Blackstar

Not a Bowie fan. I get that he's grappling with his own death, and that this album was very significant to the body of music at large, but none of it hooks me. To all the Bowie fans, I'm sorry you lost your hero and all, but I don't really like any of it. It's too avant garde and jazzy. RIP David, I'm sure you're jamming with the best. My Rating: 3/5

Argh. I'm sorry. I know the conect behind this but I don't think that gives it an auto 5 as a piece of work. It's certainly a haunting and introspective bit of art considering Bowie presumably made this knowing it would be his final work. I appreciate that and at the same time I still found the style, lyrics and listenability of the whole thing to be extremely hard work. It's a historical piece for sure and at the time it came out reviews were all impossible to extract from the context of his death only a few days later. Almost a decade in, assessing the tracks with a clearer mind, this is far from his best musically, perhaps to be expected given the circumstances.

Definitely a David Bowie album. Not his best work but I can't say I'm mad about it.

It's pretty good

This album is good but has received iconic status because of the timing of its release. It is often sloppy and overproduced but still enjoyable because even mid tier Bowie is still solid

5/10 not that great overall, but has some good songs (Lazarus!)

This is more highly thought of than it should be purely down to timing

bit weird but put me through fantastic musical journey. Music tells a story and i like it

Nunca escuché a Bowie. No sé cómo se me escapó… me sorprende no haberlo escuchado considerando lo muy metido que estuve en la música pitera original de bares locales. Es increíble la influencia que tienen todas las bandas piteras. Sin embargo, ya no soy el morrito edgy alternativo que alguna vez fui. Es buen álbum, muy a la dark side of the moon: un proyecto que te lleva caminando a donde te quiere llevar. Me faltó mariguana para escucharlo como se debe. Still: siento que no me perdí de nada al conocerlo hasta ahora. Entiendo que una riatota en su momento, pero hoy yo lo escuché como un montón de synths y guitarras con reverb en acordes disminuídos haciendo cama a un saxofonista bien periqueado. La última rola da buen giro. Still, no soy fan de su voz. Pero neta que WOW con la influencia que noto que derramó a muchísimas bandas posteriores. Aunque, es un álbum de 2016, not sure about that last part.

Weird but interesting

Pretty slow, not my personal kinda vibe

some cool songs but I didn't love it. someone compared this to a Leonhard Cohen album and I thought that was apt

This album is good and a departure from the Bowie I'm used to hearing. I liked the vibe of this album.

Ahh Bowie. So this album is good. It's better if you're into Bowie experimenting with jazz. Overall it's fun and sad at the same time. Fun because it's Bowie playing with jazz, sad because it was his last album. It gets a TON of positive reviews because of this. It's a good album but it's not a great album. I enjoyed it like a lot of his work, and like some of his work I'm going, "What are you trying to accomplish?" Then I have to read a review and listen again to try and grab it. It's good because when it clicks it hits hard, and I will always love his music because dude experiments. He tries and goes for it and I will always love an artist for moving out of their comfort zone. RIP David thanks for the music.

Me aburrio, q raro

Some good moments. Some bad. Some great. Instrumentals are impressive. Most of the singing is pretty good. But some songs have some bad moments that bring them down, and I was rarely wowed.

To be honest, what the fuck were the first two songs. I was on the verge of cutting this album short but gave it the grace of the first songs being so ass that the rest has to catch up. To my surprise Lazarus was an okay song. I could do without David in this entire discography so far because his instrumentalists are CARRYING in this (SO FAR). I can definitely be crucified for this. Sue disappointed me. Girl Loves Me once again has a NICE groove man. I do like the little whimpers he lets out LMAO. Again tho, could do without David's vocals half the time. Dollar Days started so strong, but once again David cannot hang on to a vocal that works for him to save his life. The rest are mid.

I always refused to listen to this record after Bowie's passing. Until today. It's a good record. Nothing incredible but a solid one for sure. 6/10 fav songs : ⭐️ & 'Tis a pity she was a whore.

I was a bit disappointed by this album. Just a couple of songs where I could feel Bowie...

Weird, good. Funny. “Where the fuck did Monday go?” and “I can’t give away everything!” are two good choruses

Weak

Thanks for turning me onto this album. I don't think I would have listened to this - Bowie's newer stuff - but it was good.

Nešto je ok, nešto čisti smor. Ništa nije nadprosječno. Stvarno ne kontam ovu opsesiju Bowiem i na samoj listi i od ljudi koji ocjenjuju. Naumpao mi je ovaj album kad sam se mučila s onim Cohenovim umirućim, barem je značajno bolji od toga (nije teško).

op zich niet slecht, maar ook niet het meesterwerk dat iedereen er van maakt... had hij dit halverwege zijn leven gereleased, waren de reacties minder lovend, denk ik

Wow. Very esoteric. Expected Bowie to explore the fringes and this album has that.

Hmm, it's somewhat a great album but on the other side, it's not that great tbh.

While I love Bowie's earlier works, and Heathen holds a special place in my heart, I just couldn't find the right frame of mind to truly enjoy this album, as haunting and emotional as it is.

I wasn't sure about this at the time, felt it was oversold & everyone being rather sycophantic because he died soon after it's release. However I've listened to it a few times now and it's grown on me. I still don't think it's his best, but it is an interesting listen.

Some really good songs on this made all more visceral by the events around it's release. Definitely a final album but not maudling and typical Bowie continue to progress musically. Interesting

I never liked Bowie's voice very much. Great how he reinvented himself again and again, how over the years he didn't limit himself to music, but also the story and the visual representation. But this album is not for me. Reminds me of Radiohead, but not as good.

l'album est très expérimental, peut être un peu trop à mon goût, je trouve sa voix pas trop adaptée à ce style, mais y'a deux trois chansons pas mal.

It's fine. I like early Bowie more

Not my favorite David Bowie, but I did enjoy most of it. Will revisit. Maybe it'll grow on me a little.

