Young Americans

I've had a surprisingly patchy record with Bowie albums so far, so I wasn't sure how Bowie no: 4 would go... I like the opening track (despite it repeating itself for what felt like ages) - the Sgt Pepper reference always seems extremely out of place though. I also liked the closing track, and other big hit, Fame because of its general funkiness. As for everything in the middle: it was just really dull? I am still taken aback at how little I like Bowie over full albums, when I'd absolutely eat up a greatest hits album. This is getting a 2, and that feels generous. 2/5

no

3.5/5

pretty good his vocals are pretty good especially with the effect

I love Bowie still, wonder how many times he will pop up

Love some Bowie

Had a few Bowie records now and they're always a decent listen. No complaints really. Still a mid rating - Hunky Dory is still better

Beast of an album. Bowie isn’t my favorite and I’m kinda annoyed with how many of his albums are on the list. This one earns its keep.

One of the 5 million Bowie albums out there on the list. It's not bad but it's also not amazing. The across the universe cover was a nice discovery.

neutral

excellent

Soort Funkadelic Bowie, heel nice gitaren

Hadn't ever listened to this album all the way through!! Brilliant stuff- Fascination is a new find, and the album is very aptly named, I can feel the different observations of American culture in every song

This is one of Bowie's better album. The title track is a classic and one of my favorites.

Here’s an artist with a deep discography that I’ve barely touched but I have heard this one many times and it’s a good one! Surprisingly very funky but in a psychedelic way. His vocals are sometimes a bit unhinged which gives it a sort of avant-garde edge but you can tell he’s really trying to channel some sort of soul here. There’s a lot of great moments here. It was great to listen to this again and I know that there will be some more spins in the future.

Very good, but not his best

Bowie's worst album

Really liked this all the way through.

3.5

I'm bored as hell, honestly. At least he has a nice voice, but this feels blank.

I have so much respect for Bowie as an artist who was always true to himself and constantly evolving. All the same, his music has rarely landed with me personally.

Encore du David Bowie ? J’ai commencé il y a moins de 2 mois et j’en ai déjà eu 3 ! Je veux bien qu’il soit important et influent, mais y’avait rien d’autre ? Tout le monde n’aime pas David Bowie ! Et en plus, cet album a l’air assez mineur dans sa discographie, ce qui en fait un drôle de choix (Low était bien plus intéressant). Ou alors, c’est que la moitié de sa discographie est dans la liste et que je suis pas rendu.

Bowie’s albums are usually better than his singles. This one deserves repeated listening.

It's really worth noting that I got an album that Bowie himself describes as "Plastic Soul" on MLK Day after getting a much more fitting for the album for the holiday literally yesterday. That being said, Bowie is surprisingly good at making Soul music, but being a sax player makes you innately soulful, so he only gets half-points. He still gets the full share of saxophone bonus points, though. I read another review on this album that brought up a good point, that this album, quote, "[shined] a light on music that hadn't reached white suburbanites before - at least not in a way that could have been considered acceptable at the time." With that kind of frame of mind, it's a pretty good album, especially for what it does, although I'm glad he moved on to the Berlin Trilogy immediately after this album. I see this as more of a love letter to Soul than something he could've made a career continuing.

Alright - listened to this for the first time. Beginning to end. First time through thought it sounded super jazzy. The second time funky. Better the second time

Legend

This album is smooth. From the guitar, vocals, and the saxophone, this album gives you a little bit of everything. I enjoyed a lot of the background vocals that brought an inviting presence to Bowie’s sharp tone. It does have a touch of a gospel in the way that it can be repetitive with the background singers and it has a big band feel. You still feel the funk of the 70’s but elevated into something bigger. The big hit songs Young Americans and Fame make this shorter album a good listen and make you want some more. Short but sweet listen.

Yes

Great album. I haven’t listened to much Bowie but I think I will be now

A very decent album with a consistent sound

I didn’t think I even liked David Bowie but it turns out I love David Bowie!

something gay!! yes!! really good sounds and messaging. strong

Great! It's Bowie

Not for me

finally a banger

Meh

🤷‍♂️

Great album. Surprisingly, I don't think I've ever hear the entire album before.

사실 안들었음

Not my genree I expected more knowing it was Bowie

did not spark much in me

3.8

The vocals are reminiscent of Springsteen. I usually don't like David Bowie, but I do like blue eyed soul. Not bad.

