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

feels like you are listening to history and such an iconic piece of work... which it is.

Perfect blend of eccentricity and rock genius.

Flawless album. Can listen to Moonage Daydream over and over (and I have). It's an album for anywhere, anytime, really.

508/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 MARAVILLA!

no skips great project

top 3 and it ain’t third or second

An easy 5 (years) today! Masterpiece

THERES A STAAARRRRR MAAAANNNNN

Five stars. Truly a masterpiece that transcends time and space. From the first beat of the drum like the first heart beat of a newborn child, through the soaring guitar solos and string arrangements like new life experiences against tradition, to the despeartion of a cigarette as reprieve from the harsh reality of living, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is the penultimate artistic representation of human existence.

Moonage Daydream, Starman, Ziggy Stardust og Suffragette City er kæmpe mesterværker jeg kendte og elskede i forvejen. Resten af albummet er så bund solidt at hele albummet kun kan være 5 stjerner. Som skrevet i anmeldelsen af Alladin Sane har Bowies Glam periode ikke været min favorit. Men det er som om han her løfter Glamrocken til nye højder og transcenderer genrerens grænser.

Perfect.

Almost all songs that you know and love already. Didn't quite sense an underlying storyline or theme? Maybe I'm missing something. But there are some stellar songs on here, and some interesting sounds in the background. Edit: after~125 more albums I came back and gave this the five it deserved.

Absolutely classic.

Var den første til at skabe en helt personlighed dedikeret til albummet. Til slut på deres tour sagde han også “This is not only our last tour but our last perfomance” og så var man i tvivl om det betød David Bowie var helt færdig, men i virkeligheden var det bare ziggy han dræbte. Det er glam rock med de simple riffs, den teatralske vokal og hele ziggy udtrykket. Det er en karakter som blev skabt som sådan en “alien rockstjerne” fordi der var alt det her kapløb omkring rumraketter. Teksterne er omkring seksualitet og dommedag og frelse gennem musik. Egentlig meget noble emner. Jeg synes noget af guitaren osv lyd så pink Floyd agtig hvis jeg skal være helt ærlig. Skulle seriøst undre mig hvis pink Floyd ikke var direkte inspireret. Specielt soloen i moonage daydream. Jeg synes nu også jeg har set de var venner på nogle videoer eller sådan noget, så de har jo nok arbejdet sammen i en eller anden grad. Ellers kan jeg bare godt lide lyden som er mega spændende, men kan godt mærke det stadig er rock fra der i 70’erne som bare har sådan en rigtig klassisk lyd jeg elsker. Det er rock inspireret af kunst og litteratur som han sikkert har elsket mega meget, og det får en til at tænke hvad nu hvis man selv inkorporeret alle de ting man selv elskede i en eller anden grad i rock. Gad vide hvordan det så ville lyde. Nå jeg synes i hvert fald det er et mega godt album, måske ikke 10/10 men det får stadig 5/5 fordi det er den høje ende af 4. Kan helt sikkert lide den her lyd af David Bowie meget bedre end det andet jeg har hørt indtil videre.

Overall: 10/10 Every song on this one is an absolute BANGER! Love me some Bowie and this is arguably his best work (even if I prefer Hunky Dory slightly). I don't have much to say that hasn't been said before, but I'll point out that I love how a weird thing like this became mainstream. Bowie deserves his legend status. Fav Song: Moonage Daydream

Wow holy shit

Yeah, this is one of the all time greats.

First one ever: Heard of him before but never tried his music before and man I've been missing out. The first track Five years is really nice where the entire song was the crescendo into the main verse of the song of 5 years. In Soul love I really like the underlying saxophone beat. Moongage Daydream's guitar was amazing. I did hear Starman before which did like. It Ain't easy was the first song that really stood out to me with its powerful chorus. Finally, the slow movement of rock n roll suidcide was a great conclusion for the album

“I’m the space invader, I’ll be a rock ‘n’ roll bitch for you.” I am not sure if there is a better summation of this album than Bowie’s line from Moonage Daydream, which this time was my favorite track. It was-and still might be—It Ain’t Easy. Next listen will be something different I am sure. I have been trying to unlock this album for so long it feels like it has been perpetually part of my life. Hunky Dory was good. Space Oddity was good. This album introduced the world to Ziggy, and Bowie became a rock god himself. What I think made this album amazing was he combined clever storytelling, an unusual sci-fi theme, concept album continuity, psychedelic rock, and quality musicianship but Ronson, Bolder, Bowie and Woodmanskey, all taking on multiple instruments. Bowie even played a little saxophone in tribute to his roots. There’s not really a bad song on the entire album as it all flows into one gigantic super weird story of the rockstar God himself. Starman was also my favorite song at one point. But you can’t go wrong with suffragette city as well, even though I still don’t know exactly what it means. In the annals of rock history, this album definitely deserves a spot in the top.

Not a fan. Music wise, quite pleasant. Poppy. But not sure about vocal/recording. He can sing but he chose to record the album this way - not the easiest for me to appreciate. Many times I can’t even tell where the correct notes should be. Maybe he sings impeccably, the notes should be in between two black keys in the piano. Starman good. Other tracks are also good. David Bowie is like durians.. you like it or hate it. And this album is like a durian cake. I like cakes, and I don’t durians. But come to think of it, it was released in 70s. So it’s still impressive to challenge what is supposed to be the “right way”. I see the artistry. Although I can’t fully comprehend it but I can recognise it. Still a five for me.

This has to be the most accessible Bowie album we’ve had so far. So much fun to listen to and still holds up so many years later. Starman always makes me want to watch The Martian. I think this album is closer to a 9/10, but I’m gonna round up because this truly is an album everyone should hear.

Iconic!

Took everything great from hunky dory and expands on it, such a fun listen

No, this is my favorite Bowie album.

Es Bowie

One of the best albums ever.