Listens: 4 Standout tracks: Blackstar, Lazarus I've never listened to David Bowie, at least not intentionally, and I don't think I can name any songs by him. I do recognize him by name and I am aware of some of both his tremendous musical career, and through his acting credits, mostly The Prestige, and Labyrinth (though I've never seen the latter). All of this is a long winded way of saying that I therefore think it weird for me to start listening to Bowie by listening to his 26th and final studio album he ever released while alive, rather than, for example, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust..., which I understand to be some of his most highly recognized work. As of listen one I haven't yet formed any strong opinions on the album yet besides enjoying Lazarus. The album feels musically dense, with lots of music transitions happening within songs, and I suspect I'm going to need a few listens to really soak it in. --- A few listens later, I think the album is totally fine. Nothing stands out as particularly bad or offensive, but I am not entirely blown away by any of the tracks. Lazarus and Blackstar is good tracks. I like the alternating between <Blank>-star and Black Star: porn star, gang-star ;) white star, rock star, movie star, etc. I can't help but thinking that "I Can't Give Away Everything" is directly related to the fact that he knew he was going to die soon. Annoyingly, Youtube Music does not have lyrics for this album and so I can't really easily dive into what the song is saying.

Realizing I just kinda cruised through this one without paying attention, I’m sure it was great because Bowie n such, but will need revisit to give an honest review

Overrated due to his death, but still a solid album.

Not my favorite Bowie work. But I didn’t hate it. Just not an album I’d ever put on to enjoy start to finish.

kinda low 3 for me tbh. Strong thematic messaging and music is fine, but it's a little artsy for me. Won't be revisiting much

I get why David Bowie is considered a musical genius. He reinvented himself numerous times over the course of his career, was a huge influence on the culture, and an amazing performer. And this is a good album. I just feel like it's not really my thing and is not something I'd regularly come back to for a listen.

Lazarus and I Can't Give Everything Away were great. The rest didn't do much for me. I appreciate his late life attempt to explore new musical trends, but I personally don't get the hype for this album from a purely musical perspective. Falls a bit flat. His older stuff is of much more interest; one could argue that this album should not be here.

started off weird but i actually ended up enjoying. also pretty short! nice going David Bowie (rip)

Meh. It’s Bowie

Intro recht cool ja

This is very heavy material, and listening through Blackstar does not really make me feel good. I am also fairly meh on it because I don't like jazz. That being said, there are some very interesting things happening in these songs, and it is a fitting end for an excellent career.

I liked the production and I like the album is inspired in Kendrick Lamar. It’s a fine album for me, not my type really I think

Cool bright instrumentals, and callbacks to bigger hits, with a morbid and dark undertone. I appreciated this album, not a fav, but solid send off for the big guy

A strange album, I think I liked parts of it but then others were Bowie doing too much.

I admit I have not had much exposure to Bowie so I don't know how this compares to his other stuff. I liked it though, kinda jazzy. RIP.

If the whole album were closer to it, the last couple of songs were, I would say it was an incredibly touching and emotional album with great music. But the beginning starts off with compressed high vocals that just hit my ears wrong and I couldn’t really get into the first few songs on the album. I know he’s a legend, and there are some great albums by him, but I didn’t think this was one of them.

Definite 3.5 if I could give it. Bowie is amazing. This is not his best by far, but good and interesting.

Fine, haven’t ever “gotten it” with Bowie, probably need more time with it.

what a weird and strange album with unique sound though

Weirdly my first Bowie album that I have listened to fully and enjoyed this. It had a coherent theme (his own mortality lies heavy on this) but I don’t think it was quite straying into indulgent. It’s not necessarily something I’d pick out to listen to but it was definitely engaging and leaves me interested to try more.

Late in career album and I think that steeps this offering. Has the vibe of an experiment about it. I did enjoy it but somehow some things didn't connect perfectly for me like a bad gear change. I actually thought a little nick cave at times with the vocals, style and mortality theme. Bar the odd grating of the gears I will come back to this for sure. I also like the odd jazz double dip have it some energy.

I love the concept of this album. It's so Bowie and a fitting end to his life and career. As with most Bowie, I blow hot and cold with it. Lazarus is a great track but otherwise the album doesn't really grab me. It's dark and uncomfortable (both good things) but I find a lot of it a bit derivative and sounds a bit middle of the road. The main attraction comes from its story, a swansong from an undisputable cultural icon. Worth a critical listen but not an album I'll have on repeat.

Not Bowies best work, too experimental.

7eme album de Bowie. Le morceau 'Blackstar' introduit très bien l'album, l'harmonie est vraiment très originale, et les interventions de sax bienvenues. Les autres morceaux sont assez réussis (ambiance , harmonie, chorus de sax). Par contre je n'aime pas trop sa voix sur cet album, je ne suis pas sur de l'intégrer à ma collection, mais je l'écouterais de nouveau avec plaisir. Il est bien plus intéressant que les 2 derniers proposés par le générateur ('Station To Station' et 'Young Americans'). =>3.5/5

Honestly a little disappointed

david bowie if he made a mediocre black country new road album right before he died, low 3

relaxed, artistic, little bit on the not so easy to listen side.

Not my fave Bowie but it's still Bowie so...

Did not speak to me on first listen. might revisit

I recounted my latter-day conversion to Bowie in my Ziggy Stardust review and this album was part of it. The story of this album is fascinating and the title track is really cool. I have a No Man's Sky playlist that I listen to sometimes when I play and this is on it. Fits well with drifting through space and exploring strange worlds. (P.S. - NMS has a new update today. Woo hoo!) I would give the title track 4 or 5 stars but the rest is a 3, I think.

El "canto de cisne" del faraónico Bowie, lanzado dos días después de su muerte, este es un álbum que dudo que algún crítico pueda valorar objetivamente. Aunque su contexto pueda recordar al You Want It Darker de Cohen, ambos abordan la inminencia de la muerte de formas muy distintas. Aunque emotivo, este no es un álbum especialmente sombrío, más bien lo contrario. Se trata de art rock, más experimental que rockero, bastante animado y que mezcla muchos estilos. Aunque destaca el jazz (con el saxofón como instrumento protagonista), también hay sonidos industriales, pop, rap y, ¿es cosa mía, o hasta se intuye algo de drum and bass a ratos? Un álbum muy creativo, musicalmente excelente, y gran punto y final a la carrera de Bowie. Creo que merece buena nota, aunque no sea muy de mi estilo ni, en mi opinión, de los mejores álbumes de Bowie.

Sehr experimentell, Leider nicht immer erfolgreich aber die vergisst man schnell. läuft gut runter und ist abwechslungsreich vor allem durch die instrumentals. Highlight Lazarus. 3/5

I like his older stuff better.

Totally different from his other work, it's a really interesting listen. Some good stuff and a sort of final send off from this amazing artist. I'm sure I will listen to this again.

