Young Americans

Svängig.

Alright, not the biggest Bowie fan

Ok…

“Young Americans”- Clear Beatles influence, reminds me of some cuts off Abbey Road (Maxwells Silver Hammer) and reference to ‘A Day in the Life’ (“I saw the news today”), highlights cultural and political problems couples in America faced at the time (Nixon, end of the Vietnam war) “Win”-Soul/RnB influences mixed with UK psych rock . Backing vocals very soul inspired (Luther Vandross!) “Fascination”- Funk inspired groove with punchy kicks and snares. Call and response in chorus is reminiscent of gospel/early rnb which builds with a crescendo of guitar solo, varying organ riffs and the consistently tight bass grooves and drum fills that drive the track. “Right”- Much more laid back take on funk/soul with a saxophone that sounds like it’s supposed to mimic Bowies voice. Reminds me of Bill Withers/Stevie wonder with guitar and clarinet panned hard left and right playing off each other. Has a similarly hopeful/triumphant feel. “Somebody up there likes me”- “Across the Universe”- Beatles cover with Bowie twist. End of the song is a lot more epic and rebellious (fitting with the theme of the album) and also reinforces Beatles influences seen across the album. “Can You Hear Me”- Bowies take on a romantic soul ballad. Sexy sax riffs throughout. “Fame”- Slick, funky and catchy whilst still being a poignant commentary on the double edged sword of the entertainment industry. Clearly directed mainly at Hollywood. Final thoughts- Bowie’s attempt to capture the American audience by outlining the daily struggles they would face and recreating the styles at the time whilst still being innovative, with some techniques feeling modern nearly 50 years later. “Fame” is definitely the standout track and it’s clear to see why it was popular at the time, meaning Bowie’s main attempt with the album was a success. There are some low point however with the album becoming a little bit stale in the mid section

Very poppy. Vocal mixing/effects not doin it for me. Instrumentals kind of uninspiring. Not very catchy/groovy for me

I started listening to this album, and immediately, it sparked some feeling on me that I couldn't quite explain. Then "Somebody up there likes me" started playing, and it really hit the spot for me, and I understood everything. The whole album made me fell like I was back on those times where everything was simple and easy, where I had no worries at all. I guess that's the power of music, and what makes it so beautiful. This album is absolutely genius by David Bowie, and everyone involved, you can really feel that everyone poured their emotions in the making of those songs, absolute 5/5.

i couldn't tell you how many david bowie albums i've gotten on this list thus far (5 at least), but i will say that young americans fulfills bowie's trend of creating a different sound for each album. i appreciate it! his music is varied and keeps my interest, even when i am not his biggest fan. young americans has a soulful, funk sound to it that is so delightful. this album marks a turn from art, glam, progressive rock to some great soul and funk music. the title song has a touch of jazz, "fascination" (with the wonderful luther vandross as a co-songwriter) has a disco feel, and "fame" is fun but also soooo funky. two songs in particular grabbed my attention. "young americans" lyrically is great (and it's also a good song, period) and is kind of a sarcastic look at american society, especially coming from a british musician. "across the universe" was the other song. i didn't know bowie covered this song! it's quite a soulful rendition and does justice to the original song, especially with john lennon providing the guitar.

After so many David Bowie albums received on this project with more to come, I can say at this point that I'm not even mad that there is so much Bowie on here. Every single one of his albums on this project is well thought out and brings something different to music. Not to mention, none of them have gotten less than a 3 rating from me. It really is like looking into the mind of a genius musician at different phases of music. I love the presence of funk and disco here. Bowie gets it just right on this album. After hearing the entire album, it's no surprise that the incredibly popular "Fame" comes from this album. Anyway, not much to say here, but while Bowie isn't my absolute favorite, I've always admired him, and this project is just increasing that admiration!

Can’t really go wrong with a bit of Bowie. He has a way of making every style his own. Even ‘plastic soul’. So listenable and you can’t ask for more than that

Some big classic songs on there with some other solid songs.

Pretty solid album. Definitely had some big hits and the cover of across the universe was cool.

p342. 1975. 2 stars Just because it's Bowie doesn't mean it's good. Great production and vocally he's on point, but there is a lot of filler, very few standout songs, and it suffers from the usual mid-70's excessive track lengths. In addition, the cover of Across The Universe is an abomination. "Ain't there one damn song that can make me break down and cry". Not on this album.

Blumiger Glam Rock.

Standouts: Fame, Young Americans, Win. Others: Across the Universe 3.5

Really like the Across the Universe cover. Never heard David Bowie's soul/R&B stuff. Overall pretty nice album.

First song is good Fascination is good Feel like the songs are a bit overlong and meander without much purpose

Young Americans is a great song

What an album

Overall great tracks and instrumentals, not at all of them are a hit for me but there’s definitely a couple songs I enjoyed in there. The tracks are good soul now Bowie’s quality of interpretation lies in the ears of the beholder as it’s such a unique voice and way of expression. Very hit and miss, for me his version of across the universe is a huuuge miss but a lot of the A side is really nice

Bowie’s voice has always been a bit off-putting for me, but the R&B sound is awesome. Songs are a bit too long.

Good album, like Bowie Hunky Dory is better but it feels like a coordinated piece. Fascination is the highlight

There’s no denying his voice is pure joy to listen to, but this album slightly lost my interest mid way through. I wanted to love it but it wasn’t so.

Did not like it. Not my cup of tea.

