Aladdin Sane

I'm in awe of Bowie and can't think of many artists, before or since, that can reinvente themselves so frequently with such high quality results. He really is magic.

Ziggy Stardust 2: Electric Boogaloo

Somewhat weirder and less focused than other Bowie's work of those years but still great. I kind of remembered Garson's piano parts to be more annoying than they actually are. (Plus, without it, Time wouldn't be the awesome song it is. ) Besides the music, one of the most iconic cover arts of all time would deserve 5 stars alone.

Not Bowie's best but that doesn't make it bad by any stretch. Just that compared to Low, Ziggy Stardust, Hunky Dory and others it's a pretty high bar. I did forget how much I loved Panic in Detroit though

Another masterpiece by Bowie. This one took a little longer to grow on me than some other Bowie albums, but now I really love it. I especially love the chaotic piano that gives the album an unpredictable nature. Also that cover is so iconic. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Not his best album, but still pretty great

Ah, one of the great albums from Bowie's golden years of the early 1970s. I can remember kids at school getting haircuts like this! Ita has the paranoid wired feel of Ziggy Startdust entranced and appalled by America. A terrific album.

Begins with a big chunky guitar riff and Aladdin Sane erupts with "Watch that Man". Next we get the piano abstract title song, with clear efforts to be less than sane. Why 1913, 1938, 197?? Perhaps the year before WWI & WWII and what Bowie thought would be WWIII? "Drive In Saturday" feels like an attempt to capture the American youth horizon that Bowie never knew in Britain. "Panic in Detroit" another Ziggy era big guitar sound. I haven't heard this through in years, and I remember how individual songs hit hard, but the album itself lacks direction. Bowie between changes. "Cracked Actor" has another great guitar riff, but beyond the misogynistic lyrics, not much to offer. "Time" is another piano driven song. So is "Prettiest Star". Bowie was never a great cover artist. "Let's Spend the Night Together" shows that in spades. The Jean Genie rocks though. So does the last song, "Lady Grinning Soul".

469/1102 been a min since Mr Bowie showed up so it was about time (6/9 of the albums of his that appear on the list) 3 songs in and this isn’t giving me what i was expecting/hoping it would give hmmm i feel like now i can definitively say that Bowie would’ve still been well represented with less albums on the list, at least one less :/ idk it had a couple highlights but didn’t provide enough different from the others i’ve heard Lady Grinning Soul was pretty good and a nice one to end on, i also liked Time 58/100

Not one if my favourite bowie albums

What a good album. "Time" is a magnificent song.

An incredible indelible album. Me and my friends had the lightning bolt on a lot of our school folders and I’m pretty sure I had it on my face for Halloween.

Fun album. Not his best and probably could be mistaken for a different artist. However the cover alone gives it +1 aura. The Jean Genie!

My enjoyment of Bowie has always been more at the song level than the album level, so I’ve been looking forward to digging into his records for this project. Underwhelmed by the opening track but then the title track rocked my world (that quirky sax and piano bit!) The production here is truly wonderful and some of the instrumentation is highly compelling. I wish it leaned more jazzy and less cabaret in some moments, though. I struggle with glam a little bit.

Ive always really liked David Bowie's music(I was relistening to "Low just today). Ive listen to most of his classic albums by now, exept for this one. So thats nice. This one is more experimental and jazzy than Ziggy Stardust. I bet it threw some listeners of at the time ,and probably still today. But I liked it. I thought the discordant piano solo in the middle of the tittle track was great, as well as the weird saxophone/guitar solos. "Lady Grinning Soul" was the standout track for me, beautiful song. I just leaned that "Alladin Sane" was a wordplay on the phrase "A lad insane". Maybe this was obvious for native english speakers idk. Anyway, I loved this album. David Bowie never disapoints. May he rest in peace.

Bowie changes the sound a lot throughout without losing the core of the album. Songs build well and feel very grand and glamorous through the pianos and sax. The bass guitar can make the songs feel melancholic in Aladdin Sane/Lady Grinning Soul or groovy in Jean Genie/Prettiest Star whichever it calls for. The album takes you through the experience of stardom with no aliens this time, its a 5.