I still remember how David Bowie released this album two days before his death. We lost him too soon :( Loved: - Black Star (an odyssey of a title track) - Lazarus (saxophone and vibey guitar!) - Dollar Days (more sax, more love) - I Can't Give Everything Away (the plaintive harmonica moved me to tears, and the lyrics felt like a swan song to us all) Felt fine about: - Sue (a fun experiment that mostly works for me) Did not love: - 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore (terrible title, and just a little too melodically dissonant) - Girl Loves Me (she may love me, but I don't love this song) Overall I'm really impressed with how experimental Bowie still was in the twilight of his 60s / his life.

what a drag it is getting old

Never really a Bowie fan, but I liked this album overall

The album felt like a dream. A dream where things feel disjointed but also make sense. At times the energy of the instrumentation felt differently paced from the vocals, and vice versa. It was like hearing 2 different songs at the same time, but everything somehow came together. I need to give this another listen.

One of the weirdest albums that I also like! The first time I heard it, I really didn't like it. I was hanging with a friend as he got a new tattoo, but since the tat took several hours there were several cigarette breaks. So between those, being hungover, and the artist's station being in the basement bc he was newer at the shop, I think I wasn't in the right headspace when he put this on. It freaked me out, man. But now, hearing it in a way better headspace, I can appreciate how Bowie just went for it in his swan song, diving headfirst into the abyss of knowing you're going to die soon. It's pretty incredible how he kept experimenting and making interesting music right up until his death. It wouldn't be the first thing I ever put on but I can appreciate how good it is.

Lazarus is big and slow and awesome—interestingly with horns reminiscent of Untitled 4, from pre-Beirut teenaged Zach Condon.

Too much for this old chunk of coal.

The back half of the album was stronger to me. The way the final two songs blend into eachother is awesome. I can definitely hear the influence of death grips and jazz throughout.

Not really my jam, my Bowie favorites aren't on this album. Really enjoyed first and last track tough

2016. Pretty ethereal album with enjoyable mood setting. Significant for being Bowie's last.

So very experimental I liked the bottom 3 tracks more than the first ones; but really enjoyed the into track as well despite how long it is.

They moody reflective tracks are good, let down by a couple of songs. Not as constantly good as The Next Day

Meh. Idk what im missing. I cant give everything away is nice. But for the most part im uninterested. I listened to heros afterwards and liked that a lot.

Decent... but needs multiple listens to get used to the off-timed sax solos

Heard it before. Something happened on the day he died, truly 3/5

I'd say I'm a Bowie fan, he has so many great songs but with such a long career his quality varied. He may have done Space Oddity but he also did The Laughing Gnome. This album from 2 days before his death is decent but nothing amazing. Doesn't get much talk.

The album reminded me of the few songs featured on the lost highway soundtrack. None of his catchier or dancey songs, all a bit somber. I understand how people listened and were able to predict he was about to die. Alright album, but definitely requires a mood, not anything I'd put in heavy rotation

Sounds really depressing and upsetting, but it's a piece of art that got better as the album went on. Probably will rise but for now a 3.

Enjoyed it but nothing memorable. Easy listen 6/10

Put off listening to this previously because of the dour circumstances of its release, fearing that the music would be equally dour, and I was kind of right. It's fine I guess but not the revelation I've seen it described as.

Dissonant and haunting

Mint drums

Ok. Has a lot of meaning as his last album and unmistakably Bowie

It was ok.

Not my favorite Bowie

Dark and unsettling. I get the significance of this album but didn't enjoy it as much as some of Bowie's music.

When I listened to Leonard cohen’s you want it darker, everyone was comparing it to this album and many preferred this one. So to set the story straight, I think you want it darker is much much better, but it’s also one of my favorite albums ever so I listened to this way too many times because I couldn’t really get into it. But by like the fourth listen I appreciated the last three tracks I just don’t care much for the rest of the album. Big fan of the album cover tho.

En general un gran disco de despedida y Lazarus espectacular. Grande la despedida de Bowie.

Half the reviews are acting like he wrote this album from beyond the grave and it's really annoying me: I'm not denying there are references to death- he was sick and processing that- but he was being treated and by the time he finished recording the album he was in remission. He didn't know it would be his last album, he definitely didn't know that he'd die so close to it coming out: so it wasn't written as the "farewell" people are claiming. Worst was someone calling it "dying as performance art", dying wasn't some choice he made to make his music more poignant, he was a real person who was sick! Musically I found the album grew on me as it went on, with the first couple songs being a bit too odd for me. I think the level that people love it being so linked to him dying makes me feel a bit uncomfortable about the whole thing- if his cancer hadn't recurred it would just be one of many many Bowie albums and probably one fairly low down the rankings. Favourite song: Dollar Days Least: Blackstar

Another Bowie, I wonder how many more albums I must endure on this site… Exactly as expected, however Lazarus had an awesome jazz like musical solo toward the end which was special, same as I can’t give anything. These feel unconventional to Bowie and were actually refreshing, bringing the album’s score up to a 7/10.

I’ve been dreading this album a bit — when I started the project I didn’t know when albums would switch over, so there was one day layover that I chose Blackstar randomly to hold me over. This was not exactly how I remember it from back then, but it was fun to revisit. Bowie isn’t my favorite artist but decent enough, 3/5

Lazarus is the best song off the album

Really cool, psychedelic. I appreciate it and Bowie's genius, although the dissonance became a bit hard to bear at times.

Not his best

It was ok. Nothing made me want to hit repeat.

Sounds like Black Midi

Weird but interesting

Not entirely sure what he was going for but I dig it about as much as I enjoy other Bowie albums. It's strange how diverse his material can be but it all ends up at the same rating for me, which I guess is a testament to his consistency? I don't know. This comes across as a very polarising album, that's for sure, I can definitely see why some people would love it and why some would find it self indulgent.

I bought this on vinyl when it was released. And while the production does lend itself to that medium, revisiting it in full still brings in a solid ranking. It’s not his best work but it does provide a really interesting listen, with each round revealing a little more each time.

First off, the rhythm section kills it on this album. If I had to show someone learning to play the bass an example of locking in, laying back but yet keeping things interesting, this is it. Overall, I have mad respect for Bowie’s (probably) unmatched ability to be a chameleon throughout the decades and continue to fit in but also stay true to himself. I enjoyed this sonically but didn’t exactly love the songs.

This is a tough one. I appreciated this and enjoyed some parts. But overall I couldn’t really get into it. Maybe Bowie was hanging out with Thom York as this felt to have some of their vibe at parts. I also liked enjoyed listening to this in the car with my 12 year old son thinking it would be fine. Then hearing a couple choice words and seeing the title: ‘Tis a Pity She Was a Whore. Fortunately I didn’t get too many questions about that. 2.5 but I’m rounding up solely for that song title.

