Reviews (page 12 of 14)
I liked Dollar Days and I Can't Give Everything Away
Not my favorite! I respect the experimental risks though. Honestly didn’t know Bowie was still making music in 2016.
This album isn't actually, you know, good? I get why it gets lauded so much but it has a deficit of good songs and a surprlus of bad singing, annoying/tinny electronic drums, and damned saxophones. Good on him for running through the tape and all, but nah.
Finds Todes langweilig
Bowie will be immortal for many of the albums he put into this world. Just not this one.
I love Bowie but agree with those who feel this was over praised due to his death.
Not the best example of his work. Again, I'm befuddled by some of the LPs included on this list. I do appreciate the variety and scope of the list.
This was kind of interesting. I’m not sure if it would be here if it was a different artist or the circumstances of the release were different though. Overall, settled on a 2 as I don’t have a desire to listen again.
Eh. Doesn't do a lot for me. Fine to have on I suppose. The context of him passing shortly after this was released doesn't change the music - it just gives people warm fuzzies about it.
Ni último disco de Bowie ni pollas. Esto es una mierda y le pongo 2 estrellas porque aprecio a Bowie
I wanted to like this album because I really like Bowie’s earlier stuff. It just didn’t do it for me
Инструментал вытянул это на тройку Так было бы 2 или 1 Ужасно скучное вокальное нытье Возможно текст прям сосмыслом, но при первом прочтении ничего такого Sue - 4/5 Все остальное 3 и ниже
I would have given this a 1 if the last two tracks hadn’t have been so good. Really don’t like the sound on the rest of it. I’m not sure if this would have been so well liked if it hadn’t been the last one.
This was disappointing. I love Bowie, and I tried to find things to really like here, but they weren't there. I even like some of his post-hit stuff with the way his voice can haunt the music, but there wasn't any of that here. Just weird jazz that was either too boring or too chaotic.
119/1001 First listen. I expected better based on the rave reviews. I assume you have to already be into Bowie and then this begins to glow with subsequent listens. This just did little for me. 4/10
I don't get it. It's hard to rate an artist's work without context and familiarity, but since I am to rate with my existing knowledge, I didn't care for it. Lazarus was the shining track. Meanwhile I'd be happy to never have to hear "Girl Loves Me" again. I dig some of his early stuff but this is such a departure from that, and not a good one in my opinion. I agree with those who say this album gets more praise than it deserves for being a swan song only.
Like a collection of B sides. Not great.
I don’t have a lot of nostalgia for David Bowie. This album had a few interesting moments, but it was also hindered by the fact that I don’t particularly like his vocal style. It’s a weird mess. I wonder if the album would receive as much praise if he hadn’t died two days after its release? 4/10 Acceptable
Just like every other Bowie album on this list, it's kinda mid. His voice kinda irks me and this album especially is just all over the place, and not in a way that I think helps it. A lot of it is just really weird. The last song is good. He doesn't need 9 albums on this list though what's that about.
Not for me
Not impressed
Super verwarrend album. Werd er ongemakkelijk van met momenten. Twijfel tussen 2,5 en 2
2.5
I know I'm probably in the minority but I've just never been able to jive with this album. It's a tad too chaotic for me.
I love David Bowie and it pains me that don't love his last ever album. Far too much screechy sax jazz solos ruining what otherwise is a solid album.
I wish I hadnt listened to this. Really taints the water for Bowie.
I don't really know what I was expecting, not being an avid Bowie listener and all, but from his reputation it wasn't this. I like the eerie and slightly haunting vibe but I wouldn't call this any kind of masterpiece. The electronic soundscape wasn't for me - I seemed to be conjuring up images of metallic robots and futuristic machinery when listening to this, too cold and disjointed.
I understand why there is some hype around it, it is clearly very experimental but psychedelic rock stuff is not really my thing. I feel like if someone else had made this it wouldn't have anywhere near the kind of reception it did have. Bowie has done so much better that this is just a bit of a let down.
I'm unfortunately coming to realize I might just not like David Bowie. There are some really cool production moments in this, but overall I just couldn't enjoy it. Not to mention the gratuitous saxophone solos.
Previously rated: #43 - The Next Day (3/5) #52 - Aladdin Sane (3/5) #165 - Young Americans (3/5) #246 - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (4/5) #381 - Station to Station (3/5) #481 - Hunky Dory (4/5) #616 - Low (3/5) #744 - Heroes (3/5) *************************************************************************** Album #1,024 Maybe I'm just tired of hearing David Bowie's boring, droning voice, but this album was a big dud.
Too experimental for my taste
I understand that the point of this was him reflecting on his life basically on the verge of death and that there are themes of death and being uncomfortable throughout which is cool but also the songs are god awful. Won't give it a 1 even though I disliked every song (except the last) because I respect the drive to be creative
Underwhelmed, sort of like the Springsteen one. Why this one here
Ma ei tea, mida inimesed kuulevad selle Blackstar albumiga. Olevat "critically acclaimed", aga ma julgen väita, et kui sellel poleks Bowie nime peal, siis see ei meeldiks inimestele üldse nii palju. Siin ongi kõige häirivam just Bowie vokaal ja need meloodialiinid. Vahepeal tundub nagu suvaline jahumine, võibolla mõni üksik koherentne lugu ja story. Jah, see on sureva mehe viimane album, aga see ei tee plaati automaatselt heaks. Mõned pillipartiid on päris huvitavad, aga üldiselt pole see meeldiv kuulamine. 2.3/5
Not my style
I REALLY liked the music on this. Unfortunately, Bowie's voice dragged it down. He has some great albums where his voice complements what is happening behind it. I know he was older when this was released, but it doesn't change the fact that he stretched what he could do too far. Many artists release albums at the end of their career/life and they lean into it.
Interesting, very abstract. Not as melodic as Ziggy Stardust. Released just before his death?
This album is somewhat poetic but didn't move me, to say the least, it bored me a little, and it was when I started to appreciate David Bowie's music... that was when Spotify continued with another album
Ummmm it’s sad hearing his sickness and age in his voice. Pretty experimental. Don’t really like.