Bowie apparently refers to this album as "plastic soul", and I think that's an apt description. There's a coldness to this, kind of like a lounge singer who has totally disassociated from his reality. It's kind of an interesting listen, and I correctly guessed that the album following this was "Station to Station", which keeps that coldness up to a shocking degree. It hits some slow points at times, and that Beatles cover is... something, but the roboticness of this won me over in the end, especially on closer "Fame". Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Fame", "Young Americans", Fascination"

Classic 70s Bowie

Young americans and fame are classics. Classic Bowie sounds, great album. Interesting across the universe cover (Beatles). The first album I did with this website.

first bowie album lol and this is certainly not for me! didn’t dislike anything to be clear, just also not something i would return to… i should prob check out his other stuff that i know would be more my speed than this standout— young americans

4-4.5

Contains my all-time favorite Bowie song ("Right"), as well two of his hits that I've tired of (although "Young Americans" finds a way back into my good graces from time to time, and I'll never not believe "Fame" still isn't a great song). Great moments aside, overall it's not among Bowie's best work. The presence of David Sanborn pushes this more into Yacht Rock territory and away from "plastic" or "blue-eyed" soul or whatever faux-soul label some attempt to put on it. But fuck labels, and even next level Bowie is still better than most other artist's top tier efforts. He even out does the Beatles with his version of "Across The Universe" (with help from John Lennon, natch). It's an interesting, satisfying detour in a brilliant career that we're appreciating even more with each passing year.

There are a lot of David Bowie songs I love and I think he's great as a musician and a person. But I've got to admit, there's a lot of his songs that are hard for me to appreciate. I'm still acquiring the taste, I guess.

This is my first David Bowie album for this project. The production on this thing sounds like it was made 5 years after it! Sounds great. Good songs and David Bowie has a good voice. But it’s not his best work.

A brave album, very different from what I would expect from Bowie

Really enjoyed this one. Fame is a great song. 4/5

Aladdin Sane - 3/5 The Next Day - 3/5 ---------------------- Third Bowie album for this list. This one is more funk/pop/disco sounding, and I think I liked it better than the other two, but still not something I'd normally choose to listen to.

Fame is a tune, the rest are fine.

First time getting assigned an album I have on vinyl! Absolutely love this album--its Bowie singing soul. A marriage made in heaven for me. Favorite track: Right

This isn't my favourite Bowie incarnation, not by a long chalk. I’m not a big fan of the kind of soul music he adopts on this album at the best of times, and I don’t think his own spin adds much value, with the notable exception of Fame. That and the title track almost earn it a third star, but most of the rest is pretty uninspiring. 2.5

Not any of the David Bowie songs I've heard before but enjoyable nonetheless. I particularly liked Somebody up There Likes Me.

Favourite songs: Young Americans, Fame, Fascination, Somebody Up There Likes Me, "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)" Least favourite songs: Across the Universe 4/5

Not my favourite Bowie but still really good. I don't think anyone can doubt his ability to surround himself with brilliant collaborators and I really enjoyed the sax parts on this especially

Not my style

Pretty far from Bowie's best, but he is at peak form in his vocal approach on this album. Some of the middle tracks get to be a bit of a slog, but there's certainly a strong start and finish (Young Americans and Fame, respectively). The Beatles cover is a welcome addition, even if it fits better on an earlier record. Wouldn’t put it in his top 5, but certainly required listening for any fan.

The Thin White Duke experiments with Black soul and R&B, and the results are compelling, even if it was just a passing phase.

Not the biggest Bowie fan but I can appreciate what he did here.

It's not Bowie's best by a long shot, that would be the 3 albums coming directly after this one, but it's still an enjoyable listen. It's just a bit, in one ear and out the other really. Nothing sticks around too long, but it's a fun listen while it's on.

Meh, was alright

4.75

Steady opening track Boring overall, will be rating 2

Easy listen - a few strong tracks but otherwise not overly memorable.

Clasico, algunas medias raras entremedio pero bueno

So. I'm a big Bowie fan. I'm also a little picky. I think this is a great record, particularly fantastic saxophone LOL but that said, it's not in his top five.

The hits stand out starkly but despite some clunkers, Bowie can do no wrong.

Was alright, I ain't going back for second breakfast.

Very lighthearted and enjoyable listen. Quite like how the backing vocals go along with Bowie's voice, great groove on the last track.

Alr, i liked the title track but the rest kinda meh. Felt like David Bowie did a Billy Joel record.

my favorite track is RIGHT, followed by FAME

First and last songs outstanding. Album is very consistent but seems kind of dated.

Not my fave Bowie album but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to it all the way through. Fave song: Fame (easy answer but idc) Honorable mention: Across the Universe

Luther Vandross arranged vocals on the album. Very cool. No wonder they sounded so great. Young Americans: Iconic opening drum riff. Sanborn riffing throughout - alternating with backup singers. Great opening. To album. Win: soulful and quite saturated. Weird guitar riff in there. 10 beats? Fascination: classic 70s intro. This is becoming a soul album. This one sticks around a little too long Somebody up there likes me: and even more Sanborn. John I’m Only Dancing: I could see playing this at a party. Love that bass. Fun with synths and saxes. Again sticking around a little too long. Fame: Here we go. In your face good music. I can feel my age in not hearing all of the low bass notes but I know they’re there. John Lennon singing backups.

Heard before: some I picked a fight with this record in college, certain that Bowie, the eternal style thief, had lifted Fame from James Brown's I Need To Be Loved. Ironically, it was exactly the opposite. However, double ironically, I think I was right about the album in general. I love the mid-70s soul vibe, the band is cracking, and I appreciate the inclusion of a questionable rock cover that so many of those records seem to have. But the songs are thin. Beyond the obvious high points - which are great! - I'd rather be listening to an actual mid-70s soul record. Top tracks: Young Americans, Fame, Somebody Up There Likes Me

David Bowie in all his incarnations is to me one of the most interesting artists of my lifetime. This album is another outstanding destination along his fascinating path. Such soul and depth in these tracks and he assembled an incredible group of musicians for it. The arrangements are superb and the performances are incredible, even with many of the tracks involving so many instruments and layers. And his voice. Just love it. Miss him.

back to back hits with only a couple of duds. Happy I finally listened to this!