First of all, I want to say that Fiona Apple's cover of "Across the Universe" is much better than Bowie's. Second of all, I want to say that Bowie is very hit or miss for me, and this is a miss. Not in the usual way though. Usually, Bowie does something very experimental that's just awful, but this is extremely boring. I'll forget this album next week.

Liked this more than i thought i would. Some good songs that i wasn't really familiar with

It's a solid, albeit it not my favorite, entry in Bowie's catalogue. I understand it's historical and contextual importance, but I think it's more interesting the way that he embraces 70s funk/R&B pastiche in a high camp way while celebrating it, similar to Todd Haynes movies.

Ei parast Mut Bowie...

Olin, että kiva kuulla vähän alkupään Bowieta mutta olikin herran yhdeksäs albumi. Ei parasta Bowieta. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐

Truly dreadful

8/10

Great songs but not as good as changes

No.

David Chad

Me gusta

Bowie’s always hopping from genre to genre, taking them apart, putting them back together as “Bowie” in whatever guise he currently found himself in. But this is the most imitative of his wanderings and despite the hits, he sounds like a tourist. But a very charismatic one! Even minor Bowie is still worthwhile.

3.5

бля очень плохой альбик итак боуи не люблю, а он тут про битлс и диско пытается

Start of soul phase. 2 huge songs, a couple weak ones. Across the Universe is a bad cover.

This album is obviously Bowie trying something new. The results are middling. But the album is bookeneded with radio hits that are pretty good.

EXCELLENT album. Just superb. Bowie at his most-Bowie. The mix of soul and funk really set this album apart. I love his use of a gospel choir, really paying homage to African-American influence in western music. There's a great use of jazz style guitar, bass, and horns, too. Really makes for great listening. While I love the title hit "Young Americans," my favorite track by far is "Somebody up There Likes Me." Essential listening for any Bowie fan.

Good album, not too familiar with his records tbh so had to do a bit of research here. "Fame" on this album was apparently his 1st US number on, it is a great song. Rest of the album is good too, quite easy listening

Less exciting than the cigarette, bracelets and hair had me ready for.

he’s rlly talented but not my style!

A few good tracks particularly on the back end of the album. Not my favourite vocals.

I don't rlly understand the hype it got rlly repetitive rlly quick

Some Funky Bowie. Young Americans is great and there’s some other cool stuff in there too.

Maybe my least favorite Bowie album. Not that I know his music well, this was my first time listening to this start to finish, but bit of a klunker on first listen. Lack the direction/vision that his albums usually have and the songs are just, overall, boring compared to his other work. Will come back to listen to it a couple more times, maybe I've been too hasty, but on first listen this feels like, by Bowie standards, b-sides that never should have been released.

Highs and lows. The opening and closing tracks are wonderful. The middle sags. His cover of Across the Universe is atrocious. Generally Bowie trying to dip into a dirty bassy soul croon is not a great look.

I’m already a fan of Bowie, but it was good to listen to another of his albums all the way through. Overall I liked it, not my favorite of his work, but it was interesting to hear more of his soul stuff. Young Americans is one of my favorite songs ever, so that was a great start. Win was great, I’ll definitely listen to that one again. Very similar vibe to Young Americans. Fascination and Right were both good as well, the sort of thing I’d play at a party. They didn’t stand out to me in any particular way but the groove is good on both. Somebody up there was sort of a miss on me. I don’t love the way Bowie uses his voice in it, and there’s a less funky and more repetitive nature to it. Across the universe was my least favorite on the album, it went on for too long with nothing particularly interesting. Can you hear me reminded me of one of the songs you hear at the end of a movie as the credits roll. Especially with the strings and the way the drum was. Not really a fan, but it might be a good slow dance song. Fame is a banger, my favorite along with Young Americans. I’m not sure how to describe it, it just has a certain groove in the duh-duh-duh part that’s perfect. Album rating: 6.5/10 Location: on the shuttle on the way to Crocker Park 1/11/26

#5/1001 🇬🇧👨‍🎤 Bowie's Soul album. A re-invention coming off the back of his Glam rock phase. The beauty of this album is mostly in the band and singers assembled. I love that a young Luther Vandross is one of the backing singers. The breathless title track and Fame are brilliant. Track 2 - Win is a standout for me too, but i'm not so keen on the cover of Across the Universe. It's not my favourite Bowie album by a long stretch but there is a lot to love about it.

Very nice soundscape

Always been my favourite Bowie.

Not his best, a few good track

Solid album but the not the top of the Bowie catalog. Two great singles, a cover, and some unremarkable middle.

A fun and goofy album, if not a bit dated.