Wasnt my musictaste at all so techncally 1 1/2 stars
An impressive feat that Bowie was able to make an album so late in life that feels new and different but very in line with his career. That being said, it his age is 100% of why this is on the list. If it was made in 1983 it never would’ve made the list
2-3 songs pas mal, le reste c’est très très bof 2-/5
6 and a half minute song with like 10 total wordss ughh
Blackstar: interesting production. not a huge fan of the harmonies. really like the random sax here and there. I do like how the second half of the song does a 180. second half is better than the first half. 9 minute song, goes thru everything. pretty interesting but i wouldn't listen to it again. "Tis A Pity She Was A Whore: it was fine. forgettable but had some good production. on the higher energy side. Lazarus: really good buildup. feels very tragic and grand. i felt the passion and anger. good song. another great use of sax. Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime): hated the rhythm and beat of this song. it just stressed me out. it also didn't make sense to me melodically. i think this is the worst song on the album. It felt like he was singing a different song than the instrumentals and backing track were playing. so strange. Girl Loves Me: interesting production, not terrible but nothing I'd listen to again. Def one of the better songs on the album i fear. Dollar Days: favorite song on the album, a ballad with some incredible saxophone solos. I Can't Give Everything Away: great album closer. last two songs on this album are the best. really love the electric guitar riff in this. this sounds like vintage bowie. good stuff. Overall meh album - dont think I'll ever come back to it. Really enjoyed the last 2 songs and thats about it. 5/10.
I guess what bothers me with this album is that I don't really get what he's getting at. Is it art-music for art-music's sake? Is it supposed to be enjoyable listen? Is it just random ideas polished to song-like structures? I feel no Whatever it is, either I'm not getting it, or it was just not composed with connecting to the audience in mind. On the plus side, the performances are high quality, which at least makes the listening to this self indulgent album not ovelry taxing. But I don't remember any of it other than thinking "the drummer is great". Due to the high quality fo the performances, this may be interesting to sample.
Track 1. (Blackstar) 5.5/10 Track 2. (‘Tis A Pity She Was A Whore) 6/10 Track 3. (Lazarus) 7/10 Track 4. (Sue (Or In a Season off Crime)) 5.3/10 Track 5. (Girl Loves Me) 5/10 Track 6. (Dollar Days) 7.5/10 Track 7. (Can’t Give Everything Away) 7/10 Overall Score: 6.1/10
Definitely a bit of a weird one. Most songs are just spoken with music in the back. I found it interesting that I could read "Bowie" from the 5 partial stars underneath
Gostei, tem uma interessância nas músicas e uma brincadeira. Definitivamente um dos álbuns a serem ouvidos.
very much ok, unfortunately don't think david bowie is for me
Not his best work imo, luv him but not so much this album. IK he died a couple days after the release which should make the album meaningful but meh
Never could connect with Bowie....DNF
I really tried to like this as I know this was what he wrote right before he died, but just not a fan. I can't Give Everything Away is probably the best for me, because the vocals are less strange.
It was alright definitely good but not for me songs were quite long
Too experimental for me. "Lazarus" and "Dollar Days" were all right.
There are a couple of songs that have the classic Bowie saxophone improvisations. I think a lot of these songs are missing an arch like some of his earlier work. Overall, I'm not really feeling it.
Great effort. The title track is the highlight of the album, but unfortunately the rest of the album lacks that same spark. The closing track is nice.
another bowie record among the 1001 albums. Don't like it much. I think it's so higly rated as this is the last before he died.
What a mess. Bowie is being sad Bowie, which is fine, but the band he hired just butchered this. It's honestly like they took some GarageBand filler tracks and placed them in willy-nilly to what's actually being conveyed in the song. What a way to go out.
not my jam unfortunately, prefer earlier Bowie
David Bowie is classic as fuck but an almost 10 minute first song is a little overkill but it’s his last album so let the man do whatever the hell he wants. He’s already a legend when this came out. This album is very clearly Bowie wrestling with and coming to acceptance of his own mortality. A melancholy undertone to every song…almost. I could handle Girl Loves Me but probably because it’s a Monday and he says fuck.
Too experimental maybe?
I don’t hate Bowie, but I do wonder how many of his records are on this project and realistically how many of them really need to be. I don’t want Bowie to turn into Neil Young, where I pretty much just insta-skip them when they come up. To be fair, I hate Neil Young anyway, but it’s extra annoying that there are like 40 Neil Young records on here, and I guess I’m hoping that David Bowie isn’t featured so heavily that I get bored when they come up and just skip it. As I start this one, I’m thinking this is probably one of the ones I should just go ahead and skim through cause it doesn’t sound like there’s going to be much here I’m going to like. If the first two tracks are any indication, this record is going to be an incoherent and self-indulgent mess. Lazarus is ok. I Can’t Give Everything Away is ok….these are the best tracks on the album, and they’re just ok. And oh my gosh, if you love the saxophone so much, David, why don’t you just marry one? I’m learning that I really am not a David Bowie fan boy at all. I’ve now gotten this record, Heroes, and The Next Day. They’ve all been pretty disappointing. 2.5/5
tan muy chafita los beats y las letras, que me perdone desde el más allá pero no cocinó
I like Bowie, but this wasn’t anywhere near the top of his output.
I dunno, I think I'm learning I don't really like Bowie's music
learning bowie was alive and making music in 2016 feels as weird as learning Dali only died in '89...I'm sick to my stomach
The album shows two full stars and that's what I shall give it. Just not a Bowie guy.
I wanted to like this more than I did.
I love David Bowie, but i think this is one of their worst album
I’ll be honest, I was not a fan of this album overall. I love David Bowie, but this album was a bit too industrial for the era it was released in. There were some interesting mixes of jazz and pop, and it wasn’t bad, per se, I just didn’t connect to it as I have with other albums of his.
I swear Bowie is the most inconsistent guy ever
I didn’t like. I tried. Sorry Mr. Bowie.
It's ok. Nothing really interesting but nothing offensive either. Best song: Girl Loves Me
A bit tedious and difficult.
