Station To Station

This is the first Bowie album I listened to over and over again, because my girlfriend at that time owned it. For the next few years I bought all his new releases and then started buying up all the older ones in my twenties. It’s an epic album, especially listened to within the context of his everchanging output from Hunky Dory to Lodger. I think that the one song he didn’t write, Wild is the Wind, is maybe his greatest vocal performance of all time and by-far the most creative interpretation of that standard (at least until Esperanza Spalding’s).

10 Albums You Actually Need to Hear Before You Die Chapter 4 It’s too late to be late again: David Bowie’s “Station to Station” As I write this review, much of the northeastern United States is engulfed in a thick, noxious plume of smoke emanating from wildfires in Canada’s Quebec province. The sky is a hazed-out, sickly orange-brown, almost Martian in appearance. There is a constant smell of charred and burning wood in the air. It’s so dense that it clings to your nasal passages and throat, leaving its scent to linger in your head well after you’ve gone indoors to escape its tyranny. On a day like today, there’s no need to ask, “Is there life on Mars?” Instead, I’m wondering if we’re only a few short years from lifeforms on some other distant planet asking, “Is there life on Earth?” Are we close to becoming Thomas Jerome Newton, Bowie’s character in the film “The Man Who Fell to Earth”, who graces the cover of Station To Station? Will we soon be forced to travel great distances in order to find and retrieve the resources that we require to live? Will we have to adopt a lifestyle that is foreign and incomprehensible in order to survive? …and why does it feel like I’m the only one who can see it coming? While other people are out there acting normally, doing their jobs and taking a walk through the Canadian wildfire haze on their lunch break, I’m here trying to concentrate on work and not let the innate, internal animal instinct that screams “Danger!” overwhelm my psyche. I bet that’s how Thomas Jerome Newton’s people ended up in their predicament: they didn’t pay enough attention to the guttural instinct that was warning them that things were going off the rails, they just continued as though nothing was wrong. As I admire the once lush blue sky that has turned ghastly brown and Mars-like, the refrain at the end of the title track - repeating “it’s too late” over and over - feels like a devastating mantra. There’s an undercurrent of desolation, paranoia and uncertainty running through Station to Station. For Bowie, it was fueled by cocaine. For me, today, that desolate and paranoid uncertainty has me looking to the future, recognizing we live in a transitional period where it’s probably too late, but our lateness hasn’t fully caught up with us yet. Indeed, Station to Station was also a transitional record for Bowie: a bridge between the blue eyed soul of “Young Americans” and the experimental, synthetic rock and ambient soundscapes of “Low” and “Heroes”. On paper, with that description, you might not think it would be as engrossing and timeless as it is. At this moment, early June of 2023, in a world that literally looks desolate and with paranoia’s resonant frequency amplified in my mind, Station to Station is the perfect soundtrack for the end of the world.

On the whole I just find the whole album utterly tedious and most of the songs irritating. Opening track is ok, as is Stay, but I mean this relative to the other songs rather than being songs I want to go back to. This just isn’t for me. I feel 2 is harsh but I will never put this album on again and thems the rules

Quick and fun 38 minutes. Let's rewind. I think the Thin White Duke era could be my favorite of Bowie's. Or does the preference always Ch-ch-changes?

Only six tracks, but an impressive degree of variety. I get a good sense of Bowie's eccentricity, especially from his concluding the album with a cover of "Wild is the Wind." I'm not sure I've ever listened to a David Bowie album in full (aside from Black Star), but there are a handful of tracks from Bowie that I've grown up knowing. "Golden Years" is one of those tracks. I'm looking forward to hearing more albums from Bowie that are, no doubt, on this list. Favorite tracks: Golden Years, Word on a Wing Album art: Very cool. Love the bold, red font. Bowie stepping into some space-age studio--looks about right to me.

