Reviews (page 10 of 14)
Ich glaub nicht mein Lieblings Album von Bowie, aber trotzdem gut
A ok album, not great. A bit overrated.
God start og et fint David Bowie album. Glæder mig til at høre mere fra ham og kan godt se hvorfor det er min fars ynglings kunstner
I don’t know what to say. It’s pretty good and not generic but doesn’t do anything all that special. The songs were catchy enough to be enjoyable, but that’s pretty much it. 7/10
The sound is very distinct Bowie I think, even with how experimental it is. But I just think that the record all together sounds like a pantomime or musical where you can’t really follow the story or know what’s going on. It’s just crossed that line for me. Maybe because I wasn’t around at the time to know that Ziggy was going to America, but I just think that maybe the experimentalness of the jazz and the rock have gone a little overboard to the point where I find myself confused about the plot. Still littered with good songs, but I do think the theme is lost on me a little
This is a melancholy album. I mean, Bowie has an album about his death that is definitely more morose but Alladin Sane struck me as a sad one. I don’t know if that’s right but just my initial feeling. I want to revisit this and think about it.
A ton of good here, not a lot of great Best Song: Time Rating: 5.0/10 Stars: 3
Better than Heroes
You can't give Bowie anything less than a 3. Not his best album for me, but the shaping of his sound and persona. Legend.
The Motor City meets Radio City Music Hall. Despite this albums aesthetic being done to death subsequently by other bands (cue my beloved Mott the Hoople), its particular brew of raw rock guitars paired with campy Vaudevillian melodies that seem to call for a kick line sounds quirky if not, well, even a tad insane. Influential for sure, but the fact its best song, the Howlin’ Wolf quoting Jean Genie, is also by far the most basic indicates for me the Thin White Duke was trying too hard on most of these.
I play da piano
fine
Never been much of a David Bowie fan but I did like this album
6/10
3...3.5
Excellent piano playing and songwriting. Stand outs, title track. Let’s spend the night together, the Jean Genie
A mediocre album with a good cover by a great artist
The first track was incredible but the rest of the album was a chore for me. I don’t get Bowie. I either love the song or can’t stand it. He must be an acquired taste.
Maybe it isn't fair, but you can't help but compare this record with Ziggy Stardust, the album it immediately followed. It does not measure up well. There is nothing as memorable here as anything on Bowie's previous record. It just doesn't stick. The hooks are not out. Listening to this while I was going about my day I noticed immediately when "Let's Spend the Night Together" came on- hey! an interesting melody! Finally! I'd have to say that song and "Lady Grinning Soul" are the standouts to me. Perhaps - the change is perspective is what makes these songs refuse to stick. Whereas "Ziggy" was an album about that character from the viewpoint of everyone else, "Aladdin" is Ziggy giving us his point of view of the rock and roll circus. And it's bleak, and alienated. Or it could be that he wrote all of these songs on tour and was running out of proverbial gas. I don't know. Either way, it's THREE STARS
good. i mean, is bowie? but didn't feel anything super special really.
Rockin’ Bowie not my favorite mode, but some gems. Drive-in Saturday, Time.
Big David Bowie fan here: even I know this genius had his highs and … slightly lower points. This album, while prettyyyy prettyyyy prettyyyy good in its own right, stands in the shadow of the Ziggy Stardust predecessor. Iconic cover aside, this album rates as a slightly lower point in his catalog, as far as my Bowie opinions go.
3.5
Hmmmm it doesn't quite reach up to a 4 for me but it's pretty close! He's doing cool stuff here, there's just few songs that stick with me the whole way.
The fourth Bowie album I’ve gotten. Almost halfway through this list’s absurdly high nine Bowie albums! I was sort of expecting more from something with that album cover because it is obviously iconic. Nothing super memorable about the music itself, but it was good overall.
Lots of elements to like here, but they don't quite add up to a very memorable album in my opinion. It just coasts as a decent 3 the whole way through. I will say that I'm starting to appreciate how unique Bowie's songwriting is, there's truly nobody who sounds quite like him. This one just doesn't reach the same highs Low and Station to Station do. Standout: Drive-In Saturday
Definitely sounds like the 70’s
Favorite Track: Watch That Man
Det är Bowie, man vill ju gärna att det ska vara svinbra. Men faktum är att det är det inte. Bowie må ha begravt Ziggy men han är fortfarande kvar i glamrocken. De två låtar som verkligen är toppen på den här skivan är också de två låtar som fjärmar sig glamrocken, titelspåret och avslutningsspåret. Jag gillar "Drive-in saturday" också, den är inte lika bra som ovan nämnda men höjer sig över allt annat. För vi ska ärliga, här finns rätt gott om riktiga bottennapp också. Vi kan börja med elefanten i rummet, den ganska fruktansvärda Stones-covern, vad håller den annars så smakfulle David på med? Men den är inte ensam "Watch that man", "Panic in Detroit" och "Cracked actor" är alla på gränsen till rent ut sagt dåliga, dom skulle kunna vara dussinlåtar på ett Gary Glitter-album. "Time" är aningen för teatral, men den och "Jean Genie" med sitt distinkta gung är ändå godkända. Kvar då "Prettiest star" som jag tycker är en ok låt men den låter dessvärre som valfritt dansband på stadshotellet i Kramfors 1976. Och då hamnar jag där igen som så ofta förut... 70tals-rockens produktion, jag har en akilleshäl där. Jag lyssnade på både en streamad version och på min tyska 1973-press. Och visst vinylen lät aningen angenämare, men nej soundet är verkligen inte min tepåse och det har åldrats så illa. Tre spår räddar den här till en svag svag trea. Glam-Bowie är inte min Bowie
Never forget what they did to Nardwuar
Got this two days after Dark Side of the Moon, so I had to listen a couple times to make sure my rating was fair. I don't see how this is more than a 3. Jean Genie is just ok. Maybe best song is Time.
Interesting
Några bra men mycket experimentellt Kanske köper
Is this my least favorite Bowie album so far? Yes. Is it bad? No. Still very listenable but does not have the *star quality* of the others
Bowie's the kind of artist I should love but just don't.
Iconic cover. Fine album.
