Reviews (page 9 of 14)
Good album, but it was just somewhat unremarkable, especially for Bowie's standards. Nothing really standing out here, but the quality is still pretty high. 3/5
The cocaine controls the singer way more than it should.
i had fun but i don't see myself revisiting this album often. the closing track, however.....i played it on loop for hours. one of his best songs.
Some good tunes but not his best work.
las primeras canciones no me han molado pero las últimas muy muy muy top
I definetly prefer other bowie albums. I knew a few songs from this one beforehand, and I liked it overall but just felt like it was lacking something. The chaotic background noises on a few songs also bothered me, but i will defeinetly come back to a couple of them.
Not Bowie's best - but even his misses are better than most hits...
It was alright.
2great songs
I got distracted reading the negative reviews of Nick Drake’s albums but I liked the piano on the title track. It could do with some more chromatism I think. The first half of Time gives me chills. Lady Grinning Soul has nice vocals. The prettiest star is nice but I think would be better as a more intricate (relatively) piano piece. Parts of this are very good. The more boogie-woogie pieces are merely entertaining at best. More generally piano and bass can really complement each other. It’s strange how everyone loves panic in Detroit. It’s definitely of its time. This is a good album. I will relisten. 3/5.
не знаю. не фанат такой музыки
i'm not sure i picked up on his mission with this one. Would I listen again: to try and understand Deserves to be on this list: nah, he's got way better projects 3.2
Not my fave Bowie but still a good time!
Have had a long time aversion to the Jean Genie and so was unsure about this album. Also read in the little intro that it’s perhaps better known for its cover image than any particular songs, which also tracks because I didn’t recognise any of them. Having said that, I loved Watch That Man and Panic in Detroit (why are these not better known?) and appreciated some of the interesting stylistic choices, even if the piano in Aladdin Sane made me feel like I was losing my mind. But I didn’t necessarily enjoy the rest that much
There are only a few songs on this album that have the quality of David Bowie's best work and the rest are a bit generic. I really enjoyed Time, The Prettiest Star, and Lady Grinning Soul.
A couple of hits but nothing special
💘 Panic in Detroit 💘 Time 💘 The Jean Genie
Loved it!
David Bowie is fun but this album was kinda bland in my opinion.Nothing crazy except that second track which was crazy in a weird way. 3/5
First album with Mike Garson on keys. He has huge discord solo in Aladdin sane song, an antiwar song.
good album, songs that are similar in instrumental to Argentine bands that I usually listen to, it has a particular sound, easy to recognize
Joyful, melodic and whit no fear to play with the sounds.
I'd listen to the best of Bowie a lot. Not sure how many from this album would be on it.
nunca he sido muy fanático del flaco Bowie, pero de que el hombre es talentoso, lo es. ojalá meterme las vainas que se metió este man mientras hacía este disco.
Raw and solid David Bowie to its core
3 - it was good but nothing special
I have never been a huge David Bowie fan. I've always liked a few of his songs, but have rarely listened to a full album. This album was OK, but I doubt I would listen to it again. Stand out songs were the obvious ones, "Panic in Detroit" and "The Jean Genie". Maybe I will listen to a few more Bowie albums to campare against this one.
así se siente estar en la falopa
Nice album some great song
Another good David Bowie album. It had been a few months since I had heard this for the first time and I enjoyed it more on this relisten, but Bowie isn't my favorite artist or anything and I think he may be someone I enjoy more for his top tracks and hits than all encompassing great album work.
I've never gotten into this album, even though I am a big Ziggy Stardust fan. I find this period of Bowie's career fairly hit and miss though. Off this, I liked the opening three songs, and The Jean Genie is obviously great, but the rest I can take or leave.
