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).

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?

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, burnt wood in the air, 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 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.

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.

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

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.

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’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.

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

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)

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Amazing!

Love this album

Wild is the wind

Absolute great Album, so versatile and creative, never boring

Masterpiece.

brilliant.

Loved it

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

PogCamp

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

8/10

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

Live recordings are great. TVC15 is catchy

Incredible

Production: 17/20 Songwriting: 16/20 Innovation: 14/20 Bangers: 20/20 Emotional response: 18/20 =85 Classic. Awesome.

awesome. the second track “Stay” really epitomises the style and talent of this era of Bowie music. the guitar is all round funky and fun and David’s vocals boast the arty and raw nature of the album. I also think the last track “Wild Is the Wind” is notable just for its slower but passionate style. really enjoyable and worthwhile :)

Loved it. Listened 14/1/21

The return of the thin White duke

David Bowie is my favorite, and this is among his best albums. Full stop

This was recorded when Bowie lived in Berlin with Iggy Pop as his roommate

One of my favorite albums! The production is top notch.

Top 3 Bowie album. Title track his best ever tune in my opinion. Golden Years, TVC, Word On A Wing all absolute bangers too.

Bowie is always great!

Q. What does shack have for breakfast? A. Lamb chops

Classic. One of the best albums of all time. "Stay" is impossibly great.

I’ve not listened to anything other than his hits really so it was an invitation.

5/5

awesome

Brilliant album that showcases Bowie at his darkest point (excluding Darkstar, but that album was recorded whilst he was at deaths door). Each song has its own unique identity and, even though they are lengthy tracks, don't outstay their welcome.

great

One of the best of Bowie (on some days my favourite of them all) and that is saying something.

This album revealed to me why Bowie is so widely beloved. Uniform, and Diverse. Epic, and Elegant.

Station to Station is an album I've listened to many times, but made the mistake of never listening closely. I've been missing out. It's an amazing album, particularly when appreciated in the context of Bowie's struggles with drugs at the time. Every track is fantastic...high points for me include the guitar work, particularly the outro for "Stay," Bowie's top-notch singing, and the heartbreaking lyrics. Lyrics that really hit: In "Station to Station": "It's not the side-effects of the cocaine/I'm thinking that it must be love." In "Stay": "Stay - that's what I meant to say or do something/But what I never say is stay this time/I really meant to so bad this time/'Cause you can never really tell when somebody/Wants something you want too." Brilliant album. Easy 5 rating.

Bowie is one of those rare artists who’s body of work is brilliant. This album has some standouts tracks with Bowie effortlessly transitioning between styles of music from funk to ballads. Golden Years is probably the best known track from this album. But the rest deserve a listen, especially the emotion of Word on a Wing and Wild is the Wind to hear the way he plays with dynamics and tension.

This is up there with the greatest Bowie albums… which means is up there with the all time greatest albums!

S tier Bowie album. One of the GOATs

The best way to describe this listening experience is that it was incredibly smooth. I'd listen to this again and again and again and again.

Bowie is never not good, ya know

Stay - Cool lead guitar and melody. Wild is the wind - Very nice atmosphere in the song and like the depth of sound you can hear lots of good details in the background. I like the sound and melody. Overall 8/10 This album is pretty great i liked almost all the songs and there wasn't a dull moment the songs fit together very well no problems there. The only thing is that i didn't like opening to the first song it was to monotonous and i grew tired of it quickly, but the ending of the song is very good :)

It's like rock but more theatrical. Cool

Tranquilo. Fantástico.

The man was a music giant. He can't be accused of playing it safe or finding a niche. He was adventurous. He explored every genre, every rhythm. This short slice of his oeuvre is an example of just how broad was his talent. Added.

Maybe my second favorite Bowie album after Low. This album sounds like drugs.

Ásamt Songs in the key of life er þetta uppáhaldsplatan frá mínu góða fæðingarári. Viðurkenni að TVC-15 er ekki eitt af mínum uppáhalds lögum en þar fyrir utan er platan yfirgengileg snilld. Alltof mikið kókaín samt.

More Bowie brilliance, an incredible artist, constantly restless, exploring new moods and sounds, even as those sounds unsettle the listener.

<3

Outside of Revolver, perhaps the greatest transitional album of all time. The Thin White Duke, in route from Philly to Berlin, throwing darts into the eyes of those who dare to question or call into doubt anything he could do. Ready to shake the scheme of things, indeed. Bad enough he couldn't remember making it.

Genius

Great

I've listened to several Bowie albums, but somehow this one had eluded me. Somewhere in the vein of '70s rock and disco/funk-tinged prog, Station to Station is a compelling listen start to finish. Golden Years is of course a well-known single, but I also really enjoyed TVC15 and Stay.

Golden years indeed.

The more I listen to Bowie, the more I enjoy his music.

Eine nahezu perfekte mischung aus "young americans" und dem eher von kraftwerk und neu inspierierten sound. hat wirklich keinen schlechten track. highlight ist sicher der titeltrack. glaube bowie ist an das was hier passiert später nur selten wieder rangekommen, glaube ich bevorzuge das sogar den berlin alben.

"Station to Station" is David Bowie's best album from the second era of his long career. It takes the funk and R&B explored in his previous album and mixes it with the art rock that would define his style for the next four albums. It show an artist pushing his creative limits with amazing results. "Station to Station" explores krautrock and conects with disco music, "Golden Years" sounds like Bowie became the Elvis of funk, "Word on a Wing" is where his cocaine addiction is more apparent, "TVC 15" is a raw, almost new wave masterpice, "Stay", the best track on the album, goes from funk to hard rock and has Carlos Almoar guitar at his peak and "Wild Is the Wind" is a Nina Simone homage for the ages. Thematically it's a very ethereal album, with lyrics about existentialism, occultism, mythology and religion, but also about love and surreal dreams. A masterpice, from start to finish.

This is one of the best albums ever made.

This was 4* all the way until I hit "Stay". Then it instantly leapt to 5*.

So great

Premier album où je clique: Les 6 chansons de l'album sont déjà cochés. Quel homme, quel génie Du coup ben 5 étoiles quoi d'autre