Nothing really stood out except Fame.

I'm a Bowie fan and not the most objective critic of his music. Maybe this album should not be on this list (while Lodger and Scare Monsters do deserve it). Maybe the two songs "Young Americans" and "Fame" are just that great they alone justify the album to be essential. "Across the Universe" is mediocre, but the remaining songs are all at least good (though maybe not great). In the end this is enough for me to give it five stars. As I wrote before, I'm not the best Bowie critic.

Okay, but a bit dull. Was glad to get to the end as it dragged on a bit. I feel 2 stars is generous, but it wasn't dreadful enough for only 1 star.

Strong start and great finish, Fame is an absolute bop.

Something distant happening here.

Some very solid tracks. With so many Bowie albums so close together they are starting to blur together in my mind, but I enjoyed the listen.

Love Bowie and love the title track, not my favorite album from him. I know he wanted to make something commercially successful and prove people wrong. It's still damn good.

David Bowie doing his version of Soul. There were a couple of good songs but it was just okay if I'm being honest.

Good album, maybe my favorite Bowie album. Seems like every album has a couple of bangers and other songs I don’t get but this was all good.

His Jazz-Funk period - good album

I like David Bowie, this album is not his best. Outside of Young Americans, it's mostly bland.

I'm a simple person - if I listen to an old David Bowie's album, it's great. If I'm listening to a more recent one, it's not that good. As you can see from this complicated chart, I really like the album. Great mix of funk, blues and whatever the Bowie style is. In my opinion "Fame" wasn't even the best song on the album, and that says quite a lot. Another great position on the list!

3.5/5 mostly good, has a lot of flaws

Great album, but I have a weird relationship with Bowie. It is in this “really good, I like to come around to him once in awhile”-space, but it is not something I get really sucked into (not a guilty pleasure of mine).

Great Album. It has a raw sound that I really like. I wish Bowie’s vocals were more clear at times, but the vibe was still cool.

So so cool.

I liked it. Very funky, especially the amazing Saxophone parts. There are definitely some tracks that just fell flat for me. The ones i really enjoyed were: Fascination Somebody up There Likes Me Fame

Plastic soul

Two Bowie albums in a row. This album is also not that bad, but I’m not a fan of the Beatles cover.

One really great song and the rest of the album pretty good too.

Classic. Young Americans and Fame. Killer Bowie album.

Can't go wrong with Bowie. All time favorite.

Considering that this is probably Bowie's 10th or 11th best album, I'm really surprised it made this list. It did have Bowie's first Top 40 song in the US (Young Americans) and his first Billboard #1 song (Fame). He only reached #1 once more with the single "Let's Dance." Ultimately, The best thing about this album is that it led to "Station To Station" - His best album/

Not bad, not great. Couple of great tunes, but not stellar tunes with endless listenability

It's incredibly funny watching the boomers just cling to any given Bowie album, even one that arguably doesn't deserve to be on here. Like, really-- it's Bowie trying funk. It's aggressively good-- even great sometimes. But can you really say with a straight face that it belongs in the same conversation as the other *SEVEN* albums that Bowie already has on here? A 3.5/5 passing over.

Some good songs

A fun change of pace for Bowie, but definitely not his best or most impactful. 3.5/5

What I imagined

What stood out to me most were the Saxophone and gospel backup singers

Not even close to his best, but I still can't fault him. Fun, funky and an innovative move from his previous stuff that still works.

What a blast! From the iconic opening track all the way through to the equally iconic closer, this album is just such a treat. You get jazzy funky fun Bowie, crooning emotional weirdo Bowie, smouldering intensity soul Bowie, and boldly venturing into R&B Bowie too! It's an ever shifting sonic kaleidoscope of tones, moods, and styles that blend together with effortless cool. It's about as buttery as Bowie ever gets; we need a biscuit to sop him up! The perfect album for a night owl summer cruise on a hot sticky night with the windows down and nobody else on the road.

Glamorous and funky. Not my favourite of Bowie’s records, prefer the more grounded rock sound. Highlight was Across the Universe.

Solid, not expected.

Bowie's take on Blue-Eyed soul (or "Plastic Soul" as Bowie describes it). I'm not gonna lie, this gets a bit corny at times. The sax is sometimes too much. I honestly think a lot of this album is carried by the backup singers. It would suck without them. The song "Fame" is such a banger tho. I applaud Bowie for trying out some American Soul/Funk.

He makes it look easy

Not Bowie’s greatest works in my opinion

I loved this one.

This album grew on me the further it went

Title song is a classic. Fame is pretty good. The rest, let’s be honest, is proto-Simply Red stuff

Not a Bowie album I listened to before, enjoyed this more than expected. Deserves its place on the list, but if I’m listening to Bowie I’m probably less likely to come back to this album.

A Bowie album I haven't actually listened to before. Expecting 4-5 territory going in, because Bowie. Young Americans is a great tune. Slow hopping baseline with some soulful sax in the background and Bowie doing his thing on top. This song always evokes a happy montage in my mental image. Win takes a turn into a smokey number with languid guitar. I had this as background noise for the rest of the middle of the album. Standouts I recall were Somebody up There Likes Me and Across the Universe. Fame is such an amazing song -- almost earns this album a 5 on its own merit. This is a hard-4 for me. Doesn't have quite the playback appeal of Hunky Dory or Ziggy Stardust, but it is a clean album that sandwiches two of my favorites from his catalog with some other more forgettable numbers. Not my favorite Bowie record, but I have not yet to experience a "bad" Bowie album; only good and great.

Love this, love some Bowie

Plastic Soul. Fake in every regard. Bowie’s own interpretation of selling out.

Good stuff

Fascinating move by Bowie into an American soul sound whilst retaining an outsider’s sceptical eye. And no imitation here, but influence, making a fresh new sound. The constant reinvention Bowie had over his career whilst remaining a captivating artist is extraordinary. I suspect there’s an extra star here buy what can you do? It’s Bowie.