Loved it. Never listened to it fully before but this was a great experience through and through

Love this album,classic David Bowie. Finally, a good album.

its hard to say anything new about an absolute classic

A stone cold classic. Ashamed to admit I was previously unfamiliar with this. Five Years is a real huge hook of a song that really sets the mood. This record is a self-defining 'sound', with some compelling sonic moments. Healthy amounts of tension, intrigue, and release.

bowie always does it

Let all the children boogie… Not sure I can write a better review than just that . unquestionably innovative and well crafted, a classic. Five Years, is such a great way to start the album, building to a climax. Soul Love, Moonage Daydream and Starman are a great glam rock trio with amazing guitar work from Mick (Ronson). It Ain't Easy, drops the quality a little, but a still a strong middle point of the album before an amazing ballad in Lady Stardust Title Track and Suffragette also a couple of bangers before ending on a sombre note with Rock and Roll Suicide. It’s a 5 obvs

Perfection!

Just great all around. Would listen to this over and over.

it’s good, it’s sad

Ziggy definitely played guitar. Guitar heavy classic for a reason. A pleasure to listen to.

Exciting and eclectic. Bowie at their best.

My first 5/5 album. This is a straight masterpiece from top to bottom. It's how album should be, no fat, just 11 songs that don't miss. 'Five Years' has this slow build and the little repetitive chant that sucks you in, and once you're in, you're sticking around for the whole thing. 'Moonage Daydream', Suffragette City' are the big ones, but this is a no skip album at it's finest and the one Bowie album I will always go back to. You'll come away belting 'It Ain't Easy'.

His best album with no misses. Great mixture of good backing track and emotion lyrics. It Ain’t Easy to dislike this album.

Yep. Serious talent. This just one phase…

Unreal album - forgot how much I liked it

Great album

I've listened to this six or seven times in the last week (more than any other album in the project so far), hoping to spark a review into life, but it's too overwhelming. All I've got is this: Every time I hear 'Moonage Daydream' and he sings "lay the real thing on me", I cry, and I have no idea why. Five stars

high 5 its funny how complex and sophisticated hunky dory is. tracks like "8 line poem", "life on mars", "the bewlay brothers" - really great, measured, artistic stuff. One album later Davey B throws it all away for pure pop fun, yet of course its just as good. I can't think of anyone else """going backwards""" more effectively. It really shows how "artistic sophistication" is just a matter of flavour. daves mastered all sides and can turn the dial at will, delivering high 5s at both ends. if i had the confidence my perfect karaoke songs are on this album. members of my household regularly enjoy performances of lady stardust, ziggy stardust, 5 years, moonage daydream and rock n roll suicide. theres a really nice ramen place that me and ruth visit regularly on the street where the cover was taken, id highly recommend it. its interesting to see the scourge of on street parking was already uglifying london in 1972. Legal litter i call it. Not davids fault of course, at least the cars were cooler.

B2B bangers It's Bowie's best and it's iconic. So eclectic and so sexy

One of the best songs to ever open an album. One of the best characters ever created to sing an album. One of the best albums.

It's freakin Ziggy Stardust...

GOATED album

My final Bowie album on the list. I'm not sure if it's my favorite, but it has to be in the conversation. It kicks off with some fun glam-rock before reaching the stratosphere with Moonage Daydream and Starman. Lady Stardust kicks off the second side on a more subdued beat but there are still fun rocking numbers. Suffragette City is a personal favorite but they're all good. There's a reason this album is so regarded. It's the perfect mix of mainstream appeal and experimentation. It's the face of a genre. Rating: 4.9

Killer Bowie.

I mean… it’s perfect

Classic, iconic and perfect. Listened to it back to back :)

I only have 36 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ albums out of 4000 odd on Rateyourmusic, and this is one of them - & the only Bowie. Just perfect.

obviously dude

Yeah sorry this one is great. Complete package. Not a wasted moment and every moment is good and it holds together.

A masterpiece that defies time and space...

One of, if not Bowie's best album, which not only makes it one of the best rock albums of all time, but also in contention for the best British album of all time. The only song i'm not that keen on is Star, but other than that I think pretty much every other track is a classic. 5 Stars.

Probably my favorite Bowie album (and maybe his best?) Great album from beginning to end. Highlights: "Five Years", "Ziggy Stardust" and "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"

Unequivocally a masterpiece

An absolute favorite if mine.

It's difficult to understand the importance of Ziggy at the time when I was only three years of age back in 1973. But it still sounds like the future, more than fifty years later. The album starts in such an understated way with Five Years. It's a softener for what is to come. By the time Starman kicks in, then we're rocking. Despite the WHAM BAM force of nature, it's also a sorrowful record. Lady Stardust in particular always lowers the mood for me. Four songs that have the word star in the title - he was trying to tell us something. My brain hurts a lot. Oh how we miss him.

Like I've never heard this album in my lifetime. Kanye West is a time traveler . 😆

Klares Ding.

Wenn ich etwas kritisieren müsste, dann, dass das Story-Konzept ziemlich aufgesetzt und nicht zu Ende gedacht wirkt und dass der Closer mich einfach nicht bekommt. Ansonsten ist das schon eine der ganz großen Rock-Platten mit diversen Songs ("Starman", "Ziggy Stardust", "Suffragette City"), welche die restlichen immer noch sehr guten Songs zwangsläufig etwas überschatten, aber kein bisschen schlechter machen. Strong 9!

Der kann schon was. Vielleicht traue ich mich doch mal an die Diskografie.

I mean come on, it’s Ziggy Stardust

already listened before but i relistened for the sake of this review. still a perfect album every song hits not much more to say

My favourite Bowie album. A classic, so so so good.

Great album. Many great songs and cohesive arrangement

I heard it first time 3 years ago in Almeria, on my 3 month roadtrip to Lisbon.

If you've ever wanted to listen to an epic space opera about an awe inspiring alien rockstar that cures the world with their music, then you've come to the right place. Ziggy Stardust is the album of choice for introducing anyone to David Bowie. It encapsulates all of the things that make Bowie so unique and interesting. The music experiments with a variety of instruments to give it that sci-fi atmosphere but still rocks hard with powerful and timely riffs like in Moonage Daydream. The lyrics illustrate a world unseen in the far reaches of the galaxy while still keeping it grounded by capturing relatable experiences and feelings. Bowie's voice can be smooth and cool but it won't take long before he belts into his desperate and cracking bravado like in Five Years. The album is well paced and consistent. Its experimental without being unobtainable. It's good rock and roll. It's very good David Bowie.