Love me some Bowie but I’m not on board with all the love this album got. It’s good, not great. 3.25/5

This record is strangely fascinating but I struggle to comprehend the vision and I struggle to enjoy it. It’s taxing to listen to. But I can see the musical merit and the mood you’re in when you want to listen to it.

Got some great tracks but not my cup of tea.

Helt solid, det här har inte ännu bara klickat helt. Kräver vidare lyssning

I wish this hadn’t been the first Bowie album I got as part of this project, because it was just okay. I know this album holds a lot of meaning because of Bowie’s death, but as someone not too familiar with his work, it didn’t really catch me. There were some songs I enjoyed, and some that felt long and droning with nothing of interest happening. I know there’s a lot more Bowie albums on this list, and I look forward to hearing any of them over listening to this again.

Purely rated on personal preference, it’s hard to be objective because I don’t enjoy the style of music. It’s very unique and an interesting listen.

The opening and closing tracks are phenomenon. The rest of the album is okay, nothing great, but, the premise elevates the experience. Of course the spaceman died and left us this. High 3s

it's almost emotional to learn that this is bowie's death album... though saying that it's very hit or miss, the hits SLAP but it's a rough start to get there.

Like listening to Acid Jazz while drinking a $60 martini.

The first album on this list that we get from David Bowie is also the last album he ever recorded. Weird place to start listening to him. And it's also the vibes I get: weird. It feels more like the last gasp of inspiration from an artist, which it sadly ended up being.

Listening to this was not a pleasant experience, it is eerie, haunting. Mandatory listening for the context, it is not often we hear the swan song of an artist this way. But I would not revisit this for my enjoyment.

An alright album. Didn't contain any of the Bowie songs that I recognized but maybe that's more on me.

good listen

I love DB, without reservation, and this album is his final swan song right before he died, so it'd particularly sentimental. However, it's still a departure of that which I love about David Bowie, the typical glam rock he mastered early on. Of course, he's done it enough to branch out into this genre of art rock/Alt rock. But that isn't enough for me to push it past 3 stars.

Good

Would be exponentially--near incalculably--better as an instrumental record.

David Bowie back to back. Man hör att det är en modernare DB. Det är dock inget som får mig att känna varken mer eller mindre. Det är helt ok. Puttrar på. Men blir inte sugen att lyssna mer. Det är liksom lågmält. Nästan att jag glömmer bort musiken när jag lyssnar. Det är väl inte ett gott tecken. Inte egentligen dåligt heller. Jaja.

Är fortsatt imponerad över hur otroligt varierad Bowie är som artist. Detta album känns riktat till de riktigt Bowie-konnässörerna och blir i mitt tycke lite väl experimentellt på sina håll, även om det också är mycket som är bra. Lazarus och I can’t give everything away är grymma låtar, medan t ex Sue är rätt svår att älska. Inte gett denna så många genomlyssningar som tidigare skivor av Bowie och kan inte utesluta att den skulle kunna växa mer, men just nu är den en stark trea för mig.

Für Bowies Lebenswerk volle Punktzahl, dieses Album kann ich schwer einschätzen. Hochachtung vor der Kreativität am Ende des eigenen Lebens. Hörgenuss eher weniger, ich brauche Optimismus, nicht Traurigkeit.

3 - it was ok, not great for a Bowie album. Definitely gets more praise just because he died right after release

I respect david bowie, rip, but most of his stuff is performance art but in musical form which I find is the weakest form of performance art. Ill listen to it ... sometimes...

I’m rating this as a 3 simply because I don’t know if I love it or hate it.

This is probably a 4 as an album, but my own particular enjoyment of it was a 3. However might improve on deeper listens.

I liked it better on my second listen. but am I listening to David bowie?

David Bowie is one of my favorite music artists of all time, and while this album is not a bad album, in fact it is a fine album, but it is by no means a great album. I feel like the critical praise for this album is unfairly affected by the recency bias of his death. I congratulate him for continuing to take creative risks, but I felt that the ideas of this album didn't coalesce quite as well as his OUTSIDE experimental album. Many of the ideas on here (thematically and musically) were already explored on OUTSIDE and EARTHLING. And free jazz as a pop form was explored long, long ago in late 60s and early 70s. It is not exactly new. I think in time, perhaps another decade from now, when we are nearly 20 years on from his death, I think that people might have enough distance from his death to be able to realize that this album may not belong.

A really solid and emotional album. As with most albums from the 2010s on here, I debate on the validity of the inclusion here. I don't think I would include this in my list of 1001 albums to hear before you die. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe in 30 years people will talk about this album like they talk about The White Album.

Great newer album that took me by surprise. Not my favorite in regards to their other work, but I enjoyed it.

RIP DB. Not my favorite but still Bowie.

I didn't want to cry today, but here we are. The literal end of the line for Bowie, his star finally waned, and this album is bittersweet to the end. It's not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but it's moving, deeply moving.

16/1089 - The jazz music is cool. His voice timbre is too strange for me. Unsure if I'm looking forward to 8 more albums of Bowie.

Didn’t really gel with me, though some motifs in some songs did catch my attention.

Not sure why this album of his made the list

3 Stars (8/15)

This is the first album so far that features my instrument that I'm actually critical of the performance. That's not how I would play the sax for these songs. There's times for the squawk box, but this isn't it, both musically and thematically. This album also helped me more completely understand something that's been scratching at me for quite a bit with some artists. There are artists with personas that they curate to be bigger than their music. Prince, Beyonce, Madonna, actually most mononyms (with the exception of rappers, who have a separate culture around names). I think Bowie falls into this. He adopted personas, politics, sexualities, and styles constantly, and made it unclear if any were actually "him." As such, Bowie the public figure was more important than Bowie the musician. Which makes it hard to judge his music on its own merits, because he intentionally tied anything he did into broader projects and statements. And this album is part of that, in its own way. It's Bowie, the man, grappling with his impending death. This album is lyrically compelling, and feels like the most "honest" Bowie we have. Which makes it a shame to be pretty dull musically. It's trying, but it's ultimately interesting moments undercut by underwhelming writing and performances. I think it's going to be difficult to be able to look critically on this album for decades without viewing it from the lens of his death days after release. I was not following any music at the time, but both the album and his death were international news events. I don't know this album can be reviewed honestly knowing that, or, frankly, without knowing that. Maybe more time would change my opinion, but I wasn't particularly into it at the time, and I'm not particularly into it now, despite finding some of Bowie's work truly great, and among the best of his era.