3.5 Stars I can't say I've ever really understood the appeal of David Bowie. The album is pretty good, but it's also not something I will come back to often nor did it make me want to take a trip through his discography.
i’m so sorry 😭
Meh, not a big bowie fan
outro david bowie mds FAVS (top 3): panic in detroit, cracked actor, time mençoes honrosas: drive-in saturday, lady grinning soul gente n sou mt fa dos albuns dele, acho q dos q ja ouvi daqui esse se pa é o melhor, eu curti de ouvir mais q os outros entao AMO! nota final: 3.5/5
chaotic. colorful. cray cray
This was pretty good. Though not what I expected; I thought Bowie would be um, weirder. I did like in the title track the part where he beat the hell out of out of the piano for like 2 minutes. That was cool.
Fun one! Not the biggest Bowie fan but I enjoyed this.
Genuinely what the fuck is that off key piano solo. It’s all like ok not great
I enjoyed a lot of this album but there were a few songs that didn’t do much for me. The Jean Genie is obviously the stand out track.
Would need to relisten to the first half, my gut reaction was I didn’t like that much but really liked the second half
Unlikely to want to listen to this again any time soon.
By a hair, maybe on reputation alone?
The follow-up album to Ziggy Stardust. Glam Rock. Maybe influential and important, but I don't like it as an album. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: n/a Best Songs The Jean Genie
Bowie indulges the “rockier” side of art rock here, which, personally, is not my favorite side of Bowie. It’s not bad, just a little too straight-ahead rock and roll for my taste. Highlights include “Panic in Detroit” and the dissonant piano playing throughout the record.
Enjoyed it
Ave
I love Bowie, but I often find his full records can be a bit hit and miss. Some belters on here, but a few that just pass you by.
Пару песен добавила
Not my fave Bowie but still has some great tunes
I’m so disappointed. This is NOT my David Bowie 3.1
Not my favourite Bowie album.
I loved it as a teenager. Some songs just hit different nowadays.
Solid 70s rock
Interesting they’re not particularly cohesive.
A pretty average David Bowie album that seems to lack a signature song.
The 4th of 8 David Bowie albums on this list and probably my least favorite so far, best part was the album art.
I liked the crazy piano
aladdin sane é uma tremenda música boa!! o resto do álbum caminha entre bom e ok. 3,5.
This deserves five stars for the iconic cover alone. But measured against Bowie's catalogue the music is a solid three.
Not my favorite Bowie by a long shot but still enjoyable. Standouts are for me the titletrack and "Time".
Solid funk
I enjoyed this album but it feels pretty dated to my taste in music. The theatrical approach to rock is pretty cool, but I prob wouldn’t add most of these songs to my playlist. Either way it was a good album and good first impression of David Bowie's music that intrigued me. Fav track is Lady Grinning Soul, least fav is Let’s Spend the Night Together.
I am glad that I've listened to it, but don't really want to listen to it again. Bowie is certainly unique, but this time it was just okay.
Eipä tästä sillee paljoa sanottavaa ole, punapää-bowien musakkia. Paitsi tuo levyn nimikkoraita. Ihan kaameaa. Muuten ei mitään tunteita nostattavaa.
David Bowie on aina kuulostanut David Bowielta. En oo koskaan oikein pitäny lauluäänestä paljoa koskaan, musiikissa on paljon hyviä juttuja, paljon hämärää.
Not bad! Sounds so much like Arctic Monkeys to me. I probably wouldn’t reach for this one, but extra style points for Bowie.
5/10 It's alright, not really my cup of tea, but I can see the appeal. My personal favorite from the album is "Lady Grinning Soul"
I dug this one more than 'Heroes', I think it's a little less experimental maybe, and Bowie isn't singing with his Extreme Bowie Voice this time.
dudoso
I really like when people play instruments "wrong", so I was pleasantly surprised to hear a 3 minute piano solo full of dissonance in the title track a Ziggy Stardust era Bowie record. Unfortunately that didn't happen again except for a very small amount of it in Let's Spend the Night Together, and the rest of it is Ziggy Stardust era Bowie but not Ziggy Stardust. Which is perfectly good, but I can't give all 80 Bowie records that I'm led to believe are in this project 4+ stars.
The piano steals the show on this one
Not one of my faves from Bowie
70s glam rock. First album as a star. Written during US tour. The usual fare. Prefer his other albums.
not as interesting as i remember it
I think I like the imagery of this album more than the album itself. Wasn’t bad, just didn’t quite live up to this vibe for me.