The 9th studio album from David Bowie, released in 1975. Well mixed, casual funk/soul throughout.

Still not a Bowie fan but this is a pleasant background listen.

Plastig r&b är väl ok, men låtarna håller för sällan Bowiekvalitet.

I love Bowie’s lyricism, my favorite track here in particular is Across the Universe. I love the use of saxophone on this album, it may not be a very long record but it never gets bogged down with any bad tracks and there is no fat on the bone.

ok

Loved it. Very club jazzy

young americans might be the best song just ever and fame is great this album sucks lol

Fame is fun and funky, lots of nothing tracks. Interesting production. nice use of reverb and chorusing, not just on vox but on saxophones in particular asw. he sucked at singing so bad on this album

Bowie’s best work feels timeless. Young Americans, however, seems particularly rooted in the mid-70s and it doesn’t benefit from it.

One of the better Bowie albums. Some soul inspired tracks, fueled by the usual Bowie weirdness. 3/5

It's definitely not my favorite Bowie joint but it's still shockingly good. While the critics call it "blue-eyed soul", Bowie himself dubbed the sound "plastic soul" which tells you he knew exactly what he was doing. In fact, he described the album as "the squashed remains of ethnic music as it survives in the age of Muzak rock, written and sung by a white limey". And he ain't wrong. But this is Bowie. And, while that sounds like an excuse to give it a higher rating than it deserves, what it means is that the man desperately respected the source material. He was a lover of music and, while he self-deprecatingly describes his work here in derogatory terms, the love of the music that he's pulling from comes through with blinding clarity. Add to that the sheer, unearthly skill with which Bowie builds songs and I'd argue that it's worth every bit of its 4-star rating. If I could give it 4 and a half stars, I would.

I guess I'm just not as big of a David Bowie fan as I thought I would be. I mean I like fame but the rest was aiiight.

I think there are better David Bowie albums but this one was okay. "Fame" does a lot of the heavy lifting for this one.

pretty easygoing album, but didn't find stuff that interesting

This is not Bowie's best

Honkey funk

Bookended by 2 of Bowie's biggest tracks with a few gems in between. Still a pretty attempt at white man funk/soul at the end of the day.

Only got through first half but I get why early Bowie is still considered iconic

may be for me it is too relaxed, but in the end I even started to enjoy it)

wasn’t terrible but better left as an experimental phase. naturally what happens when a white boy who only does glam rock tries to dabble in soul r&b

Once again David Bowie proves himself capable of being able to master whatever genre of music he feels like making an album of. This time it’s soul/r&b and it’s unsurprisingly good. However, fame is one of my favorite Bowie songs and it honestly feels a little out of place here because the rest of the album has a bunch of backing vocals and sounds more r&b then fake comes at the end and is nothing like what came before it.

Solid album. There's better versions of Bowie though

A bit less experimental for Bowie, but still not exiting enough to want more, or listen to it another time

Very good

Fame, the closing track of Bowie’s ninth studio album is a masterpiece. One of the finest pop songs ever. The album is bookended by this and the opening title track. Both towering above everything also on the record. I liked the cover of Across the Universe which was a surprise. For me this is a transitional album, moving between the glam rock period and his Thin White Duke body of work.

Great album, absolutely loved it. And it had some songs I've never heard before!! Saved :)

Not bowies best album but still one that has quite a few good tracks on it

Love DB but I'm not a big fan of this "Plastic Soul" (DBs words) The two singles are great but Inbetween its a bit of a miss for me especially the Beatles cover.

Opening track is easily my least favorite which had me uneasy. But it quickly improves from there with colorful writing and particularly arrangement/production which buoy even the moments where things start to feel annoyingly pastiche. Not something I'd always be in the mood for but plenty of good-great material. Of course 'Fame' is undeniable.

Bowie delves into the worlds of funk and soul music. And it sort of functions, too? This album was fun to listen to, and I like the variety of styles it employs. I appreciate where Bowie is heading in this new approach, and I can see it developing into something amazing.

Has a smooth jammy quality that I'm not into. Many songs are too long, overloaded with decoration, meandering loops. Others are interesting, intense. Sounds horny and whiny at the same time - vocals often duetting with the sax.

David Bowie as a soul artist. It's a little weird to think about him that way, but he really did reinvent himself like that. I just don't think about this album a much as I should. Still, it has two big hits on it: "Young Americans" and "Fame" (although when I first started listening to Bowie I had heard the 1990 remix of Fame more.) The one thing that didn't work on this album is his cover of "Across The Universe." The song is supposed to have a dream-like quality, and I just didn't get that from his performance. Still, it's a pretty solid album but not definitely not one I go to as my favorite of his.

Funky and soulful, a different take for Bowie given what I know of his work. Which isn't a ton, but I know him as an eclectic rocker. This qualifies. It's cool, and I mean that both in that it's interesting and that it fits that motif of being cool (chic, smooth). Not his best, as I wouldn't say there's a song between Young Americans and Fame that I'm particularly gaga over. But those two that open and close the album are fantastic and show off his ability to tackle this alternative genre. And the stuff in the middle fits even if I don't have another showstopper to single out. A very solid effort from a virtuoso talent.

It was alright. I didn’t get to listen to it very deeply for meaning, but sonically it was somewhat pleasing. Fav tracks: win, right, can you hear me

Not big on Bowie. Still am not. Beatles cover was cool.

Top 3 Songs: 1 - Fame (8) 2 - Young Americans (1) 3 - Across the Universe (6)

Great bowie Album. Height of funky bowie. Standouts are title track, Right, and Somebody Up there Like Me

Terrible

It’s a Bowie album, there’s not really much room for error.

Good! I'd round it to a 3.5 if i could.

