Aladdin Sane

3/10, 30%

Långt från hans bästa men helt bra ändå

Preferred Ziggy Stardust. Favorite song: “Time”.

Not as good as his previous two, but still pretty good

I liked the weird piano parts on this album a lot.

I think I've come to the conclusion that I like Bowie songs, but don't like Bowie albums to the same extent. This is OK, but never quite works for me - there are a few tracks on it that are good (and it does sound very modern for the early seventies) but also a lot that I don't like. Drive-In Saturday is good, Jean Genie is Bowie at his glammiest, but I don't particularly want to listen to this again. Just scrapes a 3 because I'm feeling generous, and Drive In Saturday is great. 3/5.

ziggy stardust ✨

bowie is iconic but I feel like most of his music isnt for me

I started off liking it, towards the beginning/middle I got upset because some of the songs just made noises? Which i’m not a fan of. But again towards the end, it started getting to true rock which I liked.

Without looking, I'd bet I could copy/paste my review from Ziggy Stardust. It's a catchy-at-first early 70s rock album that I slowly get tired of because I'm just not able to really be moved by Bowie's music. It's fine - starting with "Watch That Man" is easy-entry rock (although there's a little bit of Lou Reed sound to this which puts me off - am not a fan of LR). And the title cut "Aladdin Sane" is a nice diversion from the initial cut - but then it just gets...Bowie-ish. And if you're a Bowie fan I can see how you'd like this but his voice is always a little distracting for me. On a positive note, aside from "Low" which feels to me like an Eno record that Bowie happens to sing on, this is probably one of the more-enjoyable or perhaps immediately-accessible records of his but I'll never voluntarily put it on. It feels like I always use his voice as a cop-out because there are plenty of artists who I listen to that I don't necessarily like the singer's voice and I like the music. It's as simple as this even if I can't articulate it well: I don't connect with his music on any emotional level - can just appreciate it from a distance. 5/10 3 stars.

Is ok, but no real highlights

Never listened to this one before. It feels like a nice template for a Bowie album. No huge highs, no huge lows, just the nice Bowie sound :)

3/5

Fairly broad sounds here. The Jean Genie feels buried on the album.

I'll admit that Bowie is maybe starting to grow on me. I also enjoyed this album more than the others I've listened to on this list - some pretty obvious Rolling Stones influence on this one. Still, enough of these albums. Thank you.

David Bowie ganz nice aber das Album ist nicht ganz meins

3.5

Bit out there for me

Solid Bowie album

3, mais pas le même 3 que pour Neil Young y'a R

it's 𝓓𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓭 𝓑𝓸𝔀𝓲𝓮 time

Very bowie very interesting

Not bad!

Eh

love Bowie but thought this was weak enough

Very different to what I’m used to that being said surprisingly good. TIME is one of my favs

I wanted to like it more, but it fell wanking to the floor.

ziggy sold out to break america

Still not a Bowie music fan, but this is my favorite so far.

Eclectic, eccentric, what I thought a full Bowie album would sound like I guess. Not for me

Never listened to this one before. Thought it was pretty enjoyable throughout. Favorite: Panic in Detroit

Overall good album, classic David Bowie. The cover of Let's spend the night together was good.

Never got into this one. Bowie has a lot better in him before and after this.

I like Bowie, but would have preferred Ziggy or let's dance.

Leroy Sane is better.

Enjoyed it, although it didn’t blow my mind or anything

Müsste ich noch häufiger hören, hat potential.

This is probably my favorite Bowie. I know this is sacrilege but I find Bowie’s schtick wears thin, but this one has some serious bangers, especially the title track, Jeane Genie and Drive-In Saturday.

Really like the album. Haven't heard a lot of David Bowie albums yet except for the big ones. So I still have much to discover about him. So far I like the different use of instruments, especially the piano pieces. (That title track :D) 3.5/5

3/5 not enough

Not bad, which is a complement from a Bowie non-fan

Liked the experimental edge but didn't always land for me

Iconic artwork! As I find with most of Bowie's albums, there are a couple of outstanding songs, and the rest are, well, aren't. 2.5

Not the best Bowie album I've listened to but some strong Glam Bowie hits in there. Enjoyed

David Bowie's songwriting paired with Mick Ronson's musical and orchestration genius make for a great listen. Not my bag, but a good spin. 3.5/5.

Solid Bowie music

As much as I like Bowie (he already got a couple of 5 starts from me over here), I was never able to gravitate towards Aladdin Sane. I wouldn't say it's a bad album, but I will claim it's not a particularly good album, in the sense that it leaves me with nothing to cling to in the uplifting department that makes an album great. Hope I'm making sense... Bring back Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust, I say!

not his best work but what you expect

I was excited to check this out as I'm not super familiar with Bowie, but I like most of what I heard. I didn't really love this, though

I generally like Bowie a lot, but this album didn’t do it for me.