This is one of my favorite Bowie albums, and one of the few that doesn’t have a skipable track as far as I’m concerned. I think "Word on a Wing" and "Wild is the Wind" are among some of Bowie's best vocal performances of his career. “TVC15” is a fun outlier, with some crackerjack piano playing by E Street’s own Roy Bittan. "Golden Years" is a true classic, best track of them all. Even with the 10+ minute opener, I think this is one of Bowie's more accessible albums musically. The lyrics are another matter and can be rather opaque, especially on the title track. But I honestly think a lot of what Bowie does lyrically is for effect and we're better off going along for the ride than putting too much effort into deciphering them. Much has been made of Bowie's drug use at the time, to which I say look at the product. If this is the work of an artist whose sensibilities were at all blunted by drug use, it's hard to see. Fave songs: Word on a Wing, Golden Years, Wild is the Wind

Tied for my favorite Bowie record, but usually inches ahead of the others thanks to an all-killer tracklist that doesn't overstay its welcome. The hooks are here, the production is here, the experimentation is thankfully present but not drowning or too slow (I love Low but some cuts drag on). Bowie proves you can make a pop/post-punk/krautrock/dance record that appeals to normies and snobs alike.

David Bowie, known as the Thin White Duke at the time, delivers an album heaped with emotion but also devoid of it at the same time. The Duke addresses themes of religion and love throughout this short piece of work Bowies excessive cocaine use during these sessions is well documented, and is also addressed in both the title track and stay, lamenting "its not the side effects of the cocaine" Although this addiction resulted in bowie not capable of recalling any part of his recording of this album, it is clear the effect which it seems to take on the recordings themselves, which come across with an incredible energy that doesn't stay longer than it needs to. My favourite track would have to be either Word on a Wing, which is commonly viewed as bowies cry out to God during what he recalled as "one of the darkest periods of my life", or his astounding cover of Wild is the Wind, a cover which he was inspired to record after meeting Nina Simone just a few years prior. Overall, this album was an enjoyable experience, the instrumentals were fantastic, and Bowies voice, particularly on Wild is the Wind, was brilliant.

Very overrated album. Golden years is not that good of a song.

My ears came 6 times

Yes, drugs are bad. But on the other hand; Station to Station by David Bowie.

Station to Station is my favourite song of all time and this album is in my top 10 albums of all time. I LOVE IT!!! The phenomenal opener that is 10 minutes of pure art rock. Golden Years is such a beautiful funk-rock song. Word on a Wing and the album closer Wild is the Wind have a beautiful vocal performance and a very emotional songwriting. Stay is just pure rock and soooo fcking good. The only song I would say is not 100% perfect is TVC15 but still sooooo great... favourites: Station to Station, the Rest of the album least favs.: I REFUSE TO CHOOSE rating: strong 9 to light 10

An era perhaps best short lived given how Bowie was living at the time, but the grandeur of Station to Station is a masterstroke of The Thin White Duke which eventually led to The Berlin Trilogy. It's title track is one of the most powerful album openers in music and from there it's quality never falters. Few artist can claim multiple masterpieces, but this is definitely one of Bowie's.

David takes a short intermission, returns to the stage wearing a cocaine white suit and opens the second set with Station to Station. How many years ago was that? Fuck if I know but I remember it like it was yesterday. During that set Mick Ronson joined the band for Jean Genie. Bowie said he invited him when he bumped into him at the Four Seasons that day. Mick wasn't prepared and didn't even bring a guitar. He grabbed Earl Slick's guitar, strummed a bit and then just swung the guitar around rather than play it. On a day when I’m not a complete Bowie cheerleader I'd admit the extended opening of St 2 St didn’t age very well. But the rest is still magic. Golden Years was the “hit” and it along w TVC15 have aged quite nicely. The timing of this album selection couldn’t be better. I’ve been listening to Wild is the Wind every day for the last week or so since I’ve been learning to play it on guitar. Bowie's vocals are on Gldn Years and Wild is the Wind are among his best. Sorry for the long review Mike but I didn’t say a thing yesterday. And this is David

Everything was perfect about this album. Perfect run time, solid production, amazing vocal performance, a unique blend of 70s music styles, progressive in its own way, and kept me intrigued from beginning to end. Bowie is a fascinating person, I really look forward to his other albums. Masterpiece.