To me this is one of the better Bowie albums on the list. It's very 70s rock, and very consistent. Liked Songs Added: Panic In Detroit The Jean Genie
This list contains too many mediocre Bowie albums.
I now dislike Bowie slightly less than I thought, although the Jazz stylings of the title track make it almost unlistenable.
Love Bowie but this one is not my favorite
It’s good, but it’s not *that* good
Not liking Bowie is like not liking vegetables. You have to try plenty to find what you like, but you will definitely like something. If you say otherwise, I won't believe you. Sadly, this album was peas. I don't love them, but would still have them. I prefer others. Just as dinner wouldn't be complete without peas, Bowie wouldn't be complete without this iconic phase. Middle ground.
Mid at best. I think his look carried him more than anything. Not bad but not worth coming back to 3.7
This was good! Probably my 3rd favorite Bowie album behind Ziggy Stardust and Young Americans. I liked the rock elements, but sometimes the jazz was a little much. This album was definitely a little out there at times aka "Aladdin Sane". Actual rating...3.5 Liked Songs: "Watch That Man" , "Drive-In Saturday" , "Panic in Detroit" , "Cracked Actor" , "Let's Spend the Night Together" , "The Jean Genie"
Good 3.5
It took me way too long in life to realize how good David Bowie is. I'm familiar with his hits like "Let's Dance" but the only albums I've listened to start to finish are Hunky Dory and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Both are beyond fantastic...masterpieces in my opinion. So naturally, I was super excited to not only get assigned a Bowie album, but to have it be both one I haven't heard before and one with iconic album art. Surely this has to be another masterpiece, right? It's good, don't get me wrong, but it's not great. The aforementioned masterpieces eclipse this one by a large margin. And that's ok...not every thing and artist makes has to be mind blowing, original, perfect, etc. It's a mid tier album for me to be sure. But I did enjoy it, especially the first two tracks (which were so good, I was convinced I was heading into yet another Bowie masterpiece). My biggest takeaway from listening to this one was how clearly he is a major influence on my favorite band Phish. Of course, it's not like this was unknown to me...they literally have a song called "David Bowie", have covered many of his tunes, and even dedicated an entire show to covering one of his albums. But I'd never heard the influence as much on the others I've heard compared to this one. So that was a cool experience amid what was ultimately a bit of a disappointment.
I don't know... it's good, not great. Right?
There are 9 albums by David Bowie on this (extended) 1001 list, tracking his career from dawn till dusk. That is about six too many, and the editor(s) really should be forced to choose which THREE really deserve to be here.. Bowie has style. My challenge is that below the styles, I’m never compelled by the substance. He has good stuff, I just wouldn’t return to much of it apart from this list… a list which works overtime to insure that I return to Bowie again and again and again and again and… Well anyway. All that said, I enjoyed this one more than a some of his other, later releases. It is a solid follow-up to Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust. I enjoy the energy and musicianship enough to recommend it for the Bowie Three. Here’s looking at you, Mr. Dimeron. 3 Stars.
David Bowie is a little bit of a mystery. When he is brilliant, he is amazing, innovative, and relevant. There are times, however, where he is enigmatic, niche, and almost contrarian. This album lands somewhere in between. Aladdin Sane is full of strong performance, big sound, and even some strong themes, but they just don't quite hit the mark. In the end, you just wondered he's convinced by his own conceit.
I wouldn't call it my favourite Bowie album. It's made of a combination of honky-tonk piano, theatrical rock, a bit of concept album tendencies, blues and sax. In many ways, it's a good a synthesis of all the things that make Bowie, Bowie. The album goes out in a blast though, almost makes you wonder why it didn't start with the last tracks first.
This was the second David Bowie project I've gotten and I like this leagues better than I did Blackstar. Time and The Prettiest Star were a couple of my favourites.
Not my favorite Bowie album. But still cool. Plus a really cool album cover.
Good, but didnt need that much bowie
I am only a casual fan of David Bowie, but always thought he was a fascinating artist. He was constantly changing musical styles, appearance and/or personas. His work also seemed to be as much about the art as the music. I want to like his music more, I'll keep trying. This is not a bad album, Ziggy is better.
no bc hearing the piano solo for the first time today? a day when i woke up and felt evil? maybe i fucked with it a little. can't help but enjoy anything with a brass/wind instrument. the drama of time was enjoyable- love a jaunty little piano moment and it felt like it could have fit into pink floyd's the wall. kind of crazy to me that of all these songs jean genie strikes me as the most boring of the bunch? it's very the sound i imagine to be bowie, but there are other songs that are more fun! liked: drive-in saturday, time, the prettiest star, jean genie
good
Following up Ziggy Stardust is no easy task. And honestly? Aladdin Sane is a pleasant surprise for me. Perhaps not enough to be a Bowie great, but somewhat neglected in the public conscious (save the iconic album cover).
No standouts. Fine background vibe.
Will lose friends over this but... It's fine but I have a hard time getting excited by much of it. All of it just feels a little off. Doesn't help that the two biggest songs are two of my least favourite Bowie singles.
Not my favorite Bowie album but good nonetheless.
3/5
Not my favorite Bowie, and I honestly most respect than straight enjoy most Bowie. Good, but just not amazing for me.
Again I know that I’ll like the other Bowie albums a better than this. Bit too horny bit too freaky for me. Also sometimes he just goes a bit all over the place on the piano and I’m not a big fan. And that is definitely a worse version of let’s spend the night together. Specific rating - 2.7 Fav song- Jean genie Least fav- panic in Detroit
the piano in the song Aladdin Sane was awful, bad enough for me to never listen to the whole album through again even though I really liked most of the other songs (not a huge fan of Time either). Favourite song: Panic in Detroit Least: Aladdin Sane
Продовжуємо рухатись по дискографії Боуі. Це альбом, на якому я знайшов ще одну його пісню, яка мені сподобалась і це власне Aladdin Sane. А так ставлю стандартні (для мене і музики Боуі) 3 зірочки.