David Brotha Bowie AOTY rating: 82

I thought this album was outstanding. My first Bowie album. Bowie's vocals are very unique and my kind of campy. I enjoyed the soul/R&B vibe. I know this album is a style outlier, though I haven't heard his other works yet. I'm still trying to take it at face value. I really enjoyed the moments in this album that leaned more towards rock, and I thought his voice with the backing vocals was really brilliant and just sounded really good. The songs are long, but the album is paced very well. I think the first half is a weaker than the second half. Win, Fascination, and Right are somewhat forgettable, but still enjoyable. The final four songs are a powerful journey. There is so much love and light in these songs and they almost tell a story together. Lyricism is outstanding. As a person who has discovered joy, I always get really excited when I find someone who has also figured it out. Really, really beautiful messages throughout this album. 5+ stars for that. Overall, 4.4/5, rounded down for the first half.

3.9

hello again, bowie. he's doing some soul this time around. I'm not rating this high just because i might be biased to this genre of music, but i'm happy with arguing that this kind of style fits perfectly with bowie's singing style and aesthetic, trippy, soulful and characterful with backing tracks that match his energy to such a level, it'll make you a little surprised.

This is a record I can play end to end and enjoy, without being able to specifically remember most of the songs.

not a david bowie fan sorry

Another mid album from a mid artist. The good news is that only 191 albums in this is already Bowie album number 5 for me. Soooo...only 15 or so more? I want to to lend my voice to the chorus wingeing about some artists being over-represented. Unfortunately these complaints often include a lovely gentleman named Neil Young...and I love Neil Young.

Young Americans, Across the Universe and Fame. 4/5

Favorite song was across the universe and fame. Actually think I've heard across the universe, and have definitely heard fame. Probably not an album I'd listen to again but would listen to these 2 songs again

No skips. Favourites were 'Across the Universe' and 'Can You Hear Me'.

yurp

Några låtar var liksom bra och några helt ass, kändes som att det skulle vara bättre än vad det var. Inte heller helt min musiksmak och några låtar var alldeles för långa.

4.5 classic with some less known gems

I am a big fan of Bowie and have listened through all his albums in the past. I personally wouldn't say that this is his best by any means. There are some songs I like. The title track isn't bad, I quite like "Win" "Somebody Up There Likes Me" and "Fascination" and can applaud Bowie for trying different things. I'll stand by that no two albums by this man sound the same which is a feat in itself over such a long career. Negatives for me are "Fame" which I think is generally an awful track and wildly repetitive. There's something missing on his cover of "Across the Universe" too which I can't put my finger on, perhaps just the style he chose to do it in. Though I will say that's not an easy task to cover that song. Some songs don't quite land and feel like he didn't know where he was going with them. 3 stars as I still enjoy a few tracks here.

T1 this is a gospel song. Like the Beatles reference at 4:00. T5 lovely sax reprise T6 Speaking of Beatles references T7 the Luther vandross really makes this Bowie record into a Philly special soul album T8 we got a James brown sample to start off and I’ve been told that this was a collaborative composition with Lennon, not just a vocal feature.

I felt this was a vaguely lackluster Bowie Album. Fame is great, but the second best track was the Across the Universe cover. Not bad, but I kind of expected more

Wow - yet another Bowie album, why so many on this list?!? It was fine - the best part was the backing vocals on all the songs! The two strongest songs were "Young Americans" and "Fame" but the rest was just meh for me. I really am ambivalent about much of Bowie's music overall.

The “Plastic Soul” album. It stands because it helped introduce soul and R&B to a much larger audience, but it’s also clear that Bowie was wading foreign waters. ‘Fame’ is an all-time favorite of mine, the cultural significance is there, the songs are largely middling.

groovy little start, but I was not particularly intrigued or stimulated by this album.

3.5

4.5

6/10

this is very jazzy and dare i say funky for a 70’s david bowie album.. which is why i liked it. it had almost no skips, maybe a few but the rest is immaculate. the first four songs are a blast to hear and every one of them highers the expectation for the next. peak songwriting, great flutes, great job bowie!

I'm honestly not that big a fan of Bowie

This was my first Bowie album. I recognized a few of the songs.