The funk is real on this one. The record that preceded the Berlin years (my favorite era of Bowie) and started his second renaissance into the public consciousness. It’s got everything, art rock, soul, funk, jazz elements, melodica for Christ sake. The birth of the Thin White Duke. It is said that Bowie sustained himself on cocaine and peppers during these sessions and was so fucked up that he didn’t remember recording this album. If I dropped this banger and didn’t remember it, I’d be pretty upset. Favorite song: Station to Station Least favorite song: Wild is the Wind (if I had to choose)

I’d never listened to this one top to bottom. So good. Might be my new favorite of his, but I definitely need to go through the catalog

I’d never listened to this album in its entirety before but I will absolutely be revisiting it. Frequently. An eclectic mix featuring a spectacular rhythm section.

the opener of this album is weird i wasnt into the first half at all but the second half was so stupidly good i had to go back and check like did i miss something? was i not paying enough attention?? but no it really is just that split in quality. golden years is really good, easily the best song here imo. not a single second of wasted space which is kind of hard for a lot of 70s rock apparently. like damn a lot of songs just went on and on didnt they. its not even a bad thing just nice to get a song thats actually compressed down like that. anyway the ballads arent bad at all, i see a lot of people saying theyre the worst songs here but disagreed. theyre dramatic enough to work. also i still have trouble telling what the fuck hes saying but apparently this is just a concept album about how pathetic some fascist dude is. wild 9/10

I can't stop thinking about my girlfriend fucking other men.

I always thought I liked David Bowie, but this is the third album that has kinda fallen flat for me, so maybe I only like the familiar hits. It's a strange realisation!

I hate all David Bowie hits except maybe suffragette city as it’s not glitzy glam pop. I’ll never understand how we as a society take run of the mill pop and turn it into a profound artistic statement because we like the artist’s personality. However, I know he can be weird and I’m hoping this one is. 6 tracks, 38 minutes certainly tells some kind of story. This sounds like Beavis & Butthead transition music so far which is honestly far better than rebel rebel or anything of that nature. Aaaand here come the vocals. Rock opera. Ugh. There are moments where I believe this is cool. There are many others where the piano and disco kicks in. What the hell is this? Ah man. No good. Elton John piano licks without any of the fun. Is it too late to skip this? Wow guys, this disco song is slightly longer than normal AND the singer has a wacky haircut. This is equivalent to great literature. This sucks. Fuck. Riverboat music. Fat rich cottage goer tunes. I don’t think I can fairly listen to this. I just think he’s insufferable. The bad part is that there are cool ideas that I could see myself enjoying. Some of the vocal harmonies at times sound cool. Lots of sounds. There’s just a general poppiness that I can’t stand. Sounded like death grips for a second. Unfortunately it’s still me in the grip of a cruise ship based nightmare. Why is this crooning over a karaoke steely dan instrumental considered “must-hear”? Is this also Christian? Holy hell. Washed up musician having an evangelical breakdown whilst on barbiturates during a reunion show at a local casino “type beat”. Hail Satan and bring on more pedestrian tripe! Right on cue. Oh baby, the bow tie on the wedding singer is loose now. Everybody is a few loonie drinks in. Time for some more riverboat jingles. It would be fun, sort of like a massive artist, to see what I could pass off as quality based off my name alone. They have to have tried it. traaaaaaaansition. I actually don’t hate the saxophone. There’s something!!!! It’s weird and good. Stay?? Why don’t you go?? Hahahah. Man I’m good. This song has actually sent me into hysterics. These vocals can’t be real. NO. There’s no fucking way. You can’t like this. These vocals or satire. This is making fun of mid 70’s crooners right? HE CANT SING. This is one of those moments where I feel like I’m in the interstellar universe screaming at an oblivious public from behind a space/time continuum rift. This is not good and I refuse to hear arguments to the contrary. Valueless and one of the worst songs I’ve heard in many years. Thoroughly unlikeable from start to finish, this album is a mix between run of the mill and completely insufferable. Musical competency at points jumps it from zero, but the horrendous singing and pop cheese takes this thing beyond the gutter, into a vat of talentless disco-tinged slop that is gulped down by the ladle by buffoons because it has David Bowie’s face slapped on it. Worthless as a psychedelic experience, even worse as a musical one. HIGHLIGHTS: The silence following the final track.

