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

Increíble y maravilloso Bowie como siempre

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

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

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

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

my brain hurts a lot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s up there with the Berlin years.

This album is a classic, even if it sounds a little brittle. I feel like all of the discourse/reviews of the album really miss just how FUN it is on top of everything else.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars David Bowie 1972 1. Five Years (from 1:55 to 2:51 is majestic) 2. Soul Love (first impression - not for me. Ooh the melody at 1:27 is very nice. Why does he sing so much about priests? I love the change at 2:18. The "and love is not loving" sounds very pleasing to me) 3. Moonage Daydream (love it since the beginning. I hope there'll be some change cause after 1:40 I got a bit bored. Okay, the melody is nice again, but it was better in Soul Love. I LOVE the guitar near the end. The best part of the song. Saved the song so much for me, the end is nearly orgasmic. I'm re-listening right now - guitar ar 3:34 makes my soul leave my body. It's been 20 minutes I added this to my spotify) 4. Starman (the beginning is nice? Oh, the chorus isn't for me. The song is nice, but I don't really like it. It almost does it for me on the verses, but not really. And then the chorus is not my style. Okay, the song finished - this is my least fav so far) 5. It Ain't Easy (Okay yeah, this one's better. Half of it is gone and I still like it. Maybe even better than Soul Love. Idk tho. Something's missing. Like a hot ass guitar solo. Nah I'll leave Soul Love higher, now that I listened to it again.) 6. Lady Stardust (melody in the beginning is nice. And sounds familiar. The line "really quite out of sight" at 1:05 is very satisfying. idk actually I didn't like it that much. Just those two things that I pointed out) 7. Star (not for me, too happy sounding song. Not a big fan of those songs - I normally go for something heavier either melodically or lyrically. Yeah, not for me) 8. Hang on to Yourself (better than the song before. And it's got a part of the title in the lyrics, nice. Makes me wanna go to the bar and drink. Doesn't sound that special to me tho. But sounds nice) 9. Ziggy Stardust (A nice song but not for me. Have nothing else to say, really) 10. Suffragette City (okay, beginning sounds nice. Yeah, I like it. Nice vibes. A song on the happier side but I like it. Especially last two lines in verses. The guitar is also nice, but I heard better in the album) 11. Rock 'n' Roll Suicide (Ooh I love it. I really just enjoy it, have nothing to say. A great song) My Rating Moonage Dream Rock 'n' Roll Suicide Soul Love It Ain't Easy Five Years Hang on to Yourself Suffragette City Starman Lady Stardust Ziggy Stardust Star

I found this album to be super consistent from the first song to the last. It felt like listening to a story rather than an album, with each song serving as a chapter. The concept was admittedly "odd", but it was in a way that I truly enjoy. I've, of course, heard of David Bowie before. However, this was my first real introduction to him (I've only heard one song of his prior). After listening to this album, I'm excited to hear more from him. His music is like nothing I've heard before, and I really enjoyed it.

Absolute gem of an album, thoroughly enjoyed! First time listening to a David Bowie album, and I’m definitely adding it to my playlist. It’s like finding a glittery space suit in your closet—unexpected but totally worth it! 4/5 stars (because I saved one for his next album, which I’m sure will be out of this world!)

This is one of the albums that I listen to and know that it's great, more than actually feeling that it's great. Nevertheless, I actually listened to Moonage Daydream, Suffragette City, and Starman multiple times and am a sucker for concept albums, even if the concept is loose. Above all, I like the vibe. Somehow weightless, dreamy and sparkling, even if I would have appreciated a little more vibrancy and less pathos in some places.

Starman natürlich Ziggy Stardust

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

6# not the first time hearing it but good pretext to hear it again. dreamier than i remembered it to be. But it didnt amaze me, just some tracks are really good, but also it has nostalgia lingered to it so i dont really know.

I am not a Bowie Fan and haven’t been a fan of the other albums that I was suggested to listen to. Unfortunately, this album has the same fate. I don’t like his music, but I can appreciate his creativity.

It was fine. I think I prefer early Bowie and very end Bowie to most of his middle stuff.

this album was alright i mean i liked the opening five years and also star man but the rest of it wasnt really my type of song to listen to and it sounded kind of like a 6/10 good but not good enough so overall the album gets a 6.5

I enjoyed the instrumental music aspect of the album, but with the singer not really my vibe of music. I would listen to just the instrumental part again though-just to have on in background.

I can appreciate how good this album is but it's not really my thing.

Tengo que volver a escucharlo.

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

instrumentals are sick but i don't care for bowie vocals. i think i gotta put him in the same category as the beatles, where i can vibe to covers of their songs but i don't wanna listen to them. also the whole sexing 14 year olds definitely sours him for me

I find Bowie to be quite overrated.

I think I'm just forever gonna struggle with classic rock albums. Probably because they're classics. It seems unfair, but I've just heard this stuff over and over and I'm bored of it without ever even having gotten into it in the first place.

This generator is hammering me with Bowie lately, so I must admit I'm getting a little weary. I wrote in my review of Hunky Dory just the day before yesterday that I'm often a fan of Bowie songs,but not Bowie albums. Despite this being Bowie's magnum opus, and being the one David Bowie album I know for sure that I've listened to in the past, this album failed to convert me. This album was...fine, but I am not adding this to my regular rotation.

The back half is better, but still not getting that wow factor that I would think Bowie albums would have. I’m afraid I thought higher of Bowie’s music before I started this challenge.

1 good song

I’m sorry. I don’t love David Bowie.

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.

super outdated drug induced music.

This list is too full of mediocre British albums. This is another one. Bowie and this album are over hyped IMO.

Oh cool another rock opera. All these dudes with mountains of drugs convinced that albums need a plot and that writing musicals is some kind of high concept achievement. This one at least has a few good chunks, like the 30 they hit three chords in a fast chugga chugga way that the Ramones would spend their career copying, and some of the sax stuff. But overall, this is pretty annoying and one of the most overrated albums.

No thank you

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

I can’t think of a single thing I would change. For now, I’ve added “Star Man” to my playlist but I’m sure I will change my mind when I listen again.

Man, what can I say. This album, this persona, is absolutely out of this world in more ways than one. You lit up for Starman and I’m pretty sure I almost cried to see you look so excited for the music. Absolute masterpiece of classic and iconic Bowie. Don’t sleep on it little Man.

David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) On Day 241, not giving this LP a top score would be a grave, cardinal sin. This album is remarkably diverse in its musical arrangements, yet every track remains tightly grounded to the core narrative of an alien rockstar sent to save humanity. It was banger after banger, completely blowing me away. Everything from the instrumentation to the lyrics was executed with absolute precision. My standout personal picks were "Soul Love" and "Hang On to Yourself" (a fantastic, high-energy punk track), but monumental cuts like "Starman," "Ziggy Stardust," "Moonage Daydream," and "Five Years" were exceptional as well. Concise, high-concept, short, and pure fun to listen through. An undeniable 5-star masterpiece. An undisputed 5/5.