Welcome back to another episode of “Do I Fucking Like David Bowie?”, where our next album is the one everyone knows the cover, but never listens to the album. Seriously, tell me I’m not the only one who thought this was the cover for Ziggy Stardust. This one was fine, but it gets kind of weird in some places, in an uncomfortable way. That piano solo in the title track is weirdly amusing, though. Outside of weird, however, it’s a little meh for me overall. The punch from Ziggy feels more like it’s in the album cover rather than the music. Favorite track: Time Other hits: Watch That Man, The Prettiest Star, Cracked Actor, Lady Grinning Soul
Such a disappointment, especially on the heels of Ziggy
Interesting, like all of Bowie's work, but to be honest, he has many more interesting albums than this.
Solid Bowie album, not my favorite probably because I didn't listen to it when I was growing up. Bowie is great as always.
Fine.
some great, mostly ok. listened to young americans instead. 3
Fun Bowie. Made me want to move around a bit, kind of put me in a better mood. Only complaint was the piano throughout seemed a little like a crazy person playing... Which I guess is fitting
I like Bowie but, other than Jean Genie, I just couldn't make a connection with the content. Should probably slap the headphones on and give it a proper listen.
I've never listened to this album, because Bowie really isn't my thing. But I made it through, and it wasn't bad! But I still don't think I'd go out and buy it.
There's too much going on in every song or something. Nothing sounded bad but everything was just weird enough to be not great. I feel very neutral toward this one
i could see it being really important at the time in terms of queer representation in pop culture. a few neat little songs, didn’t do much for me
My first David Bowie album. I had a lot of fun listening to this and liked it a lot more than the last one. Some tracks were slow and not very interesting but others were bursting with energy and rhythm! Definitely something I would listen to again and something that makes me want to listen to more of his work.
Geen Bowie fan, maar aangename plaat. 3 sterren
4 08.11.2025
A little chaotic, especially the piano - but overall enjoyable rock
I was really excited for this album for various reasons. First and most importantly, I've never heard a Bowie record all the way through, I was not disappointed. Secondly, I'd heard that 70s Bowie was particularly instrumental because of some conflicts in his contract and a creative way to stick it to the man, but that's a memory and I'm not sure it's 100% spot on. There were undoubtedly some quite beautiful musical arrangements that, for the sake of my personal taste, I would've rearranged in the album to grab me quickly and make me yearn to replay. The record starts off with Watch That Man, pretty catchy, well produced, and it expresses immediately that there's an American music culture influence. While letting us know its north is appreciated, it's also the part of the album that makes me not need to revisit it. I listened to it twice just to make sure I'm not jumping the gun. If the album started backwards, starting off with Lady Grinning Soul and ending with Watch That Man, just in thought, feels like a better way to appease to my personal tastes and the way I appreciate rock. Alternatively, starting out with Time on the B side, one of my personal favorites from the project, and ending with the A-side to lull you into the core of its influence, might be a cool way to appreciate the project. If I think about it that way, I'd definitely snag this on vinyl if I see it around at a decent price. Not looking to pay collectors' prices for this one though. 3/5
Not bad.
other albums are better
I have an ambivalent relation with Bowie. On one hand, a huge part of his work has a pop vibe I don’t really care for ; on the other hand, he was clearly a risk-taker, constantly experimenting with new sounds, and managed to produce some amazing pieces of music. This is reflected in most of his albums, where I can usually find 3-4 great songs I love, while the rest I forget as soon as I’ve finished listening. I had never listened to Aladdin Sane, but I found the same ratio here. The title song Aladdin Sane is a phenomenal track, with the sax and piano almost going into free jazz territory ; Cracked Actor is a great rock song ; Time is a burlesque gem I could listen three times in a row ; and Lady Grinning Soul is a very surprising song I truly enjoyed. But other songs like Drive In Saturday, Panic in Detroit, Prettiest Star or Let’s Spend The Night Together just left me indifferent. A nice album overall – Bowie never really made *bad* music – but also not an album that will radically change my opinion of him.
Обычный рок
Second Bowie album on my journey, and my opinions are more or less the same as they were for Low. That is, it’s alright. Lyrically, he’s a genius, and the titular song “Aladdin Sane” going crazy with the piano was downright funny. I love Bowie and his voice, but nothing really blows me away here, with one exception. I know he’s made an unbelievable amount of music, but I’ve never actively seeked any out, and I’d never heard any of these songs before, just like with Low. It needs to be said though, of all the songs on this album, “Lady Grinning Soul” is perhaps one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard, and it came out of nowhere as the final track. That riff at the end is beautiful and I think I listened to it on repeat 30+ times before looping the album again. That song really did blow me away. This album rocks a hell of a lot more than Low did as a whole. If I gave that album a 3.4, this is at least a 3.8. Also worth mentioning, the album art is one of the most iconic pictures of Bowie that exists, and man is it cool. I’d get that on a poster or wear it as a shirt for sure. Maybe I should do a separate ranking of album arts as a side project. That could be a lot of fun actually. This one is S tier for sure.
Not a David Bowie lover :(
Iconic album cover of Bowie. While the sound of the record itself definitely felt like the Bowie I'm used to hearing and expect, it wasn't that interesting. Didn't find any particular song that I really liked here. If you like Bowie a lot you'll enjoy this album, but none of his more memorable songs are here in my opinion. Weak 3.
I know this is an iconic album, but I barely knew any tracks from it. I was curious to see if it lived up to the hype, but honestly, I didn’t think it did. After the first listen I thought, “Was that it?” So I gave it another spin, but even after the second listen I still wasn’t too impressed. Sure, “Cracked Actor” was an okay track, and “The Jean Genie” is decent. But the rest? To my ears, it’s mostly uninspired glam rock. I’m surprised this came only a year after the brilliant The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust. Weak 3/5.
3.5
I don't really vibe with Bowie. This was fine, nothing more or less. I like the energy, but find his voice irritating
Good album. Rock forward with the usual David Bowie flare making it an album only he could make. Not my personal favourite Bowie album but a few standout tracks and interesting arrangements create intrigue to revisit for future listens.