Pretty good while lacking any of his big numbers, but some of the purposefully out of time piano parts sanded a nail down a chalkboard.

very interesting and experimental, but I don't vibe that much

The cult of Bowie says I should learn to love this album, but I've listened to this more than I care to admit and came away from this with less than I imagined. A Lad Insane... Alladin Sane / The Jean Jeanie... My understanding of this album is that it's about the wish, hope and struggle for fame and what comes afterward. Panic in Detroit is the pinnacle of fame. If you find it, you flex like a whore and fall wanking to the floor. Cracked actor says Suck, baby, suck, give me your head, Before you start professing that you're knocking me dead as if to say Fame is all elusive, unbearable and boring. Truth be told, this album isn't unbearable and boring. Aladdin Sane is super campy and on par with the soundtrack to the Rocky Horror Picture show. The saxophone truly blows. The songs, aside from Panic in Detroit and The Jean Genie are mostly forgettable. This is one of those albums that is on this list because it fits well within a certain timeframe but that period is far gone and all but forgotten. I'd go as far to say that if this album art hadn't been so iconic Aladdin Sane most likely would've slipped away with the rest of history.

The avant-garde jazz vibes (looking at you title track) almost downgraded this for me, but this is better than some of the other Bowie on the list.

Mystery but he just can't get to me....

One of Bowie's best guitar-wise – Lots of fun tones and tricks on here that pull standard guitar cliches of the time into fun, transgressive statements in the way only Bowie could. Doesn't settle wholly into a cohesive LP as some of the more experimental tracks are a bit hit-and-miss, but a fun listen per usual from Dave's discography.

Not his best

Simpatico

4/07/2022 REVIEW #69 Today's Album: "Aladdin Sane" by David Bowie - As with any Bowie record, there is a ton of stuff on here that is so unique to him and that no one else has done better. His occasional off-key singing and strange instrumental choices coupled with his knowledge of making an absolute pop BANGER leads to a lot of moments where he toes the line of what is listenable music, like on the title track Aladdin Sane with it's almost terrible piano solo but great backing instrumental. That being said, there aren't really any "hits" on this album in comparison to Ziggy Stardust or Hunky Dory. It feels like Bowie is really taking some time to experiment with different sounds after the success of Ziggy and it is turning out on this record in some parts and just kind of falling flat in others. I am not the hugest Bowie fan and really only love his music when he has a very solid and condensed song structure and doesn't go too into the weeds, but I will say this is a nice example of him going off the rails occasionally and in a artistic manor, but also playing it straight sometimes. Overall, I like this record, but honestly won't really be coming back to it except for the few songs I decided to add to my playlist. There isn't really a consistency or theme to the songs and it leaves it just feeling like it has no identity, which is unusual for a Bowie release. Listen to it if you reaaaallly like Bowie, but otherwise just pick out the hits and leave the rest. Score: 6.5/10 good but just isn't really pulling me in. Highlights: Watch That Man, Aladdin Sane, Drive-In Saturday, Cracked Actor, Time, The Prettiest Star, Lady Grinning Soul

Slightly weird in places

Not my favourite Bowie ‘set’ but so much to love about this. The cover, Panic In Detroit, Drive-In Saturday, Jean Genie. Enjoyed playing this again very much, especially as a whole set of songs. Never been a Mike Garson fan (the piano dominates too much in places) but other than that I love it.

3.6 + Despite some moments of brilliance, this record mostly feels like a hodgepodge. Bowie can be a questionable lyricist, and songs like "Drive-In Saturday" epitomize his penchant for mealy-mouthed asides. I always found the opening track "Watch that Man" annoying because the vocals are so low in the mix. "Let's Spend the Night Together" is a throwaway cover. And I never really connected with "The Jean Genie" even though it is one of his bigger glam hits. Still, Mike Garson sounds incredible on piano, particularly on "Aladdin Sane." And "Lady Grinning Soul" is one of the strongest closers for any Bowie album.

David Bowie I Did not know that all your Songs sounded like that

Vintage Bowie. Weird, different, on the edge, yet delightfully poppy. I own this on vinyl so it was nice to spin it while I work. This is a good listen and worthy of being on this list. While Bowie is know for a plethora of hits, all of his albums really only seem to have one or two on each. The rest of the tracks could stand alone as well, but Aladdin Sane is pretty solid from top to bottom.

Bowie never sounds the same, but he always sounds like Bowie. I don't like everything on this album, but I love that he was never willing to stand pat with his music.

No vote

I need to admit to myself that I love David Bowie's fashion sense but am mostly indifferent to his music. This album is fine but not exceptional.