I wanted to give Bowie the benefit of the doubt, but none of this felt special to me. Not terrible, but it just didn’t resonate
over
I'm sorry, but I really don't fuck with "old man Bowie" voice.
Gut - automatische spotify vorschläge danach aber leider besser!
Bowie was a legend, but this album is just... bland. Nothing really stands out. Its OK, but after listening I can't recall one singular song.
Sometimes its best to not let senior citizens create music. There was some very talented musicians on this album that Bowie apparently couldn’t hear or just decided to do his own thing. It felt like two separate recording sessions for the music and then the vocals. He was so constantly off beat from the music that it was just jarring to hear. 4/10
Tikrai nėra vienas geriausių Bowio albumų ir nereikia meluoti. Per antrą dainą labai nemaloniai šnarpščioja į ausis.
Lidt for meget trut. Men Bowies stemme er rar at have i ørerne.
It was good but slipped into the background often. 2 outta 5
To call a Bowie album a bit weird could be considered to be stating the obvious. This one was weird in a way I wasn't expecting and didn't particularly enjoy. The songs felt very meandering and somewhat I cohesive. The first couple were oddly long too. Not a fan.
Ska vara helt ärlig: jag älskar Bowie, men har väldigt svårt för den experimentella jazz-delen i detta album. Han sjunger rent ut dåligt i vissa delar. Inte alls lika bra jämfört med hans tidigare album. Albumet har trots det en speciell plats i mitt hjärta eftersom det är Bowies avskedsgåva till världen, och albumet har gjort ett otroligt starkt avtryck. Detta förmildrar dock inte slutbetyget. Blackstar är inte något jag frivilligt skulle lyssna på för att hag njuter av albumet rent musikaliskt. Pluspoäng för Lazarus.
Wanted to like it bc of the rave reviews and bc it’s DAVID BOWIE but just wasn’t for me.
How many David Bowie albums is too many?
Meh. Kinda weird
ну ваще нет ((( я не понимаю АБСОЛЮТНО почему столько его альбомов здесь в списке
Meh
Could not get into it
This is a dense, dark and difficult album to appreciate. I don't think im alone here. If I had to pick something out, it would be Dollar Days (~Bowies attempt at hip hop) Honestly, I had more interest reading the wiki than hearing these tunes. Kind of amazed to hear how he kept his cancer a secret and kept his focus on the project and creating a tight band. Sorry David. I just didnt get it. 2.5 stars
Idk not a fan. Still mad respect for getting an album on here 50 years after his first one
Didn't like it as too dark.
голос неприятный, но треки звучат интересно, местами как то стремно. несвязное звучание инструментов если честно невыносимое. весь альбом будто гениальный и пиздоватый одновременно. а если еще и в текста вслушиваться это просто пиздец. под конец уже тошнить начало будто в секте побывала какой то
I don't feel I'm giving this album a fair shake before writing the review. The opening number while huge and grand is not catching my ear at this point in time. It feels like, on a possible relisten I would have developed more musical taste to fully appreciate it. However at this time, it's not really doing it for me.
Not one of my favourites…
After the bizarre first half of a very long title track to kick off the album, I didn't have high hopes. The theme changed over the course, but the cryptic lyrics puzzled me. Very much about mortality, which makes sense since Bowie was near the end of his life. The saxophone was nice, and there were many musical layers, but this was a difficult listen. The last track, "I Can't Give Everything Away," speaks to the mystery of the album. If Bowie had played in the NFL, it would have been interesting to dissect his brain for something akin to CTE, because I just don't get what made him tick.
"Genius" - well i don't like it
A true legend, one of my favourite artists. Sadly, this is far from being one of his best offerings. Melodically tame, there are only flashes of his genius on display here, with the songs regularly taking a backseat to the production. Intentionally (I guess) morose and unsettling, it too often comes off as a sprawling and unfocused instead, opting for style over substance when it paints itself into a musical corner. Not awful, but a million miles the classic some would have you believe
When this came out I as well as everyone else thought this Bowie swan song was one of his best albums. But with time and the veneer of sentimentality wearing of this is not a great album. The weakest part is Bowie’s vocals which really hinder many of the songs.
In a nutshell: a parting gift. David is an Artist. Capital ‘a’ intended. Instead of declaring to the world he had The Big C, David Bowie continued to live his low key life and worked an album. Not as a means of distraction, more as a way to harness a creative energy; embracing the new muse which is impending death. Overall: 3/10
5/10
chatooooooooo pra mim só um álbum desse mano presta e ainda não é esse xD
You have to respect him for playing right until the final whistle. It is pretty incredible that he still had gas in the tank 49 years and 25 studio albums after his debut. What a fantastic experience for his fans to be gifted this album as they mourned his death. I like a few of the songs on it but overall, like much of Bowie, I could do without.
After seeing another Bowie album listed from the twenty-teens, I thought are you friggin serious? Upon multiple lessons across two days I enjoyed it more than I expected to.
4/10 Hate the saxophone, the whispery vocal and the time signatures with Radioheady beeps and clicks. Another Bowie album not for me...
Lazarus one of best Bowie songs but rest of the album not really my stuff
Ei napannu, ei sitten yhtään. Vähä liian taiteellista tiluliluttelua. Oli tässä hetkensä ja yks kuunneltava biisi niin ei ihan ykköseen tipahda.
Vähän ristiriitaset fiilikset jäi tästä. Melodiat ja meininki oli paikoin oikein mukavaa, mutta laulusta tuli mieleen omat karaoke-esitykset Maunulan Pirjon Krouvissa vuonna 2002, jolloin karaokeisäntä sulki mikin kesken esityksen. Bowie on hieno mies ja sillee, mutta annetaan 2,5 tähteä joka huonojen yöunien vuoksi pyöristetään alaspäin. Eiköhän Davey saa uuden tsänssin vielä näiden kinkerien aikana!