Inarguably his best. All bangers, no chaff. Wham bam, thank you ma’am

Oo, ko bo pa to sedl na današnji shitty dan! To je bil včasih moj najljubši Bowie album (zj je Station to Station), velik preposlušan, ampak je pa že mal minil odkar sem ga nazadnje. "Five Years" je tok kul začetek albuma. Odličen komad. Zmer mi je bil všeč stopnjevanje v komadu in končno kričanje. In "Soul Love" je perfektno nadaljevanje. In ma tud neko stopnjevanje. (Prou komi sm čakala Bowiea, ker mislim, da je 9 albumov na seznamu?! Kar je mogoč overkill, čeprav je en mojih najljubših izvajalcev.) Všeč mi je, kako še predn ti možgani dojamejo, da je komada konc, se že najbl udarno začne "Moonage Daydream" z lineom, kot je "I'm an alligator". Plus, ker dober komad no. Tin whistle solo? Amazing. Pa kitarski solo na konc? Uf. "Starman" mi ma čist drug vajb k komadi do zdaj, čeprav tematsko je še kr tam. "It Ain't Easy" je v bistvu cover od Ron Daviesa, kar sm glihkar izvedla. Všeč mi je sicer. "Lady Stardust" je prijeten, "Star" mal nabije ritem pol, "Hang on to Yourself" je hiter za popizdit iiiin " Ziggy Stardust". Ta kitarski riff throughout je tok kul. "Suffragette City" se začne in šopa non stop, dokler te ne proba vržt na foro, da je že konc, po pa še pol minute šopa. In ker dobr konc albuma z "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide". Spet to stopnjevanje, začne se v bistvu sam z akustično kitaro in vokalom, dokler se ne pridružijo ostala glasbila in vse skp počasi crescenda, z zmer bl urgent vokalom in besedili. Pa the final note za zaključek. Prou pika na i.

It’s David Bowie! Great album

Love the album since the first year of uni. Listened again today but was ruined by Microsoft dynamics being shit

Great start to finish.

Iconic for a reason.

Masterpiece of the 70's

Classic album, know well, nothing to add 5 Star

Czasem się zastanawiam czy jestem fanką Bowiego czy jednak Stardusta. Piękny album. Bez żadnego słabego punktu. Wierny sobie. Eksperymentalny ale też komercyjnie przyswajalny. Bez długich instrumentalnych utworów, które mnie gubią. Z ciekawym i spójnym konceptem. 9/10

One of the absolute GOATs, and such an important album for me as I was discovering music. Doubt theres another album with an equally iconic opener/closer as Five Years and Rock and Roll Suicide. Every single song is brilliant, and it is tied together by a fantastic concept and visual style. 10/10

Bowie has always been a bit on my periphery. I know the hits and have been aware of the reverence for this album for a long time, but this is the first time I've actually sat down & listened to it. As you may have already figured out, folks, I'm an idiot. This needed to be in my ears long ago. Better late than never, I s'pose, because holy tapdancin' moly what a record this is!

AAAGGGGHHHHHHH

Just a classic album really, 40 minutes and 11 great songs. Not sure what it's really about, other than rock stars and drugs

124/1001 David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars Heard before? ✅ Revisit? ✅ Perfect. No notes

This album explains to me why Bowie has always been held (in my lifetime) as the epitome of cool. The opening chords of moonage daydream still get me every time and the whole vibe of the album is fresh and full of energy. In anyone else’s hands it wouldn’t be nearly as catchy or interesting. And the songwriting on some of the songs is exceptional.

The more I listen to this album, my appreciation for it grows. An obvious Bowie classic, love the change in the album from Star onwards (the Fall), especially Ziggy Stardust. The songs are fantastic on their own but listening to the whole album end to end, you really can appreciate the story being told.

Classic album

The best of the Bowie albums I've heard so far. The opening track Five Years is epic and sets the scene well. Moonage Daydream is another highlight, as are Starman, Lady Stardust and Ziggy Stardust. Actually it's mostly highlights, with a surprising amount of variety from track-to-track.

Once again I may be committing some kind of sacrilege by saying this, but this is my first time hearing The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars in full. After listening to this album in full I totally understand why this album is so revered, it is an incredible concept album that really pulls no punches and delivers banger track after banger track throughout the entire 38 minute runtime. The instrumentation on this project is truly so special and well organized to the point that I would not change a single thing here, it is all placed so beautifully and has such touching effects on myself when listening through. This projects can jump from very slow and thoughtful tracks like Starman to more hard rocking kickers like Suffragette City in an instant and yet make the transition feel so smooth and deserved. There is so much I can say here but I feel that everything has most likely been picked apart in the 53 years since this album's release, so I will cut myself short and just say to listen to the project if you haven't already. This is one of those albums where it shouldn't even be a question as to why it is a classic, it simply is.

Un peu court peut-être mais tellement bien.

A prefect album by an all time favorite artist. Everything positive anyone has said about this is true. Exceptional.

Like many, many others, this album was my first real introduction to the genius of David Bowie. And glam rock as a whole. I watched the Ziggy Stardust concert film in theaters on a whim with only a cursory knowledge of Bowie's music. And it changed my life! The guitar solo at the end of Moonage Daydream genuinely rewrote my brain. I had never really been into rock music and suddenly a whole new world opened up before me. The music on this album is still changing lives, 50+ years later.