I loooove the Prettiest Star. And love the piano in Lady Grinning Soul. I think I should relisten. For now I’m gonna have to give it a 3. Great musical choices and definitely more interesting than most of the boring dad rock music we’ve gotten recently.

Feels more gritty than glam. Some solid hooks throughout but nothing real special here. Certainly no transcendence for me. My problem with Bowie has always been the incessant posturing/posing. That approach makes for some interesting (and even several memorable) moments or songs, but harder for the work to sustain itself or stay in the mind. “Jean Genie” is not a good song.

Я думал что будет лучше.

I never found Bowie to be that convincing as a straightahead rock and roller. He was a great synthesist, artist, explorer - but not a rocker. For me the sonic highlights here are all Mike Garson's piano and how they work collectively to integrate new weird sounds.

im not getting bowie. Good vocals, but its not rocking my world.

Bowie pose avec cet album les fondations du mouvement androgyne-rock qui subsiste encore aujourd'hui, notamment au travers du groupe Måneskin que je m'évertue à critiquer tout en refusant catégoriquement d'écouter le moindre de leurs morceaux.

Ok album

I really don't like Bowie's voice, but I think his music is starting to grow on me more. There's some good songs here. The worst one for me is definitely the title track - that's a headache and a half. Nothing caught my attention though like "Heroes" did and I imagine this won't be the last Bowie album on here. Man's considered one of rock's greatest after all. Still trying to see why that is though. (Not bad, good even, but not even close to being on the same level as The Beatles or Pink Floyd from what I've heard).

Well, well, well it’s Bowie! I enjoyed this album but I feel like it needs me to listen to it more before I judge it. Some parts I really grooved to and some were not my favorite. His voice is truly special, though. Added to Library? N Songs Added to Playlist: Drive in Saturday, Cracked Actor

I struggle with Bowie's music. I like some of it but it often seems experimental and ahead of it's time, in a way. I thought this album was alright. 6/10.

Best Song: Cracked Actor. Fun rhythm, song didn't take itself as seriously as the rest of the album does. Worst Song: Aladdin Sane. Really didn't like the piano solo. Overall: Had some vocally interesting tracks, but mostly the instrumentals felt overly theatrical. I cannot doubt that there are other (better) Bowie albums on this list, so I have to wonder why this one also needed to be included.

enough with the fricking bowie. 7 albums???

Pleasant enough to listen to, sounds very 70s. I think it's just not for me. I definitely prefer the first four songs over the rest.

Good album, but I liked Hunky Dory better.

Good Bowie album. No tracks personally memorable after the first listen.

Middle of the road Bowie for me. No big hits, but not quite the disappointing follow-up to Ziggy that some make it out to be.

Es la primera vez que escucho la música de David Bowie y debo decir que fue interesante. No sé si es el mejor álbum de su carrera porque es el primero que escucho, pero es un muy buen trabajo. Aladdin Sane, la title track es mi canción favorita hasta el momento

It's fine... a little bit middle of the road alt-rock. Jean Genie is the best, but I liked the dirty guitar of Cracked Actor

2.8 - decent Bowie album, but nothing seemed especially remarkable to me.

mediocre, not the "101th" best album ever

Interesting album. Liked it, didn’t love it.

6.5/10 I like the general vibe of this album, but nothing stuck out to me in particular. It was difficult to hear the lyrics so I didn't really know what the songs were about. Not a fan of the track "Aladdin Sane"--I recognize what he was doing with the piano riffs, but I personally didn't like the way it sounded.

Best cuts are All the Young Dudes, Time and The Jean Genie. The Prettiest Star has a completely different sound. More of a 50s doo-wop.

I'll admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for this, the ramshackle, obtuse, rushed follow up to its monumental predecessor. I have every expectation that another round or two of edits would have tightened up the lyrics in places, and a little more time in the studio may have yielded something (anything?) better than the embarrassing cover of Let's Spend the Night Together, but the band remains dangerous and the attitude is sharp, cutting, and intact. It sounds so much like a man lost in excess that he's lost his articulateness too, and from that point of view I'll celebrate the album's mostly-finished nature. There are some terrific tracks on here, perhaps chief among them the title track, where the narrator's broken mind is perfectly reflected in the stark, sharded piano solo. An inevitable let down from Ziggy Stardust, but what wouldn't be? Realistically, when I pick Bowie to listen to it's almost never this, but I was glad to hear it again today.

Pretty fun

Ok but not as amazing as everyone says IMO. I find his voice quite irritating.

Stones cover is much better than the original. The rest is just ok. There’s so much better in his catalog!

Good rock album.