The title track 'Station to Station' is my favourite song of all time. Additionally, Bowie is my favourite artist of all time. Therefore the album itself is also one of my favourites, in fact it's even in my Top 15, the second best Bowie album with only Low receving a higher spot. The entire album is just such a beautiful mix between Funk Rock, Soul, Art Rock and Piano Ballads with even the "worst" moments being at the top of Bowie's career. There is nothing to say against the album: songwriting, lyrics, production, ideas, experimentation, all of it is executed perfectly. It starts with the big one: 'Station to Station' starts with train imitating synths that slowly build up in a very Post-Punk fashion. It then forms itself into an operatic and anthemic "march-like" song that seems to pull together Art-Rock, Prog-Rock, Post-Punk as well as Krautrock and first hints of Funk that after an enormous and beautiful first half burst out into a Disco inspired Funk oddysey full of beautiful lyrics and deeply emotional deliveries. As I said, my favourite song ever (closly followed by 'Starless' by King Crimson). It follows the story of the Thin White Duke, a character that Bowie embodied at that time. A drug addict, full of fascist philosophy that seems to have lost touch with the real world and spirals into a deep dark of his own thoughts. It was the exact opposite of what Bowie has or wanted to be but his strong cocaine addiction that held on for years pulled him slowly into this exact person. Maybe it was a cry for help which many songs on this album seem to be but this is darkest and most grim of all of them. Even musically this is full of depth with the mix of repetitive themes and short breaks that help to both release tension and create new ones. I don't even know... This thing is the most perfect thing ever created. Maybe 'Starless' is objectively the best but for me this is. The album could've played this song 4 times in a row and it would not be boring or repetitive. I can't say it enough: Masterpiece, perfect, genre-bending, songwriter masterclass. The lead single 'Golden Years' goes deep into Soul territory with a very strong Funk additude and beautiful backing vocals in the chorus. The song shimmers with light and gold and seems to be an opposite of the previous song while still having very sentimental and thought provoking verses that tie the song together in such a cohesive and wonderful way. And even though it's the albums shortest song it features a lot of memorable moments that make a perfect follow-up to the title track. With 'Word on a Wing', the Blue-Eyed Soul gets the most prominent as of right now with a lot of piano in the forefront on which he delivers some of his strongest lyrics ever written. This is the other cry for help on the album and this time it seems to much, much more emotional about the lack of love he feels and the desire to reconnect with the world, held away by his own doings. The chorus is without a doubt the most heart-wrenching he's ever put out. One of the saddest and most emotional songs I have ever heard. I say it again: PERFECT! The second side returns to the Funk and Art Rock with a really groovy and energetic track which was written about a dream Iggy Pop had about his girlfriend being eaten by a TV which is a crazy starting point but the result doesn't fall short. It's so incredibly catchy that I don't think anyone can really dislike it and even though I think it's the "weakest" on the album because the end feels a tad bit streched, it's still so unbelivably amazing with all the arrangements and catchy play arounds both musically and of course lyrically. This is nothing short of another masterpiece. 'Stay' gets really Rock with a the Bluesy intro but there is more to it. Firstly, the percussion is just so incredibly fitting that it's genius that they thought about adding these Bongos (?). The mix of Funk Rock with Disco and Krautrock is absolutely amazing and catchy which is why it was a common song Bowie played throughout his career on live shows. Again, it's fun to listen to with a lot of energetic playing but has a certain beauty from the vocals as well as the lyrics that again return to the theme of love. Especially here, the mixing is done so incredibly well that while a lot of the stereo aspects are used, none of it feels imbalanced. Another perfect song, I'm sorry but it's just that good. The final song 'Wild Is the Wind' is very similar to 'Word on a Wing' in terms of style but also delivery. He was very influenced by the Nina Simone version of the song and it shows: This is probably his best vocal delivery ever (other options are: Life on Mars?, Teenage Wildlife, & Lady Grinning Soul). It's such a beautiful Soul song with all the inspirations from Jazz, Soul and Funk pulled together in a masterful finale that flows through your mind like only few songs do with such a finesse and Psychedelia. It's a perfect closing track and it's not even close. favourites: Station to Station, Word on a Wing, Wild is the Wind, Stay, Golden Years, TVC15 least favourites: / Rating: strong 10 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

I'm currently in hospital after a kidney transplant and every single Bowie song makes the life I'm allowed to lead a little more worth living. I was not only given new life, but also content and joy

I didn't know I like Bowie until this listening project. I like Bowie. This record was terrific.