Just perfect

I love this album. It reminds me of 9th grade and all my angst and being friends with Trudie ❤️

For someone who prides himself on listening to a bunch of different artists and kinds of music, I feel like I start everyone of these out with, I never really go into so and so until later. So, I never got into Bowie until the last 20 years or so. I always kind of thought he was weird and I just didn’t get it. Then I listened to Ziggy Stardust and it hit me, Bowie is a genius. Then I listened to Hunky Dory and I was like Bowie is a genius. Then I heard Life on Mars? and I just wanted to cry it was so good. I still get that way everytime I hear it. I keptlistening to Bowie and even his most experiemtnal stuff was so interesting. Bowie is a genius and while Ziggy Stardust might not be his greatest album, though it’s in the running, it’s arguably his most recognized character. Is it character? Or just his most recognizable version of Bowie? That’s what made Bowie a genius. He had a sound, a Bowieness throughout his career, but almost every album sounded different thant the last. And instead of his fans calling him a sellout or saying he should just stick with this kind of music or that kind of music, they just took whatever Bowie offered up. Zigg Stardust is kind of a concept album or rock opera, though it didn’t start that way. It’s about a messiah who comes to earth to save the world only to get so caught up in fame and fortune he alienates his fans and his band before dying on stage. Truthfully, I never paid much attention to the “story” because the songs were so good. Bowie was Ziggy, of course, and The Spiders from Mars were made up of Trevor Bolder on bass, Mick Woodmansey on drums, and one of Bowie’s longtime collaborators Mick Ronson on guitar. Ronson is one of my favorite guitar players. His guitar work on the album is so good. It’s not guitar wankery, all the licks he provides go to help the song. It’s a shame we lost him to cancer before he could truly become one of the most legendary guitarists ever, even though, in my eyes he did. I’m not good at whatever this is that I’ve been doing now for 88 albums. I can only tell you this album is definitely a must hear as there is no song that’s not great. I feel this could be released today and be a hit, especially Starman, Moonage Daydream and Ziggy Stardust, songs I’m quite positive you’ve heard somewhere before. I loved taking this trip down memory lane. If you do nothing after reading this, just remember Mick Ronson is a great guitarist and search his stuff out.

It was pretty good. Listenability: 5

So excited to see this album pop up.I’ve loved most of the songs on this record for years, but I never sat down and listened to it as one piece of music. What a Marvelous experience. A nearly perfect record, and definitely on my top ten.

Classic Bowie … no further comment needed …

I dont think music gets better than Bowie at this point. Absolutely brilliant.

Waiting for 22

Ziggy! I'll admit I was nervous going in. The legend of this album proceeds it. It did disappoint on that front but in the same way that a tinder date becomes a real person instead of a fictionalized fantasy when you finally see them in person. Once I shook off the expectations, the hype was very real. Personally, I think I prefer Hunky Dory but it's cheesecake verse a chocolate mousse. Ziggy is indulgent. It never goes to the point of poor taste and rewards repeat listenings. I just like Bowie at his more personal. He's a hell of a musician. While the theater is fun, it can cover the even more captivating voice of a killer songwriter. All around killer album. Glad I finally broke the seal.

Best Songs: Moonage Daydream, Starman; but honestly, you can't go wrong here Ziggy Stardust is a true rock opera and maybe Bowie's magnum opus; during its runtime it's nothing but excellence in an album that's compact yet full of creativity and flavour.

One of the best albums ever. Simply a masterpiece and songs you can always easily listen to. Simply Bowie's best by default, but it is definitely arguable that this isn't his #1. I once played Five Years in a band and had a great time with that even if its a simple song. I also played Star on the guitar too. Lady Stardust a personal favorite. Such a great record!

If you say it's not perfect or close to it you're lying

So far whenever I've gotten a Bowie album it's had some hits but been meh. Not here though. Absolutle classic I can see why most people think this is his best. 9/10

Still one of the best albums ever made. I bought the album off the back of the single "Starman", but was blown away by the rest of the album, from the opening "Five Years", through "Moonage Daydream", "Starman", "Ziggy Stardust", "Suffragette City", and the closing "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide", this is a great album. "Time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth..." - I mean they don't write lyrics like that anymore.

Wondrous!

I loved the kind of edgy glorious aspect of the music? it feels really epic, like you're contemplating a once in a lifetime thing. I've always passed on on this album but I now that I've listened to it consciously I love it.

The definitive Bowie album. Authentically weird, infinitely re-listenable.

This is my favorite Bowie album and a strong contender for my favourite album full stop! When I was 15 my then girlfriends younger brother starred in a school musical based on this album, it was fab and made go out and buy it. That was 1981 and I’ve played it on a regular basis since then and it never gets boring. Thank you David xx

Five Years is like a curtain rising to reveal a man under a spotlight. But Five Years until what, David? Soul Love is serviceable but pretty basic Bowie writing, but it has grown on me with repeat listens. Awful drum sound. Moonage Daydream kicks the album off proper - iconic, exciting, like a science fiction hippie anthem. Starman the same, has me punching the air like a kid in the 70's. It Ain't Easy is a bit dull, bit of a simple palette cleanser? Harpsichord stadium rock. Lady Stardust is a nice ballad demonstrating Bowies distinct vocals. Star is a honky tonk, foot stamper, I enjoyed the bass walking up and down. Hang On blends proto-punk with 50s hand jiving rock and roll but is a bit weak. Title track Ziggy Stardust is awesome, surreal storytelling, iconic guitar riffs. Suffragette City is perfection. And Rock and Roll suicide is an amazing closing track. A crazy cosmic jive all round but if I had to criticise I would have put the songs in a different order. Great album.

Classic

Love this album. awesome bass, great catchy songs, heart wrenching vocals. multiple top songs showing why Bowie was such a star.

Awesome album from the Bowmeister. I don't think I disliked any song. Everything meshed well together and was pleasant on the ears.

As close to a perfect album as can be made. A milestone work by a very strange man. I’m taken aback to realize just how many iconic tracks are on here. Like the Cars’ first album, no misses.

Love love love this album...

Such a good album. I'm ashamed I've never listened to the entire thing until now. So thankful for this site!

pretty fire, would revisit

I finally understand people's Bowie obsession. Great album, no notes. Best Songs: Five Years, Moonage Daytream, Starman, Ziggy Stardust Worst Songs: NA

You can see why this is one of the most influential of all times

What a beautiful record by Bowie this is.

Emotive, melancholic, uplifting. Many musical flavours. Fav track - Soul Love

top 5 noncy musicians of all time

I think I first heard this album when I was around 12 or 13, and it turned me into a full on Bowie obsessive. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more perfect opening and closing to an album than Five Years and Rock 'n' Roll Suicide at least not in the world of rock operas or theatrical albums. The way it explores Ziggy's journey through identity, gender, isolation, and the pressures of being a personality in a toxic world. Topics that are even more relevant today. Even though David Bowie has been gone for nearly a decade, his work was way ahead of its time and the world still hasn't caught up. This album is perfect to me and is easily one of my top five. It’s special because Ziggy Stardust and Bowie in general made me want to dive deeper into music. I owe so much of my musical journey and discoveries to him and this album. I try to avoid putting musicians on pedestals, but Bowie is one I can make an exception for. Favourite songs: Moonage Daydream, Lady Stardust and Rock 'n' Roll Suicide.