Great album

Kolejny raz generatorowy matriks sie pokazuje, zaraz po spektaklu lazarusa losuje albumik Bowiego, przpadek, nie sadze, jest sluchane bylo drugi albumik z ery ziggiowej, mocno hamerykanski, bo pisany w trasie koncertowej po hameryce, muzycznie slychac glam rocka przeplatanego z jazzowimi influencjami granymi przez spidery z marsa, wiec znany sklad z poprzednich nagran bowiego, traki na plejke the jean genie i watch that man

6,5/10: alcune canzoni belle ma non mi è entrato nelle corde, altre canzoni mi sembravano solo un riempitivo. De gustibus

A ratos bien, a ratos equis. No me encantó. Hay canciones muy grandilocuentes, otras más bien estridentes y no logré conectar en general con todo el disco. Lady Grinning Soul creo que fue mi favorita.

Creo que de lo (poco) que he escuchado hasta ahora de Bowie, este es el disco que me ha gustado más. Me agrada que varias de las canciones son más tipo blues, y me recuerdan algo a los Beatles (Got to get you into my life / Back in the USSR), aunque un par de canciones son más experimentales, como precisamente Aladdin Sane. A este disco le pondría 3.5 de calificación, pero en esta ocasión bajará.

I really like David Bowie but I didn’t love this album.

Glam-era Bowie - succinct and "fun", albeit dark lyrically - very listenable, but a little short of 4 stars. Iconic cover photo. Amongst the songs I wasn't already so familiar with, Panic in Detroit, Cracked Actor and Lady Grinning Soul are highlights. Mike Garson's famous dissonant avant garde piano solo in Aladdin Sane doesn't work for me. Jean Genie and Saturday Night Drive-in are rightly Bowie classics.

The piano on the title track is wild! Really cool. Overall very solid album, some interesting rock that definitely has the David Bowie vibe and flair. Very theatric at times; some moments so much so that I could've been told I'm listening to the soundtrack from an edgy Broadway musical and I would believe it. Some tracks get a little frenetic and busy for me, but I think that's quite intentional. Bowie is still very cool.

A nice sound, but only a couple of tracks stood out.

Just doesn't stand up to the glory of previous albums, sort of feels like he's riding the wave of Ziggy Stardust. A couple hits, definitely a solid album, but lacking some of Bowie's previous genius.

Good listen. I can appreciate the music but it's all pretty similar. Makes more sense if it's considered a concept album but would have still liked more variety. A 3.5 because I don't feel like I need to listen to it again. But the piano solo on the title track made me want to drive off of a cliff, and the disappointing "let's spend the night together" cover have me leaning down to a 3.

Good. Ok.

I see the appeal, but this wasn't necessarily for me! The wild piano strokes came off as melodically (is that a word?) a bit weird, but I see how they contribute to the sound/genre!

I like Bowie a lot. He’s a friggin chameleon, musically and physically. We’re still in the heyday of glam rock with this. Panic in Detroit. Jean Genie. Watch that Man. This is a good. Yeah, there’s things I’m going to skip. But its Bowie. A SOLID three stars.

I had no idea. I think I'll be listening to more Bowie.

A little conflicted. I think Bowie was a genius and his musical spectrum is wide and varied. Even though I hadn’t listed to this album before, I have to say I struggled with it a bit.

3 stars

Not what I expected. Wasn't that impressed

Not bad. Not the best Bowie.

Ok, but I didn’t think it was as good as ziggy stardust

this is a solid album, but there are other bowie albums I enjoy a lot more.

Jean Genie is a good listen, other tracks were less memorable but enjoyable overall.

A few great songs, including my favourite from Bowie, the album's closer. Bought this one rather than it's predecessor on the strength of the two singles.

I enjoyed the album, not my normal thing to listen to, but it's got some good tracks.

false

I had always heard that Bowie was amazing, but I was kind of disappointed with this project. It was okay, not bad, but nothing special.

bof on se fait chier

David Bowie had completely begun to embody Ziggy Stardust at this point and the confidence shows. While the highs aren’t quite as high as other efforts it is still solid.

Great album.

I'm a fairly big Bowie fan, but imho this is among his most boring albums. Not technically his weakest or his most inconsistent... just quite a boring follow-up to Ziggy Stardust. I don't what it means to "sigh like Twig the wonderkid", but that's a top contender for Bowie's most irritating lyric. Bowie on a bad day is still worth hearing, but this is 3* or 3.5* to me, and definitely shouldn't be on this list.

Wekte weinig emotie op

Ok, aversge

Bowie! Tja, het zou briljant moeten zijn en ik hoor ook wel dat het goed is, maar ik vind er toch geen reet aan...

I love Bowie. Never paid much attention to this album though, for some reason. It's ok, but I liked the Ziggy album better.

Had er toch wel iets meer van verwacht.