Such a great rock opera. Maybe the best one I can think of off the top of my head.

WOW WOW WOW. Fair Play

five years really is THAT song huh

This is the best Bowie album. 5/5

This is my favorite David Bowie album. Before becoming a pop icon, Bowie was an unparalleled rocker and this was his masterpiece. I’ve listened to it dozens of times, and I always love an excuse to listen to it again. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do!

10 stars. I maintain this id the best album of all time. Holds up and has variety.

I love me a good concept album, and this is probably the godfather of them. Songs that tie into a story but are also amazing outside of that framework are a mark of true art to me. Beautiful album and probably Bowie’s best.

As far as glam rock goes this is probably number one.

I’ve been pretty tough on Bowie throughout this whole project, mostly because his ambient stuff, like the Berlin Trilogy, just doesn't do it for me. And honestly, even Ziggy Stardust isn't 100% perfect... tracks like "It Ain't Easy" definitely drag compared to the rest. That said, you can’t deny how much raw, theatrical energy this record has. From the drum build-up in "Five Years" to the huge, moody finish of "Rock 'N' Roll Suicide," the whole rock opera thing just works. When this album is on, it’s basically glam-rock perfection. "Starman", "Moonage Daydream", and "Suffragette City" are absolute bangers, and Mick Ronson’s guitar work makes them sound huge. It’s rare to find a record that’s this ambitious and theatrical without ending up super cheesy. Even with my ongoing Bowie burnout, blasting this thing at full volume is a total blast. It’s a stone-cold classic for a reason.

Amazing! Have not listened to it in so many years has made me want to buy the CD!

Goosebumps first song - 5 years - 5 stars? Pretty good

Five Years Moonage Daydream Starman Hang on to Yourself Ziggy Stardust Suffragette City Rock 'n' Roll Suicide

Ziggy Stardust sits apart from other Bowie records. It is not just the momentus success and cultural impact it had, although it is the only one to regularly hit the top twenty of normie Best Of lists. It is also partly the near-completeness of the character work. Every Bowie concept record must wrestle with failure, but, on Ziggy Stardust, he almost keeps his attention on the story throughout. Certainly, putting the name of the character in the title gives that character an outsized presence. Inversely, there is little of Bowie, the artist and person in the record, although I've read and understood Simon Goddard's Ziggyology. The line between Ziggy and Bowie is more clearly drawn than the line between Bowie and the Thin White Duke, say, while, on Outside1, he plays mutilple characters, but Bowie is all of them. The Thin White Duke is too real; the facade of Outside1 too obvious. Ziggy is most obviously a marketing stunt. Or that's what I tell myself to understand why I don't listen often to The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Bowie's performance of an alien is less weird than his actuality as an artist through the 70s. It is the safe, normie choice. Even if he doesn't communicate it very well, the story is a simple one - it's hardly the Machina mystery. For all the shock of Ziggy's initial appearance, this is the acceptable, approachable form. More acceptable even than 80s mainstream Bowie, who must come with the burden of selling out. A safe, acceptable version too of Vince Taylor and the Legendary Stardust Cowboy, the insane, outsider artists that he's aping on the record. I would add that, in my memory, the album is mediated through other performances - Starman on TOTP, Five Years and Suffragette City on the Old Grey Whistle Test, Ziggy Stardust in The Hunger, Rock'n'Roll Suicide by you in Charlie's Café. I have no particular need to hear the record, it is all engrained and fragmented. And who wants to listen to It Ain't Easy and Soul Love, the weak strains that contaminate the masterpiece hypothesis? But none of this really holds when you listen to it, as I did, several times yesterday. There's Bowie - the real person, Bowie - singing "I never thought I'd need so many people." It Ain't Easy is pretty good. Mick Ronson never does better as an arranger and no person could ever be expected to do so well or better. It's a magnificent record. I asked Aislinn why we chose Moonage Daydream for our wedding processional at City Hall. Neither of us can remember. But yet another iconic performance of a track from this album. I really don't need to ever listen to it again. I will though. 5 Yesterday I wrote one of the longest reviews I have written yet about an album I don’t like. Today here’s an album I revere and I honestly find I have nothing to say about it. Still, kicking an album that other people love does call for explanation and for justification, whereas love needs neither. What could there be to say about The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust… anyway? Shall we rehearse the old ‘ah but…It Ain’t Easy’ bit? It Ain’t Easy is fine, it’s just that ’Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus/Chorus’ becomes unacceptable when you have Star packing musical high adventure into ten seconds less, or Rock and Roll Suicide into exactly the same amount of time. There - that’s justification for the alleged blemish. What explanation could there possibly be for the rest of this? There is none. 5/5

Brilliant in many ways

I imagine this is how Andy Dufresne felt after crawling through 500 yards of (relative) shit and coming out the other side

This is the clear-cut masterpiece from David Bowie, so often called a chameleon for his ability to impersonate different musical personas across his musical career, but here he just shines at his brightest, and feels the most authentic in an album where nothing feels out of place. 10/10 [KEEP]

This is an obvious 5. It gets a 5 just for having "Starman". This is the album that defined what the rest of the 1970s would sound like. There's "BZ" and "AZ", before Ziggy and after Ziggy.

Listened before?: yes, a few times Five Years - 5/5 Soul Love - 5/5 Moonage Daydream - 5/5 Starman - 5/5 It Ain't Easy - 3/5 Lady Stardust - 5/5 Star - 4/5 Hang On to Yourself - 3/5 Ziggy Stardust - 5/5 Suffragette City - 5/5 Rock 'n' Roll Suicide - 5/5 Average score: 4.6/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ not surprised at all that this landed so highly in rating, there's a reason this is considered a classic to nearly everyone. i have only heard maybe a few albums from Bowie but so far i consider this his best work ever

Not much to say. Classic is a classic. Some great attitude and storytelling.

Loved it

This feels ahead of its time. But not just ahead a few years, but a few decades. This album is wonderful.

Beautiful album I have it on vinyl

El mejor álbum de Bowie, amo amo amo las melodías

Masterpiece, from top to bottom all 10/10

Excellent album. My first time listening to Bowie

I love this album, it's one of my all time favs. It is a rock opera album about the rise and fall of "Ziggy Stardust" so it is part story and part 'real life' end of his alter-ego. On the Ziggy Stardust track he literally breaks character, and the following two tracks (Suffragette City and Rock 'n' Roll Suicide) are performed way different - especially Suffragette City - in the sound the next album is going to take in the Alladin Sane era. IE it ends similar to how the next album with 'Alladin Insane" starts, in that it's more similar to "Watch that Man" than anything on the Spiders Album, so it really was The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. 5***** And of course when the tour for this album ended he made it clear it's all over. While Ronson knew it before it suprised the rest of "The Spiders From Mars" band there playing (Woodmansey and Bolder).