3/5. This was a bold move by Bowie, but it's hard to imagine Bowie not being bold in his musical choices. The theme of excess stardom through the American lens leading to insanity is an experience many artists have experienced and he does a good job at making sure to capture the quiet parts of paranoia along with the bombastic sounds. As far as actually listening to the album, I would definitely say it is a weaker Bowie album, despite the iconic cover. Not very memorable songs, not in the way that there aren't hits, just that I wouldn't find myself listening to it all the way through without skipping one here and there. Instrumentation is peak, avant-garde, heading towards his Berlin trio, but not yet fully committed. It's a good balance sonically but I don't think it's a great album. Best Song: Aladdin Sane, The Jean Genie, Cracked Actor
People rave about this album but it's one of Bowie's weaker offerings in my opinion. A lot of choices musically that may have been more 'of the time's than clever choices. 5/10
Every time I get a Bowie album, Will and I laugh just because neither of us have liked any so far, but I finally got one I liked. Easily the best Bowie album yet. It's more creative, without going too off the rails (minus Aladdin Sane, which was a disappointment because it would've been my favorite without that runaway piano), has a lot less repetition, and doesn't outstay its welcome. Favorite songs: Time Lady Grinning Soul
No ha estado mal pero se me hace un album un poco aleatorio. De la mitad en adelante diria que mejora. No he escuchado por el momento ningun otro disco de David Bowie completo, solo los temas mas reconocibles. En el futuro vere si todos sus albumes siguen este patrón.
Not his finest.
A good album from Bowie albeit not one of his particularly strong pieces.
Nada mal, la verdad, para ser la primera escucha nada mal.
Kind of a let down after Ziggy Stardust, but certainly a good album with some great material.
Ok
Not my favorite Bowie album
Listen, I love Bowie, but this album is not it. There are zero songs that sounded special, and the only distinctive part of this album is the album cover
David Bowie had sex with a 14 year old
David Bowie is one of those names that keep popping up in music that are considered legendary, but after listening to this album, I'm afraid I don't get it. It's not hitting in any way.
Hard to say what my fave Bowie is... theres a diverse catalogue obviously - and likely why he influenced so many great bands of the 80-90's and beyond. Anyway. Never heard anything but the Jean Genie before. Enjoyed this one. He was an innovative dude for sure. Gem was Aladdin Sane. Haunting little ditty
The album artwork is iconic but that’s probably my favourite thing about this album. The main single “Jean Genie” isn’t doing much for me, it’s more of an earworm than a standout single. The rest of the album seems to continue some of the themes from Ziggy Stardust but just doesn’t quite hit the same highs. My favourite song was “Time” and I enjoyed the use of saxophone on some songs. I can accept its inclusion on the list but it struggles in comparison to other Bowie albums.
Jean Genie was my favorite
A few thoughts flash across my mind as we listen to this record. My 18-month old son’s immediate bopping along points to something; my immediate recognising of “Time” though I can’t place why is another something; the significance of the clear artistic confidence on display throughout is a couple of somethings. I can’t quite develop the thoughts though, not when there’s always a bigger moon to eclipse them. Fleur loves the piano on “Lady Grinning Soul”.
# Album Name: Aladdin Sane # Artist: David Bowie # Rating: 3/5 A few good tunes on this album. Lacks the biggest bowie hits - minus Jean genie of course. Not a bad album but didnt hit me as well as some of his others. # Comments: # Top Tunes: Drive in sat / Panic in Detroit / Jean Genie # Would I listen to it again? Maybe
I've always held the controversial opinion that Bowie is heavily overrated. Has some amazing stuff but any dive into his catalog always left me disappointed. Always felt like he made weird music for normal people and normal music for weird people. The title track here is a good example of what I mean, with its totally dissonant piano solo. But this is making me reconsider the depth of that belief. I still think he's not really for me the way he is for others, but it might be easier to give his albums straight through listens again after this.
it's all heavy in a way, a lot of softness is lost from his previous work for a bluesier/rockier sound, doesn't mean i dislike it though, this has some great songs on it.
Hard one to rate - probably actually a 3.5 but that's not an option. The beats were a vibe though.
Not my fav from Bowie but not bad
Not as good as the last Bowie album we got assigned, but I enjoyed it for the most part. Weird fucking guy, Bowie was.
This is one of those ones where I want to like it more than I actually do. There are good elements but it just doesn’t grab me overall. Some strange production choices with the vocal far back in the mix. Underwhelming
As much as I like David Bowie, this album is pretty forgettable.
This is an interesting album. I don't like it as much as the other two Bowie albums I know but I did like it. The piano really jumps out, and I read afterward that the pianist was new to the group and really impressed Bowie and he and the producer really wanted to feature his jazz-influenced work. The album is inspired and reviled by America, which is interesting, but Bowie also made a specific effort to make this work sound more like The Rolling Stones, which I feel hurts it. None of the songs really jump out at me, but I did recognize The Jean Genie (never knew it was Bowie). I think this is a solid 3.
Decent album. Not his best work but it's still got the Bowie tunes.
A classic but not his best album by any stretch.
Bowie is a tough one, I respect him but I’m not sure I like him, despite all the 4/5 I’ve given him. Aladdin Sane is decent, rock with a lot of jazz piano. I think I like the softer songs most, like Time. I don’t feel the album flows all that well, it’s not as cohesive as his others 6.2/10
I like his albums before and after this one a lot more but its Bowie
Move David Bowie. This one I liked more than the other two I've had of his so far (Heroes and Ziggy Stardust). Most of the songs were solid. A few duds. Watch That Man had good energy. Drive-In Saturday was nice. The Prettiest Star was really good. Lady Grinning Soul had wonderful music. Best song: The Prettiest Star
one of my more preferred Bowie albums
It was good, but it didnt make me wanna listen to it again. Sorry.
3/5
I don't know this bowie album too well. It's not hitting the highs of hunky dory for me. Don't even really like the let's spend the night together cover.
Not what I was expecting from a Bowie album. Not a fan of this one, but still giving it 3 because….its David Bowie.
You know, for this being the cover...I would have expected more. But alas, here we are.
Big chain of 3s. I like Bowie, but this wasn’t all that great. Still a 3 because Bowie is still really good.