2nd Bowie album I’ve listened to all the way though after Low. Much less interesting than low for me and a but disappointing

Actually not a fan. Was trying to get work done and it wasn’t helping

Als album een klein beetje onevenwichtig, maar wel een van de meest onderschatte albums van Bowie.

Gek album wauw. Heel experimenteel op basis van alles. Sommige liedjes vind ik een beetje irritant maar tis echt peak in zijn geheel. 7,9/10

Ik rate het een 4,5 ma die goon site kan da nie. Het was echt een peak album, beter als ik dacht. De beste tot nu toe✌️

Veel distortion, favoriet: time

I’m not the biggest Bowie fan but I do respect him and find his stuff can be interesting to say the least. This go around I enjoyed this album enough. Honestly really liked the Title Track. It was off kilter and kept me engaged “Lady Grinning Soul” was a good ending song. The whole album mainly was decent to good besides the The Rolling Stones cover of “Let’s Spend The Night Together” (doesn’t hold a candle to the original) 3.5 (could be a 4 with future listens but gonna round down)

Spiritual followup to Ziggy Stardust, on this record Bowie explores more of his alter egos. It's not really as conceptual as its predecessor, but musically it pulls from similar sounds, with the large orchestration and a heavy glam influence. It's a style that works for Bowie way better than it does for other artists. He also does it in an interesting way, as opposed to many other lame glam rock bands that sound soulless. The inclusion of trumpets on this record adds some extra layers and the whole thing sounds very ambitious and grand in its scope. The piano playing is so intricate as well. Even without a strong concept holding the record together Bowie manages to make it sound cohesive and unique. The only song I don't like that much is the Rolling Stones cover.

Ask anyone to draw a sketch of David Bowie and it’s a fair bet that they will include the instantly recognisable lightning bolt image from this album cover - even the default apple emoji for a rock star is based on this. However, it is less well known that this image refers to Bowie’s view of his character as a split personality as well as the schizophrenia that his half brother Terry lived with. This was the last album recorded with the Spiders from Mars backing band, and their sound was considerably augmented by the addition of virtuoso pianist Mike Garson whose styles range from rock n roll, doo-wop, and classical to experimental free jazz, sometimes in the same song. Mick Ronson is also on top form on guitar on this album as well as Trevor Bolder on bass and Woody Woodmansey on drums. Highlights include the title track, a sinuous torch song of a piece, a stomping cover of Let’s Spend The Night Together (presumably to help out a struggling young rock band that he was friends with), The Jean Genie and the Brechtian classic Time (with *that* line guaranteed to make you spit your tea out on first hearing). Wanking-on-the-floor-tastic!

Bowie is king

#266 I have had two Bowie albums in a week and its awesome. You slowly realize, as you get these different albums, how many different eras he went through and how his sound changed ever so slightly or greatly during each one. Alladin Sane is not an all-time great album, but I do love the sound he comes with in this one. Biggest Hit - The Jean Genie Biggest Miss (if I had to choose - Let's Spend The Night Together Bonus Hit - Cracked Actor

Never listened to a Bowie album before I get the hype Favourite song was cracked actor

Another great album from Bowie. This has some jazzier tracks and heavier, more distorted guitars than his previous albums but has the same excellent songwriting. It doesn't have as many hits but it's very consistent. Jean Genie and Drive-In Saturday were my favourites.

Yeah this is easily a top 5 Bowie album for me! The production is phenomenal, possibly the best I've heard on a Bowie album minus Blackstar! Stellar album! This is a high 4!

Вот и подвернулся случай переслушать всю дискографию с самого начала. А написано много, и даже длинной многочасовой прогулки хватило только на первые четыре альбома. Но это волшебство. Пять! 2-1-(3)

I thought I had pretty well established that I'm not really a Bowie fan, but this—my 7th Bowie album of the year on this list—might be my favorite. There's not a single track performed by him on Aladdin Sane that I've ever heard on the radio, but I appreciate the grit and energy of this album.