Not my favorite Bowie album, but Ziggy Stardust was the first song I learned on guitar. 5/5.

This is easy to point at as a GREAT record, mostly because it just is. It's catchy and it rocks and the story is compelling and interesting. After over 50 years, it's still being interpreted and reinterpreted.

I love this chameleon!!!

fucking banger

The most standard rock oriented Bowie release, but man does he absolutely pull it off. Favorite track: Starman

Incredible. One of the greatest albums of all time!

Easy 5. One of my all time favorite albums.

🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 (rounded up because, I mean…. come on) This is crazy talk for a dude with a Bowie tattoo, but I’ve always been a bit resistant to Ziggy Stardust et al., and I can’t exactly describe why. It’s not like this album isn’t loaded with stone cold classics—“Five Years,” “Moonage Daydream,” “Starman,” “Lady Stardust,” “Ziggy Stardust,” “Suffragette City,” “Rock ’n’ Roll Suicide”… what an onslaught, an unstoppable roster. Since I hadn’t listened to the album in full since high school, my now-matured (but still relatively atrophied, mind you) frontal lobe could appreciate that even the weaker entries are standalone bangers—“Soul Love” and “It Ain’t Easy” really earned my respect this go-around. I think, more than likely, my dismissal of Ziggy Stardust comes down to reopening the wounds associated with it. As I’ve mentioned in many Bowie reviews before, though I’d been hearing him my whole life, I never really listened until after Blackstar and his passing. Ziggy Stardust was on constant replay at the end of the school year that 2016, channeling a lot of the angst of my first breakup into bigger, angstier, existential things. Perhaps my most vivid memory of Ziggy Stardust comes from later down the line, when “Lady Stardust” came on my shuffle while I was driving to volunteering after having just put my childhood dog down—what an ethereal juxtaposition of feelings. Even without all that baggage, songs like “Rock ’n’ Roll Suicide” and “Five Years” easily bring me to my knees. I don’t know how anyone can be unmoved by Bowie’s raw wailing at the end of “Five Years”—lately, it feels like an American anthem, but it’s always felt like an outpouring from a place where that apocalypse was actually happening. Clearly, he’s channeling the depth of the dream that inspired it. Sure, all that hippy-dippy bullshit aside, “Suffragette City” and “Moonage Daydream” really, really rock, and in completely different ways, to boot. Yet where would this album be without its tenderness—its luscious, trembling, reverent strings that somehow do little to impact the grunge of this album? I had to scroll to find a one-star review of the album, but it essentially says Sgt. Pepper ruined a decade of albums thereafter because of the maximalist overproduction that muddies songs like these, but I couldn’t disagree more. Ziggy Stardust thrives on this contrast, which in somehow compacts into a cohesive, unmistakable signature: seedy, angsty, bombastic, and vulnerable all at once, and did I mention summer sodium-vapor aglow? Muggy and hot like a city summer night. “Hang Onto Yourself,” to me, might be the only weak link, but “Ziggy Stardust” does an effortless recovery. This album is unstoppable. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am. 1: Bad | 2: Okay, No Desire to Revisit | 3: Good, Conditionally (OR Inconsistent Mix of Qualities) | 4: Great (OR Technically amazing but missing the sauce emotionally) | 5: Amazing

Friday, 31 July, 2026 Happy feast day of st Ignatius! This is an amazing album. It’s amazing. What do I need to say?

I happen to be a fan so this was an easy 5/5 for me.

Let all the children boogie

Started the 1001 albums two days ago and my first two albums were David Bowie, it isn't always this good. What an album this is, one of my absolute favourites, a masterpiece.

fav song: lady stardust

A classic in all senses of the word. Bowie at his finest. Fave track: Starman

Already one of my favs. Masterpiece, but not his best.

Easy five stars.

9 - Bowie at his best. Excellent.

It’s in my all time favorites list.

So good.

There is no other work of art like this one.

This is #day714 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… the crazy run of albums Bowie released in the '70s has always amazed me. Think about it: eleven fucking albums from 1970 to 1979... And then, remember what those albums actually are. This particular one perhaps captures the zeitgeist of the whole decade better than any other and is undoubtedly one of Bowie's signature works. It's just a real pleasure to listen to. "Five Years," "Moonage Daydream," "Starman," and "Ziggy Stardust" are timeless. This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day715.

Well here it is. Don’t generally like Bowie. But this album is awesome. I HAVE listened to it a lot. But, can’t deny Ziggy Stardust. 5 Boolean:TRUE

Who am I to question David Bowie? Little to no filler, an exhilarating listen from start to finish.

Класика)))

Ziggy is my favorite of Bowie’s incarnations for the creativity and emotion. Knowing what drew people to his unique style, you can almost hear him saving lives with the power behind how he sings, “you’re not alone,” in “Rock and Roll Suicide.”

es un 100/10 te amo david bowie

I personally reach for Hunky Dory first, as it has more songs I absolutely completely love. I almost gave this a 4 to leave room for better albums or at least albums I like more, but I gave it another listen and it is undeniably a 5-out-of-5 album even if it doesn't have as many songs that I couldn't forgive myself for leaving off my best-of-Bowie playlist.

I don't know what I would point to if I went any lower than 5 stars.

Amazing album and my favorite from Bowie, at least what I’ve heard so far. It deserves every bit of critical acclaim it has received over the years.

No misses.

This and Hunky Dory are my favorite Bowie records. There are a ton of great songs and everything sounds so good. The drums are dry and sharp sounding. Bass sounds great. The guitar tone is immaculate.

I'd heard not quite half of these before, and they're mostly great -- Starman and Suffragette City especially. I figured the rest would be a letdown, but not so. Star and Rock and Roll Suicide were my favorites of the previously unknown-to-me batch.

5/5 - Peak Bowie and peak glam for me. This is a brilliantly conceived and executed album.

I don't listen to alot of David Bowie, but when I do it is this era of David Bowie!