Listening to Bowie’s great albums in random order and at random intervals is tremendous fun to this first time listener. So far, they’re all such complete, almost hermetic objects that thoughts of his career progression flutter off before they barely begin to form in my head. To me, this sounds like he lands on an idea, a form, embodies it utterly, and moves on. His melodic and lyric knack is constant, but at the service of whatever he has alighted on. Station to Station is a majestic title. Contents are laid back, almost bar room ballad at times, but sheathed in this clean, futurist swoosh psychedelia. TVC15 is my favourite on this listen, though the cheeky quote of Good Morning Little Schoolgirl made me uneasy given the teenage fans Bowie allegedly slept with. Of course, I returned to Stay after writing that, and maybe that’s my favourite: streamlining funk, it seems to casually invent a decadent strand of eighties pop.

My original "favorite Bowie album" after voraciously devouring various compilations. Not a minute wasted here, his band is at the top of their game and the vocals on "Word On A Wing" and "Wild Is The Wind" are for all time. The best possible advertisement for cocaine abuse - if gawky 17yo me could have obtained sufficient quantities I would have done myself serious damage in tribute. Incredible

The songs are long, but the album feels short. What a treat, such a perfectly trimmed journey!

PogCamp

Masterwork. Titanic. Glacial shift. A spell, an incantation.

I don’t want to waffle on too much about Station To Station other than to say it’s a delightful listen that doesn’t outstay its welcome. A perfect little album and a definite fast favourite.

David Bowie claims he couldn’t remember writing this album after a bender. That’s quite impressive seeing as the last bender I was on I couldn’t remember how many zinger boxes I’d consumed

Widely considered a transitional album that bridges Young Americans and the Berlin trilogy, I always viewed this as a natural evolution. Great musicians all around, although Earl Slick, Carlos Alomar and Roy Bittan are superb. Bowie shows the full range of his vocals. His cover of Wild is the Wind could be my favorite Bowie cover and perhaps favorite Bowie vocal. Bowie never embraced punk, but there are post-punk elements here before there was post-punk.

Wow. Can someone pack that much into six songs? It's funny that he was struggling with drugs a lot during this period because the music is so on point and solid. He has an incredible way, always and forever, of matching the feel of the music with the feel of the vocals (not just the lyrics but HOW the lyrics are used). I would have loved to see this played in its entirety live. Listening to this sent me on a spin of listening to Bowie albums, trying to decide if "Five Years" was indeed my favorite song. I got stuck on Hunky Dory, forgetting how perfect it is from beginning to end.

Great, great album! Bowie is a star. Somehow the songs seem much shorter than they are, everything is still compressed, and stuff happens. Oh damn ok, "Wild Is the Wind" slaps so fucking hard. Good shit. This aged well, and I think it will age even well'er. 5 Didn't enjoy "Golden Years" as much as everyone else it seems, very overrated imo. But the whole of the album makes up for it.

6 tracks. Just under 40 minutes. Every minute is great. Sometimes David Bowie's stuff is shamelessly artistic, but comes off a bit too kooky and inaccessible. Other times he makes something undeniably catchy, but without all that depth and substance. Here, he pulls off the best of both worlds. This album grooves - the bass lines are punchy and fun, and the guitar alternates between Chic rhythm and pink Floyd lead. Great album with lots of great moments

5 stars. Probably my favorite Bowie. Progressive, moody, thoughtful. And then there’s TVC15 now that’s just entertaining.

disaffected jazzy krautrock pop by a man obsessed with cocaine. lovely tho fav track: stay

Loved it

brilliant.

Masterpiece.