Interesting that the album/image I most associate with DB but I dont recognize any of the songs on the album at first glance. For someone that has 8-9 albums on this list I have high expectations for them all and this fell short. It was fine? Enjoyed it a bit more on the second listen through. Watch That Man was a solid track and gave me hope for the rest of the album, and I did recognize the Jean Genie once it came on, but once again if you are David Bowie, you have to impress me more than this

The day before Yesterday I randomly said to a co-worker: “I’ve never really liked David Bowie - I just don’t get it”. He agreed, and then of course we get this today. Not awful, but not my favorite. It was cutting edge in the day, so I give credit for that, and Jean Genie is a good pop song. I did like the guitar intro to “cracked Actor”. The rest of the album forgettable, and a weak effort covering The Rolling Stones = 2.5 stars. Rounding up for reputation and funky makeup.

Some good stuff that I hadn't heard before

Fine.

5

Pretty good! Idk I think I need it to grow on me but reminds me a lot of Queen and I like them. IDK if I like the keys too much but again I think it'll grow on me

After the relative softer edge of Ziggy Stardust Bowie really rocks out with this album. I don't think it achieves the same heights as Ziggy, but it has some great tracks including Jean Genie and Panic in Detroit. I prefer Bowie's other phases: Mod/ Space oddity, and his experimental Berlin stage but this is still a pretty solid effort.

Classic bowie

I am pretty sure I’m pro-Bowie..I am not anti-Bowie or Bowie-neutral. I am however still seeking the album that REALLY gets me into Bowie. I believe I am someone who can and should be really into Bowie. Aladdin Sane is coming across my musical path I think at the right time for me to discover MY Bowie album. Is this it? Time will tell - but I am inspired now to dig back into this catalogue.

I know the cover art for this is pretty famous but it's not my favorite Bowie album.

Not my favorite Bowie, but Panic in Detroit is a great song. Good listen.

I’ll be honest, I was expecting this to be better. It was very commercial rock, still Bowie and still well done. But didn’t feel as fun or creative as hunky dory in my opinion. Enjoyable romp, cool to read about the influence of American Touring on Bowie, but not my favorite. 3.5, rounding down because I had high expectations.

Always enjoy a Bowie record. Never listened to this one though, somehow. It was fine. My favorite track was "Panic in Detroit," which was funnily enough the least-streamed track of the record, on Spotify.

bat gene genie ,not a fan

3 - näher an der 2 als an der 3

Keine objektive Meinung möglich. Listened to it several times. Könnte aufgrund der Musik sein, könnte meine würde Schwäche für Androgynität sein? Warte, objektifiziere ich gerade David Bowie? David, we love you! You are the prettiest star! Aber lowkey Album leider nicht so geil.

Good not great. The song I was most excited about was a suggested song after this album from a later Bowie album.

Pretty good.

Fav: Time, Lady Grinning Soul

Prima wegluister album met rock plaatjes

Nice album.

A solid Bowie album, but not one of his best.

I thought I would like David Bowie more, but I was kinda disappointed. expected some grungy experimental feel, but instead just got old school rock and roll feel. kinda elvis-y which makes sense considering the time era. some songs were not bad though.

noice old popish

Some classics, and Bowie wierd stuff, I'll stick more to his hits.

It's got that make up that everyone does for Halloween on the cover lmao

70’er rock, nyskabende, splittet, dystopisk, velproduceret,

Solid Bowie but doesn’t hit as many peaks as his top work

1973. Key Songs: The Jean Genie, Panic in Detroit

Meh

time got my attention, it sounds like a villain song

It's not a bad album - tbh I thought it was pretty good - but again, there is too much Bowie going on here. 3/5.

Ass en vrai

- As mentioned on other reviews for Bowie, unfortunately, he's another artist I'm boycotting because he was a pedo (and possible S/Aer) and apparently wanted a fascist leader in England. - I just can't get into most Bowie albums. I like his hits, but most of his albums are full of filler, imo. This one has some nice moments and instrumentation (I hate the jazz piano and dissonance on the title track, but like the piano on the other tracks - the pianist is obviously really talented). That said, I find the album all over the place in terms of style. - I've always liked his emotive voice - it's drenched in his charisma. - I can't see myself ever reaching for this album, though. It's a 1.5 for me... it gets a bit better by the end, and there are some good moments, so I'll round up. - Epic album cover, of course!

Better than the other one but did not enjoy this. Turns out I don't like Bowie

5/10 - Classic Bowie

I like Bowie but didn't enjoy this one

no offence to everyone but i fuckin hate bowie

Oh, good. More Bowie. First impression is the second song is just self indulgent noise. Update: it gets a little better but not much.

I'm sorry, Mr. Bowie, I still don't fucks with your music!!

I like a few Bowie albums. Not a massive fan but I do have a great respect for him and the musicians he played with over the years. This album isn't one of my favourites. I feel harsh giving It a 2/5, but it's no Hunky Dory.