David Bowie? More like David Wowie! Don’t need to write an essay to tell you it’s very good

Can never go wrong with David Bowie.

Definitely in my top 10 Bowie records. Possibly track by track the most consistently great one.

This is a generational album that deserves every bit of praise it gets. The songs are beautiful, well played and he changed the course of pop music with this album. For me, it will always be about my mum. She is of this generation, saw this tour live and played this album loud in the car all through my childhood. One of the better gifts you can get from a parent. Thanks Mum.

A solid album with a few standout hits.

Brilliant concept album from Bowie.

There are way too many Bowie albums on this list, but this one absolutely deserves to be here. Just hit after hit.

Bowie BANGER

Brilliant. Ahead of its time. Wonderful start to finish. Bowie.

>>>>>>>> the Beatles One of the greatest

This made me so happy, truly a masterpiece.

Very good.

amazing

bom

I was waiting for this one to be recommended on here. I think the hype behind it is fair.

Never really listened to Bowie before the albums. I understand the hype around him.

The second Bowie album on this list, and the second Bowie album that I've thoroughly enjoyed. He's unique and very true to himself. This album was so easy to listen to from front to back, and I'm slowly realizing why he is so highly regarded.

Elska ziggy

also nothing really needs to be said.

Hard to talk about this without the word iconic.

Absolute classic masterpiece. So good front to back. Bowie was a true artist. This record is the gold standard for concept albums.

I don't think there are actually spiders on Mars. 4.5/5

-Literally my favorite album ever -Very nostalgic feeling he gives -Love the unique combo of instrumentals he gives to keep it entertaining -Different vibes but same style throughout the songs for consistency

I love Bowie but I’ve never actually listened to this entire album. It was so good, I’m disappointed I hadn’t listened to it earlier. 5 outta 5

So many great, classic songs on here.

Great album. Ziggy stardust ageless guitar riff always makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Not much to say, this is glam rock magic. Bowie is a genius.

Who cares if it's overplayed. Cliches are cliches for a reason.

BANGERRRRRRRRRS

masterclass, starman is the obvious hit but there are so many more good songs in this album

I had high expectations going in and I was not disappointed. Favourite Song: Starman Honourable Mentions: Moonage Daydream, Soul Love, Suffragette City

amazing

Hell yeah, alter ego spaceman sent to save Earth but gets distracted by being famous and playing guitar. Does it make sense? Not really. Do the songs rule? Yeah, definitely. Bowie just did whatever he wanted and kept it catchy the whole way, I love that about him. Nothing was too weird to predicate a song on.

Very influential but still a fun listen today

I already posted about this album before, but I appreciate it even more now. It's another masterpiece from David Bowie.

You already know it’s 10/10

Brilliant, as you'd expect. Apart from the 'obvious' i really thought Five Years & It Ain't Easy were awesome 5/5

There are a few albums on this list that make me question if I really need to hear them before I die. This is not one of those albums.

Now this is a David Bowie album. Some were a little slow, but I still had a good time listening. Some shade to the first album we listened to, I appreciated this wasn't as experimental. When you think of him, this is the album you think of. A great album to spin with a joint while laying on the floor looking at the album art

One of my favorite albums

There's a reason why Bowie has 9 albums. It's because he deserves it. This is great album. Psychedelic, bluesy with interesting lyrics & themes presented. This is my 3rd Bowie in the last 10 albums issued. Keep em coming. Another 5.

From the last 4 albums that i heard by David Bowie, I never would have expected The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars would be one of my favorites by him but here we are. I am somewhat aware of some songs from this album, especially Starman since i have heard John Dolmayan and Serj Tankian's cover of it. I still was not expecting the album to be this good as it had an absolutely perfect mix of punk rock with acoustic rock and a nice amount of orchestral elements too. David Bowie's songwriting was very enjoyable here as well. It is an all around great album that i definitely think is one of Bowie's best. Best Song: Suffragette City Worst Song: It Ain't Easy

Proof that a person can hold two opposite ideas in their head at the same time: 1. There’s too much Bowie on this list. 2. This one of the best albums of all time…full stop. 5⭐️

Ziggy played guitarrrrr ⚡️

vabbè solo iginio massari potrà non mettere 5 comunque non servo io a dire che è un capolavoro se potessi mi inietterei five years e starman nelle vene

Uno degli album migliori di bowie e della storia della musica in generale. Un mix di rock, atmosfere psichedeliche, proto-punk, che per comodità viene etichettato come glam rock. Bowie è un artista eclettico capace di rinnovarsi costantemente, e infatti dopo questo, che è il suo quinto album, arriveranno molti altri successi, tutti diversi gli uni dagli altri.

che dire che dire che dire ottimo e io cummo come disse il famoso totó periodo godo

I always forget how good this album is when I listen to it, and I always wonder why it takes me so long to go back to it. I've only listened to this album all the way through like 3 times, and it's a banger.

classic Bowie!! this is a perfect record front to back

Absolute classic. 5/5. No notes. If I had a chance to hear this album the day it came out, I would take it. It’s scary, beautiful, catchy, poppy, smart, and timeless. From first beats of Five Years to the final notes of Rock N Roll Suicide, there isn’t a disappointing measure on this album. Long Live Ziggy Stardust!

I remember the first time I heard the title track of this album, played by kids in a cover band at music camp, and thought “this is so fucking cool”. I’ve never dug too deep into the Bowie catalog if I’m being honest, but this album is non stop glam rock hits. The space rock savior story woven through the tracks of this record is part audio-biographical and part snap shot into a once in a lifetime brilliant mind bursting at the seams with a definitive sci fi statement. Loved this album even more than the first time I heard it. It inspired me even more this time around.

One of the all time great albums.