It was okay
It was alright, some songs were really good and other I did not like at all. But i would listen to it again :)
Amazing guitar solos and some really lovely songs but still some lyrics that just seem a bit rambling
2.7
I love Bowie's greatest hits but haven't heard many of his album cuts. Watch That Man was a standout. The rest was pretty good, aside from Let's Spend the Night Together, which I found far inferior to the original. The cover of this album seems more iconic to me than the tunes, but I'll have to give it a couple more spins. 3.5
Wow, I haven't listened to this one in a long time! It's got this iconic album art that's inspired so many hacky re-productions of this image by amateur artists at sidewalk craft fairs that I often forget that this record exists, even though I've got this in my collection. This is some more music from Ziggy and the Spiders, that early 70's glam rock sound. "Panic In Detroit", and "Jean Genie" are highlights. I'm not a fan of Bowie's cover of "Let's Spend the Night Together". I love early Rolling Stones and he can't touch the original. This album is solid. I even find the stupid "A Lad Insane" pun charming. However, if you consider this as a follow-up to Ziggy Stardust, it's a bit of a letdown. There's nothing that comes close to the high points on that record. I think there's a reason I haven't revisited this in such a long time. But the more important question- Is Bowie the only person who could make a mullet sexy and cool? Discuss.
My least favourite 70s Bowie album. (Not counting Pin Ups.) it stands up ok, but (as has been pointed out umpteen times) it suffers in relation to what preceded it…
Gefällt mir sehr ein bisschen überspielt vielleicht sehr solides album, keine skips
Not my favorite Bowie album but it's not bad. I would listen to this before a lot of other music but compared to his other work I think it falls a bit short. Having said that I would listen to it again so obviously I don't think it's that bad, just not as catchy or groundbreaking as his other work.
A great album cover does not a great album cover make It’s not bad of course - it’s Bowie! But it just lacks a lightning in a bottle of Ziggy Stardust and his other best albums
Not my favourite Bowie Album. Jean genie is a classic, the rest of the albums rock and roll athletics are great but don’t stick with me like other Bowie albums.
Bowie är unik, vet hur man bygger en story, en karaktär och det är lätt att spåra hans inflytande, men det var inte riktigt min grej
Appreciate the artist, mediocre album
I enjoyed this; but writing a review a few hours later and there is just nothing memorable about it
No Ziggy Stardust. It’s alright
I continue to kind of not really get Bowie. It was all fine, but something just doesn’t sound right to me
This is the best if the Bowie albums
Had high hopes but didn't enjoy this as much as I expected. Favourite tracks: Panic in Detroit & The Jean Genie Probably won't revisit. 3/5
Another Bowie album. This one's actually alright. It's fine but must hear before you die? Definitely not, especially when Bowie has 9. This could have been cut
Great album, very David Bowie, to say no more. Not usually in my lineup but ok if it is on.
Honestly not my cup of Bowie
Joku varmaan heittäis mut bussin alle, kun Lorde ja kumppanit tuossa alla saa 4 tähteä, mutta Bowie ei saa. Mää en tiiä, tässä vaan ei joku iske. Onhan tää aika teatraalista, mutta hyvin sekavaa myös monesta kohtaa ja ei niin miellyttävää. Mutta oli muutama ihan hyväkin kappale. Parhaat: Lady Grinning Soul, Time, Let's Spens the Night Together
It was fine but not my cup of tea.
Bowie is one I thought about when I started this. I knew a list like this was likely going to have Bowie and probably every single era of his would be represented. I didn’t grow up with Bowie fans, I have managed to survive 35 winters without hearing much of his. I was excited to have an opportunity to force myself to sit and listen. All that to say, this was fine. It was fun! It doesn’t scream musical genius but I guess it doesn’t have to. I had heard Lady Grinning Soul before and loved it, but there were plenty of other good discoveries here. I don’t think this will end up being my fav Bowie era but I enjoyed myself. This is also a rare case of me agreeing with an artist having multiple entries here because his sound has varied so much over his career (unlike Mr Bobby Dylan)
The jean genie and let’s spend the night together are the clear killer tracks. Aladdin sane has an excellent piano rift.
Of its time
Like Bowie, but he’s got better
Some good tracks and some I didn't like very bob Dylan style shiz the last track had good bear
Good album
Throughout this project I'm realizing that maybe I'm not as big of a Bowie fan as I think I am. I love the hits and some of his songs as one-offs but I really don't jive with his full albums. There will be some strokes of brilliance and then just loud noise. This one wasn't bad, I just didn't really love it
Lowkey mid ass album. First half was weird as hell and dogshit but the second half was decent. Only song that stood out to me was lady grinning soul.
A little goofy but it’s alright
It’s a pretty alright album, but the funny thing to me is even though the album itself is unmemorable. The album cover is probably what you think of when you think of David Bowie. Just goes to show the impact a cover can really have.
Unmemorable
Quite hard listening for some tracks. Quite jazzy. Like Jean Genie!
Surprised by the number of genres covered, interesting album! The piano sounded like Elton John in one song; then the blues came on strong in another. Grace would listen again and want to explore more, Tim probably not. Listened 3 May 2025 evening.
Felt like Bowie was trying a bunch of new things, some of which worked, some not so much.
It's David Bowie
Complete
-this is one of my favorite of the uhhh six David Bowie albums this website has had be listen too so far.. I am not very knowledgeable about him or his eras but it was a pretty interesting one. consistent, but also didn’t really get boring. I think I like his early glam rock stuff best tbh, I’d like to listen again -Favorites are Watch That Man, Drive-In Sunday, and Lady Grinning Soul
okay ig 3/5
Fine, Jean Genie is a tune
i feel like at the time it would have been shocking but now so many years later it comes off as unnecessarily horny and edgy but it’s not really cool or aspirational in any way today. i don’t regret listening to it though
Average
Excited going into this, since the album cover is used as the cover art to one of the versions of the 1001 albums book... I love myself a Rolling Stones cover!!! The rest could be better
Eh. I like David Bowie, not a huge fan, but the album didn't do a ton for me
I love David Bowie a lot, as an artist. But his output has been quite variable... his debut album is pretty rubbish, his final album (Black Star) is fantastic, and in-between it's been a mix (the 1001 list made me discover Low which I loved). I only knew a few songs from this album (Drive-In Saturday, good song) and The Jean Genie (great song). The rest of the album was generally a disappointment. It starts really average with basic rock and roll... apparently Bowie had been inspired by the Stones, maybe he should just have done his own thing. Next up is the title track - what was that? - it's as if Bowie wanted to test what he could get away with now that he was famous (as Ziggy). Pretty sure that if the album didn't say "Davie Bowie" on the cover nobody would have cared. Apart for the iconic cover maybe. The rest of the album remains very mixed, some OK songs, several really poor ones (incl. the Stones cover). I considered giving this a 2 but I gave Beyoncé a 3 yesterday (much to my own surprise) and I can't give this less than that. I would have, if the album didn't have the Jean Genie.