Bowielta on todennäköisesti tällä listalla useampia albumeja, joten tämä oli ehkä hieman yllärivalinta sekaan. Varmasti, kun kyseessä on kuolevan taiteilijan joutsenlaulu, niin perustelu on jo siinä. Itse levystä en jaksanut juurikaan innostua. Liikaa leväperäistä tulkintaa luuppaavan musiikin päälle. Varmasti jos pakkokuuntelisi levyn sata kertaa, niin taide tavoittaisi sielun. Nyt ei lähde ja mieleisempää Bowieta lienee vielä edessäpäin listalla levyistä jotka kaikkien pitäisi kuulla ennen kuin käy kalpaten.
David Bowie on legendaarinen artisti, ja olosuhteet albumin luomisen taustalla tietäen tuntuu että varmaan pitäisi antaa pisteitä enemmän, mutta puhtaasti musiikin puolesta omaan korvaan näin yhdeltä kuuntelulta ei juuri napannut. Helmiä sioille?
I mean, not terrible, but I don't get why we need to have this on the list. It definitely isn't an album I needed to hear. Sounds like an aging rock star out of ideas.
RIP but I didn't like this very much
Definitely not for me. Very nice instrumentals but I felt very bored with the lyrics.
15/09/2025 I found this to be a pretty boring album. I don't understand the Bowie hype.
normally i have a tough time napping on a plane. ty davie bowid
Still the songwriter, but man those saxophones were hard to make it through
It's certainly interesting and I applaud Bowie for being innovative through to the end. But the music here just doesn't connect with me the way his early 70s stuff still does. The EDM-Industrial-sound of the tracks highlights the frailty in his voice while stiffing-arming any attempt by this listener to gain some intimacy with its owner (very unlike what Rubin accomplished with Cash's American recordings). The hyper-polished almost musak perfection of the band's performances is impressive, to be sure, but they sound like pros playing parts instead of a band working together to create music. Ultimately, though, I find no song-craft here. No great melodies, no themes, no emotionally charged harmonic progressions. So its interesting, but it doesn't speak to me.
Rambling drivel.
Not sure why this one is in the list. It's not his worst but certainly not his best.
Pleased to have heard it, but hard work, prefer to look back on the glory days.
Really don’t like the first song. Almost like a good Radiohead album but worse. Overall just too sort of alternative and weird for me.
I think I’m not a Bowie guy. RIP my fandom
Didn't really do anything for me. The instrumentals are cool, but this guy gives off creepy old man energy. I'm hoping that his earlier albums are better. 2/5
Okay 1/2 gute Lieder dabei
Not his best
Maybe not my thing, but I quite dislike this. Felt like Bowie was the worst part of every song and the vibe did not work for me. Almost stopped listening after 1-2 songs, but it got better with Lazarus which was a big step up. Finished mediocre at best. Can add that 1 song to my playlists, but have no desire to listen again.
I get that it’s Bowie and he’s an incredible musician that deserves his accolades, this album just wasn’t really for me. Not much stood out to me or caught my attention. It’s like a two and a half at best.
No standouts
This is like a guy in his 40s skateboarding from his office to the bus station. He’s obviously talented because he’s doing the odd grind and he can nose manual, but at the same time he just comes across as desperate to display his talent to an audience that have moved on from being impressed by kickflips. He frantically tries to show every trick he knows to the silent onlookers before the bus arrives, but it is more of a distraction than being anything impressive.
This really was not great. A black mark on a great career
Sweet, some more Bowie. I know this album was a big deal at the time and I’m looking forward to giving this a listen – I always like when a music artist goes out on top. I know there’s a lot of hyperbole and hysteria around these just-before-mortem albums, so I guess I’ll just have to listen and judge for myself. Yeah, it’s certainly Bowie. Only this time much older when compared with his previous outings. There’s kind of a trip-hop/heavy ambience hanging over much of this album, which is the stuff I liked most about Heroes/Low. Pretty out there, too. I’m not an avant-garde jazz type, but when paired with the sound of this album it managed to work quite well. The album really drags during the middle, though. Not gonna lie. The opening track is pretty alright. I like the harsh percussion and the jazz stylings that occasionally rear their head, though it's the second half of the track which really impresses me. Quite a nice sound. “Dollar Days” is an interesting track. I can’t say it really worked for me, though I admired how out there it was. I did like the outro of the song, however. “I Can’t Give Everything Away” is a solid closer. The heavy percussion is, again, the strongest part of the song, though I also dig the electronic embellishments hanging over the track, as well as the sick guitar solo during the outro. I sadly can’t consult my edition of the book to understand why this is in here, though I fortunately have Wikipedia. Experimental. Bowie’s “parting gift”. International chart topper. Universally acclaimed. Multi-Grammy winner. Regarded as one of the best albums of the 2010s-okay, I get it. This is a solid pick. I cosign.
This is the last of my Bowie albums for the list, and by this point it really did bounce off me other than when the signing was particularly bad. I was curious about what this would be like given its context, but I simply can't get past my overall dislike of Bowie's sound and style to take any of it. More fool me, I guess.
I don't feel like I needed to hear this album before I died
Just a little too odd for me
Goddamn I am so tired of Bowie albums
Sincerament, per mi de Bowie se n’ha fet un gra massa. No és que no em sembli excepcional, és que ni tan sols m’agrada
Not my Bowie album
I don't get it. On the bright side, Bowie left a large catalogue that i do like.
Not for me.