I mean they’re just all bangers

Awesome. He's just on a different level

invented bisexuality

Här kan man inte annat än att stämma in i hyllningskören. Otroligt bra skiva från start till mål. Peak Bowie!

Perfect?

David Bowie

Музыка классная - бодрая и интересная. Не всё мне нравится (не всё понимаю), но в общем и целом про альбом можно сказать одним словом - огонь! 9 из 10.

Impossible to bring objectivity to this one, but subjectively speaking it is objectively incredible.

Yes, I also love this album, just like everyone else in here, apparently. I was on the fence about Bowie's voice for the longest time (same thing with David Byrne), but I grew to like it and once that happened, the floodgates opened :) I think I'm partial to Station To Station, but this one is a close second favourite. Just like with Electric Warrior, I love the drum sound. I can't put it into words. Somehow, certain albums from this era have that punchy-and-crisp-in-equal-measure thing going on. Lou Reed's Transformer is another example.

What can I say but thank you for having this on amazing album but I’m a big Bowie fan so I little hard to say anything negative !!!

not much to say about this one.. groundbreaking album, a bunch of amazingly creative songs.. I’m a big Bowie fan, so maybe I’m biased, but this is one of the more influential albums ever imo

Still great! A top 3 Bowie album for me.

Insane.

Some Album are greater than the songs the are made of- the total listen experience sends them to another level. Some are all the way around- the songs inside are awesome but the entire thing doesn't make sense. This one is the rare example of an album that does both. It an amazing experience as a hole but the songs are so great they work as amazing pieces each by itself. I can't forget my listening to this for the first time when I was 12 years old. And I truly believe 12 years old children all around the world will keep having this experience for the entire foreseeable future. And ye, it's a perfect

Great album

This is one of my favorite albums ever, so it’s no surprise I’m giving it a 5. Each song from start to finish is great. Lady Stardust is a fantastic song that I wish I could inject into my veins.

Simplesmente clássico

This will always be brilliant. Wham bam thank you ma'am!

We've got five stars, what a surprise.

An All Time Classic!!!

Have heard half of these songs, never the full album. Expectations were high - and were definitely met. I was kinda meh on Star and Hang onto Yourself, but other than those its banger after banger. Ended up listening to it twice, really helped after the terrible day I've had. 9/10 Favs: Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide; Five Years; Starman; Lady Stardust

It's impossible to write a review that will make justice to this album

This album will always be special to me because it was mine and my cousin's peak of our Bowie obsession in our tween years. It’s the perfect mix of androgynous, bold, ultimate glam rock.

Just so many iconic tracks, guitar riffs, and lyrics. It's truly one of Bowie's best and one of my personal favorites.

TLDR: As a Bowie fan it was great to listen to this album again! 1001albumsgenerator, you’ve got me! It’s been a great lineup of albums thus far and now we’re at one of my favorite artists - BIG David Bowie fan here. :) “I don’t know where I’m gong from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” This Bowie quote hangs in my home and holds true for this album and many others by Bowie. He was constantly reinventing himself and Ziggy Stardust is a prime example of that.

Not as high on this as everyone else, but I recognize greatness and know this is the Glam Rock album 5 stars

Hell yeah

This is such a timeless classic. Loved it.

I'll be surprised if there is a better album on this list.

Classic. While I prefer late 70s Bowie. This is legendary for a reason. 5 years is one of the best openers ever. I've now listened to this album 4 times. And it gets better on every listen. Bowie is slowly becoming one of my All time favorites

One of my all time favorites. Idk if it's perfect, because theres a couple just ok songs in the middle. On the other hand, Moonage Daydream is about as good as a song can be

My first experience with this album was with the "Starman" trend on Tiktok, mainly involving edits of Superman with the track Starman in the background, bringing a sense of hope. So I hoped one day. I can relisten to the album. Was it worth it? Yes it was. It is a mix of the hopeful melodies and instrumentals thst got me hooked to the album in the first place. And it does demonstrate a well made story with Ziggy Stardust on the album. A sort of beauty for the whole thing. Overall, not a single skip and a beauty that has to be preserved. A must listen for anyone for fans of any genre, this album is life changing and I cannot underestimate how great it is.

An album that makes me appreciate slow playing one album each day. Absolutely great album. I had never listened to it all the way through (in order). I think the "big" songs on the album (Moonage Daydream, Stardream, Ziggy Stardust) are all great, but the slightly less big (but still big) "Suffragette City" and "Lady Star" are my two tracks to pluck from this album for my 1001 greatest albums playlist. I think Lady Star is just a beautiful 70s piano pop song and Suffragette City is clearly the template for a bon of brit pop and brit rock bands 10 to 20 years later.

Only the greatest glam rock album of all time

loveee

This is another famous album where I mostly knew the well-known singles. Love the tone of Mick Ronson's guitar. It's so cool and recognizable. I'm a fan of Bowie, but don't think I've ever actually listened to this album front-to-back before. Great stuff. The "deep" cuts all deliver. Standout Track(s): Soul Love, Moonage Daydream, Rock 'n' Roll Suicide

THE BEST BOWIE ALBUM EVER

Finally a David Bowie album! and it happens to be his very best! This is just pure perfection. It's been one of my absolute favorites for several years now and it still sounds so fresh to me as if I were hearing it for the first time. I feel pretty confident that this is one of the greatest records ever conceived. Here's my song ranking (1-3 are pretty much tied). 1. Five Years 2. Moonage Daydream 3. Starman 4. Rock 'n' Roll Suicide 5. Suffragette City 6. Soul Love 7. Ziggy Stardust 8. Star 9. Lady Stardust 10. Hang on to Yourself 11. It Ain't Easy

mín fyrsta uppáhalds frá báví. hef hlustað um of mögulega. en samt.

I have never listened to this. First, I listen without paying much attention and I liked it, but not like crazy. Then I read the story of the album and listened paying attention, and now I love it, what a genius.

A classic Bowie and one of my go to albums!!! No fat here!!!

Album by album, I'm starting to think that David Bowie might go to no. 1 on my list of greatest singer-songwriters of all time. This album is a weird journey accompanied by psychadelic, folky and avant-garde rock music. A 5/5 album!