Track By Track Watch That Man - Lots of fun. Great song. Like it’s taken the best elements from Rock n’ Roll and glammed it up, given it a makeover and had a party. Great piano and guitar. Gospel backing vocals are also an excellent touch. Aladdin Sane - Very atmospheric. Great piano creating the mysterious vibes. It’s also a clever pun/double meaning, for sure. It devolves into a quirky chorus and eventual breakdown that’s almost free jazz or experimental in its style. It’s like a drug trip perhaps or a head wheeling in crazy avenues of fame. Drive-In Saturday - This sounds like a classic, that could be included in Grease or something like that. Gotta love that sax in the chorus. Panic In Detroit - Not a stand out for me but still good driving energy. It’s both ordered and chaotic, this one. Cracked Actor - I was first introduced to this by my friend from school and I remember really enjoying it as a teen. So raw and druggy. It’s a great stonking riff. Sounds very classic rock and liking the harmonica as well. Time - There are a lot of piano based, almost Liberace-esque tunes like this on the album. Very epic, theatrical stuff that Bowie does very well. Very much a world unto their own. Can imagine swaying to it by the end! Swaying with buddies! Lighters/electric torches out! The Prettiest Star - Had heard this before and it’s a great number. Reminds me of doing a Bowie musical. This wasn’t in it I don’t think but loads of fun! Let’s Spend The Night Together - This sounds very loose and jam-session-y. Spontaneous even. Great stuff. I do prefer the original but was enjoyable enough. Makes sense that him, The Stones and maybe The Beatles were all hanging out in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The Jean Genie - Oh yeah. Really great one. Pounding rock n’ roll riffs. Brilliant. Can imagine rock musician clad in denim, rocking out. And there’s magic involved too. Glitter, star lights in multi colour. Red, blue bit of green maybe. Rockin’. Vibin. Lady Grinning Soul - Feel about this one similarly to the final track of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, ‘Gold Dust Woman’ - I have to be in the mood. But actually, listening to this loud, it is great. The piano/arrangement lends it its mystery and almost airy, jazz-bar like feel. Overall Review: Bold, solid, stonking, strong riffs pretty much throughout. Really liked the theatrical concept (continued on from Ziggy Stardust) of it. I read that he said it was like Ziggy going ‘to America’. It’s quite general sounding in terms of theme. Perhaps commenting on fame and its ups and downs. Not my favourite Bowie album but I was very impressed with the writing and the musicianship. Brilliant, theatrical performances. Loved them! Also good length, 10 tracks, in & out. Great. 3.9/5 Favourite Songs: Watch That Man, Drive-In Saturday, The Prettiest Star, The Jean Genie

Cacophony of sound (especially the track Aladdin Sane). Discordant noise that's repetitive and doesn't end. Gutted Bowie went this direction. 2/5

I really don’t get the Bowie hype. This album was almost entirely two things I hate in music: whiny and repetitive. No thanks. (2)

Not a huge Bowie fan. The cover is great and it's got a few good songs, but doesn't excite me

Ace.

First listen in about 25 years - What a beginning to end kick butt album. Love it !!!!!!!

L’album était genre super bien pour le coup, à l’exception de quelques musique que j’ai trouvé moyenne! Je pense que cet album m’a un peu plus encouragé à écouter plus de David bowie et enfin écouter ces album au lieu de juste quelques musiques par ci par là

Classic Bowie, forget to listen to the albums as I only knew a couple. Not keen on the weird outro on the title track though.

Not a big fan of this album.

Fairly average glam rock from Mr. Bowie, with only a few tracks standing out. It's still reliant on the same instrumentation and dry production as his prior few albums, so it doesn't represent much of a leap forward (unlike *Station To Station*, only a few years away).

wonderful

It’s uneven. But it’s Bowie so the mean is still high. And I don’t envy having to follow up Ziggy.