not his best but still enjoyable with some highlight tracks

This is a swan song album and I feel like this impacts people’s opinion of the album itself. Listen, it was good. Amongst the tripe coming out in 2016 (although, I very much still enjoy said tripe in the summertime), this must have been seminal. And Bowie is an incredibly talented artist. However… is it the best Bowie album? No. It doesn’t hold up against the iconic Ziggy or Heroes, in my opinion. Bowie has always been experimental but I feel as though it was a little bit bland? I feel harsh. And, to be fair, I am only at the beginning of my Bowie journey. Maybe I will feel differently about the album as I go through the rest of his work but having said that, I don’t want my opinion to be warped due to sentimentality. I can’t see myself choosing to put this on again, although that may change. For now, I’m leaving it at a three.

I think its great that he got to make this but it is a private dance

A non-traditional sound for Bowie - very bass-driven with synth beats. It was enjoyable but did not stand out.

muy divertido

hornier than i expected (perhaps I am stupid) i like how "large scale" some of the songs feel

It was ok

You wouldn’t pay much attention to this if you didn’t know who it was.

I find it a bit dull compared to older Bowie works. Not for me.

the last two songs saved this album

Godt album. Udgivet lige inden han døde. Art rock med jazzy sounds osv

eh

his swan song fr

I will not let sentiment sway me on this one. I love David Bowie (who doesn't?) and I understand this was his final album. Yup. Pulls at the heartstrings. Nevertheless, without being a jerk, I just didn't love it musically. I don't have to compare it to any other musician, I can say "in his catalog" and say this is not his best album. It is not a failure or anything bad, it is just sort of in the middle somewhere. It doesn't change the fact we lost a great PERSON when he died just because his last album isn't a knockout. So what?

Meh. I liked other Bowie stuff better.

Weird opening, village of Orman, sounds like the British infatuation of heraldry and mysticism. I realize it's his last album and the sax is great, but it sounds like a movie soundtrack. Maybe that's the point, last song has the vocal rhythms of 'the very thought of you'.

not for me

Pidin tästä lopulta. Mutkia oli matkassa: jazz-saksofoni-haahuiluja, elektromattoja ja notkeita rumpukoneita. Kappaleet nousevat kuitenkin läpi, eivätkä ne ole pelkkää kertakäyttötavaraa. Tiedän, koska kuuntelin muutaman useampaan kertaan. Plussaa toisen kappaleen huvittavasta koukusta.

heard maybe one or two songs from this in the past but didnt feel a strong connection, this time wasnt too different? i dont feel like this is an album *i* could get too far into. still good though this just wasnt meant for me as a listener

It’s an ok album. There’s nothing horrible on it. Some songs feel intimate, others feel like they don’t fit the album.

I wasn't overly taken with this. Tricky one - maybe it's a 'grower' and needs multiple listens. That said, I've never been that much of a Bowie listener overall, just the odd track here and there. Maybe I need to re-visit....

being generous with a 3 out of respect. he was way past his prime here, but its not bad music, just meh and a little too artsy for me

I've come to realize that David Bowie is really hit and miss for me. This album is a definite hit. My favorite track was Girl Loves Me.

I've meant to listen to this for ages. I remember it coming out shortly before Bowie died, and it feeling more important because of that. I'm mixed on his spooky ghost voice, but I think I fall on the side of liking it. Its definitely better if I picture him in the studio doing spooky ghost movements while singing. I think this falls into the realm of albums I don't really get, but that still intrigue me. Maybe its more because of the mythos behind it though. Album cover: (B+)

It was expected to see this album as there have already been so many Bowie albums on this list. I do recall giving this album a listen when it was released and heard the rave reviews. This one just did not feel especially notable other than it was Bowie's final musical statement.

This was like a David Bowie album without the knorr stockpot. It was not for my palette, and maybe that says more about me than it does the album. But I felt a little disappointed with this one. The saxophone was cool, but I don’t see myself listening to this again. Girl Loves Me was objectionably bad. Some of the lyrics on this album were off putting. I don’t know maybe that’s what he was going for.

It didn't do it for me. I love Bowie and the influene he's had on so many artists. It's a shame this was his final album.

Bowie far past his prime. The album is interesting, but its boring. Bowie was an incredible songwriter and performer, this just doesn't hit for me.

Experimental and clang-y.

Bittersweet. Knowing he created this material while facing death gives it an added weight. It’s so eclectic. Modern and classic at the same time. Vulgar in a great way. Aggressively peaceful.

Blackstar is last album released during David Bowie's life; it was released just two days before his death was publicly announced. It has found near-universal critical acclaim, especially noted as Bowie's "curtain call." With orchestrations from musical theater, these songs could be compared to Rufus Wainwright's; these could be described as an "operatic" version of pop songs. Bowie's rich voice makes interesting songs, but otherwise, these aren't particularly memorable songs. Imo, the most melodically interesting performance by the band is in "Tis' a Pity She Was a Whore," which makes the song, and the album, a bit less interesting...

i don't hate this, and i admire much of this on its own especially when compared to the toxic landfill that is 2016 in music, but i also readily acknowledge it's basically only interesting because it's bowie's final bow "blackstar" (song) is immense and powerful, but there comes a point where giving this album kudos feels like rewarding an aging musician for simply still putting effort in

3½ / 5 Weird af, pero en un buen sentido, para nada lo que esperaba escuchar. No fui muy fan de la voz (y sí, si el pobre se estaba muriendo (literalmente)). Escuché el álbum sin saber nada de el contexto (Bowie falleció 2 días después del lanzamiento) y me pareció un poco meh, pero no es que al enterarme haya cambiado de opinión por lástima, sino porque entendés un poco más el proyecto, su trasfondo y qué está diciendo. De igual manera, no le doy un puntaje alto porque de por sí no creo que sea un proyecto que vuelva a escuchar, pero si espero con ansias escuchar sus otros proyectos. El ½ punto es por los vientos, que fue de mis cosas favoritas.

Needs another listen. 3.5

This was very hit and miss. First part of the album was quite bad. Final three songs were better. Still not great.