Album #20: Young Americans - David Bowie Genre (according to Wikipedia): Blue-eyed soul, R&B, funk Singles: Title track, Fame I have not listened to this album before, but I know the song “Fame”. Thoughts?: I love the fact that David Bowie was willing to be so risky with his discography. Even if it may have been hit-or-miss, his willingness should be commended. I think Young Americans is unfairly judged with other Bowie albums, because I truly love the R&B influences! Favorite songs: Side One, Somebody Up There Likes Me, Across the Universe, Fame Writer’s landscape: A groovy cityscape. Honking cars, flashing lights, and an overall cacophonous yet Vegas-like party atmosphere! File correlations: File #005: Red X

like it a lot, could definitely be used for my café album may add fascination and young American hearts

dinle!!!

What a joyous listen! Bowie looking and sounding fit, great songwriting, a little help from Lennon, and smooth as a lake on a wind-free day.

More soul than expected! Can’t go wrong with any amount of saxophone

can clearly feel the soul and r&b influence, two genres that i love, and bowie did it so well that it's hard not to like it.. LOVE

bagus jir ak suka

Me gusto

Very groovy instruments as well as background vocals. Bowie much more jazzy than I had heard before. Overall a vibe I can appreciate more than the individual songs themselves.

Liked it well enough, though not sure it is my favorite Bowie

Any album that can have hits from Young Americans and Fame sure covers lots of ground

a bit boring, still good

Pretty dull and uninteresting despite the novel premise of a Bowie Soul album. Also he kinda looks like Michael Gira on the cover.

1st time listening to this album, Fame is the only song I knew for sure going in. It’s funky, has that soul that Bowie was able to throw down. I’m not Ieducated much in his discography, it was fun but I don’t think I’d visit a whole album listen again? 3.5/5

-Very sultry very nice -Soul influences are definitely heard -Bowie’s vocal delivery is fun -Background vocalists add to songs - Great instrumentation - Sort of becomes samesy half way through - Songs are good, but peaks don’t feel high enough

amazing

It's a good album overall, not really any standout songs though imo. Didn't realise there were so many different versions of across the universe, this one is probably my least favourite.

боуві бза і класика, але все ще, однотипно

Groovy with a strange take on blue-eyed soul. I like this record more now than when I first listened to it a few years ago. That said, its uneven and swings and misses in the backhalf. Bowie is undeniably talented but in my view his imitations of popular genres never quite live up to the real thing (glam rock excepted).

A solid post-Ziggy Stardust record.

Enjoyable and early Bowie is always worth a listen.

Over his career Bowie created some truly amazing music, especially in the 70s. I have copies of Space Oddity, Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Pinups, Diamond Dogs, Low & Scary Monsters, all of which I would score 5 out of 5., Young Americans though, with Bowie trying to be a soul artist, doesn't work for me. If it wasn't for Fame, I might well have gone with a 3!

My favourite Bowie album. Love the soul elements on the album. Favourite Track - Young Americans 9/10

Ok... for a white guy taking and remaking black people music

Solid album. Really enjoyed it

LOVED! couldn't have a better rec for new year's day.

One of the better Bowie albums I’ve listened to from this website

יצא לי להקשיב פעם אחת, היו שירים שממש אהבתי, והיו שירים שפחות התייחסתי אליהם, אשמח להקשיב שוב, אלבום נחמד מאוד

nowhere near bowies best work, its an ok album.

It's not Bowie at his best, is it? It's fine, it's perfectly listenable but certainly not his best work. Bowie reinvented himself constantly, and for this particular album I don't think it worked. I'd rather listen to real soul music, or listen to good Bowie music. I don't need him doing a weak attempt at the genre. This album is just okay, there are a few good songs but nothing truly exciting. When we're trying to showcase the best or most important music ever made, this just isn't it.

Love Fame and the title track!

Not up to the standard of some his later (or earlier work) but still an interesting listen. It only really makes an impact in the context of his other albums and with the back story behind it. It was still worth a listen and provided nice opportunities for some sax solos.

Bowie should be lauded for the reinvention of his style that he goes through on this album as this is a significant departure from his prior works. More soul influenced, and nods to funk on some of the tracks, it just ends up sounding a bit too middle of the road for my tastes - plastic soul indeed. This ends up playing it a little safe and doesn’t quite come up to the standard of his Berlin trilogy that came after which likely broke newer ground.

Día ???:

Really doesn't hold a candle to Ziggy Stardust even with the hits on here. 'Young Americans' and 'Fame'. This is supposed to be his take on Soul? It's funny there so much Beatles on here, between some of the lyrics and the 'Across the Universe' cover (which doesn't quite land for me), not sure I love it but Bowie is Bowie. Really solid album, just probably wouldn't see myself listening to this as much as Ziggy really.

3.5! Like more than station to station. Hated the across the universe cover but liked it by the end.