Yes…

dude

4,5/5

What I felt was mod grade experimental rock in the 80s as a kid turned out to be one of the greatest albums Ive heard top 25 for sure. Insane story telling by a master writer. Siemply perfection

So good!!

An album I have loved since I "borrowed" the vinyl from my mother. Iconic.

5 stars.

Everything i needed. also the xx by the xx was amazing

O cara é foda

Superb. I can’t quite describe it, but this album is sort of timeless while also being a lovely time capsule, pulling on influences from the 60s. It sort of ebbs and flows from the dizzying heights (Starman has to be the archetypal pop song and might be my favourite ever, Moonage Daydream you can almost hear echoes of The Eagles but with some passion) through to more (dare I say it!) but each song stands on its own merits. Enjoyed the melodramatic rocky horror-esque ending of Rock n’Roll suicide, felt like the Ziggy - Suffragette City - RnR transition was really smooth. As an album and collection of great songs I can’t really fault it and it’s another album in the pantheon.

It was a slow start albeit it with some proto-glam-rock sounds which I really enjoyed. Then bang: into "Moonage Daydream" followed by "Starman" which are absolute peak Bowie, the latter must be up there with the best tracks ever recorded. The album dips again from its lofty heights, "Hang on to Yourself" being conspicuously mundane before the run of excellence to see out the album. It really is amazing to hear so many truly great songs in one album. Bowie was brilliant. I wonder if the formula for a great music album is to create something that sounds totally fresh whilst still blending influences from great music before it. It's hard for me to imagine how this sounded to people in 1972 but to me it sounds familiar and brand new at the same time. Simultaneously futuristic and nostalgic.

best B side ever

Weird move Bowie

Awesome, from start to finish. Awesome composition, awesome lyrical storytelling, awesome vibes. Had to listen twice.

I don’t know if I’ve ever listened to this front to back before. I can see why people were upset when he killed off Ziggy, but I’m glad he did

Perfect. Just perfect. No notes. I do wish, though, that I had been cool enough to have been listening to this as a teenager. Alas, it came to me later in life.

Good

Better than my last Bowie album

A masterful album, no skips start to finish. Every song absolutely slaps and still feels boundary pushing even today.

Top 3 albums oat for me. Every song is amazing and you're getting bangers like the title track and moonage daydream but also some emotional stuff like rock n roll suicide and five years.The writing is absolutely perfect, great storyline too.

Funnily enough I guessed that this album would come up today, I just KNEW it was going to be Bowie while I’m in such a huge phase for the guy. This made me appreciate this probably is his most important album. Nobody seems to talk about how loose and vague the narrative is here, but I think it works in its favour. And the central conceit - that you can’t tell the difference between a rockstar pretending to be an alien and an alien pretending to be a rockstar - is genius. Five Years and Rock n Roll Suicide are THE perfect bookends.

One of my fave Bowie albums. Far superior to his later material

The greatest album of all time

I love David bowie

My favorite Bowie album.

Great first listen! All the way through felt like summer.

The song Starman is singularly responsible for getting me back into rock music in my mid-teens after hearing it in "The Martian". I will be forever thankful to Bowie for saving me from modern music. Bowie isn't just one of the best musicians of all time, he's one of the most creative artists of all time. This album will always be a 5/5 for me.

It's Ziggy, of course it's phenomenal.

Uffff...que despegue. Después de martirizarne con disparates " musicales", ESTO, si es MUSICA. Vocalmente increíble, Bowie es único, irremplazable. Musicalmente, una joya. Instrumental mente una mina riquísima.

I will forever love this album. My dad gave me this for Christmas in highschool and it truly changed my life. I love every song, I love the concept of it and the tragedy of it. Sharing this album with friends has also helped me strengthen friendships and meet new people.

An undeniable classic 5 star album. I went to a David Bowie DJ set hosted by a drag queen last year (great fun) and they basically played this whole album in full. This is Bowie’s most successfully played out character, and this album really backs up just how well crafted the Ziggy Stardust mythology was. Bowie shows he could do glam rock better than anyone else on these tracks (sorry Marc Bolan), along with real driving rock songs like Suffragette City, and grandiose ballads like 5 Years. This album really is so strong front to back it does make some of Bowie’s other output feel weaker in comparison.

david bowie fuckin rocks what else needs to be said

Certified Classic! Favorite track: Ziggy Stardust other picks: moonage daydream, it ain’t easy, suffragette city

Incredible album many iconic songs and thrust Bowie's career into the stratosphere!

*insert image of superman

I mean yeah it’s grea

I'll go out on a limb and drop a five on this one. Couldn't make up my mind when I listened to it last Friday. Listening to it again today made me realize that I'm vibing all throughout without getting fed up by the end, unlike otherwise good albums I've rolled so far. Actually, I'm finding myself replaying this one. If that ain't a five in my entirely subjective and horrible opinion, then I don't know what is.