Not a perfect album but still great

I get what Bowie is to fans, but I'm missing something. Young Americans is one of Bowie's forays into a musical form that he is not familiar with. He knocks it out of the park. 3.5/5.

Door R&B beinvloedt album van David Bowie. Een omwenteling van zijn imago als glamrockster, Young Americans is een "blue-eyed soul" album dat ondanks gemixte reviews een geweldige tracklist heeft. leukste nummer: Young Americans Young Americans bevat verwijzingen naar McCarthyism en Nixon's Watergateschandaal. In liveoptredens veranderde Bowie de president met de tijd mee naar Reagan en later Bush.

So, yesterday I had 1999 by Prince. I don't really care for Prince. I do love David Bowie, however, and upon listening to Young Americans, I felt that 1999 took a lot of influence from Bowie. I don't know how to feel about this. Good album, but not my favorite of his.

There's some decent singles here but it's one of Bowie's weakest 70s albums.

Really enjoyed this album, great melodies, loving the bit a jazz and even better when not expecting much

Love it

Soul multiinstrumentado, con típico aire ya ochentero, adelantándose ya a su tiempo, y con un saxo que recorre todo el disco que no sé si me encanta o lo odio. Buen trabajo, se escucha y se disfruta muy bien.

David Bowie does soul. This has to be a full album experience. Definitely has some good grooves on this.

The 6th Bowie album I've had now and it's okay. I wouldn't say anything really blew my mind and most of it is quite forgettable. I don't think he really needed 9 albums on this list.

I definitely vibed with this one. I think my fave song was young americans...?

Favorite Song: Fame The sound was super cool, but the lyrics were so (so so so so) repetitive (tive tive tive tive). Also slightly offputting that he was on coke while he wrote the whole thing.

Good

My favorite ever artist stepping outside of his comfort zone to perform in one of my favorite genres of music, recorded in my hometown. This could be the worst piece of shit ever made and I'd still give it 5 stars. Of course, this is not even remotely close to being that. The backing vocals and instrumentals are incredible. Bowie continues to cement himself as an elite performer. Such an amazing talent to make his voice fit the feel of this music perfectly. Every single song the album is great, but the favorite track is Somebody Up There Likes Me

fame bop, de rest voel ik niet zo

Zitten schijven bij vooral right was een toffe ontdekking

YA and Fame great. the rest is just experimenting with the sound. bowie’s voice is rough but sort of interesting with the slick production.

”Young Americans” marked a significant departure from Bowie's previous works, which had a more experimental and avant-garde sound. Instead, Young Americans saw Bowie exploring soul, funk, and R&B, which made for a more mainstream listening experience. The title track, "Young Americans," is a standout song that captures the essence of the album's sound. With its infectious groove and catchy chorus, it's one that was stuck in my head for quite a while. "Fame," another hit from the album, features the distinctive guitar work of Carlos Alomar and a memorable hook. The album also features collaborations with some of the biggest names in soul music, including Luther Vandross, who provided backing vocals on several tracks, and John Lennon, who contributed to the song "Fame." Their contributions add depth and richness to the album. What's particularly impressive about Young Americans is how effortlessly Bowie was able to incorporate different genres into his sound. From the soulful "Win" to the disco-inspired "Somebody Up There Likes Me," Bowie proves that he was a master of musical reinvention. This album, despite having a less unique soundscape in comparison to many of his other works, provide a fresh take on Bowie as a superstar artist and it definitely deserves it’s spot on the list. Close to a 4.

Never been my favourite Bowie album but it hit right today. Except the shit Across the Universe cover

Bit mediocre

My thoughts on this basically go: title track is amazing. Solid 5. The next few tracks are great but get slightly worse. At this point it would probably be a 4. I'm enjoying it. I'll replay it. Then we reach the cover of Across the Universe. I don't know how to explain my reaction to hearing this. It could be the worst thing ever created. It starts off a bad, but acceptable cover of what is an amazing song. The whole way through it manages to get worse. It's so bad it's funny. I was literally laughing out loud for the last two minutes. I never want to hear it again. It's made worse by the fact that Lennon actually sings backing vocals on it; harming not only my memory of one of my favourite songs but also one (two?) of my favourite artists. I was actually tempted to downgrade my score to 2 based solely on this one track - it's that bad - but Fame just about saves it.

I adore "Across the Universe" in its very many forms by the Beatles, but I have to admit this version took a bit for me to get used to. I think Bowie's vocals are just so distinct that they don't always work super well with everything. Regardless, this album was pretty damn good. The instrumentals were extremely solid and I enjoyed the listen.

Well, I can definitively say now that whiteboy soul Bowie is not my favorite Bowie (getting off cocaine in Berlin Bowie is actually my favorite Bowie). This album isn't bad, but it feels pretty samey for a lot of it, and there are several albums of his that I like much better. I like that he goes for stuff like this, even though I don't always love the results 3/5

I LOVE IT

bowie sucks

Es para volver a escuchar.

achei o álbum ok, apenas a última música me pareceu interessante, o restante passa batido.

Pretty retro-sounding. Not bad, definitely not my style, though. I wonder if I don't like David Bowie?

Not my favorite from Bowie but it is a great reinvention of soul and my favorite song on the album was “Fame”.

Not for me. Across the universe cover is horrible.

Really good! I think Fame was the only song I knew from this album until this listen. Really poppy and catchy. Dig!

Classic

För allan del.

Great album!

Great!

Least favorite from Bowies records so far but it has its moments definitely

Favourite songs Young Americans and Right

Second Bowie record for me on this list and I really enjoy the funky and soulful approach he took. Great sax solos and catchy tunes.

What if I told you this was better than Ziggy? Better than Hunky Dory? Better than Blackstar? Well, I’d be lying. This is a Bowie album for fans. Starts off really well with the title track. After that it’s just *shrugs* As an aside, his cover of Across the Universe is an affront to music in general. Bang bloody average again.

good album, had heard a few songs. I generally like Bowie.