First time listening, so good. Weaves so many different genres of music together as only Bowie does. Weird rock, sometimes jazz, that somehow still hits Fave track: Lady Grinning soul
A bit underwhelmed unfortunately
This did not hit me the way in which I anticipated... After being left pleasantly satisfied by several other Bowie albums through this project I was excited for more. This cover shows me the iconic Bowie image that shouts "glam rock". I think I let my own bias and expectation get in the way of this listen. It's not a bad album, but there weren't many moments that left me interested in going back for more at this time. 3.5 rounded down.
Although being a fan of Bowie at large I've often found it hard to get into full albums of his work, with the notable exception of Low and Ziggy Stardust which are some of my favourite albums of all time. Aladdin Sane never feels line it lives up to its predecessor or its iconic album cover. Would be a 3.5 out of 5 if half stars were an option here since I do still enjoy Bowie's sound and lyricism even if the album doesn't have huge highs for me. Lady Grinning Soul was probably my favourite since I prefer Bowie at his moody and atmospheric rather than overtly rock focused.
Bowie was ahead of time with this one I feel like
Not as good as hunky dory, just kind of exists. No really catchy songs here.
Exceptional record, loved the energy and flow, I have to listen to it more carefully to grasp everything, but it was a good listen.
I took to long to think about what to say to the album. I just didn't like it much and was trying to justify why I didn't - but in the end it's just a matter of personal preference.
6.0/10
Not really my jam
Did listen to this today while working but it really didn’t stick too much. Not bad but not the best from Bowie. Don’t think I’ve listened to this specific album before. 3/5
Lets spend the night together, the jean genie
It was fine... Went on a bit.
Much like the last Neil Young album I reviewed, I love this guy, but there are much better Bowie albums on this list.
A David Bowie classic, if only because of the iconic album cover. The music within is fine. It's pretty standard early 70s glam rock, a la Elton John or any number of other acts. It feels very rock opera, with elements of some Rocky Horror cabaret, which is something I struggle connecting to when there's not a visual story to follow along. Bowie apparently called this 'Ziggy Stardust visits America', so there was at least a vague attempt to tell a cohesive story. This list has succeeded in making me care about David Bowie, and maybe that's why I feel a little disappointed with this record. I know he's made Honky Dory already and he will make Young Americas, both albums I've rated highly...What did I rate Heroes? Maybe this gets the same. I suppose every great journey spends some time in the middle of the road. "Watch That Man" "Panic In Detroit" "The Jean Genie"
Good follow up to Ziggy Stardust
Probably a 3.5. The last two songs are probably the best on the album.
Songs just don’t hit as much It’s a alright album but not his best Gets better towards the back end of the album This isn’t me saying I didn’t like it I did and would listen again
One of those albums where I can't put my finger on 'why', but it just didn't click for me. It's a bit all over the place, both lyrically and musically. No real standout tracks either, a bit of an underwhelming effort for me. 2.5/5
1 good song
Signs of better things to come Jean Genie still the best to dance to.
I enjoyed it, though not the most inventive or exciting Bowie there is. I think Time was my favorite track, and Panic in Detroit hits as a Detroit resident.
Just an average early 1970s album
Good-ish
En klassisk Bowie, dock inte top 5 av hans plattor, men väl nr 6. 😊
The title track is dope. It ain't Ziggy Stardust but it's alright. Plus a Stones cover.
The first song was nice, but the second one - Aladdin Sane, which is also the name of the album, had a lot of off-tune music like in some jazzy songs, which I'm not a huge fan of, but the album is overall alright. I think that Cracked Actor was pretty nice actually.
Definitely Bowie but not one I'd use to introduce people to him
mid bowie
Classic glam rock Bowie...I like it. Some avant-garde jazz piano really spices up the title track, said no one ever. I don't understand the appeal of atonal music. I think I like Ziggy Stardust and Bowie's Greatest Hits because this started promising but is losing me. I bet this is Queen's favorite album. I don't dislike the cover of Let's Spend the Night Together, but it is a pale imitation of the Stones' version. Jean Genie is the hit. It's ok. That's probably the best assessment of this album as well.