Although a departure from his earlier sounds (and Earth physically), Bowie pulls off a decent later album. I will assume this one gets better the more you hear it, it deserves a close listen and I really haven't spent much time with it. There's a variety of sounds and genres at play allowing the vocals to be an accent rather than the main feature. "Lazarus" is really haunting and mysterious, very on-point given the circumstances with secret recording sessions and timely post-death release. It's very good. I liked a couple other songs on here too, but I'm mainly impressed that he was able to consistently make relevant music this far into his career. Anyway, where the fuck did Monday go? 2.85.

Somewhere in here there’s a great album. I can pick and choose bits of each song that I really like but they often go on in a weird direction or otherwise fall apart. I’m not talking about saxophone noodling or instrumental breaks, I mean completely changing the tone either via the actual key or the instrumentation. The first track is a great example, the first five minutes and the last minute are great, but what is that weird thing in the middle? Unnecessary. The same happens at the ends of a few other songs. Things I really enjoyed: the songwriting and the drums. Man, the drums. Whoever that is did amazing work. Crisp jazz/rock beats that go beyond keeping a rhythm and in to tonal music all themselves. Bowie’s vocals are good as always but a bit uninspired. There are some points where I felt that he was warbling over the scale for no reason. Overall pretty decent. Wouldn’t turn it off.

There was a lot of hype for this one. My husband absolutely loved it, but I'm more lukewarm. 3/5

very gloomy sound, but I don’t hate it. Songs have good progression. bluesy, trancy, and rock all in one

Liked this album. Kind of out there a bit but given the background of this album it’s kind of profound

ok the universe must be listening because i swear i had JUST finished one of my "why don't i like david bowie more" rants last week... and then i got another bowie album. it's just not hitting, y'all. i don't get it! 😭

i’m definitely a bowie fan - and it’s great that he was able to make music up until the end. but this was obviously a step down from his earlier stuff. it had some cool instrumental stuff going on a lot but his voice was obviously tired. it’s good this exists but not sure what warrants it getting on this list

Not his "greatest" but typical Bowie... RIP

I like the fact the first song is just called star emoji

It was ok, but the fact he wrote these with his death looming at a different type of nuance which can make any musical work more interesting. 3/5 Standout track: - Lazarus 4/5

Was expecting to like this more than I did

I remember when this came out after he passed. It was forced down my throat, and I still feel that way now.

Kinda catchy

This was nice, but not something I'd probably go out of my way to listen to.

Of course David Bowie was a treasure. Not bad, but definitely only here because it was his last work, not his best.

I can appreciate this but prob won’t listen to it more

Kinda weird, which is expected, and not as fun as the other albums. Nothing I would revisit. Also on Wikipedia it said he was inspired by Kendrick Lamar and Death Grips? I don’t listen to Death Grips but I didn’t catch the Kendrick Lamar vibes.

Appreciate the jazz style and instrumentals

Not as good as other albums especially vocally, but it was an interesting ride with very creative song writing

Had not listened to this before, pretty good.

This was the last album David Bowie made while he was dying of cancer. You could hear it in the music. It's a great final album from one of the best creative forces this world had to offer us. Not sure I would listen repeatedly (maybe I'll save find solace in it if/when I experience my own suffering). I really loved his words around being free like a bird -- he has a melancholy outlook on his fate. He's not ready to go yet but somehow imagining death as something other than an end. RIP to the best.

everyone says this is a swan song about mortality but i think it actually deconstructs the concept of looking for your ass

Really solid for a late-career artist

Quite hard to rate this one. There were elements of it I really liked and others that I really didn’t. Going hot have to go down the middle for this one.

1st listen not sure

Really cool for his last album but not one that I'll come back to.

Okay, so David Bowie has had some great songs throughout the years but as his last album from not that long ago, I didn't think it was THAT amazing. I am rating it solely by itself and completely disregarding all precious tracks of his. The first track was very disappointing and brought my whole rating down to 1 star, but then things pushed things a bit. Nothing too exciting, but it is supposed to be a slower album.

Less rock, and more smooth jazz saxophone than I was expecting. Bowie is still king, but this album didn't hit like I thought it should.

Mystisch, Themen: Lebensrevue, Curses of his Life.

Blackstar is good, carried by the syncopated drum beat & production. The rest seem kinda forgettable. I'm trying for an objective rating scale, 1 = Couldn't make it all the way through. 2 = Finished the album, but didn't enjoy it 3 = Finished the album, enjoyed it 4 = Also listened a second time for pleasure 5 = Added to my library So it should get a 4. But I can't in good conscience give it that with only one standout track, so I'm going to downgrade in this case.

Context gives it import

6.3

Blackstar (stylised as ★) is the 26th and final studio album by David Bowie, originally released in 2016. This is the album famous for being released shortly before Bowie's death. This is actually the first time I got around to listening to this. I'm really not a big Bowie fan. I tend to prefer his earlier-70s work. I had no expectations for his late career work. This was definitely more experimental than I was expecting. He spans a few genres on here - from pop to electronic to jazz. There is a bit of a free jazz flair to a few of the instrumentals which I really enjoyed. Overall nothing really stood out to me as amazing. Of course looking back this album carries so much significance due to when it was released. But I can't help but wonder if it would be as popular had Bowie not passed right after it was released.

Not the David Bowie I was expecting, but an interesting one still. No songs were particularly catchy or memorable. Lots of instrumental parts, little singing

I enjoy this album, but it suffers from being a bit to electronica for my taste. I'm not sure if it's on this list but I prefer his previous album THE NEXT DAY. It's also up against his oeuvre which is considerable. Giving it a 3, even if it's a 3.5 or a 4 for almost any other artist.

This really reminded me of You Want It Darker - unsurprisingly as they both bookended 2016 and were the final, dark, religiously-overtones swan song albums of two prolific 20th century musician poets before their deaths. Every time I thought I got a handle on this it shifted musically in quite a different direction. I enjoyed the lyrics, and I love David Bowie but I only really loved Dollar Days on this with that sax solo.

eu acho esse album meh

I did not care for this. Bowie is hit or miss for me, which I think is indicative of his appeal. He explored and experimented with musical styles that caught his attention, which I respect. And I found this album dragged for me. But I'm a bit of a rhythm chaser. I did like the sax.

2,5

me copó 7.5/10

As a personal diary and journey into the unknown for someone close to the end, this is really deep. For a listener in a different stage, it’s a bit much. But then again, Bowie has always been hit or miss for me.

I’ll stick with Mos and Talib.