This is the easiest 5 I've given yet, and I'm not sure that there's an easier one on the list. I do believe that the classics need to be interrogated a little bit before being handed the perfect score, but I've danced that dance with The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (as it is christened in full) long ago and all that's left for me to do is gush about it for as long as I deem necessary. Ziggy Stardust has earned its reputation in so many ways. The songs are all *at least* great, and most are much better even than that. The concept is innovative and transformed how the idea of "persona" can be handled in a rock context. The performances are legendary, Bowie brings this album to life in a way that no one else could have. Additionally, this is almost certainly the greatest glam rock album ever recorded. Bowie pushed the gaudiness of the genre into genuine grandiosity by mastering an alchemical process which seemingly converts style directly into substance in a way that has not been equaled by any other album prior to, or since the release of Ziggy Stardust. During the first four songs here, from 5 Years through Starman, this is quite possibly the best album ever recorded, and the "drop off" after this point only exists in relative terms (everything else is still great, and the last three tracks just about reach the same highs again). 5 Years is just incredible: Only Bowie could have so successfully captured the weight and existential vastness of the realization of the inevitable, premature end of everything through the medium of a glam rock song. It's really sold by Bowie's vocal performance on the song, which is among the best ever. Soul Love took some time to grow on me, but the smoothness, grooviness and subtle beauty of it is nearly as good. Moonage Daydream is pure Bowie, big and catchy and kind of quirky. And Starman is in the competition for best song here. It is truly quintessential glam. The song's writing serves its hugeness, and there is something subtly sour about it that just makes it sound so bold and interesting. It Ain't Easy is technically the closest we have to a low point here, but like I said, it's all relative, it is still a really great rock song, with just a little more blues influence that feels slightly distinct from everything else here. It is also a cover of a Ron Davies song, which explains why it feels a little different from most of the content here. But it isn't really distracting, Bowie makes it his own here, and frankly, it would be a highlight on most any other album. The pattern continues from here, every song is truly essential and completely distinct. I don't want to just review this track by track, but it is hard not to when everything is *this* good. Lady Stardust is rich and beautiful, Star is a fantastic, driving, piano centric rock song, and Hang On To Yourself pulls from somewhere almost a little punky. After this, the album is just solid gold again. Ziggy Stardust is the closest we have to a title track (I don't think a song toting the album's full name would get quite the airplay) and it is effectively the theme song for Bowie's titular character here. The writing is incredible, it's damn near a character study contained within an album that already has such a strong sense of concept. This is as natural a point I can find to discuss the lyrics across this album, which are consistently fantastic. Bowie has such a strong, consistent voice in his writing, and every song has real stand-out lines. As we close the album out we get Suffragette City, which may be the most fun song here, in the right setting I think the chorus could compel spontaneous dance. And we stick the landing at the end, Rock 'n' Roll Suicide is one of the best album closers of all time. It carries immense gravity, and very neatly ties up all the ideas on the album in a bold way that isn't afraid to explore the subtle sadness of the ideas at the core of Ziggy Stardust, while leaving room for hope and joy at the very end. In a world where I think the idea of a "perfect album" has lost a lot of its meaning and power, Ziggy Stardust is very nearly *truly* perfect. It is nearly perfect as a whole, as a collection of songs, and even on a moment to moment basis. David Bowie was truly one of a kind, and he pulls off a truly generational achievement here.

This album was great Need to listen to more Bowie. Don’t know how I slept on him so long

Probably peak Bowie. Fucking fantastic

9/10 A classic that speaks to me

Ziggy played guitar

This was a clear 5 for me. Absolute bangers and classics here. No bad notes.

It's great

This one holds up. Still love the style, the storytelling from the alternate persona, and the amazing musicality. The hits off this one still slap, and rest is so fun too.

I remember getting this for my birthday one year and being just blown away by the album tracks. I thought it was just the coolest, most edgy thing out there. This is one of the few things I have "nostalgia" for but it really just is a rocking good album.

Turns out I love Bowie. This album is just a great listen. I love the theatricality of it all. His voice is wicked, loads of light and dark, sincerity and feeling and all to an operatic narrative. Yes please!

and all the children boogie Absolute Gold. Like a T Rex fever dream and all the better for it. What an amazing album.

One of the best to ever do it.

Absolute classic, just amazing

absolute wonder

So good. Zero skips. Perhaps his best album. I only own Space Oddity on vinyl so I don’t listen to this one as much. Did he invent punk rock with Hang on to Yourself?!

My personal Bowie favorite and the one that got me started in discography. The concept and melodic themes of the album are all perfectly married to eachother to develop such an iconic and pivotal album. Seeped in such punk, glam rock, art pop, and pop rock sensibilities. It remains in foundations of many rock n roll subcultures. It's dramatic irony of a beloved rock star (who may or may not be an alien) falls into a peril of his career and his own life was a dark look into the instances of rock n roll stardom. A warning of sorts for those who were starstuck by the glamour and adornment. Really "meta" for the time and deeply introspective.

Really set him apart from other artists of the time. Really imaginative work.

AWESOME SAUCE!!!

Not really anything I can add here is there? A triumph of supreme confidence and vision, matched with phenomenal talent. On most, but not all days, my favourite Bowie album, and a serious contender for any top 20 list, never mind 1,001.

This album has a bombastic start, Starman for a cherry on top in the middle, and good, but not great finish. I love that album, couldn't give it less than 5.

david bowie is his own fabulous category. i will never get tired of his artistry and creativity. there will never be another one of him.

Creme da la creme. David Bowie will always be top for me, and this album is one of the best. Have often been to Heddon Street where this cover picture was taken. Since he died a couple of restaurants the that street have been renamed I expect in the hope of pulling the punters in. K.West were unhappy at the time of having their name on the album cover, they didn't last, but Bowie did. Lady Stardust was written about Marc Bolan, and evokes a time of glam rock, flared jeans, platform shoes, a time that was so unique. The 70s was my era of teenage discovery. Carnaby Street, fashion.

Cocaine is a helluva drug.

Great

5 stars, no question. My favorite Bowie album, and in my all-time top 10.

Top 10 album. Every song is amazing.

cmon

Delighted a Bowie album came up. Exactly what I hoped for. So glad to see it early in the process. Exactly the type of music I moulded myself on, though I've never just sat and listened to an album start to finish.

Fantastic. His second best. Just a shame he had to keep changing styles till he found crap ones.

Inte bara ett par hits och utfyllnad utan ett riktigt bra album. Bra ljudbild, musiker och låtar. Överraskande bra, även om jag tror att jag hört skivan innan.

I don’t need to listen to this - but I will! G’dmmit I was at school the first time I borrowed this…… And I missed seeing Bowie at Ebbisham halls due to parental disharmony

Undeniable.

Många superklassiker och även "mellanspåren" riktigt bra!

Den bästa glamrockskivan som någonsin gjorts.

I'm such a sucker for theatrical concept albums. But this album shines with wall to wall bangers. Fast and furious rock and roll masterfully blended with ballads

Having never listened to a full Bowie album before, I feel like I get it now. It makes immediate sense why this one's a classic, and I love it.

Bowie's best rock record, it's literally perfect.

He's just great.

One of the greatest albums of all time. I could (and did) listen to it on repeat.

What a wild ride. This was my first listen beginning to end and I get the hype.

All-time classic

I was happy to see this pop up because I knew I wanted to expose myself to more David Bowie. This album was a fun listen, I loved the spacey rock and roll theme. Moonage Daydream and Starman are so fun.

kind of easy to tune out but really good soft progressive backgound music

9/10