Fun cover of 'let's spend the night together'. Solid album I've somehow never heard.
I like this album I mean its David Bowie. I think I just am not as into this genre but I still love this. The piano in the songs is my favorite its so beautiful. Time is definitely my favorite song.
Decent. Some of the songs weren’t as memorable, but still enjoyed.
conventionally good music, but nothing i see myself returning too.
Enjoyed this, included some new to me tracks.
some bonkers stuff going on in the bg, enjoyed but didn’t hit
Yep it’s another Bowie album
6/10
I thought I was a bigger Bowie fan than I apparently am. There’s nothing bad about this album, but there’s also nothing great about it either.
For an artist with the reputation of Bowie, and an album cover so iconic, I was expecting big things. Unfortunately, I was mildly disappointed. It was, in glam rock fashion, dramatic. Yet none of the tunes really caught my ear. Although some were at times interesting, such as the soaring end to Lady Grinning Soul or the bluesy opening track, it was slightly underwhelming.
Back to back Bowie! Young Americans yesterday and this one today, two completely different sounding albums two years apart. This one is early ‘70s rock mode and surprisingly heavy at times along with the regular tropes of the day of groove and grandeur. Great to finally hear this album and would definitely play this again.
Not essential, but not bad enough to warrent 2 stars.
parts were way better than I expected and parts were worse ? also didn't expect some of the songs to be as graphic as there were.. not quite pos or neg thing just an observation I suppose
I think I’m just salty because Bowie is SOOOOO over represented on this list. This album is fine. Well produced, solid music. But nothing spectacular for me, and the closer I listened the less I liked it.
All I'm hearing is Rolling Stones outtakes and weirdness for weirdness' sake. It's alright. Favorites: Panic in Detroit, The Jean Genie Would I listen to it again: Probably not
3 gta
Style over substance, mostly.
Pretty good - cant beat a bit of Bowie
Even though this album is an undeniable classic, every time I try to listen to it, I don't understand why it's so popular. Not mine
Watch That Man - 7/10: I really like the beat/music/instruments and the chorus. Aladdin Sane - 6/10: I like the beat. Drive-In Saturday - 5/10: I like his vocals. Panic in Detroit - 5/10: Just wasn't super memorable for me. Cracked Actor - 6/10: I like the beat and vocals. Time - 5/10: I like the intro. The Prettiest Star - 5/10: Again, wasn't super memorable. Let's Spend the Night Together - 5/10: I like the intro. The Jean Genie - 6/10: I like the guitar. Lady Grinning Soul - 6/10: I like the intro. Overall Score: 56/100 Overall Rating: 6/10 - Bowie is a classic artist that everyone loves. I don't know many songs by him, but I admire him and his work. I did enjoy this album, but not as much as I thought I would. It was a great album though.
I feel like I need to learn more Bowie, and this is a perfect example. Seems like a great record.