I would give this a 3.5 rating if I could. He tackles tough subjects, but musically, there are a few interesting moments in a generally blah landscape.

purdy good album. I give it 3.5 stars. My reviews haven't been the best lately

Raw, heartfelt….

Nice, a bit too jazzy/experimental sometimes

That was something really strange for my. Moreover, there was no deep feelings or special experience, only pain and yearning from my unconsciousness

This certainly was David Bowie! I was honestly impressed with this album bc normally later albums made by "legacy acts" aren't all that great, but I thought this was a solid piece of work. It just wasn't my favorite.

Very depressing album. But he was dying when he wrote and recorded it. But beautiful all the same.

A little too artsy fartsy for my taste, but not terrible.

I respect the art. Of course. You have to; it's Bowie. Still creating experimental and unpredictable music on his deathbed. So it's hard to separate this album from its context and story. I am trying to be really objective though and honestly, this isn't an album that I feel I'll be coming back to for regular replays. Once again, Bowie creates great tunes but buries them in a more ambitious and grandiose work of art. So yes, I can appreciate how GOOD this is, in spite of the fact that it's not really for me.

3.

Tulee mieleen joku salapoliisisarja tai dekkari. En tykkää laulusta.

I liked this album. Some parts reminded me of Radiohead, or Peter Gabriel. It's a high 3 and might go to a 4 with more listens.

I suspect that if I gave this more than 2 listens, it might creep up in my estimation. But while this is unmistakably Bowie, it's definitely a more challenging listen (that first, nearly 10 minute song) with a heavy jazz/horn sound I wasn't expecting. Perhaps compelling as a deathbed album, but not something I'd feel drawn to venerate and listen to outside of this exercise.

ジャケットアートがかっこいい。 ボウイの訃報と同時に知ったこのアルバム、死を意識せざるを得なかったことを思い出す。

The album has some great moments but fails to stack up against Bowie's classics

I enjoyed this more than I expected to. As I've mentioned in other reviews, I don't generally care for Bowie as much as I feel like I should, particularly from Aladdin Sane on. This one was the right kind of weird and dark, I guess.

It’s difficult to know how the reception of this album would have been if he hadn’t died just after the release. I think that there are some good songs on here, but overall it’s too messy for me to really enjoy. The songs that stand out are Lazarus, Dollar Days and I Can’t Give Everything Away

this album is what i imagine taking psychedelics to feel like, and i am positive bowie was under the effect of some sort of drug when this was written. i did really like “lazarus”, which made up for the fact that the first track made me want to rip my ears off. everything else was ok, they had moments of good and bad for me personally. i did love the transition between “dollar days” and “i can’t give everything”. honestly i was disappointed because i normally like bowie, but i didn’t like this as much as i thought i would. i might give it another listen to make sure

Довольно странный альбом, не без шарма, да и посыл какой-никакой у него есть, но высший балл ему точно ставить сложно.

Tough album to rate, because all the context around it makes it 1000x more interesting and kind of awe-inspiring with respect to David Bowie as an artist. The fact that he could make this album, in secret, while ill, experimenting with some of the most modern sounds around at the time, is just incredible. The songs themselves are haunting, unique, and generally listenable. His voice still seems pristine, and you feel that if he had lived another ten years we'd have ten more albums that were just as innovative.

Very spacey and repetitive. Good for edgy background music

Bowie is a genius. However, this isn't really my taste for what makes him great. Too much jam band/acid jazz going on. That said, there are some interesting moments and top notch musicians here, so it's not bad either.

some cool stuff and a lot of schlock

This is my 7th David Bowie album so far. Two more to go. I’m tired, boss. Evidently, I was born missing the gene responsible for appreciating David Bowie. I’ve tried, I honestly have. I respect him as an artist but I don’t hear what everyone else hears. He has a couple songs I don’t mind but the rest of it, I don’t get the appeal. I’m not a music snob, contrarian, or gatekeeper. I like most of the all-time greats, and I like a lot the stuff people love to hate. I don’t know, man. Maybe one day, David Bowie will click for me, but it’s not looking likely at this point.

Like a lot of Bowie’s later LPs - I like it, it’s sonically solid, and it has a few standouts. But I find it bland and uninventive in a lot of places. I don’t mind it being self indulgent (he’s one of the few artists out there who has earned it for sure), but his death definitely elevated this release.

I've been a massive Bowie fan from early days onwards but honestly there's nothing on this album that's worthy of his name apart from (perhaps fittingly) the final track, which just scrapes this an extremely generous 3 stars.

Definitiv eines der besseren Alben von Bowie. 3,4

Cool album considering his age.

Niet heel erg Bowie fan Niet slecht 3/5

Anyone who gives this a 5 is a pretentious fuck

I always appreciate an artist who pushes their creative boundaries, but Bowie's Blackstar did not really take to this one. Admittedly it was shortly before his death, which explains the somber mood of the album. But it was saxophone heavy, so best I can award it is 3/5 #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie

Bit too jazzy for me. Echoes of previous triumphs fail to elevate this beyond mediocrity.

Was a good listen after a slow start

Hørt på bilturen hjem fra Østrig Det er vel okay? Har ikke hørt et Bowie album fra ende til anden før, og mathilde siger at hun ikke er så glad for det. Men synes det er okay 😇 3/5

eh

Not bad. Kind of gives me Radiohead vibes at times (sort of eclectic electronica-meets-rock).

Not my favorite of his but good

Interesting

I just thought it was fine. I did not love it, especially compared to some of his other albums.

I thought that is was gonna be a hard listen and boy I was right. Just didn’t really connect with the album as a whole. I know a lot of people love it but I guess it’s just not my bag. Apple Music Rating was 3.6/5

Þetta er bara hin prýðilegasta plata með David Bowie. Ég hef aldrei verið mikill aðdáandi þótt ég hafi alveg hlustað oft og mörgum sinnum á hann. Ég held að það muni koma í veg fyrir að ég hlusti á þessa plötu aftur en ég var samt hrifinn af henni.

Some really creative stuff here, but again I don’t prefer his voice.

Whilst Bowies music is inspired, his voice grates on me and makes it turn it off

Lots of sax. 3.8

Out there but not graceful

like most Bowie, I appreciate it more than I feel it. Lazarus and I Can't Give Everything Away are great though.

So first up, I don’t think listening to this album on one of the first decent summers days of the year is a good mix. Buzzkill either way. I know I’ve liked this more when I’ve listened to it previously, but today I just found it all too melancholy/depressing (which I know is kind of expected/the point given the circumstances of its making) and nothing really grabbed me. Well, other than Lazarus which is the standout track. So I’ll give it a 3, but probably more a mark of respect for the artist than this particular offering.