Another promising start but then descended into obscurity other than The Jean Genie. A distinctly different sound again for this Bowie album but won’t be coming back any time soon.

How annoying some of that piano is.

This album cover is iconic. That's the only nice thing I have to say about this album. A lot of the songs grated (particularly the title track) and the mixing was weird in places (looking at you, Watch That Man). This is the first Bowie album I've ever listened to it and it's left me nervous about how much Bowie is on this list. Rating: 1.5

Art Rock nonsense.

Poor

Did strike me as much as ziggy stardust.

I felt it was unremarkeable.

Pretty experimental although I thought it leant slightly towards jarring as opposed to enjoyable. Wouldn't really listen to anything moving forwards off of this.

Not my favorite Bowie album

Ehhhh I don’t think I’ll listen again. Again, wish I was alive when this came out the first time, but I didn’t love it

Meh, nothing really stood out to me

This is a distillation of everything I dislike about David Bowie.

Barely listened enjoy the pianos in the 3rd/2nd track would definitely give a listen sometime in the future

I didn't have to skip many songs, but overall not quite for me, there was one i liked more than the rest but i didn't even bother to write it down

favs: panic in detroit time the prettiest star let’s spend the night together rating 2/5

Eventually, I will find some 70s albums that I like, but this wasn't one of them. The maximalist rock opera thing isn't for me. I didn't care for the rock piano stuff and guitar tones that were going on for most of the album. I do think the title track hit the theme for the album the best and most interestingly.

Third Bowie album in first 20.

Not my fave, but love the Thelonious Monk impression

Dream Jeannie was the only song I knew prior to this but that doesn't even crack my top Bowie songs. This album was just ok for me. Iconic album cover though.

Yep, I still dislike piano rock.

Way too much Bowie. This one was such a snore it was hard to get through. Took me a couple sittings.

I can see how people really like his music just not for me unfortunately

2.3/5 some ok songs and some that weren't to my liking

That's more like it, first fast(er) paced album of the week. I used to listen a little bit of Bowie but I have never fully got into his music. This album did not have the songs that I know but very much has distinguished Bowie sound.

Still trying to figure out why people worship this guy.

2 - I still haven't found a David Bowie album to get excited about.

I don’t need to listen to NINE! Bowie albums to be reminded that I don’t like Bowie. Nine! Utterly ridiculous!

4/10

What an iconic album cover, sadly that is where to good ends. I think people are just in love with the cover and not really the songs on the album. I think this has to be his weakest outing from this era.

The song Alladdin Sane was really bad

Definitely my least favourite of the Bowie albums we've heard. Expected so much, intense album design, but delivered so little. Wilting voice. I was driving, so perhaps I didn't listen to it closely enough, but I was severely disappointed, especially compared with Blackstar or Low. Nothing of substance. Perhaps I had too high expectations here.

I want to like this more than I do

Surprised to not enjoy this one very much. I do like a good bit of Bowie but this album didn't hit me the way I was going it would. I feel like I should apologise to someone.

Not my favourite.

Good album, just not a big Bowie fan

This was very disappointing- I love labyrinth and doggy stardust and this fell flat. No hate and probably should be a three, but the let down of not one new song that moved me gives her a two. Not sir bowie’s best

I was trying to listen to the first couple songs in the album while I was working and it was way too much for that. It turned me off so much that I had to just put this one down until the end of the day. When I came back, the first tracks still annoyed me, but the later half of the album got much more tolerable. So I’m going to say not even a gentle derision, but no derision at all.

beh

**An ok album

Interesante, pero no va conmigo en este momento

Would listen to 3/10 songs again shockingly giving this album a 3/10 for me. We rock w the OG twink tho do not get it twisted

As much as I still think Bowie was a genius, this one just wasn't for me. The janky pianos combined with the glam rock guitar riffs felt a little distracting, the lyrics got a little over-prosaic in places, and there isn't much that stuck with me afterwards aside from The Jean Genie. For such an iconic album cover, this was a disappointment. Much prefer the Berlin trilogy. Favourite track: The Jean Genie Least favourite track: Let's Spend The Night Together

Every time I listen to a Bowie album I come to a deeper understanding of how much I only like the stuff that made it onto the radio. And why that’s what made it onto the radio. In other words, one good song on this album, the rest are mediocre at best, annoying at worst.

Ziggy is much better. I don’t tend to come back to this one at all.

Songs I really liked: Watch the man, prettiest star, all the young dudes

Not my kind of rock ! I understand the importance of this album, but it's too weird for me (the piano and jazzy tones especially). I even had to skip parts as it really disturbed me. To each their own ! Cover : I've seen it a thousand times, of course it's one of the most iconic of all time. It's brilliant and matches the overall mood !

langweilig

Didn’t enjoy it his Album a whole lot.