One of my favorite albums of all time 5 years, is a beautiful song in which the first half the society described after learning there are 5 years left for earth, and random things the narrator thinks and sees. The second half of the song he breaks down and realizes he can't do anything about it, and David sings so emotionally and makes it as believable as it can be. 9.5/10 Soul love is a pretty good song with a great chorus 7/10 Moonage daydream start is iconic, the instruments work perfectly together and with his unique singing 8/10 Starman, even apart from it's catchy and big chorus has satisfying and fun to listen to first part 8/10 It ain't easy has a good beat, and surprising chorus 7/10 Lady stardust, another good song, not a lot to say 6.5/10 Star, energetic, happy and hopeful 7/10 Hang on to yourself, fast paced short song but a bit repetitive 6/10 ZIGGY STARDUST, rememberable amazing song and a delight to listen to in every way I have no complaints other than the bit cringe lyrics 9.5/10 Suffragette city, AKA hey man! Is a unique song which always feels good, and has the feeling that it reminds me of something and I don't know what... 7.5/10 Rock n' roll suicide. I can imagine it helped a lot of people since it came out, and it might be there for me as well when I'll need it. Beautiful song. 10/10

BOM DEMAIS CARALHO

Obviously!!

Art at its best. Magical album

Provavelmente um dos melhores ambums que já escutei em toda história 🤘

STARRRRMANNNNN

Vou falar o que deste disco? O primeiro que escutei do Bowie na minha vida, e o que me deu o estralo para adentrar a discografia de um dos maiores artistas de todos os tempos. E um disco fenomenal, conceitual do começo ao fim e com uma identidade característica em que tinha os discos do David Bowie. Parece uma coletânea de tão bom. Obviamente não poderia deixar de ser 5 estrelas para essa obra prima deste gênio que foi David Bowie. Digo isso olhando para o quadro dele que eu tenho em meu quarto.

10 stars masterpiece perfect Five years/rock 'n' roll suicide probably the best opener/closer duo of any album ever i dont care

Maybe the best album of all time

One of the best albums ive ever heard! Fun music and david bowies vocals are incredible. Definitely a great album

Loved it some suprisingly heavier stuff from Dave. I love the lyrics and the whole Ziggy experience his voice is great on it too RIP DB

At first, I didn't really understand what I was listening to. It sounded like typical rock music from that era. However, little by little, song after song, I started to like the album more and more. It’s a cohesive album, with great music and unusual lyrics. I liked it so much that I even read up in detail about David, his character Ziggy, and where it all led.

This album is fantastic. Bowie's run from the late 1960s to early 1970s is unrivaled by a solo artist, other than Prince's 1980s. Man, this is close to being Bowie's best album. The top 10: 1. 'Hunky Dory' 2. 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' 3. 'Aladdin Sane' 4. 'The Man Who Sold the World' 5. 'Let's Dance' 6. 'Reality' 7. 'Diamond Dogs' 8. 'Low' 9. 'Young Americans' 10. 'Station to Station' The point is, Bowie rules. Top tracks: "Five Years," "Starman," "Moonage Daydream," "Ziggy Stardust," "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"

--Five Years...soaring orchestral --Soul Love...not my favorite Bowie but I love the sax solo --Moonage Daydream...great song no notes --Starman...my favorite superhero --It Ain't Easy...today I learned this is a cover --Lady Stardust...very nice, pleasant piano --Star...the bass line is simple but really works --Hang On to Yourself...fun rocker --Ziggy Stardust...timeless riff --Suffragette City...this track's a total blam-blam --Rock 'n' Roll Suicide...love those horns. fitting closer

7/5 så jävla bra platta

I mean 5/5, iconic. I own a 1st edition vinyl.

This was fantastic. I have never listened to any of the tracks outside of Starman but I really enjoyed how cohesive it was. Amazing stuff.

david bowie is a legend and pretty much everyone knows him, but i’d never really dug deep into his discography before this challenge i’m fucking loving it.

Great, as always from david!

If you put a ray gun to my head to force me to name a better album, I don't think I could.

A little story: Shortly after his death in January 10 years ago, I was listening to a Sound Opinions retrospective on David Bowie while out for a run and they were discussing the song “Five Years.” They played a snippet where it leads into the chorus. Bowie is singing about all the people and weird things he’s seeing as people are processing the news about the planet dying. His voice rises in stridency and it almost sounds like he’s gasping to get it all out: “Your face, your race / The way that you talk / I kiss you, you’re beautiful / I want you to walk.” Then the song breaks into that glorious chorus like sun through the clouds and I just stopped in my tracks, bawling my eyes out in the middle of the street. How I processed Bowie’s passing.

Easiest ★★★★★. Remembered I need to get our 10-year-old in on this album. This is one of the few albums I like to imagine what it would have been like to be alive and in the audience when the artist was touring on it, how electric, how fun.

До этого я никогда не слушал боуи, но хотя знал и понимал его величие. Прекрасный альбом, который с каждым разом будет открываться для тебя по новому! Вспм обязательно слушать!

A classic right in the early phase of Bowie's elite run of groundbreaking albums in the 70s. During this era Bowie produces glam rock style music. Honky tonk piano juxtaposed with hard rock guitar and a flamboyant story about spiders from Mars.

An absolutely perfect album from beginning to end. What a concept and so perfectly delivered. Banger after banger, emotionally deep, instrumentals are insane, and Bowie’s voice is so good. It’s rare you make a song so good and so poignant that it’s forever associated with an area of human endeavour, but whenever we breach the surly bonds of earth to reach for the heavens; at least someone will be singing in their head Starman.

532/1089 - Alright, ya got me. I admit this is really good, well-constructed music. I like Bowie now. (This review was written around two-to-three Bowie albums in when I explored his discography more)

Here we are, 367 albums in and I have gotten my ninth of the nine David Bowie albums. Less than a one in nineteen thousand chance of getting them all so quickly apparently. Surely someone up there is out to punish me. Anyway, it has been an up and down journey, with the high point ironically being Low. I'm glad I got this last because it is great.

Such a lovely album to re-listen to, I only first this album a few months ago and while still loved it, never returned to it as much as I should have. Nearly every song is a back to back banger, Bowie’s energy never dies through the entire album and even managed to make somber songs feel so powerful. Going back to listen to it really made me appreciate more of the underrated songs, ‘Lady Stardust’ is such an amazing song and I feel as if there’s from Lennon influence in there which is sick. It’s crazy to think that nearly 8 years before this he was releasing some of the most mediocre folk ever created.

No notes. Stone cold classic.