When music nerds discovered death. Who guys look out. David Bowie recorded this and then died. Yup. He knew he was dying and felt (insert overarching emotional theme of Blackstar here) about it. Truly the greatest poet of our time. Like he DIED. Who does that? What an artist. The discourse around this album bears all the hallmarks of “deep because death,” but I’ll give it the old college try. Tally ho Mr. B, if the good lord is willing, may your 1 star streak be broken. Blackstar - Here’s the deal. Sometimes I feel guilty about my reviews. Despite the fact nobody reads them, I feel I haven’t developed a concrete rubric and sometimes my distaste for something can be based on other factors. When I think about it more, I realize that is what art is and one’s connection to said art is the combination of all their feelings about the art. I’m not the only one who does this. If you don’t believe me, please look up “rayonbase” on your music platform of choice. One is a universally beloved, critically acclaimed “icon” of the music industry. One is a universally laughed at instagram musician. Yet, for at least the start of this song, they sound exactly the same. This wasn’t even my original observation, but as a fervent rayonbase enjoyer, I had to include. Oh, this song was cool until the loose bow tie breakdown at the halfway point. “I’m not a gangster, I’m a Blackstar.” Fuck off. I love the odd instrumentation, but the singing is again, where David Bowie loses me. ‘Tis a Pity She is a Whore - More cool music interrupted by these vocals. Listen to that. If you have the mindset that it’s intentionally bad, it gets a little better. We’ll go with that. Yeah, this almost becomes a punk album. Hell yeah. Context is king. Lazarus - Almost like Sabu’s theme song and that is the biggest compliment I can give any music. I wish he wouldn’t sing. My god. But then again ugh the bad singing is so cool. This is supposed to be the deep song about being dead, and he sounds almost disinterested. Except when the white boi reggae™️ riffs start. Then he’s fired up. The crackers yearn for the white sand beaches of Jamaica. Sue (Or in a Season of Crime) - I would like to take this opportunity to sue the estate of David Bowie. For the damages suffered on “Station to Station” to sitting through the death album. Why is there a sick alt-metal breakdown in here? You won me over you sly rascal. Girl Loves Me - Yeah he just didn’t care anymore. Going completely insane. This is evil coldplay. It’s so bad, that it’s good and not even in a funny way. It’s just anti-music. Do I like this album??? That can’t be happening. Where the fuck did Monday go? The great question of our time that nobody has ever asked. Dollar Days - Are back at McDonalds. Was it McDonald’s? Who cares. Some evil corporation did Dollar Days. Possibly inspired by big Dave. More chic bad music. Very fun in much the same way that watching a horrible B movie is cinematic brilliance. I Can’t Give Everything - This was as confusing an ending as I’d expect. I’m sure there is some beautiful death allegory about giving everything but being afraid to and having no choice blah blah blah. This song extinguished most of the charm this album had going for it. If David Bowie didn’t sing in this record, you’ve got yourself a very nice piece of music. Unfortunately, we did have to endure the vocal stylings of one Dave Bowie, but here’s the thing, as I espoused throughout this review, the singing was in the “so bad it’s good” territory. This was a cool record. I think it’s artistically viable despite being borderline unlistenable. Whatever it was, I was intrigued. Pop the champagne and pour it out for my homebody D-Bow. He’s out of 1 star purgatory. He failed his way out of the mire, only to be whack-a-moled with a shameful 2 stars. Better luck next time. 2 HIGHLIGHTS: The unblinking eye of the catacombs
#652. Jesus, more Bowie? When will it end? This is the fucking seventh album of his already. Why? This shit is not good. 2/5: shit
Ziggy Stardust deserved a better send-off.
A little too experimental for my taste.
Not a fan of this album, too experimental for my taste
Great artist, bad album.
Not his best work.
Highest production David Bowie album I've heard. Not something I would listen to again.
Listenable but quite annoying.
Nicht meins, aber die Stimme erkennt man
Liked the background music but I did not care for the lyrics and felt bored while listening
Idk… not a fan of David Bowie but the jazz band was so great
Subpar which is surprising
Not his best work
love bowie but not this
I don’t like this album. The first track puts me off right away. I don’t mind Tis a Pity She is a Whore apart from the mad jazz backing, and Lazarus is fine. The last track is the pick of the bunch. I get he was making a concept album about dying,but I find the mix of genres quite jarring and I feel like it tries too hard to be remarkable. If it were not for the fact that this is very obviously a farewell album it would not be in the book at all. David Bowie has been a million times more influential, more progressive, and more innovative than this. It’s a no from me, I’m afraid.
I tried to give it a 2.5. So many highs and lows. Def not the prime of Bowie. Still cool production
Já conheço este álbum e não é dos meus favoritos do David Bowie. Pareceu-me muito um ato de despedida e tirando uma ou duas canções, é demasiado melancólico.
Pre-listening thoughts: I’ve heard mixed things about this Bowie album. I’m getting the vibe it’s probably not his best work but rather included bc a) it was close to his death? After his death? Something like that and b) it’s Bowie Post/during listening thoughts: this is… yeah. Exactly what I expected tbh. I really wish people would stop glazing dead people’s work just bc they’re dead and were a legend at some point. Bowie was constantly experimenting and to me, this one just didn’t succeed. I still think he was revolutionary but I don’t have to enjoy every body of work of his. Sorry. 4.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Lazarus Least fav tracks: Sue
Why is a David Bowie album from 2016 on the list? I couldn't get through it but will give 2 stars by default.
I love David Bowie. But this didn’t stand out. One of his more experimental albums and it was more background music than active listening. Going to rate lower than I expected to
Love Bowie but struggled to get through this album. Got better towards the end but did not enjoy the first couple songs at all. Like that it’s experimental but it didn’t land for me.
Not my fav Bowie album
I really really love David Bowie. Sadly this album didn’t connect with me.
I gave it two stars for sentimental reasons, but there is so much better Bowie out there. Call me old school, but I did not like the ChaChaChanges in this album.
Ok 2/5
Cool saxophone stuff. Sad knowing he died 2 days after this album dropped. Not for me. Feel like I should relisten later on and really focus on lyrics but at this time didn't love the album. No flow to album. 2
I got some very strong hip hop influence vibes from this. Didn't blow me away and probably won't listen to this one again.
Not my style. Kinda out there
Not really my type of style of music.
Very experimental but I don't like it, RIP David Bowie
Never really understood the hype. Feels like I’m in space. A few funky, futuristic sounds but kind of odd. Not very cohesive and the songs are long and dragged out.
I love David Bowie's old stuff, but I did not like anything from this album. Bummer. Just feels too self indulgent and egregious.
Feel like this one is kind of a freebie for Bowie. Like yeah you made star man so we’ll let this shite album into the top 1001. Definitely could have died without hearing this one. Also Bowie album on yhe day of big brother final. So fitting. Specific rating 2.5 Fav song - dollar days Least fav - *
Oh man. You gotta really love extended experimental trumpet solos to like this album.