Debo admitir que de la música de David Bowie los últimos discos han sido los que realmente me han gustado. Este disco tiene un sonido rockero, pero no tan espacial como otros de su repertorio. Me gustó, pero me resultó poco memorable a mi gusto. Con la excepción del último tema del disco, "Lady Grinning Soul", que me pareció hermoso. Claramente me gustan más las músicas lentas / oscuras de Bowie. En el disco me parece destacable el piano, su timbre particularmente agudo sobresale por sobre el sonido clásico del rock de época, además de la propia voz de Bowie.
Aladdin Sane ist das sechste Studioalbum des britischen Musikers David Bowie. Es wurde größtenteils während einer Tournee in den Vereinigten Staaten aufgenommen, mit Sessions in den Trident Studios in London sowie in mehreren amerikanischen Studios, darunter RCA Studios in New York und Los Angeles. Die Veröffentlichung markiert eine Phase, in der Bowie stärker von amerikanischer Popkultur und gesellschaftlichen Eindrücken beeinflusst war. Das Album bewegt sich stilistisch zwischen Glam Rock, Art Rock und Rhythm and Blues. Die Stücke zeigen teils komplexe Arrangements und einen Hang zur Theatralik, ohne die klare Struktur zu verlieren. Besonders auffällig ist die Verwendung des Klaviers, gespielt von Mike Garson, dessen jazzbeeinflusster Stil einige Songs prägt. Als besonders einprägsam gelten die Titel „The Jean Genie“, „Drive-In Saturday“ sowie der eröffnende Song „Watch That Man“. Der Titelsong „Aladdin Sane (1913–1938–197?)“ fällt durch seine freie Jazzstruktur auf, die sich von der restlichen Instrumentierung deutlich abhebt. Inhaltlich spiegeln viele der Texte eine Mischung aus persönlicher Beobachtung und fiktiven Rollen wider, was typisch für Bowies Schaffen in dieser Zeit ist. Das Album ist nicht ganz so geschlossen wie sein Vorgänger The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, bietet jedoch einen vielschichtigen Einblick in Bowies Entwicklung als Künstler, der sich stilistisch neu orientiert. Insgesamt lässt sich Aladdin Sane als ein Album beschreiben, das zwischen Tourerlebnis, kultureller Reflexion und musikalischer Experimentierfreude steht.
This is a really good album. It has its flaws, but it’s also nostalgic for me.
This had cool moments for sure, but I just can't get behind that loud, grating piano. I had to skip a song or two because it just got too much. I probably "don't get" Bowie or whatever, but his music somehow never fully works for me. 3 stars
Ja, Bowie kan je nooit slecht noemen he. Degelijk album. Ik denk dat vooral de hoes iconisch is. Je hebt natuurlijk wel the Jean Genie en The Prettiest Star hierop, maar het springt er niet zo uit vind ik. 3.4
Good
Felt it was funny we got some of The Rolling Stones again, even if it was a cover. All told it was a solid album. I enjoyed it, but didn't really feel like any particular song stood out for me. All told, good album, not my favourite Bowie album.
Maybe I just had high expectations because David Bowie, but this album didn't really hit. Nothing really caught my ear throughout the whole thing. It was the middest of mid albums.
1. Watch That Man - 7/10 2. Aladdin Sane - 7.6/10 3. Drive-In Saturday - 8/10 4. Panic in Detroit - 8/10 5. Cracked Actor - 8/10 6. Time - 7.8/10 7. The Prettiest Star - 5/10 ❌ 8. Let’s Spend the Night Together - 5/10 ❌ 9. The Jean Genie - 5/10 ❌ 10. Lady Grinning Soul - 7/10 7/10
I'll still never be able to work out how he did it. No two songs he ever did sounded the same. Remarkable. The world went to shit when he died, it's true...
Aladdin Sane is one of my least favorite Bowie albums and contains one of my least favorite “hits”, Gene Jeanie. The real standout is his version of Let’s Spend the Night Together and a crazed Panic in New York, a cacophony of Bo Diddley beats and general mayhem. Time is Paul Williams inspired with a few too many lie, lie, lies. Compared to Ziggy, Honky Dory and Low and others, I find this album lacking in significance.
Was cool, but the piano threw me off.
It was a good album but I didn’t love all the songs.
Somehow, despite the omnipresent album cover, I had never heard any of this. Anyway its pretty good bowie, nothing stood out too hard.
Cracked actor is pretty cool
pretty good, but not my favorite bowie album
One of the more disjointed albums, doesn't make it bad though. Not keen on his version of Let's Spend The Night Together.
Got to hand it to David Bowie, it probably takes a lot of effort to write lyrics that make this little sense. I'm kind of disappointed in this album - there s a lot of Bowie I love, but this album just kind of sits there not doing much, and I can't help but feel like I'd rather listen to any of his other albums.
Another record that sounds really dated. I'm sure it was out there at the time. 2 good songs: The title track and Jean Genie. The rest is left in right out.
One of his best but not my personal fav
Nice album. It was pleasant to listen to. But waking up this morning, I don’t remember anything specific about the album anymore…
Solid 3 that I will likely listen to again. I think Bowie in general has actual depth to his artistry so I think he gets better the more time you allot to his work. Wasn’t blown away but my intrigue has grown. Saved a few songs for later including Time and The Prettiest Star.
Twoooo Bowies albums in one week? seems wild. its kinda nice to actually hear them relatively close to each other, and I literally did wish for more Bowie so, thats cool. i think, and I would have to probably confirm this with other albums as well, I mostly dislike the 'glam' part of glam rock. that being said, this album had more guitar crunch and the sound was more up my alley. that said, i think this album is a three. i don't see myself seeking out this album for a re-listen (although I would lean more towards this one than Young Americans), but wouldn't be upset if it came back on.
Not bad, but I still don't get the Bowie hype. I guess it comes more from his eccentricity during that time. I liked the previous Bowie album more.