While this album does not rank in my best of the best, it has risen in status for me over the years. Among 1,001 records it certainly deserves the highest marks. I occasionally pick up on the thread of this narrative, but it seems more thematic than a clear rock opera story like Tommy. That is a benefit as the storylines in these rock musicals fail to engage me. In fact, when I pay attention to the “tragedy” in the title track, it diminishes the song, although “Making love with his ego, Ziggy sucked up into his mind” is one of several terrific lines in it. Side One contains none of the startling rock and roll of the second half. It is a daring choice that probably played a role in limiting my original enjoyment of the record. Now, the life and death struggle of “Five Years” sets up other dramatic moments to come. “Soul Love” has a terrific fade in as the drum pattern makes this crooner tune worthwhile. “Moonage Daydream” encompasses everything that is great about Bowie and this record. Touches of weirdness, the blasting power chords matching the raygun in the lyrics and Bowie’s one-of-a-kind ability to take the listener into his characters’ world, which only “Heroes” can match. “Moonage” is so good it overcomes the flute interlude that could contaminate the tune. Bowie is a sharper and more varied songwriter than other glam artists. The two Stardust songs are the ones that sound most like the genre to me. Nothing too wrong with that, especially when he unloads with the revved up engines of “Hang On to Yourself” and “Suffragette City.” Those tracks and many other moments in the album find Mick Ronson creating a distinctive style. It has the riff mastery of Jimmy Page and Keith Richards, along with unfiltered trumpet-like blasts of sounds. One of the joys in revisiting Bowie over the last decade or so, is realizing how much he rocks. Ronson obviously plays a major part in that sound. Ignore any preconceptions with this record, and the personal story-lines related to Bowie’s career. Not a flawless record, but one with an enormous number of memorable qualities.

Many moons ago, I listened to this album for the first time in my junior year homeroom period, its runtime perfectly fitted into the remaining time after roll call. This was also when I had just discovered Jetpunk, many things occurring after the fog of 2020. I don't know what prompted me to listen to a series of classic rock albums (Hunky Dory, Pet Sounds, Transformer, Imagine, among others were spun throughout this year, though most of them probably occurred in the period of a month or two in the spring). Undoubtedly it's because Ziggy felt like a requirement as not just a music lover, but a human being (and a sister of Emmet Rigg who once gifted him a poster of the album) to listen to it. At the time, I had liked it, and returned to a few songs, mainly the hits, but Hunky Dory received more attention for the reminder of my entanglement with Bowie. Now, I won't state, which Bowie I prefer (I'm sure we will still have a few more pop up on here), but I adore this album in a way I never did before, likely because it had been both neglected since the first listen and during the first listen for hard-hitting questions of Jetpunk. From the first note of "Five Years" I was captured. I probably had not listen to that song since my 2022 listen, but safe to say it is my current favorite song. The lyrics, which I always gravitate towards, are incredibly, but the instrumental, primarily the emphasis the piano adds to Bowie's voice make me adore this song. "Moonage Daydream" was always been beloved for the first line alone. I could listen to that part on repeat forever and never tire of it. The chorus of "It Ain't Easy" captures the same feeling within me and, of course, few things in life compare to "Wham, bam, thank you, ma'am!" Any song Bowie mentions stars, ladies, or space is incredible, but I think the neglected hero of the album is the success of "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" as a closure, not only a great song, but wrapping up the narrative of the album in both lyrics, but in the much tougher category of musical narrative, where the instruments make me feel as if I'm floating away into the ether with Ziggy. "Don't let the sun blast your shadow/Don't let the milk float ride your mind/They're so natural, religiously unkind"

That was the moment when David Bowie decided "being famous and acclaimed isn't enough, I want to be legendary"

The album that got me into Bowie as a kid. Holds up perfectly.

Banger after banger. Que descubrimiento Soul Love. A ver si continuo con esto.

Fav songs: Moonage Daydream, It Ain’t Easy and Rock’ n’ Roll Suicide

One of his best 4.5

David Bowie es genial, de mis discos favoritos de todos los tiempos. Five Years siempre me va a hacer llorar. Ziggy forever.

Love this. A few tracks I've never heard before

There's a part of me, weirdly, that wants to criticise it for something. But I can't.

2 listens, maybe a third today... it works, super fun. Something new pops out each listen. Catchy songs and the album flows together like a sonic river.

Extremely 5 stars. I love Low but this is probably my favourite Bowie album. Generated on my birthday. The album generator is always watching 👀

Classic.

Thank you ma’am!

Love it

Insanely good album! It's that one album that has a bunch of hits for David Bowie. It's amazing! It's my absolute favorite David Bowie album! It has earned it's place in pop culture! Truly masterful!

It’s genuinely so inspiring to listen to someone fully commit to their concept. The vision here is so complete and in the process he makes some absolute bangers.

Hell god baby damn no!

My favorite Bowie album and the third one we have had to listen to so far. This is the pinnacle of the early 70s. 9/10 Top song Suffragette city

10/5

I guess it has to be a five hahah

GOAT

An absolute masterpiece. Perfect from start to finish.

God it’s just so good… put your ray gun to my head??? Diabolical. This freak.

Legitimately one of the best rock albums in this list, earns it. Extremely listenable, a loose concept that works, insane title and great album cover. It just all works so well.

Amazing

I still don’t love his voice but I can’t justify taking a point away when everything else on this album is that good

Perfect

Every time I listen to a David Bowie album it feels like the first time

Quasiment comme 'Rise and fall' de Madness, mais avec des bonnes musiques, et sans black face L'album en entier passe extrêmement vite car rien n'est à jeter et certaines musiques sont des classiques intemporels Je n'ai jamais été un grand fan de David Bowie, mais j'ai hâte de découvrir d'autres albums

Great album by David. So much better than black star. Very enjoyable story telling through the music of this album.

Sensational, the story told by this album is fun to follow as a perfect medium to tell such a story. The fact that it is told through some of David Bowie's finest music really makes this a rare but truly exceptional example of the mixture of storytelling and song writing. The instrumental arrangements in these songs move so creatively, building the scene and emotions around the story in a compelling and colorful way. A glowing example of the additional potential hidden within the traditional artistic expressions of music, this is an album most certainly best enjoyed as a journey from beginning to end. This album most certainly sits near the peak of musical accomplishments, and sits as the crown jewel to David Bowie's long and storied musical career.

2026.06.23.

Best Album Ever!!!!

Best Album ever

Best Album ever

l'intro est incroyable

Classic Bowie sound!

David Bowie's best album and possibly the greatest rock album of all time

Woah, I was actually thinking about this album and wondering if it was gonna be on this list just this morning!!! I already know I love it, very happy to be listening to this on my way into the lab!

Its god damn David Bowie!