Noisy. But I understand and appreciate its existence. "Time" and "Lady Grinning Soul" were my favorites

Not my favourite. Some classics, but overall, not really my jam.

Not my favorite Bowie.

Meh I'm sure ive heard better bowie songs.

I don't really get a firm sense of a persona or concept like I do from his other albums.

2 stars. its fine, but not all the noteworthy

Only 2 good songs. The rest sounded like a cabaret. The Stones cover was terrible.

Unremarkable for me. None of the songs stood out as anything more than what we already hear on Ziggy Stardust. Got bored 5 songs in but listened all the way through.

Es geht.

not good

I didn't like it, but I get why people would.

Like the album art, this is just trying too hard to get attention.

Not a great one. One good track but a little too Jazzy experimental for me.

Eurgh, this is why i dont rate Bowie in album form. 2 stars but only because of that Stones cover and the fact he managed to drop the lyric "Time! Flexing like a whore, falls wanking to the floor" which made me lol

Bit boring glammy stuff. Jean Genie I knew.

Not the vibe for running 100k. Some okay songs on here but the piano solos were pissing me off 2

The hell is this mess on the second song? I did not enjoy that, nor this album

It was fine and I could maybe appreciate it more if I tried but I want it to be easy to love… like hunky dory

Piano was kind of annoying me

Bowie is weird to me. I love a lot of his songs but I’m not a Bowie guy. I find he is more of a greatest hits artist than anything else. This album doesn’t interest me. It’s fine. But it doesn’t do anything either. Just more 70s guitar rock.

It's at least a little bit funny to hear David Bowie singing, "Who will love Aladdin Sane?" during the titular track. For having such iconic album art, and being my introduction to Bowie's discography, I don't think it could've been more whelming. I just couldn't find anything here that is really standout, aside from the 'flashy' piano solo at the end of Aladdin Sane that made me want to stop listening altogether. It's a loud album, which somehow still manages to just rumble behind David Bowie's standard vocals. Truth be told, I've never been much of a fan of Bowie's hits, so I suppose I'm not too surprised that the rest of his tracks aren't up my alley. Or at least, not here. For now though. it's a bit hard to swallow that there are another eight albums of his on the list.

Not for meee

Mein Gott, was war Aladdin Sane für ein drecks chaotischer Song. Der Rest ging ja noch halbwegs....

Konzeptalbum mein Arsch

Another stinker from David Bowie

It was alright. Forgettable.

Some interesting experimental sounds (titular track) and lyrics. Overall, did not move me; however, final track elevated the experience. Iconic album cover also helps bump.

I really, really wanted to like this record more.

Very excited, I love David Bowie !! This is a slower album, I prefer some of his other albums tbh. Fav song is ‘The Jean Genie’.

Ok . I like Bowie but not this album

No me gusta nada la verdad, no me gusta su voz, el ritmo, las letras me dan igual. No sé, nada destacable a mi parecer.

I'm very familiar with the singles/famous songs throughout Bowie's career, as well as many of the deeper cuts on his 70s material, but for whatever reason I think this the first time I've actually listened to this record full. Probably my least favorite of his acclaimed records, but still good. I kind of dislike the really piano rock heavy side of 70's Bowie like Hunky Dory (ironic considering life on mars is my favorite Bowie song). All things considered, nice to finally give the whole thing a listen.

Did not enjoy.

Honestly very boring album

This wasn't it for me. Probably only like 2 songs I'd want to hear again. The piano was great. I like Bowie, but the vocals on this don't pop enough or something

It sounds like someone is trying to do a David Bowie impression or the label had a bunch of songs to release and where looking for a David Bowie type to record them.

Didn't care for it.

Big fan of David Bowie but somehow wasn’t too isn’t this album. It’s funky it’s energetic and it’s him but it’s not my thing. There were a few tracks I enjoyed on the album in the second half of it. I appreciate the production and lyricism but I just don’t like the sound. I really want to give a high rating because it’s David Bowie but if I listened to the same album from someone else I would give it 2 stars so I’ll stay true to my personal ratings.

Someone take the speed away from him. The title track is very chaotic and grating. It sounds like Bowie doesn't even like the song. I don't get the whole "Ziggy" thing, so any story is lost to me. The other musicians accompanying him seem to competing with him instead of playing alongside him, and it creates a very discordant sound. My Rating: 2/5

Iconic Album Cover. Not my favorite album. The amount of Bowie on this list has me listening with a more critical ear. Surely not every Bowie album should be here? Way too much dissonance and feedback for me

Annoying album - sucks because I love Bowie.

I don't know... I finished the album but not sure I really heard it. I like a lot of David Bowie songs, but this album was just white noise in the background. I should have tried again but I didn't. Maybe another time. Standout: N/A - I wasn't engaged by any of it. 01-31-2026

Not my favorite. I've never been a Bowie fan, this didn't help much.