Absolutely love the title, some of the songs are amazing but others are so experimental that it doesn’t always leave it to easy listening
Not really my style
Decent albumpje. Kon het wel waarderen, maar zou er niet veel vaker naar luisteren. Chaotisch, jazzy, en rocky. Iconische stem, lekkere tunes. Ik heb even wat lore gelezen, en de chaotische vibe van het album geeft ons een kijkje in het titulaire karakter "A lad insane", en Bowie's ervaringen tijdens zijn eerste US tour na het behalen van stardom. Hoewel dit karakter minder scherp gedefiniëerd is dan Ziggy Stardust, kwam de vibe duidelijk over. Bowie beschreef "I was trying to move into the next area – but using a rather pale imitation of Ziggy as a secondary device. In my mind, it was Ziggy Goes to Washington: Ziggy under the influence of America." Ik kijk ernaar uit om Ziggy Stardust te ontmoeten wanneer "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" aan de beurt is in de generator. (mogen we valsspelen en vooruit luisteren? :P) Ik ga niet teveel tijd besteden aan het reviewen van individuele tracks, maar ik wil wel noemen dat: - Aladdin Sane een groovy vibe is, minus de chaotische piano breakdown. De breakdown is wat jarring, maar draagt sterk bij aan de karakterschets en atmosfeer. Vooral de donkere tonen op het einde zetten - by lack of a better word - de toon voor het album, zoals een title track het betaamt. - Ik Time een leuke rock opera vond. Added to Liked songs: Drive-In Saturday, Cracked Actor, Time, Lady Grinning Soul
Title track te chaotisch overall best enjoyable Mis een beetje structuur Cracked actor is een banger Prittiest star is lit Had graag meer samenhang tusssen nummers of echt een consistent story gehad
Beetje verbaasd over het aantal plays op spotify ik had puur op basis van David Bowie meer plays verwacht. Voor mij geen bekende nummers en een tamelijk stroeve zit. Bij de langere nummers voelde ik sterk de neiging door te spoelen of te skippen, maar heb me ingehouden. The Prettiest Star was te doen met 3:31 en Let's Spend the Night Together ook met 3:10, laatst genoemde had ook wel wat naar mijn mening. Lady Grinning Soul was ook leuk. 2.5/5 - zou niet flippen als iemand het draait als achtergrondmuziek maar zou er nooit zelf naar luisteren uit vrije wil. Slechts een handjevol nummers echt leuk. PS. hadden van mij nog wel meer random instrument geluiden gemogen in Aladdin Sane. Misschien nog één valse piano erbij.
Nice album
The type of rotten sugar tooth glam rock only Bowie could deliver. Fun album but it does feel like B side of Ziggy Stardust. Worst Track: Prettiest Star Favorite Track: Lady Grinning Soul
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I enjoyed the piano playing in particular. Wouldn't rush to listen to again, but a decent album
5/10 Best songs: Panic in Detroit, Cracked Actor Creative, experimental, but like, not really my style of music. I think I like later David Bowie a lot better.
Weakest of the 'classic' Bowie albums so far. Jean Genie is still an absolute banger.
It’s not my favorite Bowie but he still rocks
I understand why people love him, he is good, just not my style
Drive-In Saturday, Time, and Lady Grinning Soul were the highlights for me. Although I’m not a big Bowie guy. The guitar in Time was transformative.
Favourite Songs: The Jean Genie
Buen álbum, pero no deja de ser uno en el que solo trascienden 2 canciones.
Jag är fortsatt "besviken" på David Bowie. Jag såg fram emot att lyssna på DB på denna lista. Hade verkligen hoppats att det skulle vara bra. Men fan, det är fortsatt mediokert. Tycker inte nån låt drar iväg och är särskilt speciell. 9 skivor har grabben på listan. Otroligt.
Very glam rock, feels like Bowie doing the Rolling Stones at some points, but that's obviously not a bad thing. There are fewer of his more heartfelt tracks in this one compared to his previous albums and more experimentation with jazz and experimental concepts. To me this feels like a bit of a transition album between his early stuff and his later 70s work like station to station. However, that doesn't mean this album is not one of his most seminal.
No my taste in music
Not my vibe but I respect Bowie.
Well, It's David Bowie. It is not my style of music but I appreciated much of it. He's just so iconic.
I liked “Lady Grinning Soul“
Upon first listen as a whole this album is rather mid. There are moments where you can hear Bowie’s brilliance. Replays might be needed to get a higher score. This just didn’t draw enough of my focus for that to happen
Худший из лучших альбомов любимого автора. Лучшая песня - Lady Grinning Soul.
wsm spoko taki rockowy nie do konca moje klimaty znaczy poza moja strefa komfortu dodalam pare co mi sie podobalo do playlisty szczerze nw co mige powiedziec na poczatku byly jakby historie opowiadane i w srodku bylo rzeczywiscie z perspektywy bowiego pozniej na koncu o jakiejs laseczce piosenka musialabym drugi raz przesluchac chyba generalnie cool chill
Funky and fun
i feel like this album feels different from bowie's other albums in a bad way. it's not outstanding or special in anyway but it also isn't terrible
The song Aladdin Sane made me insane. With such an iconic album cover, the music doesn’t live up to the hype.