Absolute great Album, so versatile and creative, never boring

Wild is the wind

Love this album

Amazing!

Everything has that grand piano feel. Really unexpectedly short. Very good and I finally get the station to station reference.

DAVID BOWIE YIPPEEEE hes such a legend rip fr stay kind of sounds like song off the new geordie greep album (sry for making the comparisson)

Every time I get a Bowie album generated, I think something like "he's got some good hits, but listening to an entire album might drag a bit." Every single time I'm wrong! Golden Years is a stand out for me here, but Station to Station, TVC15 and Wild is the Wind are all bangers. 4.5/5

8/10

A manifesto for that most unmanifestable of things: unorthodoxy. Never helps to overstate the lyrics with Bowie, but certain ideas resound: "run to the shadows", "I'm trying to fit into your scheme of things", "this age of grand illusion". He's interminably travelling on the opener, wild as the wind on the closer. It's all gauche, all different, all repudiating the idea of normal. Title track starts with a coda, moves to the bridge, follows that with an intro, ends with a different song. The guitar solo at the end of TVC-15 may melt brains. Everything on Stay is gauche and two beats off. Throughout, the white freak funk combines Eno and Clinton.

One day at David Bowie's house, Iggy Pop took a bunch of drugs and hallucinated that his girlfriend was being eaten by a TV, so naturally, Bowie turned it into a song. He was so coked out while making this album that he says he only has one memory of asking for a certain guitar riff, and nothing else. I think the lesson here is, if you're going to do drugs, you should either be as talented as David Bowie or have a friend with that level of talent that can turn your experience into a trippy song. Best track: TVC 15

Average Bowie album, I read he was checked out on this one.

I don't think this is peak David. There are a couple of memorable tracks but the rest are just competent. For Bowie completists.

I can see why people like Bowie. But for me this is pretty dull. Not bad. Just a bit dull.

#285. Yet another weak ass Bowie album. This one doesn't even have any of the hits to balance out the drivel 2/5: weaksauce

The most tolerable of Bowie's I've had so far, it's basically just a bad David Byrne impression.

Huh. So, normally I hate Bowie. A lot. This is….interesting, though….It’s still too untethered and blatantly coke-fueled for me, and would benefit greatly from some editing, but I like it more than the pseudo-intellectual experimentation of the Berlin Trilogy, and a lot more than the gaudy theatricality of his glam rock era. It has groove, it’s sonically varied like a normal pop record but still cohesive, and it’s a little more accessible, despite its experiments. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t bob my head throughout. In the end, though, Station to Station still always goes too far for me to be sold. Just when I’m digging a chorus or a beat, there’s a change-up or sound that just gets under my skin. I just think that’s the issue with Bowie for me in general. I truly hate his vocal choices, I hate his vaudevillian aesthetic, I hate how he builds a song. For all my ADHD-fueled love of hyperpop and noise rock, I hate how so many parts here just cut in out of absolutely nowhere throughout this record. I just can’t follow the logic of these songs. Every time I want Bowie to just stay focused, he explores a new avenue, and it always takes a good idea down a bad path. Unfortunately, red and green peppers, milk, and coke will not keep you on a focused path. For many, I’m sure that lack of focus is the exact thing they find appealing about Station to Station; for me, it’s the pressure point that brings the whole album down. I can see a version of Station to Station that was made with careful precision, tighter disco-inspired grooves, and songs that were contained to 4-minute runtimes, and I imagine truly adoring that version. That’s not what I have in my hands here, though. I’m pretty close to being okay with it, but I’m just not close enough to cross that line today. But it *is* the closest I’ve come to ever liking a Bowie record to any degree, and that has to mean something. (Yes, it means I’m experiencing Stockholm Syndrome thanks to this list insisting I listen to Bowie’s entire discography against my will.)

Что-то я совсем не вкурил (или, как в случае с Боуи, не внюхал) эту тему. Один хороший песняк - и тот оказался кавером. Вот вам и кокаиновый фанк.

Bowie has some amazing stuff and is certainly an artist that deserves multiple entries on a list like this... But "Station to Station" just doesn't cut it. It's a middling, transitional album in Bowie's extensive discography... not worth to be listed among the greatest!