This was very unexpected, not my thing
David Bowie was weird. Not stoned enough for this album
Not my liking
There are nice acoustics and the tone is interesting. A really mysterious vibe probably him contemplating death or something. Not sure if bowie is my type.
altewrn. Rock, 2016 -> 2
Rambling, overblown mush by a legend who should really have known better. "'Tis a Pity she was a Whore" and "I Can't Give Everything Away" are the only highlights, the rest is largely filler.
2 stars – Reminded me of that indie school band that was awful but thought they were super cool and better than everyone else. An awful album with one or two good moments.
Never been a Bowie fan so it's probably unfair to rate him this badly but honestly might be one of the more boring albums I've ever listened to. The music itself is actually really good, smooth sax and synths, nice. But his voice....the first time I could actually tell a singer is old. Bowie sings like you imagine a retired old man sounds when telling stories to his grandkids.
Pretty weird album. I like a lot of Bowie's earlier work. Glad to hear this. Doubtful I would listen again.
Knew he was dying on this record
I feel like if this wasn't Bowie's last record and released days before he died, it doesn't make this list. I'm a Bowie fan, but this isn't his best work. But the circumstances around the album make it very poignant.
I listened to this twice since it was so short. It didn’t resonate with me. I feel like it’s average at best and if I rated it any higher I would be grading on a curve based on the lifetime body of work. 2.5/5
Love Bowie. Didn't like this though.
One song
I'm biased because I like a lot of Bowie. The opening track is one of his more experimental tracks, but I hate it, I think it was a dumb choice for an opening track. The repetitive "I'm a blackstar" is a massive and annoying distraction from what is otherwise a stellar instrumental arrangement, and it should not be 10 mins long. Love the horns Bowie is using on this. Especially nice paired with the driving bass on Lazarus. Love especially the cute trills towards the end of the breakdown on that song, makes you feel like you're going deliciously insane in a Bowie way. Sue is another great track, super odd sounding with the jungle/breakbeat as a backbone. Yes to the dissonant synth chords gently throwing you off the ledge of comfort zone underneath the melody. I saw in the wiki that this album was influenced by Death Grips?? lol. you don't really hear it until the end of Sue imo. I wish Bowie messed around with more of that style of sound before he passed. That said, one overall trend of this album is my bone to pick wiith a lot of Bowie stuff in general - where tf is the melody? the man has the world's most recognizable wail but on this album it felt more wandering than clever, evocative, or catchy. This album feels overall more soundscape and ethereal than some of his other stuff. This is a decent album, but as far as representative Bowie to hear before I die, I think I would have picked more Ziggy or Space Oddity. Either way, the man has a beautiful catalogue that this list is prompting me to dig into more deeply.
I like a lot of Bowies earlier albums and songs, he has some real classics. This album doesn't vibe with me at all though. I don't know how to explain it. The songs aren't straight up bad but I just can't get in to them.
Meh. David Bowie has come up multiple times and it's generally disappointing. This is no exception. The vocal work here kills any enthusiasm I had for the instrumentals.
Can’t lie, a little disappointed that this was my first Bowie album that I got to listen to. I didn’t get it, it just felt like sound and nothing more special. Couldn’t appreciate it, and I can’t wait to hear more of Bowie so I can understand the significance of him.
I'm tired of David Bowie. I don't care for his music and this is the 3rd album in the group!
Nearly 1 star.
Lazarus and I Can’t Give Everything Away are decent songs, overall too experimental jazzy to be enjoyable for regular listening. It does seem like an appropriate Swan song album.
Peor album de Bowie so far
David Bowie is good but this wasn’t top of list for me
Sounds like a James Bond soundtrack.
There is a lot to admire about this album. Pouring your end of life experience into a final piece of art is a beautiful and courageous way to go. Unfortunately I did not like the music. I didn't like it when it came out and was hoping a revisit would changey mind. I'm glad his final statement has resonated with so many people
“Lazurus” was the only interesting track on this album. It was interesting to peer into the thoughts of a dying man. The rest of the album was just really dull.
I would’ve never guessed David Bowie having an album post 2000. Now I know why. The other Bowie albums were ok so having a third when apparently the year he died says enough about the person who made this list. There were probably close to almost 30 albums that year that are more deserving than this. Squabble when ya gobble I guess.
I can't get behind older Bowie. Music is odd that way.
Another experimental album. Some good parts but over all not a great listen.
If you like weird, discordant music, this album is for you! But it isn’t for me. I’m a little confused by all of the critical acclaim, and all of the love that this album gets on this list by reviewers, but I suspect that it has something to do with paying respect to the man’s career at the time of his death. Once again, not at all my thing.
idk man
Carino, not my cup of tea, 2/5
so sad this iconic music figure is gone from this earth. However, this (his last) album shows his aging voice and just doesn't fit anymore. Been a big fan since the late '60's -- having owned multiple of his albums -- but this collection of songs is very subpar for even the late great Ziggy Stardust. IMHO
Heard this one when it came out... hard listening then, hard listening now...he knew he did not have much time left while creating/recording it. No track really stands out, especially compared to many great albums and songs Bowie left us. 2 stars for it being Bowie, there are quite a few other albums that better be on this list if this one is.
Probably my least favorite Bowie album I’ve ever heard.
No me esperaba que fuera rock progresivo. Hay cosas interesantes for sure, pero buen turret.
It's fine as late-career albums go. 'Lazarus' is quite good prog rock and the real highlight for me is 'Girl loves me', with its strange vocal tricks and lyrics. The rest I find clumsy, like how several tracks sound like 80s TV music, especially the closing track. This really clashes with the sombre tone. I'd take Bowie's 'Station to station' or 'Scary monsters' over this record any day
Found this one to be a little too much for me. Overall produced and not as good as some of Bowie’s earlier work. At least it took a chance. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Sorry David - this was not good
Older Bowie is more my style
Not a big fan of this one. I certainly understand the significance of it all, but I enjoyed very little. Willling to revisit in the future.
Not a fan of this one. 2/5
Too weird. I can't connect to Bowie's sound. Sorry.