It’s good, his talent is is undeniable. But I didn’t love this one like the other two I’ve heard.
Like it. Favourite track is The Jean Genie 3/5
Did not really connect with this.
Good. Not killer.
David Bowie rock
Pretty good. I'm not the biggest David Bowie fan, although I can acknowledge that there is some lyricism done both beautifully and darkly (if that makes any sense lol). "Cracked Actor" may be one of my all time favorites from him.
An all time cover, an album of mostly fillers. Love Bowie, not his best.
I was expecting more. I don't know why. Its a good album just not memorable.
Classic Bowie
Some cool songs but I can’t say I loved this
A little more musical variety than his usual stuff but nothing that really grabbed me.
It's Bowie, it's good
I wouldn't say I love it or that I had to hear it, but it was nice. 3.5
I really like some of these songs, but others, not so much. Averages out to a three for me. It’s worth another listen, though.
Album très sympa à écouter, semble être très classique aujourd’hui mais devait sacrément être novateur à l’époque.
sometimes not as cool as I expected, but every song is still good. Particularly liked Cracked Actor.
I’m familiar with the previous Ziggie Stardust album, but from this one, I had only listened to The Jean Genie, which I really like. It’s still avant-garde and sometimes chaotic, but what a chaos! ! (the piano on Aladdin Sane is brilliant). Finally, some challenge, some eccentricity—I enjoyed it, even though I prefer some of Bowie’s other work.
I like Bowie and I liked this album but it doesn’t stand out for me like some of his other works… 3.4, I can’t quite bring myself to round this one up to a 4.
So, I liked this one, but I don't really remember a damn thing about it the next day. Not a note, not a lyric -- nothing, just a general sense that I liked it well enough while it was on and it was shorter than I expected.
Not a Bowie fan, not a Bowie hater. This was entertaining at the very least. I definitely thought it sounded more 'American' than other songs I've heard by him, and after reading the Wikipedia article, that is the intent. Decent album. Didn't love any single song.
Interesting sounds. I like the discordant piano on the title track, but it begins becomes annoyingly self-indulgent in the solo. Panic in Detroit has a good riff, but is, like some other tracks, a bit boring. Cracked Actor is a bit more rock'n'roll, and the guitars sound great. Overall, I couldn't help but think how good Bowie worked as part of a visual experience in Moonage Daydream, and how this album just lacks oomph.
Bowie has admittedly been a blind spot in my listening history. Excited to give this a listen. Starts pretty fun. Nice little rocker to kick things off. Catchy and fun bopper. Track two gets Doors-level weird. Perhaps too avant-garde for first thing in the morning. Eh overall it was fine, leaned a little too Doors-esque drug-addled drone rock. Not my fav.
To quote the song time - "Just scream with boredom" Nothing really interesting here but it's not too bad to listen. Time is actually probably my favourite song 2.5
2025-02-10
Not my fave, but hey
more fun than the other rock albums, punchy piano solos ftw. was interesting to listen to david bowie because he famous but i dont know his music. i like da Saxophon. he also o think. he used to play, and use a lot in his sing. i wonder: he play on his song? if so, good embochoure!
Underwhelming, lady grinning soul about the only thing I liked. Bowie has the most albums on this list, does this really need to be one?? Ziggy Stardusts lackluster follow up
Pretty half decent, but you attach a name like David Bowie to an album you kinda expect slot, whenever I see an album I get excited because I know it’s going to at the very least be good, if not legendary. This, it’s just ok
As with many other albums on here, I see why this is important and highly acclaimed. However, Bowie suffers from a time when music was more focused on image and concept than actual music. And while the album is well-crafted and produced, that says more about economics than skills. I can't help feeling this is just a pretentious album that is praised primarily because its artist was more famous than other people doing more inventive and impressive things at the same time.
3.75/5. It’s back heavy with a good intro. Constructed well but not my favorite type of Bowie. A harbinger of things to come.
First album that somewhat caught my attention in a while. 3 out if 5.
I give it a 6,5/10 It takes a bit of time to begin with the most vibrating songs, but it’s a nice album.
It didn't get me, the first part especially feels slow. It improves in the second half, with some more cadenced songs ans riffs. I liked "Cracked Actor", "The Jean Geanie" and "Time". Overall, 6.5/10.
There’s a reason the best known part of this album is David’s makeup on the cover. I can’t help but think that this is maybe a David Bowie three stars, comparing with all his stuff, rather than a general three, compared to everyone else. Is it really only one star better than the new tango? No. But the context of David? Maybe yes.
I really feel like you had to be there to get the David Bowie obsession, but this one is at least pretty groovy.
Maybe I'm just not a big Bowie guy. This was much better than The Next Day though.
The Prettiest Star was the standout for me. Engaging vibe from start to finish. 3/5
It's really good if you ignore the plagiarism
Not the David Bowie I was expecting. But maybe the David Bowie I needed? 🤔
3.5
Two Bowie albums this week. Both have confirmed, sometimes you've got to dig through mud to hit the gems.
This didn’t do anything for me
A ono, kužim kolika je on legenda, ali mi njegova glazba nikad nije pretjerano napeta bila. Ima par stvari u njegovom opusu koje si rado pustim, ali cjelokupan dojam mi je onak. Ok.
Watch that man is a balls to the wall opening track. A lot of the rest didn’t really stick out to me (even the title track) but this deserves a relisten. But a lot of it was just good Bowie songs, not transcendent ones
Fine, but not his best work
Good album
Not bad
Classic Bowie in all the right ways, though I guess there’s a reason why it’s not an album I know - it doesn’t quite hit the Bowie heights of the era, when he could do no wrong. It’s not that it’s bad, it’s just not the e Bowie album I’d reach for or be a ‘must have’ on my album shelf.
Never heard this before -good album but not my favourite Bowie. A solid 3.
This was strangely enjoyable. However, some of the "bizarre lounge-jazz flourishes" (I stole this phrase from another reviewer) really killed the vibe before it was reigned back in, which really hindered it's overall ranking for me. This will only get a solid three to a three-and-a-half. I don't think it will be able to reach a four.