Ok, this is probably sacrilegious, but leaning a 2 on this... Just not big on Bowie. I mean I like it but it's making sense that I haven't really digested a full album of his before... His voice for me is best in small doses. Yeah just isn't doing it for me :/

Experimental but not amazing.

This is a terrific album, but I can't give every Bowie album a 5, and it's not as good as Ziggy..., so a harsh 4 it is

Девіда я люблю)))

Not my cup of tea.

First Bowie album on the list for me! I guess there are two ways to consider this album. One is as the work of art concept album exploring Aladdin Sane as "Ziggy Stardust in America" - something that would require an intimate knowledge of ZSATSFM. The other is as an exemplary work of glam rock and Brit pop by the emergent musical genius of David Bowie. It's experimental and avant garde at times and I love all of the risks taken. I also really appreciate the snapshot of early 1970s America through Bowie's unique vision. The fragmentation of rock was in full swing at this point and bits and pieces of many major players show up here. "The Jean Genie" is a clear stand-out on this album, and perhaps in more tolerant times "Cracked Actor" could have been a lead single as well - it's got that Rolling Stones groove and grit. But overall, as with most of Bowie's albums, Aladdin Sane is best experienced start to finish. Mike Garson's piano work throughout is inspired. Fun Fact learned during this listening: Mick Ronson (no relation to Mark) on guitar here was raised in the Mormon church and eulogized in a Mormon chapel in London after his death - his biography , however, does not read like a typical Latter Day Saint. 4 Stars.

I like David Bowie

Like the last few tracks on this album. I can see why this would have been so influential at the time. Just not my thing for a lot of the album.

Its okay

2nd David Bowie album so far. and i still have not been convinced to become a fan :( better luck next time i guess. this album was fine idk

Panic in Detroit is the highlight here. Otherwise the album artwork is probably the most iconic thing about this. Glam rock in general just doesn’t hit the spot for me though.

Listening to old albums is odd; I've heard so many things that have iterated on this. May need to give it a re listen, was walking when I listened to it.

8.5 / 10

This was much more mainstream then the other Bowie albums and I kind of dug it. I didn't have to think too much and I could just enjoy and dance along. Listening to this project has shown me Bowie is kind of all over the place with his music but somehow keeps it all very him.

Have we had Bowie's entire catalog at this point? This is a pretty great album. He has so many creative angles at approaching song compositions and instrumentation. The heavy piano in Aladdin Sane was pretty epic and then you have this fun bop of The Prettiest Star and then he gets all rockin' ala Elton John in Let's Spend the Night Together...just to name a few. Not my favorite Bowie album in the project, but it's pretty darn solid.

Good but not peak. A little bit formulaic.

Excellent album! Had never listened to it, one hit but a lot of bangers.

This is fine.

Another day another mediocre Bowie album.

fine not my fav from him

Not bad but not my favorite of his

David Bowie is just Tom Petty for theater kids

All the songs pretty much sound the same, until I heard, "The Prettiest Star", so that is the best song. The song I recognized because it was played on the radio was "Let's Send The Night Together".

An interesting follow up to probaly his most popular album, this one is pretty good still. Some neat shit going on here like with the piano in the title track just feeling very loose and chaotic or the high energy punch of Let's Spend the Night Together. Not my favorite Bowie but still solid.

Ar Dave knows how to put on a show for real. Watch that Man, Time, and Let's Spend the Night Together were my highlights.

Whopper album. Side 1 far better than 2 imo, my least favorite songs close out the album but so many strong songs that it's a 5

Not his best Gene Genie and Drive in Saturday both strong songs but the album as a hole felt a little dialled in and not your usual Bowie masterpiece. I switched off a little it didnt grab me. Perhaps needs a few listens for it to hit

Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Didn't hit me.

The weakest Bowie album I've heard so far. Really not impressed and was ready to move on by "Panic in Detroit". Forced myself to finish the album and really found no redeeming factors. Just a weak album in general. Bowie just doesn't do well with hard rock. 3/10.