This is one of the first Bowie albums I’ve listened to and I enjoyed it. I can see why this wasn’t a classic when it came to his records. I could be wrong about this, but I feel like it lack some of the star power that maybe Ziggy Stardust from what I’ve heard I haven’t experienced that album full, but this one fell a bit unsure of itself. I read that he wrote this from a place of stardom, which I feel like I can understand it’s almost as if he’s trying to upkeep his identity, but also present something unique and outside the box with some of his production choices and composition choices. I feel like some of them are unnecessary and a little pretentious maybe even just feeling like he wanted to alienate some of his listeners or present himself as still like a forward, thinking artist while still being very popular. I’m not sure if this is accurate but some of the songs feel that way I’m not sure it’s it’s interesting. I don’t think it’s that interesting and I also don’t think it’s that catchy either so I don’t feel that there is any really remarkable songs on this album it’s kind of just feels like it just feels like an album that slightly forgettable while you know being good quality, it just doesn’t stick out in any particular way while trying to stick out that makes sense so yeah it’s a bit performative. I think he was playing to the audience in a way. I think he probably looks back on this project with a bit of contempt you know as you’re navigating that new position as an artist I think that can inform some interesting choices in the studio and I think that maybe got him slightly cause I know there’s projects after this that are a lot more groundbreaking for thinking from his perspective.
Harrison Ford Bro goin crazy on da pianer Bro goin nuts on der saxerfone
Was a bit too jazzy for me, the piano in one song was very all over the place
6/10 - не слушал
*1973. *This was my album of the day on 12/26. It's now 4/11 and I've tried a dozen times to rate this one, but it's so forgettable to me that I don't have any recollection of what I just listened to. *I give up. It gets an automatic 2.5 stars because it's Bowie. I'll round up because there was nothing bad here. Just meh. RATING - 6/10
Kind of interesting that this kinda a nothing album for David Bowie, but "Aladdin Sane" the character is so famous / iconic. This album is fine, but nothing special to it in my opinion. Low 3.
ستايل التسعينات اللي ما احبه واشوفه ممل٢
It was okay, and I'd listen to it again. As an album it feels a little disjointed and not cohesive, which isn't something I expected from Bowie.
Solid. I did not enjoy the jazz piano on the title track, but the rest of it was better than expected given I don't typically go for Bowie. 3.2
its nice just not really my cup of soup 7/10
Je pouvais pas mettre sous la moyenne pour David Bowie. Même si j'avoue ça m'a un peu perdu le style
I feel weird not being blown away by a David Bowie album! But this was just….ok
While not as strong as the Ziggy Stardust album, I think that this still holds up well. I gave it a few listens to really let myself get a feel for the album, and I concluded that it feels like a natural shift all things considered. It's got the quirky Bowie charm but doesn't necessarily take the same risks the Ziggy Stardust album did. In some ways, that benefits it. It was charming.
A fine Bowie album. More fun than I expected.
not his best
Not as good as the next day in my opinion, but i still enjoyed it. becoming a bit of a bowie fan.
Perfectly sane.
Need to run it again. Solid release from the man himself. Top Track: Watch That Guy
Interesting not completely to my taste. Only recognised 2 songs.
Старичок делает
This is solid Bowie
Feels good to have the original Bowie instead of the dozens copycats in this list.
Lady grinning soul is my favorite song on this. I like the piano throughout the album, I frequently don’t understand the lyrics, but some really hit. “She’s uncertain if she likes him but she knows she really loves him” - drive-in Saturday
Not my fav. Bowie album but pretty good.
Not a huge fan, but wasn’t too bad
Fun rock album. Would t say it was as good as his others
Not too bad
Better than Coldplay
I don't understand Bowie
Overall: 7/10 Favourites: Lady Grinning Soul, Watch That Man, Let's Spend The Night Together, Cracked Actor
not particular the type of music that i would gravitate towards. i would definitely need to be in the mood to throw this on. there was a point where i did not even know when the song end and a new song started.