Fuck yes thats all I got to say

Genre: Rock Review: Never been a big fan of David Bowie, and I don't think this album did much to change that. Rating: 6/10

Enjoyable listen. Couple of tracks I immediately loved, #1 and #3. This might be the start of a long, beautiful friendship with Bowie albums!

Of course it’s good it’s bowie but it doesn’t compare to the earlier heights of hunky dory/ziggy stardust/aladdin sane. 4/5

I mean yeah this is great, feel the soul and funk and 70s influences and takes you on a journey as an album. There's a lot of Bowie in this list but this one is justified. strong 4

Inte dålig!

Weird and awesome

A couple of great tracks on here such as the title track and Across the Universe. It works as a whole album but wouldn’t listen to too many of the tracks on their own. I prefer this sound to the earlier glam rock Bowie

Outside of the two hits, it's decent but not great. I understand that it was an early take on R&B by a white rock and roll singer, but that doesn't make it great R&B. Early attempts at R&B by a left-handed surfer wouldn't make the music better just because no other left-handed surfers had done anything similar.

Not a big Bowie fan, but first album off this list introduced me to a couple songs I downloaded (Five Years and his country song It ain't Easy), so I was hoping for something similar. Not so..... The 2 big hits were the 2 best off the album. Young Americans and Fame, with Fame the best of the two by wide margin. Found the remainder of the album to be pretty unremarkable, even with headphones. Maybe because of the way the week went, pretty shitty work week while sick, but I did kinda like Across the Universe. Mainly for the line, "nothing's gonna change my world." I don't know, just seemed to click with the feelings of the week. Anyway, pretty meh for me. Sorry Luke. 2.5 Want to score 3, because Bowie, but can't pull that trigger. Just wasn't there for this album

Young Americans is actually one of the only Bowie albums I'd already heard before this list. (Lodger was the only other one) There's a lot I appreciate about this album. It's really well paced. There are a few all time favorites and a few new favorites this time around as well. Across the Universe was already one of my favorite Beatles songs and I totally forgot he covered it here. It doesn't get much more solid than this album. Will absolutely buy it on vinyl. 4.5

2 Oh boy. Look, I love David Bowie and would rate the vast majority of his albums highly, but Young Americans… yeah I never got this one. Out of all of his studio albums released pre-90s, I might go as far to say this is my least favorite. The kooky space alien Ziggy Stardust does an album of funk and lounge music-bordering R&B? I guess in a way that’s the kookiest direction he could have gone at that point, but it doesn’t work for me. And he does a Beatles cover? Why? And it’s somehow worse than the original?? I guess John Lennon was his homeboy during the recording of this album, which explains a lot and adds on another layer of suckitude. The funk moments are the stronger moments here, but even then I don’t think Bowie was doing anything particularly remarkable or better than actual funk artists of the era. The one saving grace of the album is Fame, one of my favorites of his, but that’s about all it has going for it. The title track is soooooo boring and overrated. Will still score 2 because Fame and because it’s Bowie.

Another Bowie album, hopefully we are getting to the end of his albums. I'll always remember that was the first album on this list, so maybe there will be one at the end too. In searching for this one I saw he has about a billion albums so it's possible. Another one, however, that did nothing to change my opinion of him. Fame I've heard before, but overall this was just an ok album.

I'm about done with David Bowie by now. We've already had a bunch of albums, and even though I tend to enjoy them all to some degree, my esteem for him is not growing. This album is a lot of forgettable tracks, bookended by two Bowie tracks that I do already know and love. But yeah, I don't need any more albums from him. Favorite tracks: Fame, Young Americans. Album art: David Bowie in cool guy mode, smoking a cigarette. It's decent. 3/5

Favorites: -Young Americans -Somebody Up There Likes Me -Can You Hear Me?

Listened to this on the way to the ski trip. Kevin read to us about how Bowie wouldn't work in the studio without coke. Definitely a crazy dude. Overall great album and I need to listen again on my own.

Listened to in the car to Vermont. Will listen again

Listened in the car. Sounded P good though

Young Americans is a fucking jam. Gotta respect Bowie for refusing to work on this album unless cocaine was present. A true artist. He was definitely in a Beatles phase working with Lennon on a couple songs and the Beatles lyric in Young Americans. Kinda finally understanding the Bowie vibe.

Un altibajos de canciones de bowie, donde los altos son altisimos y los bajos zafan. La primera cancion me bolo la cabeza. 7/10

So good

Y a til un mauvais album de bowie ? Je dois dire que celui ci m’a surpris. 5

Young Americans, Fame.

I LOVE Bowie's plastic soul era

Not a classic from Bowie's 70s run of classic albums, but it is a very, very high bar.

Not a big Bowie fan, but this has to be his best album right? It’s definitely my favorite. If I had to pick one of his for this list, it’d be this one.

Lovely listen!

Part Beatles in a cocktail shaker, part 70s funk. All with unmistakably unique Bowie voice.

Ok, don’t think it’s my style of pop. A little too wacky sounding.

Trip. Awesome experience (81%)

Not my favourite Bowie album and the original is better than the remaster but still a solid 3.5 stars

Funky great production value. Solid album all the way through but nothing special

Strong opening track but lost traction towards the end—surprisingly political album.

Bowie is generally overrated as a musician, but this album shines with it's R&B sound. Young Americans, Fame, and Across the Universe are enjoyable. The Blues/Rock feel on a few others is fun as well. And Luther is apparently on this album too!

His “blue eyed soul” phase, lots of good stuff. The title song is one of my favorites from Bowie.