Highlight: "Station to Station," "Word on a Wing," "Stay" Not much to add. I don't buy the hype. It's all over the place in genre and mood without track-to-track cohesion, and Bowie's awkward voice tramples everything in the mix no matter how big the arrangements. The lyrics are remarkably coherent and respectable for someone allegedly at the end of their rope in substance abuse. The lyrics are where this album has the most unity. The dabbling in soul and funk feels better than appropriative or gimmicky. At least another turning point for the guy we should be calling man of many faces over Dylan.

I know that I am in the minority here, but this album just didn't do it for me. I will say that I really did enjoy the song Wild Is The Wind.

Proof, if it was needed, that Bowie is more about the artist than the art

Listening to this album gives me anxiety. Musically very interesting tho obv

Always interesting. Great music.

I’m not ashamed to admit how much I enjoyed Young Americans. I still go back to Fame pretty regularly. It has been a lot longer than I thought since I spoke about that record. But I’m never not in the mood to explore more Bowie. Young Americans was a pretty big shift for him musically. And thankfully it was a success. Many would consider this to be the definitive funk Bowie record. From a personal perspective, the man was in a very difficult point of his life to say the least. It’s probably a miracle this record was ever finished in the first place. During the middle of the decade, Bowie was going days without sleep and living entirely off a diet of red peppers, milk, and cocaine. And he claimed he remembered nothing of these recording sessions. From this rigorous lifestyle, the Thin White Duke was born. Fitting considering the man’s very sickly appearance at the time. As much as I enjoy the earlier moments of his career, the highlights from Young Americans and onward is the music from the man I like the most. And this album is really where he dials in what made that previous record work so well. This band, which he would continue to work with during the rest of the decade, might be the tightest band he’s ever had. Which is really saying something, considering what he was working with in the glam rock days. Much like every other genre he tacked, this is funk and soul with the Bowie spin on it. And that spin moves away from a traditional sound, and embraces more experimental krautrock ideas. Which I’m sure won’t come into play later. I think each side of this probably ends with its least impressive song. He always knew how to write compelling ballads, and Word on a Wing is a solid song, but nothing mind blowing. And for it being the only piece of music he didn’t write for this, Wild Is the Wind is a fantastic cover. Hard to beat Nina Simone, but I believe he does her justice. Those pieces are good, but they just can’t compare with the rest of the album, especially when you have songs like the title track or Stay. My rule of thumb is if you can get a good, honest stank face out of me, your song is probably great. And those two tracks are examples of how you write piano rock infused funk classics. The switch up at the middle of the titular cut is magnificent, and it’s such a stellar way to open the album. As I already said, this style of his music appeals to me so much more, and it’s honestly the essence of why I love David Bowie. I’m glad I covered this first, because it’s definitely the best place to start when exploring his more experimental stuff, at least before things get too weird. Rating: 9/10

classic bowie

Another excellent recording

top 3 Bowie album. Fantastic production, great songs and Bowie was in his finest vocal form - just listen to Wild Is The Wind or Word On A Wing. Excellent band too, PLAY LOUD!

Classic album

First listen. This guy is really something.

i really enjoyed this album. really fun to dance and cook to. relaxing and energising

not one bad song and I faved 66% of the album so 5 stars no notes! even tho it's more of a 4.5

I’m loving it

The fact that Bowie was: fucked up on coke, only eating peppers and drinking milk, and with fascist delusions was capable of produce this album is nothing short of impressive, if not proof that he was on some other shit (besides the coke) during the 70s. I hadn't been able to get to this album in full but I had always loved the title track and it's a pleasant surprise to see that inside there were songs that were just consistently amazing, even the cover of Wild is the Wind sounds amazing. How did he do it?

The only problem I have with this album is that it's way too short.

very goof

Bowie forever

Cool

In my top 10 albums.