Usually I really enjoy David Bowie but this one didn’t connect with me.
Bowie is great, I think I just expected more.
Early 70s Bowie: chugging guitar riffage, avant garde abstract piano and sax, grim alienated dissolution in the lyrics, Stonesy sleaze. Bowie always has a few tracks you just don't want to cue up, but this record hangs together pretty well.
I like the musical theater vibe of many of these songs, and “Panic in Detroit” is pretty amazing.
This was fine? Certainly not one of the Bowie albums I’d include if I were making the list myself. Kinda liked some of the piano shenanigans. Wasn’t that special. Might listen again and maybe move it up to a 4 someday . Favorite Track: Time
Better than most Bowie - but still Bowie.
Sympathique, ça me rappelle souvent Alice Cooper Goes To Hell. Mais ça me donne pas plus envie d’en savoir plus que ça, vu que le type est sévèrement problématique.
It wasn’t my favorite of Bowies and it felt all over the place
Ok at best.
Some solid Bowie tracks
3.5
Weird but I was into it. Great guitar
Okay. Some good songs. Some so so.
Maybe three good songs and some meandering
not his best work - maybe his 4-5th best album?
Enjoyed for a first listen
I have mixed feelings about David Bowie. This album was better than a lot of his others, but still not his best I was getting into it until the horrendous off key piano banging. I did recognise a few songs though and they were enjoyable Also wtf was with the lyrics... "falls wanking to the floor" ?? Don't even know how to rate this one tbh 3 ⭐️
The memorability ratio here between the album cover and the album itself is off the charts here. Iconic image of famous cokehead pedophile. One track that I think a non-Bowie fan would recognise (Jean Genie). It’s alright.
Say what you will, but Bowie is a genius. Although I personally wouldn't include this album in this list.
I know you're supposed to like David Bowie but I didn't really enjoy this.
It's okay. Not my favorite of his albums. 3/5
It’s Bowie but not a good Bowie album.
Not bad, pretty good!
Decent
Quite disjointed.
Meh, his other albums are more fun
Listening to the album's lead track for the first time, Watch That Man, I worried that maybe this was album was just more 70s rock with a glammy flair. But Lady Grinning Soul is a beautiful song. It's textured and soulful and still has a freshness fifty-two years later. That said, Cracked Actor may be the only other song I like. Overall, it doesn't come together as an album, at least the first couple listens, but it's still got at least a couple gems.
I feel like I’m always in the wrong mood for this album. It feels as inaccessible as Ziggy Stardust was accessible, just a year earlier. The title track grates on my nerves. The Stones cover is fine. Jean Genie is familiar, but never much grabbed me. I feel like I’m missing something on this one.
Imo not the strongest Bowie album
--Watch That Man...the master of incorporating sax and backing vocals. fun times --Aladdin Sane...if it weren't for the chaotic piano attack it would be kind of boring --Drive-In Saturday...the concept/story seems more important than the arrangement here, which isn't really my bag --Panic in Detroit...not really feeling this, DB --Cracked Actor...nice, crunchy guitars --Time...saloon pian-ee! Once again it feels like the concept takes precedence over making a tight song. Not bad, I just don't care as much as he wants me to --The Prettiest Star...the first track kicks really hard. every thing after feels slow in comparison --Let's Spend the Night Together...here we go. good fun but not sure it's as good as the Stones' --The Jean Genie...a little repetitive. the guitar solo is nice --Lady Grinning Soul...interesting piano. a lot of interesting things happening here. Giving James Bond theme vibes. I wanted more of this
Enough Bowie already.
I love Ziggy Stardust, but this album feels somewhat like a faint shadow of that effort. Standout tracks for me include "Panic in Detroit" and "The Jean Genie" but they are somewhat unremarkable compared to tracks from the preceding album.