One of my favorites and definitely my favorite Bowie record. Such a satisfying sounding and feeling record. Every note sung and played are incredible. I really love the background vocals and this is one of the greatest rhythm sections. This album gets the perfect combination of soul, R&B; funk, rock, and experimentation and it is all so tight while feeling so organic. I really love all the jammy parts - I would love to hear where it goes after fadeouts 5

Amazing record, such a great listen from top to bottom. Cool writing, cool vibe, great players. Bowie has some really cool records but this might be my fav. Fame one of the coolest Bowie songs

This is great. fame is so cool. Background vocals on whole album sound incredible. I would say that in the context of the world, it would be a 4 but I’m gonna make it a 5 in the context of the 1001 albums

Fame is an all time song. The rest just lack something

Not my favourite Bowie album, a bit meh!

david bowie is always top, personnaly i prefer hunky dorie, and ziggy stardust, but this one was also adorable

Not bad, but not my fav Bowie album. Def some hits (Fame & Young Americans) and some other songs I liked. Still not certain what I think about his cover of Across the Universe, which is one of my all-time fav Beatles songs. Nonetheless, Bowie is a rare talent. I'd give 3.5, if I could, but 4 seems a bit too high.

Eh, like the hits don't really care for the rest

[Editorial Note: For this installment, I have enlisted ChatGPT to write the review. Primarily because I have love for much of Bowie’s music, but I’ve always been kind of indifferent to this record. It just doesn’t work for me in the same way that most of his other 70’s work does, even if there are few fantastic songs - like Young Americans, Fascination and Fame. So, I figured if anyone would find humor in a light-hearted, shit-talking review crafted by AI, David Bowie would probably be near the top of the list. I provided ChatGPT with a simple prompt: “write a funny review of David Bowie’s Young Americans album”. The first take wasn’t very humorous, so I provided a second prompt: “make it funnier and less reverent”. What you’ll read below is its response] Alright, buckle up, because this review is gonna be more sarcastic and less reverent than a cult meeting for David Bowie fans. So, "Young Americans." It's like David Bowie decided to go on a soul-searching trip to America, and came back with an album full of soul music. It's like the guy couldn't make up his mind whether he wanted to be Ziggy Stardust or James Brown, so he decided to be both. And let's talk about the album cover for a second. Bowie looks like he's trying to seduce you with his soulful gaze, while also wearing a shirt that looks like it was made out of an old couch from the '70s. But hey, at least he's got that perfectly coiffed hair going for him. But seriously, the sax solos on this album are off the charts. It's like Bowie decided to hire a whole band of saxophonists and just let them loose on the album. And the lyrics? Well, let's just say that if you're looking for deep, meaningful poetry, you might want to look somewhere else. But if you're looking for lines like "Do you remember your President Nixon?" and "Ain't there one damn song that can make me break down and cry?", then this album has got you covered. Overall, "Young Americans" is like a weird mix of Bowie's classic sound and a bunch of soul and funk music thrown in for good measure. It's like he was trying to reinvent himself yet again, but ended up sounding like a confused alien trying to fit in with the cool kids. But hey, at least he's got that sexy saxophone to fall back on.

Toppenalbum, ett av mina första!

Not an outstanding album, not a bad album.

Side 1 of this album is fantastic. But - possibly controversially - side 2 slips into Elvis Vegas territory. The Beatles homage particularly. The playing on here is excellent, and 'Fame' salvages the second side somewhat, but it doesn't live up to the delights of side 1 and the opening track. Five stars for side 1, but plastic soul is apt for the flip.

There's a freshness to this album that wasn't on Diamond Dogs. It sounds modern and forward thinking, even in 2023. The change of location clearly worked. Bowie was such a sponge for soaking up whatever was around him at the time. The album sounds like a time lapse. It doesn't appear to have a start, a middle or an ending. It carries you along without plodding. This would be five stars, but Fame has always dragged ever so slightly for me.

OK, I get that this is not one of Bowie's exemplary works. Despite that, I couldn't help but enjoy a majority of the LP. Soul and funk is a different angle for Bowie, and some of it doesn't quite work out ("Can You Hear Me" and "Right" were fairly average inclusions), with the backup vocals throughout the LP being a question mark. Bowie himself assessed it as “Plastic Soul,” and his assessment is mostly correct. In most senses, this album is a poor interpretation of American soul music. Needless to say, the title track is a fun intro, "Across the Universe" is a quality cover, and "Fame" still goes hard. I would return to this, despite enjoying it probably more than I should given Bowie's labeling of his own work.

It’s good, not perfect. Young Americans is great, Fame is an awesome tune, Across the Universe as well. Right is definitely about butt stuff though right? 3.5 stars

I’ve been enjoying the Bowie on the list in general but this is a bit of a dud. Not bad and has some good moments but by the end it felt a little one-note.

Superrr

‘Fame’ and ‘Young Americans’ are solid songs. The rest is a vibe, but not a must listen album.

you know when you know

Most likely the strongest start to any album in history yet somehow it's not even close to the strongest track on the album, unbelievable. He wasn't necessarily doing anything new but holy molet he was doing everything right. Like a pure synthesis of every single genre that ever existed to that point reflected right back at us through some kind of beautiful perfection filter. Beautifully arranged, expertly mixed and mastered. Every song could have gone on for an extra 2 or 3mins on top of their already longer than usual run time and I wouldn't have cared. Too much more to be said. Five stars is the universe's most outrageous understatement.

David and the soul music are predictably good, but they never multiply one another. The result is minor Bowie, but it stays creative if it sounds less than fresh now.

As someone who is not an enthusiast of either Bowie nor soul music as such, I don’t care much for the debates around authenticity that surround this record. All I know is this album fucking slaps. Bowie settles surprisingly well in the soul/funk genre, which was slightly jarring at first. Like I say, I am not Bowie’s greatest fan. But to make a statement like this, such a radical departure from what his fans were expecting by this point, and do it successfully is testament to something truly enigmatic. “Fascination” and “Fame” are standouts, but overall I just love the way Bowie streamlines (some would say “dilutes”) the sometimes pedestrian structures of soul music. It’s not a masterpiece to me, but it is significant in the trajectory of this most unique artist. Finally, a Bowie record I really truly like.