Pretty good album outside all the weird free-form jazz vignettes. Much more cohesive and pop-centric which is what made it more bearable.
need to listen again
I adore Bowie, but I’ve always had a hard time with Aladdin Sane. As a follow-up to Ziggy Stardust, Bowie and the Spiders goes all in on the American way in ways that feels strangely alienating to me. A few songs still surprises me and feels complete - but too many ends up sounding like “just a fine hair rock song”. 10/10 cover art, 6/10 music.
All in all a quite good album, but it didn’t hit me in the same way that Hunky Dory did. Lady Grinning Soul is my favourite by far
Had higher hopes for this album with the iconic cover. Still enjoyed it though.
Heb dit album van Bowie nooit heel bijzonder gevonden. Ziggy goes to America zoals hij zelf zegt. En hij bezingt de keerzijde van de stardom. Tja, niet meteen de ingrediënten voor de beste plaat uit z'n oeuvre. En wordt wat meer Glamrock en alle riffs vind ik wel heel erg op de Stones lijken. Jean Genie is denk ik de grootste hit, maar kan zo in een Amerikaanse film. Zonde dat zo'n koersbepaler van de popcultuur een album maakt waarin hij de grootste popcultuur kopieert. Maarja, misschien wat vroeger alles anders? 6,5/10 Highlights Drive-in Saturday
I feel bad for not giving it higher, I think I need to listen more to truly enjoy it. I do love David Bowie but this album I only knew one song and found it hard to get into. I don’t want to give it 4/5 just because I know his other songs… still great :)
Just okay. 6/10
Ok this is getting ridiculous, this is my fifth Bowie album and I’m not past 50 yet, anyway Bowie stays winning, he’s a one of a kind artist, but this one faded into the background more than the others I’ve gotten, even the one I rated lower was more memorable.
Nice piano, music and some good riffs. Some of the music was a bit too busy for me. Not really my style but at the same time I can see why it would be enjoyed.
David bowie. Grossi symphatie, doch zwenig gflasht. Mind 3 wunderlamoe heder aber definitiv verdient
de oida kennemer doch wenni nachem cover gah würd hetti ezt gseit das isch doch sicher sis beste album - aber ich han ezt kei lieder drinne kennt viel ghört vo de timon fraktion über de insane typ aber leider immernanig de ihstig gfunde, aber sicher es 3 hetter verdient welli nachane doch anderi songs no gloset han vom bre mir hoffed ufs negste dave album würdi sege insha'Allah brüders!
sorry dave, hetsch meh ufmerksamkeit verdient als mit de laptop speaker während em dusche das album z'lose rating chan mer also leider nöd allzu ernst näh, nächst jahr vilicht denn mal
Was alright, didn't connect with me too much but I am fairly new to this type of music.
It’s not his best but it has one big song on it so it has to be on the list apparently
O Bowie é um querido mas esse não é dos melhores dele na minha opinião. Gostei da ousadia de ser doido em algumas músicas. Salvei algumas. 2,5 estrelas de 5
i like it more when bowie is less sane
Definitely an improvement on the last 2 Bowie albums I listened to. Wasn't anything special to rave about though. Very mid.
enjoyable but probably won't listen again
This album was OK, but my impression is that the cover is more iconic than the music. The style is more rock-like than I expected. There's a Rolling Stones cover, and a few of the other tracks have that same vibe. The title track is the only one I got into.
Rating a bit on a "Bowie curve" but doesn't quite have the same calibur of hits, and the secondary songs don't grab me as much.
Not sure what to make of this one - if there were too many quaaludes and wanking on the floor in the mix, resulting in little more than a few glimmers of the genius Bowie was already known for at the time. But even sub-par Bowie is still stronger than a lot of the dreck on this list.
Good one
Not as enjoyable as hits others. Good but more experimental.
Good
More of a middling album in Bowie's career, Aladdin Sane has some decent rocking tracks but overall isn't as cohesive as some of his other records. Wedged between his early masterpiece Ziggy Stardust and his more experimental phase of the late '70s, this album doesn't do quite enough to stand out. Though the music here is predominantly glam rock, there is still a decent variety of genres and styles featured across these 10 tracks to keep things from getting too stale. Also, it is worth mentioning that the iconic artwork of this record has become a defining image of David Bowie that has stood the test of time. Overall, this album is not his finest work, but even an average Bowie album is better than most other artists best. Highlights: -Aladdin Sane -Drive-In Saturday -The Jean Genie Lowlights: -Let's Spend the Night Together
Il faut aimer David bowie
He wasn't quite there yet on this album.
2 Bowie albums in a row? Once again, Bowie confirms to me that he’s a weird guy who makes weird music. This album has no skips, but I preferred Station to Station to this one.
Bowie. He was cool. Miss him.
Typical Bowie album
Decent glam rock as expected from Bowie
Not my favorite Bowie, but I liked it
234/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Honestly was excited for this one but ultimately felt a TINY underwhelmed by it. Still super solid, but Bowie definitely has better tracks than most of the ones on this album imo
Not my favourite Bowie, but some nice tracks regardless.
I don't really understand the praise that Bowie gets in general, and this album was especially mid
3/4
Didn't care for this one too much for some reason. It's here and there, like most glam rock of this era. You've got bizarre "avant-garde" piano solos ("Aladdin Sane"), a unique rendition of the Rolling Stones' "Let's Spend the Night Together", and some blues (continuing the Stones influence felt throughout) in "The Jean Genie". I've heard better Bowie records, but this one has its moments. Wasn't enough to keep me coming back, unfortunately.
Not really a favorite Bowie album. It was just ok.
I don’t know what it is but I really had a hard time getting into this. My favorite was “The Jean Genie” 2.5/5
Not a bad Bowie Album.
Ehh dream Jeannie a great one. Some others, not so much
lifelong bowie fan but this wouldn't even crack my top ten bowie albums. doesn't do anything ziggy didn't do much better.
5/10 - on the title track David Bowie went way to hard on the keys. Some of the other tracks were pretty good but nothing was great.
Neither fish nor fowl.
interesting
Bowie at his most mid...
As far as Bowie albums go this one didn't really stand out, enjoyed "Time" and Jean Genie is always catchy but otherwise a bit underwhelming. Also wasn't a fan of the Rolling Stones cover. I like Bowie, but this era wasn't it.