Some nice moments, but not really my cup of tea
I didn't like this album when it came out, I don't like it now. Bowie was inspired by To Pimp a Butterfly and Death Grips while recording this, which is intriguing. But it doesn't make me like it anymore. I love the jazz group he hired to play the music. They are super dialed in. The drummer is especially tight. I'd give this a higher rating if it was just instrumental. The last track is the most Bowie sounding, and it hits harder because it was the last song to be released before he died.
Last album Bowie made, definitely not his best. It's just all over the place
I hated this. I know the story, I know the struggle, I still hated this. I hate his affectations, and the way he phrases his lyrics on this album. His style was amazing when it worked, but this is just worse than forgettable.
Okay moments here and there. Won't give it another listen tho. Maybe bowies earlier work is for me but haven't gotten there yet
Meh.
Pretty far from my favorite Bowie album. Lacked imagination and had a kind of stale sound, like it came out of the 90s. Still it's a pleasure to his voice, and to know he was devoted to making music, all the way to the very end.
Not my favorite Bowie album
Honestly this was hard to get through. If the name of the artist were different this would probably get a 1.
Annorlunda, konstigt, nytänkande, märkligt. Gillade "Dollar days".
I know it's Bowie. It's just too dark for me
Not my cup of tea. It gives off some pretty heavy Radiohead vibes, but honestly, if that’s what I’m in the mood for I’ll just go listen to Radiohead. And if I want to listen David Bowie, it’s not going to be this. It’s not bad per se, there just isn’t anything here that would ever make me come back to it.
Again - It's David Bowie
- Felt different from the little bit of David Bowie I already knew - I feel like I would appreciate it more if I listened to it a few more times. Didn't hit that much the 1st listen
I'm sure it's a good album but i'm really just not vibing with it today. I've skipped the 2nd half of every song so far. 2 stars, giving it the benefit of the doubt that it's actually good and I just don't see it
The concept of a farewell album is interesting, not interesting enough to carry the album though. It was pretty boring and same sounding, the album felt much longer than it was. The lyrics felt cryptic. I’m sure if you hyper analyzed them there are some deep themes and meanings, but if I was doing that I’d rather read it on paper than have to listen to the songs again. 3/10
This was Bowie's last album before he died and he wrote it while he undergoing treatment for liver cancer. That's pretty bleak. "Blackstar" was really long and I didn't enjoy too much about it. The instrumentals were fine, I don't enjoy Bowie's voice much, and I didn't like the constant "I'm a blackstar" bit. "Man she punched me like a dude" is an interesting lyric. Again, the backing musicians on "'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore" are doing some nice work, but I don't enjoy any of the vocals. Reading articles about how people revere these songs makes me feel like I'm being punked. "Dollar Days" is my favorite song so far, its nice. Nice saxophone sections. Sorry David, I just don't really like this. I don't understand how all the reviews are so positive. The singing is distinctly *not* pleasant to listen to, and the instrumentals are kind of boring for long stretches. 4/10
Wasn’t really a fan I’m afraid. Disappointing.
I don't care for David Bowie, but I had hope that maybe old Bowie would be better than young Bowie. I think old Bowie may actually be worse.
I get it David Bowie was an influential artist in the late 20th century. Does that really mean his 2, 000th album should be in this list. As it is far from his best. Like I said before he didn't age like fine wine more like vinegar.
Not his best album, that's for sure.
I’m really not sure how to rate this album…it had some good songs, Lazarus and I Can’t Give Everything Away, but the first song was 10 minutes long and really weird 😩 The other few songs were also pretty strange. Not for me. I’m a simple girl with simple tastes, ok. I just want to be able to sing along to songs that sound pleasant to my ear 😁 This album did not satisfy those requirements. But I suppose I can give Bowie a pass, because he was such a cool kook that he’s allowed to do anything he wants 😅 I’m happy I finally listened to this album, but I won’t be listening again.
Not a fan of this one.
Did not hold my attention (unfortunately).
Didn’t do it for me, much as I love Bowie
I did not like this album. It seemed experimental.
This was a peculiar album. Very experimental. Reminded me a lot of Radiohead in the early 2000s when they lost their direction and were into the weeds with experimentation. It’s a merging of genres with an out of control drum machine where the end result is where the style and substance never seem to fused together properly.
Most of the music was fine. It was the vocals that often seemed out of sync and not really connected to the music.
Scratch in the same place
I listened to this album when it came out and was not super impressed but it's late Bowie and tough to hold up against the classics. It's not terrible, with a few ok tracks and a few bad tracks. The opener is not good...Dracula Bowie pining over a hooker does not bode well. Too track was "Girl Loves Me" with Bowie channeling his inner Gabriel and a pretty follower "Dollar Days." Another one making the list based purely on the timing and secretive recording. You can def sense the experience of his inevitable demise...2.0.
I remember the news of Blackstar's release and Bowie's subsequent death. I had low expectations that Bowie could still assemble a decent album in the last days while fighting illness. I was surprised how competent Blackstar was on this listen. Admittedly, the backing band is doing the majority of the heavy lifting as they bring in some funk that hits with more impact than Bowie's vocals. It's not an amazing album but certainly an appreciated parting gift from Mr. Bowie. Tragic loss to the music world, and even if it isn't something I'll return to often Blackstar was a great swan song on his way out. Final track I Can't Give Everything Away was a fantastic closer to a legendary career. 2.33 stars
Are we going to get any Bowie albums from the golden days? These 2010's albums are not vibing.
David Bowie's voice is just not good on this record. I understand its significance, but most of these songs were a drag to get through. Some instrument arrangements make this listenable though.
a loud, resounding meh for this one. if this album hadn't dropped right before bowie's death, i don't think it would've been more than a blip on most people's radars. after listening to like 6 or 7 bowie albums in this list, nothing has topped ziggy stardust for me and the rest have slowly turned me into a hater. there's just nothing interesting or captivating really happening on this album, just pretentious drivel. favorites: lazarus
Not my favorite Bowie Album...