Pretty good. I remember when this was released but I don’t recall if I listened to it or not back then.

Not sure why this is my first listen, but I was certainly aware of it. It is a gorgeous album, very good in places, though even with the baggage of it being Bowie’s farewell, I was mostly lukewarm on it. There’s Bowie I love and Bowie I like just fine, and this is the latter.

I remember when this came out and Bowie died. A pretty interesting entry in the “This is my mortality album” genre, as nobody knew he was dying. Along those lines, I’d like to impartially recommend Seven Psalms by Paul Simon. It’s a 30 minute song about how he’s scared to die. And it’s great.

I never listened to this album on release, and having played it, didn't find it an engaging album.I suspect many rated this highly owing to the sad circumstances of its release.

Different sound from Bowie, but good.

Definitely an experience. Kinda to hard to rate without a few more listens.

Very weird will listen again

Experimental. I appreciate what Bowie was going through when he recorded this, and this album is definitely deep and melancholy. It's brilliant, but I definitely would not recommend it as an everyday listen.

I wanted to like this more than I did.

THe deathly hallows of his career. The fact he was dying when he made this does not excuse the general level of dark crappiness. Maybe he wasnt thinking straight. Should be remembered for some of his much, much better stuff. THere are one or two ok tracks and it is Bowie thus the 3

Liked the mix of bowies style and jazz. Just not my style.

A different sounding Bowie album than what I was expecting. Very good.

Bowie is a weirdo, this album evokes his iconic strange vibes. I liked it reasonably well.

Yessss! I loved this album when it came out. It is so interesting how albums are associated with memories. This album (particularly the Lazarus song) is haunting because it came out 2 days before he died. From what I remember learning about this album is that he knew he was at the end when he recorded these songs. I always take this album in from the perspective of a dying man. Lazarus carries this album from a 2 to a 3 for me.

Perhaps the worst album of D.B.

Another experimental album by David Bowie where you can't decide if it's good or not.

Once I was working at a bike shop with a couple other people with some recent non-Bowie thing, kinda groovy slightly pop leaning indie rock with subtle electronics, and one asked "is this the latest David Bowie album?". It was in earnest but it occurred to me that this is a very funny damning-with-faint-praise kind of thing to say. My friend who had whatever band on replied "I hear what you're saying, and I don't like it." After listening I find it even funnier. music: acknowledged. (⌐★_★)

I can’t believe this is already like 8 years ago. This is my first listen! The cool thing (of course) about Bowie is that he was never very stagnant. This one continues that line, and it’s good and interesting, like they usually are. It’s hard to detach it from the context of its release. Would it be as beloved by people without it? Hard to say. If this were the second last album instead of the last one, it might hold a different place. Nonetheless I enjoyed it, it’s sad to hear, and I’ll probably listen to it again some day.

I probably like David Bowie as much as the average person who has a reasonable knowledge about music. I vaguely know his hits but I’ve not actively listened to him, despite my mum and partner being fans. I’d heard mixed reviews about this album, some saying it’s not his best and others saying it’s a great last record for him to have released. I definitely like it more than I dislike it - some really good music behind the lyrics. I think this is another artist where I’m not sure about his vocals! But overall, a decent enough listen. Middling rated.

cannot even tell if i enjoyed this or not i felt like i was in a vacuum tube.

David Bowie is one of my favorite artists, but this is not my favorite album of his. I am partial to the older albums, but I still enjoyed listening to this because it’s been a little while since I have. The standouts for me were Lazarus and I Can’t Give Everything Away.

This album is David Bowie's last set of songs. I really wanted to like it, but unfortunately I didn't. The songs were just not for me with the exception of "Dollar Days" and "I Can't Give Everything Away" which I thought were pretty good. The mix of really good and bad make this a 3/5 in my eyes.

De laatste adem van Bowie wordt op dit album uitgeblazen. Ik heb destijds het album geluisterd en sindsdien nooit meer opgezet. In het album laat Bowie maar voor de laatste keer zien dat hij een meester is van vele genres. Rock gaat moeiteloos over in jazz en postpunk. Synths, stemvervormingen, epische saxofoons, alles wordt uit de kast getrokken om een spectaculair einde aan te kondigen. En het werkt. Ik vind het ook wel lekker dat het album iets onheilspellends over vrijwel ieder nummer heeft hangen. Uiteindelijk ben ik meer fan van het oude werk van Bowie, maar dit album doet het echt best goed, mede omdat Bowie veel genres toont te beheersen. Ik vind ★ echt fantastisch. Bowie is ook gewoon een steunpilaar en katalysator geweest voor zo veel bands. Voorbeeld: LCD Soundsystem. Zonder Bowie hadden ze niet meer bestaan. Bedankt en vaarwel David. Rating: 8/10 Highlights: ★, Lazarus

Interesting album. Odd most of the time, but surprisingly pleasant listen. Not my favorite Bowie effort.

Good album, not sure if I’m giving it rating because it’s what I really think about it because of the history of Bowie.

The atmosphere on this album is fantastic, but I feel that the songs themselves are a bit lackluster. I can't help but think this album is over hyped because of the circumstances.

Not bad for a guy who knew he was on his way out. 3.5/5

Good quality compositions. Arrangements rather too opulent. Will never get used to Bowie's voice. Is it just me or does he always sound like he's bored?

Another David Bowie album....I think this is the 3rd one. Oh this one is way newer. 2016. I like the sinister feel to the first track. That sinister vibe persists through out! Black Star is getting 3 stars.

Bowie made the best Radiohead album on the 2010s. This is pretty dark but I assume it was meant to be since he was dying. It felt a little hard listening through this one. Blackstar is a standout track. Plus there is one line in "Tis a Pity She Was a Whore" that cracked me up. I'll go back to Hunky Dory way sooner than I'll head back to this one.

It's bowie, just not my favorite bowie

I rate Bowie very highly but this album being labeled as a perfect 5/5 just doesn’t make sense, you’re diminishing his other, better albums this way in my opinion. That being said, Lazarus is a really, really good song.

Heard the singles but first time listening to album…. Lazarus stood out

Not my favorite Bowie record, as it probably is one of his least accessible. But still, as a last word , literally from the grave as he died before it was released, it still has a haunting presence. What it does to a great extent, is show how Bowie even til his last breath was evolving and changing his style.