Top tier Bowie.

good

starman was really the song that got me into music when i was 14, i had always loved music but hearing that for the first time through my headphones on my iphone 6s rose gold was magical

Ohhh Le bangeur Yeah this one rocks. Bowie channels his best rock opera and some Elton John influence and produced an all time record here. Ziggy Stardust was the first Bowie song I ever liked, so it’s nostalgic for that reason, but it’s a well crafted, tight album no matter how you slice it. 11 songs, 38 minutes: strap in for some androgynous rock robot from outer space shit. Favorites: moonage daydream, starman, ziggy stardust, suffragette city ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust has consistently been one of my most favorite albums of all time, so relistening to it is always a treat. It's so good from front to back, no skips all hits. You'd be hard pressed to find a better album then this. Fav Songs Rock N Roll Suicide Starman Suffragette City Is it Top 1001 Worthy (is it essential)? Yes, 1000000%. And anyone who argues otherwise is crazy.

One of my favourite albums of all time. Grand, beautifully written, and incredible.

Starts with one of my favourite songs ever! Love this album for a long time, still stands up on thus listen. One of the best albums ever! 5 5 Heard before? Yes Owned: Yes. 82/319 (25%) Will I get: Already have

Listened before this

Beautiful

A major Bowie milestone. Starts off slow and owns the turntable by the time the music ends. A masterpiece.

yes

One of the greatest albums of all time. That is all

Fantastic

Highly enjoyable album. Some massive songs and no filler. 38 mins is a lean album

5 star all day long - never gonna be anything else

Rating: 5/5 Playlist track: Lady Stardust/ Moonage Daydream (Honourable mention guitar riff in Ziggy Stardust) Date listened: 6-7/06/26 Listen when: Evening drive through a city Oh isn't it wonderful. Took a couple listens to get to 5 stars but it gets deeper the more you listen, every song has a purpose for the album. Has to have the most insane album opening of Five Years of all time. Space theme still there throughout hell yeah. Let all the children boogie truly.

Turns out that I don't actually like David Bowies music that much. But I love Ziggy Stardust.

laaaa laaaa laaa la laaa, laaa laaa la laaaa laaa laa la laaa

Yeah it's Bowie at his best, no need to say more. But I will. Beautiful album, fantastic storytelling, so catchy but also with some brilliant moving moments. I can imagine how this changed the brain chemistry of so many teenagers when it first came out. Top Tracks: Five Years Moonage Daydream Starman Ziggy Stardust Suffragette City

How on earth have I never listened to this album from start to finish?! Vocals, storytelling, instruments were wooooah. Can’t even choose my favs.

Is there a better 3track ending to an album?

I have only listened to four David Bowie albums but i know for a fact that this is his best one. It is not a long album, easy to listen to and is structurally uncomplicated (in comparison to most prog rock albums around this era), but it perfectly delivers a loose narrative about a bisexual alien rockstar caught up in a web of drugs, sex, politics and the threat of impending doom against the earth. This is his breakthrough album that shows him at his most creative, despite some critics having a lukewarm opinion at the time, but that just shows how how ahead of his time he was. This would later inspire other artists to explore similar themes about music, hedonism and political corruption, such as The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails (David Bowie was one of trent reznor's biggest inspirations and were good friends in real life) and Mechanical Animals by Marilyn Manson.

Classic build ups, wonderful writing.

Fantastic, progressive(?) glam rock album.

10/10, no notes. Masterpiece

My favorite Bowie album (that Ive listened to). Mark Ronson brought so much to his sound.

The unique sound of David Bowie changed from album to album. This sounds nothing like his previous two records. It is ambitious, bold and ambiguous at times, but it’s always great . 4.5 stars

I can't say anything negative 5/5. RIP David Bowie. apparently the labyrinth is good too

1: covers of great songs in a country vibe.

Some belters, remember this from when I lived with my sister and mum

One of my personal favorite albums, and my opinion remains unchanged after this listen.

I will re-listen, but I know this album inside and out and it is absolutely a 5 star. Totally unique for its time, the (first) moment Bowie really became Bowie, great rock songs all around with the glam and arrangements that would go on to define Bowie's contemporaries/admirers (T. Rex, Iggy Pop, etc). This album rules

When I reminded myself of the track list for this I wondered if it was worthy of a 5. It most certainly is!

I think I start every Bowie review with "not my favourite but it's up there" and I thought that about this one but actually maybe it is my favourite. I always say it's Hunky Dory but listening to this again it is so damn good. Bowie has never been my single favourite artist or songwriter, but he's up there. His ability to reinvent and stay relevant is just mind blowing and I'm not sure any other artist has ever done it so well.

I think Bowie might be the only artist I've seen this many times on the this list that I'm always super excited to see. Great album.

5/5. Though I tend to be more of a Station to Station and Berlin era Bowie enjoyer, Ziggy Stardust is still Ziggy Stardust, it’s pretty damn close to perfect. Opener “Five Years” is one of Bowies best, he absolutely sells the emotion of the people realizing the world only has a few years left. Same goes for the album closer “Rock and Roll Suicide.” And the album is filled with classics like “Moonage Daydream “starman” or “Ziggy Stardust” which is to say this tracklist is stacked, and runs a tight 39 minutes so it really doesn’t waste a second.

Not my favorite Bowie album. The only reason I gave this ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ is that I gave Dizzee Rascal 4 stars yesterday because I thought some of it was pretty interesting and well-crafted. And while you can say many things about Mr. Bowie you definitely can’t say that he’s not more interesting than Mr Rascal. See in what predicament my OCD got me here?

It’s kind of amazing how every track is expansive and complex, yet tight and compact.

This is one of Bowie's best albums and probably one of the best albums of all time. Some absolutely classic songs on this album.

My favourite Bowie album. I feel like the guitar driven sound on most of this album is not necessarily what Bowie was known for in his career, but it works so good. With a simpler approach, this album really feels like it showcases his songwriting abilities. Both Five Years and Rock and Roll Suicide are masterclasses in songwriting - emotional , intense are real, and they bookmark this album from start to finish perfectly. This was one of the first albums I was familiar with at a young age when my parents dug out their record player and stack of LPs from the 70's. I'm so glad this made an impression on my musical taste and influence and I still find it just as intriguing.

While this isn't my favourite Bowie album anymore, it's an undeniable classic and is basically perfect front-to-back. I don't really have anything else to add that hasn't already been said about this absolute masterpiece.

Oh my God, where do I begin. This is the album that taught me how to love music beyond individual songs. I will always keep this album close to my heart.

Bowie is a bit hit and miss in my view, but this is fantastic!

God spoke unto David and said David create a masterpiece, create a magnum opus, create a piece of work that will go down the musical history and we'll be listening to and assessed and reassessed for all maternity. And David said 'OK mate'. And here we have a man at the peak of his power, musically supreme, the last three tracks being possibly the best ever last real tracks to appear on any album. Needless to say I like this

I remember listening to this album on my way to school in January 2016 after learning of Bowie's passing. So many memories came back from that time. Ten years later I've still got so much more Bowie to go through. A truly out-of-this-world talent.

Bowie's first truly great album, front-to-back. Solid 5 Stars.