Nothing great here, feels like there are many more albums out there that could’ve been on here instead of this
Appreciate the artist. Didn’t care for the album.
Absurd !👎🏼
3/10 - it was just bad. David Bowie but bad
Maybe I wasn’t able to fully appreciate this because I was doing homework, but this was pretty wack
First time ever listening to a Bowie album front to back (not really a fan of his). From the jump, the title track is an ominous, but dreadful opening track that seems like 3 miscellaneous tracks thrown into one. Musicianship is overall solid; lyrics and vocals are sometimes lackluster. It seems that parting, loss and coming to terms with mortality are the biggest themes throughout this record, which of course was eerily prophetic, and probably by design. No song captures that better than “Lazarus” which is probably the album’s strongest track.
Meh
Not my favorite Bowie but it was fine. 2.5 but probably wouldn’t repeat so rounded down
Eh I can’t say that I am a fan of this album. As said in an earlier Bowie, I don’t think that I am a huge Bowie person and this album just seemed superfluous and added just because it’s Bowie.
I gotta say, it seems to me that because this is Bowie's "swan song," people like this album more than they otherwise would. And that's okay, it's sort of beautiful and very human, actually. I ALMOST like the chant in the second half of the first song, Blackstar, but the lyrics are lackluster to me. I like the Eastern sound Bowie had going on in the song, but it's just not quite there for me. Dollar Days is a pretty cool soundscape. I think a lot of these tracks would be amazing live (dang, too bad), but they're not quite hitting for me in the streaming format. The entire album is just not quite there for me. I'd say Bowie was more worried about translating his mind into music than conforming to a specific sound, which is cool, that's the special thing about experimental music, but it makes for highly polarizing music. You either love it or you are appalled. Except in my case I'm sort of in between, I appreciate this album for what it is, I find it interesting, it's cool, I didn't mind listening to it, but I didn't really enjoy it either. Probably won't listen again.
Do you like rock with jass music? if you do then this album is for you. I don't like this album and this is why. First the guys voice suck in my opinion. second I don't like the beat of the music it kinda suck. Last I don't like the lyrics there pretty weird. I don't recommend this album try to look for something else.
i Love the jazz and the jacksafon but i dont really like the lyircs. Its okay i like thne beat i vibe with it but dont really like the lyircs.
Do you like music that sounds like it's in the future? Then this is the album for you! The background sounds like it's a battle scene from a video game. I like his voice, but I can't understand the lyrics. I also like the beat. So that is why I recommend that you listen to this album.
If you like slow, electronic music, this album is for you! However, I wouldn't say I like this album. Because it's too slow for me, and I'm not too fond of his voice. He does have good range though. In my opinion, I don't think you should listen to this album.
lazarus sounds like he's been listening to blood orange. thus i like. why's he so moody saxophone is the real star here i will not be listening to this again
It was fine I guess. Didn't really dig it much.
In this old fart's opinion, Bowie's best material came between 1968 and 1980. Given the circumstances surrounding the release of this one, I really hoped I could like it but it's just not for me.
Worst david bowie album Ive heard. One song was very good others were the same and meh. Still love him.
- ich werde einfach kein Bowie Fan mehr glaube ich - verstehe nicht so ganz, was an dem „Hype“ dran ist - ging mir nicht total auf den Zeiger, aber habe auch schon besseres gehört
the instrumentals and drums in this album are amazing, it’s just a shame that the song is immediately ruined every time david bowie opens his mouth. best song is Girl Loves Me.
Davids last album Very morbid
Shite, top to bottom
Expected something more exciting tbh
this is shite -cit.
Lazarus and girl love me were the best songs on there they were interesting especially the music video for Lazareth. That was kind of cool.
I found it tough to listen to this album. David Bowie, was battling cancer during the creation of these songs, so gotta give him that. Unfortunately so 2/5.
Nope. I never got the whole Bowie thing. I find most of his stuff dreary and droning. I quite literally fell asleep trying to listen to this. There are some interesting song ideas here, I guess, but then Bowie drones all over them. I still don't get the Bowie thing.
Super average for Bowie, boring/uninventive/outdated. Wouldn't play any of these songs again intentionally
I like Bowie's biggest hits but don't really care that much about the rest of his stuff. This falls under the second category for me.
Pretentious crap. Died a week or so after and could have done without having this out there. Scraped away from a 1 by about 12 bars.
unique. weird. not my style
Maximalist, but sounds kind of amateur to me, songs without much structure (or too much), they wander around and do not sound harmonious. This might a jazz-type thing of knowing the rules and breaking them, but I didn't get much out of this album.
I saw Bowie on the Spiders From Mars tour - fell asleep during a costume change and woke up for the encore. There was a "costume change." No more need be said. Hadn't missed a thing - there's a decent track or two on here, but all in all it's pretty awful.
Meh. This is an old artist trying to be artsy. Wouldn’t be as popular if he didn’t die right after it was released.
Not for me. Didn't really understand it and nothing jumped out at me.
Meh... Has its moments. But it's also a weird mixed bag.
Creative, but not my style
I’m sure it’s brilliant. It feels brilliant. It just. Is hard to enjoy.
I'm not a Bowie fan. A few songs of him are ok, but there's nothing of that on this album. More often than not I had the impression that Bowie's voice track was overlayed over some random music, especially in Sue. Music and the singing weren't connected at all. More parts on this album are similar. Then there is his way of singing. I can't stand it for a longer period.
Weird and depressing
Odd - clearly there's a context here, but the music doesn't feel too dark. Or too inspiring. Late period Bowie is different from most old man rocker stuff, but it still doesn't grab me
Really boring.
I have nothing good to say about this album. Personal enjoyment: 2/5 Relevance to this list: 2/5
Hard Pass
nice to have some contemporary bowie to listen to, just a shame that it's only kind of ok. best track Lazarus. 2
"F 2016, 2016 SUCKS" they said. It turns out people die. There were worse years to come that weren't ruined by old, heavily drugged people dying. I hope all the people who pretended to have loved David Bowie as soon as he died listened to this album as punishment. It's not even the worst, but nowhere near what this list should be.