Aladdin Sane didn't do it for me. It wasn't outright terrible, but it felt generic/mediocre at best and got pretty bad at points (that one piano solo was terrible). The jazz elements also felt haphazardly thrown in and didn't fit well. Overall, it leaves me very disappointed. Favorite Song: "The Jean Genie"

Ok, we get it. You like 70's-era David Bowie albums. You like them A LOT. But, let's face it. This is getting ridiculous. This isn't supposed to be "1001 David Bowie Albums You Must Hear Before You Die."

Was ok. Tapered off in the middle.

Eh? I feel like I’m missing something. Just.. forgettable. Except the cover. Two!

Controversial, but I’ve grown to dislike Bowie more with adulthood. Pretty sure my teen admiration was performative due to his cultural impact!

helt ok, aldri helt kommet inn i

I’m not a big Bowie fan to begin with, and this didn’t change that. I enjoyed the band’s playing, but I couldn’t get into the vocals at all. I found myself listening to a song, going and listening to something else, and then going back and listening to one more and then repeating that process. This was a tougher one for me to get through.

A big, booming glam album. Lots of loud music being played throughout: sax, pianos, big guitar riffs. I’m not the biggest Bowie fan, though, so it’s a pretty uninspiring album for me.

Enjoyed two songs, didn't care for the rest of the album.

Imitating other (mainly black) artists makes this sound possible. I appreciate the art but ultimately this is/was parroting and performance art. I do not like the banging pianos.

Not bad! The standout song for me is the titular Aladdin Sane. Overall 5/10 not for me personally.

I feel like I really need a better understanding of the context to get why Bowie is so important. I feel like I’m missing something. Also the production from this era sounds hollow and tinny to me, as if there are elements missing, so this is a pass for me. I just don’t get it as much as I want to.

Not Bowie’s best period.

83/1001 First listen. In yesterday’s review I said AC/DC sounds like one of those bands that would have a greatest hits that that was bigger than any of their other albums like the Eagles. I would add Steve Miller, ABBA, E.L.O. and David Bowie to that list as well. Currently Changesbowie is enough Bowie for me. This album didn’t make me want to hear more. 4/10

didn't really love 2 stars

Weirdly enough I wasn't big on this one. 2.75

Its good not my cup of tee

This album was fine. Following up ziggy is a thankless task but this album feels tired. They sound great but you can tell they are exhausted and annoyed. I would probably feel different if I listened again but I don’t know. Album just didn’t grab me and I was excited to listen.

La chanson thème de l'album est comme un rêve fiévreux cacophonique de jazz fusion. La tension monte et se résout par un fade out?

I don't know, this is one of these albums that I heard heaps of praise on, and then when I hear it, it's...okay? I was promised raucous and wild, and for its time it might be, but this is just...fine?

Never know what to expect when digging into a Bowie album I gave it a fair listen, but Jean Genie is all I need here Bit of a step down from the previous year's Ziggy Stardust

Way more rock n roll than I was expecting. I like the prettiest star

Bit of a kooky album but I was expecting that from Bowie

Bowie.

Just not really for me

The piano during Aladdin Sane sounded like my toddler got ahold of the keyboard again. Nothing was very good on this album but it wasn't actively bad (other than the aforementioned noise).

Piano parts are way too quirky, not for me

Bleh.

David Bowie makes a 70s musical album. No thanks.

I was hoping to like this more than I did. I understand how it was groundbreaking for the time, but I just found the whole thing very grating. Works better live where you can see and hear Bowie's energy - but on its own it was not a pleasant listen.

Some great instrument work but I’m just not a Bowie fan

meh, it's ok. I wanted to like it but it didn’t strike anything in me.

I wasn’t a big Bowie fan 40 years ago. When he died and all his music was being played on the radio, it made me think that there was more to Bowie than I had thought. I didn’t like this album much though. Jean jeanie is a classic, but even that is a bit dirgie. So, not a great album for me.

If you asked someone to draw what David Bowie looks like, they would most certainly draw this album cover. If you asked them to name the album, or a song from it, they probably couldn't. This just didn't click for me. The first side is alright, pretty forgettable for most of it. I gave this thing several goes (I wanna say like 4 listens) and frankly only the last two songs really stuck out for me. Apart from the last two tracks, this album ranges from good but boring to shit. This is probably a great album but it's not my cup of tea. Highlights: Jean Genie, Lady Grinning Soul

David Bowie annoys me

It's like if you lobotomized Mick Jagger and removed the part of his brain that exclusively thinks about David Bowie then plugged the brain segment into a machine and then this is what come out the other end.

Yep, it's Bowie alright.

Bowie has some great songs but I don't know if he has a single album I actually enjoy listening to straight through. They always feel self indulgent and are often quite annoying.