Van alle zuigende Bowie platen was dit misschien nog wel de leukste.

Ik vind deze periode van Bowie zeer interessant. Titelnummer en Fame springen er voor mij uit. En hier had hij echt een fascinatie voor Lennon volgens mij.

Dit was erg tof!

Lekker swingen met David! Love it.

Good album, class first 4 songs. Bowie always bangs. Pas mal. Young Americans song slaps

On any given day, this (with about eight others) might be my favorite Bowie album.

Bowie is really good. And the production is good. And fame and YA are brilliant as far as I'm concerned. But the rest is... Mostly filler

When I finally got to "Fame" it made sense that this "blue-eyed soul" album was the context of that glorious song. It was, however, the only song I really loved. I really disliked his version of "Across the Universe" and wasn't too fond of many of the others, even when I appreciated what Bowie was doing with it. This won't be my favorite, but I appreciate its vision and distinctiveness from Bowie's other work.

This flavor of Bowie didn’t really hit my palate right. It definitely was a departure from the glam rock style, but it felt more like trying for the soul, R&B than hitting it. It sure was saxy…and for me, this was not it a good way.

Hmmmmm. To me, this is the least appealing of Bowie's records so far. I can tell he's going for a bit of a soulful R&B sound and I can appreciate that but for the most part these songs don't particularly grab me. (And I disliked outright the cover of Across the Universe.)

Fantastic! This is my first time listening to this album, although I am quite familiar with three of the songs on here. The rest is well worth having in my collection.

Not a fan

Exceptional stuff, first time done cover to cover and I get the hype

Yup

The reviews mentioning BeeGees etc don’t have a clue. This Bowie doing soul not disco.

Both the title track and "Fame" are fantastic (they're definitely in my Bowie top 10, and maybe even top 5), but once again I find myself underwhelmed by a Bowie album. As I've said before, I appreciate the artistry involved, but I'm not in a hurry to give this another listen (the aforementioned two tracks aside, of course). I feel like a philistine. I shall now retire to my closet, don my hair shirt, and begin the ritual mortification of the flesh as penance for this blasphemy.

70s Jazzy-Funk Bowie isn't my favorite, but it's still Bowie. Fame is my favorite off this album with John Lennon on backup vocals.

De l'androgyne rock extrêmement bien exécuté. L'album dressera un tableau ultraréaliste d'une jeunesse américaine prise en sandwich entre le soda et le baseball. Très sympa.

Encore un mauvais album d'androgyne pop offert par la fraude Bowie, on en a mare Robert.

Lovely

Hemoso.

Not Bowie's best – the incorporation of more funk-oriented melodies should be a hit knowing his regular style, but each track stretches its musical content way too thin.

All killer with no filler! They're all great songs and a fantastic version of the Beatles "Across the Universe" 1975 didn't sound any better ;)

I don‘t care for this so much. Title track is amazing though. 1.3

Yet again Bowie shows he was years before his time. Such a change from RAFOZS and only two years in between. Fame is just top, top tier. Got to say though, I really don’t like the Across The Universe Cover, but he’s allowed a slip every now and then.

Never heard fascination before, quality song. Only the 2nd bowie album i've listened to other than compilations, disgrace. Fame as the final track was boss.

Bowie is the man He’s a fucking alien I bloody love him Haiku for the Starman

Bit boree some ok man

Not his best

Quite a good Bowie album. I didn't know he co-wrote Fame with John Lennon until just now. The funk influences are strong. I liked it.

I do like Bowie, but, apart from Fame, I found the rest of the album quite boring, felt somewhat restrained.

How he shifted so seamlessly into a funk/soul style is unbelievable. A true artist. Great album.

This is okay. I didn’t need a soul album from David Bowie but it’s not bad. If it helped him develop as an artist then that’s great. A few albums that follow this are outstanding. To me the best songs are the ones I wasn’t familiar with. Win, Fascination, Right…all great songs. Better than Young Americans and Fame.

Very solid album Not one of the best of Bowie Not one of the best in the genre Pretty groovy though

I hate that I liked this. You lot knew I would. 3.5, rounding up to 4.

not the kind of bowie i really dig but bowie’s gold even when he’s not

Ik ben pas 79 albums onderweg en dit is al de 4e keer David Bowie. En elke keer voelt het weer als huiswerk.

Bowie could do anything, including this funky music. Ashame of the raping of Across The Universe and no Blackstart/Ziggy/Earthling but 4 stars easily.

David you are not American

like it was good, it just wasn’t anything special in my opinion

Soul y R&B de Bowie. Vinilo.

Young Americans, Fame.

I like Bowie's hits but his early work non hits just bore me. I hope Black Star is on this list. Buuut that's not this album.

Some classic sounds

awesome

Obviously, a few of these are classics. Not my favorite era of Bowie, but I appreciate what he’s doing here with the Philly soul thing

4.5

LP

8/10

Big classic at the start but a bit "wanky" throughout. A Beatles cover the only thing that stands out in between the two big single bookends.

Boring

Young Americans (the song) has a great upbeat start with the funky sax. The chorus is great on that one. Overall I liked the feel of this album. It's a great album to lift your mood

Mixed feelings when I drew this one. I’m sure David Bowie loved a lot of young Americans. It was pretty good but I didn’t listen to it to deeply, and I feel like I should listen again.

Good but not great

One of Bowie's less interesting albums. It can be that this phase of his production is one that resonates least with me, and that others find it much more relevant to them, but somehow it is too ordinary to be good Bowie.

It's a pleasant sounding album but I don't really care for the lyrics and none of the songs individually (except maybe Fame) are anything I would want to listen to as a standalone song. There are much better soul albums out there.