It’s well above a 5. It’s not quite a 10, though it could possibly get up there someday. It’s not my favorite Bowie album we’ve gotten so far (probably a tie between Blackstar & Station to Station), but it is the most expertly crafted of his albums in terms of a natural flow, and one that’s so consistently strong without any kind of miss in between that I’d be remiss not to agree with the consensus that it’s probably his best album. Granted, I don’t fully understand the plot here – obviously, Ziggy Stardust’s entire personality being consumed by fame & leading the vain angel to fall back to Earth & seemingly die is the overarching story, but I feel like there’s a lot of little gaps my brain never filled in around the middle (When did the Spiders get recruited as his band? Did he really die?). It’s a little bit loose conceptually, but if you’re solely looking at the plot, you’ve failed the test. David Bowie’s driving force, and the one that sells this album, is the ability to fully slip into the role of a musical savior. 6 years prior, John Lennon had said the Beatles were bigger than Jesus. I don’t know exactly what David’s reaction was to that, but I can’t help but wonder if it caused any kind of spark to get to this album. Ziggy Stardust, as a character, is a fascinating figure, and one that sort of feels like the anti-thesis of Bowie in his later years. One’s out in the open accepting the status of fame; Bowie himself retreated from it, in a way. With the musical prowess at hand on each of these tracks, it’s easy to believe in both Bowie as a musician starting his peak, and Ziggy Stardust as a character who can be the biggest rockstar in the world. They work hand in hand, & I do feel like there’s a lot of David Bowie embedded into Ziggy. His charisma & flair for showmanship makes the album, & when you combine that confidence with great songwriting, catchy melodies, and a concept strong enough to nearly be made into a musical, you end up with a recipe for a great album. It’s futile to go track by track here – going in, I only knew “Moonage Daydream” & “Starman” as the two monster hits, but the entire album ranges from good to great and beyond. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide” is a great closer, and even outside of the story, just a genuinely strong plea for strength. I initially perceived it as Ziggy’s shelf life as an artist coming to end, yet reaching out to meaningfully help at least one person before the 5 years are up, but it seems to be about Ziggy’s final concert where he gets mutilated by antimatter energy beings on stage. David was on the good shit back then, huh? Regardless, it was worth the 874 day wait to get here, and I think it’s easily deserving of something higher than a 5. The only reason I’m not at a 10 is because the album never hit at that much of a deeper level for me (i.e., being DEEPLY synced with Bowie here), but I think it’ll get there someday. I can’t wait to get “Heroes”.

No skip album with many hits. Easy 5

Overall: 4.56 (rounded to 5) Consistency: 4.73 Originality: 4.5 Enjoyment: 5 Virtuosity: 4 1. Five Years - 5 2. Soul Love - 4 3. Moonage Daydream - 5 4. Starman - 5 5. It Ain't Easy - 5 6. Lady Stardust - 4 7. Star - 4 8. Hang on to Yourself - 5 9. Ziggy Stardust - 5 10. Suffragette City - 5 11. Rock 'n' Roll Suicide - 5

Einfach geil. Eig ziemlich insane sound layers aus vielen Instrumenten. Sicker bass und gitarren sound und dann layered da auch noch Blasinstrumente und klavier rein Haben genug weirdness aber auch genug hooks Alle songs haben schon nen gemeinsames Theme/Tonalität aber sind auch echt Abwechslungsreich Favs. moonage daydream, starman, lady stardust

So I have a rotating list of what I say is my "favorite album" when they ask, and this is undoubtably on there. Five Years, Soul Love, Starman, Moonage Daydream, It Ain't Easy, Ziggy Stardust, Sufragette City and Rock N Roll Suicide are all magical songs that I cannot understate the formitive importance of for my music taste. Especially the latter, which is one of my favorite songs ever and is such an incredible album closer. I really love the concept of an impending apocalyptic event, and whilst the album plays quite loosely with the concept, I think that actually helps it. The listening experience of the album as a whole, as opposed to being a collection of singles like some on here, make listening to this straight through a treat! I'd be here forever if I went through each and every thing I love about this album, so I'll cut it off here. Absolute 5.

Just full of hits. Not even my favorite Bowie album, but there are a ton of Bowie classics on here. Suffregate City, Starman, Moonage Daydream, It Ain't Easy, just full of good songs. The overarching theme isn't quite as apparent to me, but it doesn't really need to be.

a forever fave!!

Bit of a no brainer. Great stuff

This is an easy one to judge. Great throughout with the highlights of the big hits.

Great stuff.

Fabulous iconic album. 4.5 mainly for nostalgic reasons

This album is so good. It ignites the need to create. I think this is an easy 5, a great 5, but I’m not fully sold on it being one of the greatest albums ever made. I liked Low more than this but maybe I won’t after sitting with it. This album is undeniable and I can’t really find the words to describe just how genuine and unique it is.

Incredible ! Dramatic, alien, beautiful, with a powerful flowing energy. Some great songs too. 9/10

Holy crap, best Bowie album by far

Five Years- Nice drums,just simple throughout the whole song but good,The vocals are pretty good,also pretty good lyrics,9/10 Soul Love-Nice song and ncie vocals and lyrics of course,8.7/10 Moonage daydream-the electric guitar is so nice,simple but nice,memorable chorus,nice percussions,9.2/10 Starman- what to say other that the song is amazing,from the beggining to the end,the vocals,bass,guitar,everything is amazing,10/10 It ain’t easy- nice,short song,nice guitar and lyrics,8.7/10 Lady Stardust- Nice piano intro and throughout the whole song,melody is pretty good,nice vocals of course and lyrics,9.2/10 Star- Nice drums,nice guitar,9/10 Hang on to yourself- Nice bass and guitar,vocals also pretty good,9/10 Ziggy Stardust- Nice drum fills,nice storytelling,nice guitar,9.5/10 Suffragette City- nice and intresting song,9.2/10 Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide- so chill and mellow,vocals are amazing,9.2/10 Album rating: 9.1/10

Nice

Super Dope

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolut mästerverk! Ett av världens bästa album med rakt igenom bara bra spår. Kan inte få annat än 5a. Bäst är Five years, Soul love, Moonage daydream, Starman, It aint't easy, Lady stardust, Star, Hang on to yourself, Ziggy stardust och Suffragette City.

Quite possibly my favourite album of all time. The highs are unbelievable, the lows are non-existent, and then just when you think it’s done, on comes Rock ‘n’ roll suicide…

Listened previously. Expectations: High - Verdict: Masterpiece - I don't think I can really say anything about this album that hasn't already been said 100 times. What an incredible piece of art. Rock'n'roll at its finest.