Good album

A weird album, but that is Bowie. More good than weird yoko ono inspired sounds I don’t understand. 3.75/5

*Wee Woo Wee Woo* The Aladdin Sane defender has logged on!!! Guys I swear after the 10th listen through the piano solo in Aladdin Sane isn't that bad. I do love this album. While Ziggy is objectively the better album, this is prime glam rock bowie imo. The songs have so much energy and it's always fun to go back and listen to this one. The Jean Genie and Panic in Detroit do low key blow though, may be perma skips mood depending

day 14 of not rolling Aja by Steely Dan ziggy goes to America and tries cocaine in the motor city with a bunch of Steelers fans. this experience turns Bowie (and his character) into proper Americans

Not my favorite Bowie, but I love its ambition and experimentation. The guitar riff on the title song towards the end is so dope.

Almost five stars for the audacity to write Drive-In Saturday, the most absurd concept for a song I can remember. Harry styles, if you’re reading this, and I know you are, once you have done enough coke to write this album, you will assume the mantle of modern Bowie that you’ve been gunning for the last 5 years.

I enjoyed some songs but some of the songs were not my vibe it was like 50/50 I’d give it a 6/10

Not too bad, but didn't have the same energy as his other albums. I really liked Lady Grinning Soul, but I found some tracks to be very grating and repetitive. Overall, it wasn't bad; just isn't his best.

Another extremely good entry in the Bowie catalog. Favorite track: The Jean Genie

love it

Great album. I could write a paragraph but I’m sure it’s all been said before. 5/5

Did not like this album. two stars

First bowie album i bought as a youngin

Masterpiece

I knew this album back in the day, very impressed by some of the songs, hadn't remembered them all. Didn't use to have any idea of where it fit in to Bowie's history. I'm still awed by the raunchy rock from the top, the piano solo in Aladdin Sane, the over-the-top breakdown in Let's Spend The Night Together. I still don't love every song, but the album is Pretty Wonderful, 9/10.

Incredible to hear the depths

I gave Ziggy Stardust a 4 but I’m afraid this one is not in the same league!

Titelspåret är ren misshandel av den mentala hälsan. I övrigt är det en ganska medioker pop/rockplata som är helt ok med ett par bottennapp. Hur det kan räknas som ett mästerverk har jag svårt att se.

A fine album, but I don't think there's any song here that would warrant me giving it a 5. There's nothing mind-blowing that really pushes it over the edge.

I listened to this twice. What an iconic album cover for a very solid Bowie album. I enjoyed it but it didn't stick with me in the same way that Low or Ziggy Stardust did. 6/10

This is the first of what I can only assume is several Bowie albums that I've listened to for this project. He definitely has better albums than this but this one is still fantastic in its own right and contains a few of his best songs ever.

Not my favorite collection of Bowie tunes. Some good stuff, but didn't stand out and there's some experimental moments that I didn't resonate with. Overall, it's Bowie and it's still decent stuff.

As someone who’s never been the biggest Bowie fan, I now start to get it. This is another great album with some ridiculously classic singles and some album tracks which are okay.

Decent Bowie.

⭐⭐⭐⭐- Ett av världens coolaste skivomslag och omslaget är bättre än albumet men ändå ett bra album. Aladdin Sane är är spretigt, här finns en del jazz-inslag, lite blues men framförallt glam. Det känns som här finns inspiration hämtat från många av det för tiden stora, Elton John (mycket piano), Stones (det bluesiga) och T.Rex (det glammiga). En del mindre tillgängliga delar som till en början gör det svårare att ta till sig men det växer om man ger albumet tid och det blir aldrig tråkigt. Tycker inte det tillhör Bowies allra bästa men det är fortfarande bra, det blir en svag 4a. Bäst är Watch that man, Panic in Detroit, Let's spend the night together (Stones cover), The Jean genie, Lady grinning soul

hmm d Stimm isch nöd so mis und dä Beat isch "okay-isch"

Had a few good songs, but wasnt a big fan of the genre. Personal opinion i guess.