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Perhaps not my favourite Bowie album so far, feels a bit less inspired than others. Still an incredible album so it's still getting 5 stars

This album has one of the first Bowie songs I really got to know. I got a bit obsessed with A Knight's Tale soundtrack at 13 and "Golden Years" was one of my favorite songs on it. My parents were never Bowie fans so this was my first exposure I can specifically remember. I enjoy the rest of the album too, but that track holds a special place in my heart. I have been hopeful there will be a Bowie album I fall totally in love with and this one is close. Some of the music stretches on too long and makes it more of a specific mood album. Still though, it's quite good, good enough that I'm going to bump up my 4.5 rating to a 5.

Pure genius. A classic for the ages, and just proof that Bowie was a true artist that inspired many.

Fantastic.

It's Bowie...

Review of "Station to Station" by David Bowie "Station to Station," released in 1976, stands as a testament to David Bowie's unparalleled genius, crafted during a tumultuous period marked by his struggles with substance abuse. Despite battling personal demons, Bowie managed to channel his experiences into a groundbreaking work that merges elements of rock, soul, and avant-garde influences. The album's title track is a cinematic journey, showcasing Bowie's ability to innovate and captivate, even while navigating the chaos of his life. This juxtaposition of brilliance amidst turmoil not only defines "Station to Station" but encapsulates Bowie's extraordinary career, where he consistently defied expectations and reinvented himself. Throughout his lifetime, Bowie produced a diverse catalog of music that continues to resonate with fans and artists alike. His ability to transform pain into art is a hallmark of his legacy, and "Station to Station" exemplifies this duality. The album features striking lyrics and a fusion of genres that speak to his artistic vision. Even while grappling with the shadows of addiction, Bowie emerged resilient, reminding us that creativity can thrive in the most challenging environments. This resilience and artistic integrity solidify Bowie's place as one of music's most enduring and innovative icons.

all that needs to be said

Showstopping

My favorite of his albums just because of golden years and word on a wing

Just a fantastic work. The fact he remembered little of its production makes it more impressive.

Any album that begins with a steam locomotive is probably getting a 5 from me regardless, but in this case it backs it up and gets better and better. Funk and soul. Listened to it 3 times in a row.

Could not be anything but a 5. Reading the history of how this came to be, the recording sessions, the creative enlightenment, fueled by drugs, but also the demons. Love it all.

Think this is my favorite Bowie front to back. 80 lb, paranoid, Thin White Duke Bowie.

One of my absolute favorite albums by my absolute favourite artist. Bowie is the GOAT. I can't believe I got almost all 9 of his albums on the list within the first year of me doing this.

I have been meaning to relisten to this album for the longest time, and I am so glad I finally did. This clicked a lot more for me this time than my first listen. It is a great continuation of the Young American's sound with an eerie underside. On the surface it is a fun, happy, funky album, but there is something under the surface you can't put your finger on that is a little unsettling. I really enjoyed this album and is probably a top 5 Bowie album for me now. High 5.

After he killed off his iconic persona Ziggy Stardust and shifted from spacey glam rock to more of a soul pastiche with his last couple of albums, I’m not sure what people would have expected from a David Bowie album in 1976 - but I doubt it would have been Station to Station. The soul edge is still there on songs like Golden Years, but elsewhere we see the more abstract songwriting that developed into the now famous Berlin trilogy - though even on these more experimental songs, there are still these driving grooves. The album is only six tracks but jolts dramatically with each one, with the avant-garde ballad Word on a Wing with its stabbing pianos to the snarky Iggy Pop-style art rock of TVC-15 to the reverb-stained heart wrenching closer Wild is the Wind. It’s maybe not as focused stylistically as most of his other projects before or after this, but it’s a perfect distillation of all those little ingredients that make up Bowie’s sound, if he ever truly had ‘a sound’, and a powerful demonstration of where he had been and where he would go

David Bowie made such cool music. I only knew Golden Years and TVC-15. Found out he played saxophone. Just so cool, artistically. Loved experiencing this album for the first time.

David Bowie can't keep getting away with this!

Hard to go wrong with David Bowie. Great songwriting, great vocals, great production.

I can't believe that I've never listened to this album before! Of course, "Golden Years" is a classic hit, but I didn't realize the rest of this was so funky and ahead of its time!! Wonderful