Wish i could hear this one for the first time again because it’s perfect

This was really good.

literally one of the greatest albums of all time

It's Dave, of course its ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

phenomenal. love u always david bowie

Obviously a 5.

Ya había escuchado acerca de este álbum, pero nunca pensé que fuera tan bueno. No es solo el hecho de que parezca un álbum de 20 años después, si no que rebosa personalidad en cada tema.

Bowie's best record IMHO. Classic

Flawless album. Need to re-listen over and again. Fav tracks: Five Years, Soul Love, Moonage Daydream, Star, Ziggy Stardust RYM: Y (#13) Saved a song: Y

An absolute masterpiece

This is one of those albums where everything feels completely locked in. David Bowie fully disappears into the Ziggy Stardust character, but the album never comes across as just an exercise in image or theatrics. Underneath the glam rock surface are genuinely strong songs, and that’s what keeps the whole thing from feeling dated or gimmicky. The run of tracks here is ridiculously strong. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 is the obvious highlight, but songs like 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 and 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 ’𝗻’ 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 give the album its emotional weight. Bowie sounds charismatic all the way through, while the band keeps everything sharp and energetic without overplaying. Even at its most dramatic, the album still feels controlled and focused. What really stands out is how effortless it sounds. A lot of concept albums feel heavy or overexplained, but 𝘡𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘺 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵 moves naturally from one moment to the next. It creates its own world without losing sight of the songs themselves. More than anything, it just feels cool in a way very few albums do.

On one hand, it’s not my favorite Bowie record. On the other, it’s still Bowie.

My rating 4.7. This album is amazing!

David was out of this world

Gorgeous stuff x

This is personally the greatest album of all time, Bowie at his best with performances and writing at his very best. It's all down from here for this list

My first 5 Star review. What a fantastic album from start to finish!

one of the best albums ever! a masterpiece!

this is my 3rd bowie album on here jfc but they just keep getting better and better

Simply a classic with so many hits that it' an easy 5. Favorite Songs: Five Years ; Moonage daydream ; Starman ; Hang on to Yourself ; Ziggy Stardust ; Suffragette City ; Rock 'n' Roll Suicide

Bowie's albums are like picking a favourite child. I like it better than a Aladdin Sane but less than some others. Moonage Daydream is my favourite track on this one.

Inagine writing a song as good as Moonage Daydream and it only being the fourth or fifth best song on your album. Just imagine being that good at making music. Because not many bands or artists can do that. But Bowie did and this whilst not my favourite is the most coherent thing he ever did. It’s world defining

Bowie's magnum-opus on full display, loved everything the record had to offer. I usually zone out while I have music playing in the background when I'm doing stuff but I was locked in even if I was solving AP questions that are due in like 5 days. Favorite song was probably Lady Stardust even if I have every track on this album on my liked playlist now. If there was a decimal system (yes I know people frown upon it since it's essentially minimizing music to pointless optimizations), I'd give it like a 9.8. Thanks again to Bowie for blessing us with an album filled with glam and "flamboyancy" (at least that's the vibe I get from it), Rest in Peace.

After a long drought, I was so excited to see this as my album of the day. Bowie the legend. Five stars.

Classic. Can't beat it.

A beautiful, well constructed album from front to back. 5/5

Lo había juzgado antes de escucharlo y fue una sorpresa para bien. Todas las canciones se notan son del mismo álbum, muy bien armado.

perfect album

so good

It's pretty unclear to me exactly *what* the concept or story involved in this record is. The world is ending, Ziggy came from Mars to save us through rock n' roll, and then he dies, maybe? Totally unclear, but also, who cares, this rules.

The first Bowie album I ever heard. A rare album with absolutely no filler. So many highlights - I'll mention Moonage Daydream's lyrics and Soul Love's cool, laid-back tune as personal preferences. It doesn't get much better than this.

hard to rank bowie albums, or at least the good ones. and this is one of the best. push to shove, might have "hunky dory" above it. depends on the day. wham bam thank you ma'am.

Ziggy Stardust is a sensational album, a journey into a world in decline and crisis, of a man who comes down to earth and falls in love with the earth and decides to save it. In my opinion, it's very supermen and lorende more beautiful.

My favorite Bowie album. I was VERY into this album around 2006 or so. I listened to the C.D. for weeks on my way to and from work. Great piano & guitar work. Fabulous songwriting. Soul Love is one of my favorites and has some nice saxsophoning. Suffragette City is one of the best rock songs ever. Hang On to Yourself is also a fun rocker. Ziggy Stardust shines like a cult classic anthem. And Rock n Roll Suicide still gives me chills after all these years. Love the way he builds that song. Perfect finish to an artistic masterpiece about feeling like a stranger in a strange land, an alien rock star from the stars.

Listening to this in the car did not do it justice, so I'm glad I listened again at home. This album is a beautiful piece of art. There's so much variety in instrumentation and the songs are so creatively composed. I really love all the lyrics throughout too, and the unique style of dramatics and flair only Bowie can bring. So fabulous!

An album I held out a long time for to find a good original copy on vinyl, and one I almost forget how many amazing Bowie songs are on. A masterpiece.

What else can even be said about this record that hasn't already been said before? Classic.

More Glam Rock concept albums please

Albumazo por donde sea que se le escuche

You don’t rate Ziggy Stardust. Ziggy Stardust rates you.

Great album from start to finish, not a lot to complain about here.

One of the great rock records. Absolutely love the narrative, the attitude, the hooks…… I already knew I was going to give this a five since I’ve listened to it so many times, so I went to look at the reviews. I love seeing so much love for “Five Years.” What an incredible track. But I think “Suffragette City” might be my favorite. Easily- FIVE STARS

Not a single bad song on this album. Every single song is a masterpiece and I'm not even a David Bowie Fanboy. One of these albums where I could never ever understand a 1 Star Rating.

If this website insists, I will listen to this album again.

Instant classic.

Im not gonna say anything new or revolutionary on a classic like this The build up in Five Years it superb. Its such a great opening song, and it swirls and builds into a beautiful last chorus that could afford to last another 5 minutes. Starman is probably my favourite bowie song. Classic This may be his best album as its superb

De mis álbumes favoritos en la vida

Unbelievable album that shows why it’s a classic immediately

One of the most important albums to me personally. The storytelling, the melodies, the attitudes, the character / all amazing!

This entire LP is a fantastic LP. A defining moment for Bowie.

legendary album

Classic of classics

Goated

An absolute all-timer. Put this on when you have a few people over, or maybe just when you're making dinner with your BFF, and it instantly becomes an epic time.

One of the easiest five stars I have given

Come on , this is cover to cover certified perfection. It's not even my favourite album by him but it's just objectively

My favourite Bowie album, all the jams