an all-time opener. I also love the song 'Starman' which may not be nearly as ambitious musically but its optimistic premise and grand chorus always resonated with me - it's probably my favorite Bowie song period. The themes of fame and art continue through onto the magnificent 'Star' before coming to a cathartic end on the closer 'Rock 'n' Roll Suicide'. It's a conceptually dense album with plenty of gorgeously executed musical moments to gawk at and while it's nowhere near my favorite Bowie album, calling this anything other than spectacular would be a blatant lie.

An album which needs no introduction. I was introduced to Bowie by a girlfriend at time this album was released. I also went to see Ziggy Stardust tour at Bradford St George’s Hall and was blown away by him. Subsequent albums with one or two exceptions never bettered this one. 75% great tracks with one or two fillers not up to scratch. Not on my list of all time greats but a classic in general and a musical milestone. 4/5 20/5/24

Fourth Bowie album in two weeks. But this one truly is perfect. I don't hold him on the pedestal that many others do - he's probably a top 100 artist for me, but not top 20 - but even despite that, and despite wishing I liked glam-rock more than I do, there's just no way I can deny the incredible songwriting and performances on this record. As cliche as it may be, it's my favorite of his. 5/5

Most of the alleged “perfect” albums are overrated…. This one ain’t.

Bowie is like no other. This is an amazing album with some all time songs. The last being my most treasured Bowie classic.

Woah, two crackers in as many days. This is a masterclass in producing a kooky Bowie album, by none other than...Bowie. Amazing stuff.

wham bam thank you mam

Nice to hear some of his older music.

for me, a bit too nervous

This is the album that began my obsession with David Bowie's music. I bought it at a book store because I recognized the song "Starman" and figured if that was on there the rest ofnthe tracks had to be pretty good too. Ironically, it wasn't love at first listen. I played it once or twice right after getting it, but didn't immediately feel the magic. Cue a couple months later when something clicked in my brain and all of a sudden I had it playing daily. Then I began a deep dive of Bowie's discography that lasted the rest of that year and catapulted him to a firm spot in my top five artists. Needless to say after all that, I dig it.

Unique. Too unique for my tastes. I liked a couple of the songs.

I saw Bowie touring this album in Memphis and slept through the show - fans were mostly abuzz about the costumes. Listening to the album now, I find it chock full of filler tracks with a few really good ones. Like some critics at the time of the release, I find the "concept" incomprehensible.

a rock hard, solid gold, stunner of an album.

It's hard to top Hunky Dory, but following it up with Ziggy Stardust is a good shout.

Dieses Album ist natürlich in jeder Hinsicht ein absoluter Klassiker. Hier stimmt einfach alles: Komposition, Produktion, Texte, Gesang und Interpretation. Ein großer Meilenstein in der Pop- und Rockgeschichte. Mit "Starman" und "Moonage Dream" auch noch richtige Hits mit Niveau.

Cool Bowie.

Magicician...

Really really good! I quite loved it and it's definitely a remarkable album.

Its not a bad album. Its not my favourite Bowie album. Is it overrated? Possibly. Cant deny the fact that it got big for a reason, but its not my thing.

A fun listen, lots of energy but I probably won't come back to it

I got it on vinyl!

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.

timeless, know every note

Awesome Bowie goodness. So good I listened to it twice. Five stars.

Why do I feel like I'm supposed to like David Bowie? He's never really piqued my interest. This album was alright but it didn't win me over. I wouldn't seek this out but I'd listen to it again. 3.5/5

Absolute classic!

Not my favorite Bowie ever but Starman is a standout. This is more of the pure rock side of Bowie I feel like

Perfect from start to finish. Some of Bowie’s best work. I never tire listening to this. 5/5

8/10