Not his best album but it’s Bowie isn’t it
Generellt lite för glatt för mig
Haven't heard any of these songs except "The Jean Genie". The whole album is full of straight-up rockers. Pretty good.
pretty good
aladdin sane - piano is very pretty, tori-esque at times cracked actor, time - these were my tops until lady grinning soul, which is the only song from this project to make it to my saved playlist thus far "all i had to give was guilt for the dreaming"
To say Bowie had done and would go on to do more interesting things with his music would be an understatement. While the production here is colourful and varied with the fusion of pop and art-rock that Bowie was renowned for, the songs left a lot to be desired. I think it's the sort of washed-out nature of the production, and the very unfocused nature of the songs themselves, constantly hopping between (mostly promising) ideas without ever settling or building on any of them. That's sort of always been an early-Bowie thing, I understand, but it was more noticeable and irksome when compared to the masterpiece he had released just the year prior. So while, by Bowie standards, this was nothing to cry home about, it still had its fair share of highlights. I really liked the rhythms and backing vocals driving the explosive 'Panic in Detroit'. 'Time' is the Bowie staple operatic album centerpiece, which really carries over that cinematic and theatrical edge that was put on full display in 'Ziggy Stardust'. The closer was also pretty great, with a build that's so subtle yet it hits you like a truck when it hits its climax.
Nothing really grabbed me. I love some Bowie but not this one.
Hmmm, didn't love this. Unsure why but it's not really doing it for me 3.25/5 Songs added to playlist: - Watch That Man - The Prettiest Star - Lady Grinning Soul
This album seems a bit cluttered and messy and not his best unfortunately. I have to admit I was expecting a bit more given the iconic cover and image of David but it fell a little flat for me. Never mind, I know there is better to come.
The rockers are really good, even to this day. The slower songs are dated.
Who Will Love Alladin Sane? 1001 Albums Generator 157 (11/07/2025) I can only imagine what it feels like to follow up something as iconic and beloved as Ziggy Stardust. While I am not as crazy about Bowie's most highly acclaimed album as everyone else is, I still recognize that something special happened on that particular record that would not be able to be replicated on its follow up. However, Alladin Sane, to my ears, is at least as good as Ziggy. The intro Watch That Man, is one of my favorite glam Bowie songs that I've ever heard and the title track then veers into some free jazz stylings that are really fucking cool. The piano on this album in general is fantastic, but especially on this song. There is a slump in quality in the middle of this album besides Time (which is flamboyant and theatrical in the best way), but then it closes out with two fantastic songs. Lady Grinning Soul in particular is up there with the best Bowie songs ever. I wish that I enjoyed glam Bowie more, but it is what it is. 3.5/5, rounded down to a 3. Favs: Watch That Man Alladin Sane Lady Grinning Soul Least Fav: Cracked Actor
Bowie seems to be able to make good music in any genre he touches, except none of it has been "amazing" to me.
Interesting in spots but lacks any compelling reason to return. Some of it feels like Billy Joel, other parts Elton John. I’m a medium Bowie fan. 3/5
Solid David Bowie, continuation of the spiders of Mars sound with good hits but wouldn't be high on my list of Bowie albums.
Great music
Typical Bowie
Standouts Cracked Actor Time
5-star album cover on a 3-star Bowie album. If he'd done the lightning bolt thing for Scarry Monsters, it'd be perfect. Otherwise, it's the most Springsteen Bowie album, even though it came out before most Springsteen albums. I suspect time travel was involved.
I love peak Bowie but this isn't really for me.. I know how innovative and excellent he is in theory but to my ears it's just decent to OK rock.
Not as much of a standout as Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust but still good. My favorite song was ""Watch That Man"".
man i struggle with bowie
The album art is more iconic than the music, but it's still good.
p288. 1973. 3 stars. Not his best work, with obvious pilfering from Muddy Waters and BB King, and a redundant Stones cover. Still better than the average 70s album.
Ikke for meg, men var helt ok. Likte det bedre enn Blackstar.
Ganske decent, liker flere av låtene ganske godt. Gir det en 3/5, tror jeg kommer sette det på igjen en gang
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.