Bowie's my guy, but I was not a big fan of his soul period. It's missing the intensity of the better soul artists of the period, and the musical execution just feels too generic to stand out. "Fame" is one of Bowie's emptiest hits and "Young Americans" is interesting more for it's lyrics than music. Everything else sounds like an overblown version of music Bowie was fascinated with at the time (including the cover of "Across the Universe," one of the worst things he ever recorded).

-1 for that across the universe cover

Obviously have heard of Bowie but haven’t listened to any albums. Young American is a classic. Not the best of all time tho. Great trumpet. Win is fine. Not my style. Fascination is pretty catchy, but definitely dated. Cool guitar for sure. Production as a whole is really good, again it’s just a little dated. Right is also a bit dated but the music is so good. I love the layers of instruments used on all of the songs so far. Somebody up there is good not great. Very well written, cool sax. This is just not the Bowie I’m used too, incredible range which hands to add points. Ending is really good. Not really a fan of across the universe, it’s fine but don’t need to hear it again. It did not ch age my world. Can you hear me is so good. Not my style at all but it just makes me feel something. Guitar and bass are so good. Ending with fame (a classic) is such a good way to close this album. I immediately want to listen again, it just kept getting better as it goes. Do yourself a favor and listen. 3.6 stars on the first listen.

Enjoyed this more than some other Bowie albums. Production is tight, songs are great and interestingly quite long. Fame is such a great song.

Fame did a lot of heavy lifting for this rating. I'm at the point where I think people are trolling me when they wax poetic about Bowie.

Fame and Young American have been Bowie favorites of mind for a long time. Unfortunately the rest of the album is very forgettable. This album feels important only in the context of Bowie’s career, not so much music as a whole. Won’t be revisiting.

Älskar Bowie. Det här albumet stack tyvärr inte ut speciellt mycket. Saknar hans karaktäristiska sound.

I wanted to like this album more than I did. Definitely some great Bowie songs on here and new ones I liked. But I wasn’t overly impressed with any of them truthfully. Might need another listen to appreciate more. Top Songs: Young Americans, Someone Up There Likes Me

Even if not groundbreaking, could be most artists' best album. But as this is David Bowie, then it's four stars only.

Perfection. It's a cohesive, while displaying a stunning range of skills and style. Bowie, you are glorious. This was so much fun to listen to.

Influential, but lackluster in context of Bowie's catalogue.

Great musicianship, groove, and vibe. Funky musicians make funky music. Each song is unique but the record is still cohesive.

Definitely 5

Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: Fascination, Across The Universe, Fame There are some catchy pop tunes on this album, and Across the Universe is an interesting cover. Fame in particular has a really good funky beat going on, right out of the gate.

David Bowie's dive into soul and RNB. I have listened to the album before and listening to it now, I still feel the same about it, which is pretty alright but not my favorite from him. I still appreciate the instrumentations and the live feel. The background vocals are another highlight on the album. But because I find that I like his other works more, I could not feel the same way for this one. I also find that some of the tracks do blend together apart from a few. They are right that he called it "plastic soul", as it felt like it was trying hard. Though it just doesn't hit the same way compared to other soul albums. Regardless, it is better than his dance period in the 80s. (The snare from Time Will Crawl will forever make my head pound). Favorite Tracks: - Young Americans (really like how it mirrors what the US was like throughout the lyrics alongside the beat) - Fascination - Fame (I think that this is the track that captures the funk the album is trying to achieve)

Really nice plastic soul music. Unfortunately blends together after a bit but I love the general sound. Big fan of Fame and Young Americans tho

hey, I’m one of those!!!

(78/100)

Interesting funky grooves. Found it cool that David Sanborn was the sax player on this. Wasn’t a huge fan of the vocals but overall liked the instrumentals. Listened twice.

Bowie jak to Bowie. Genialny jak zawsze. Znałam wcześniej tylko jedną piosenkę ale pokochałam tytułową. Naprawdę dobry album chociaż Bowiego nie można za długo na raz słuchać

Fame is the only standout.

I do like it! the instrumental is interesting, should listen again

Over and over again I’m so impressed with Bowie. He practically remakes his style for every single album. He’s innovative. He takes risks, he’s everything people tell me the Beetles are. Easily one of my favorite by him on the list so far.

Hated the Across the Universe cover. I already knew and loved Fame. I really liked Somebody up There Likes Me.

Too much sax, oh my god

I’ve never loved this album. I love Young Americans and Fame and both Fascination and Right are good but the rest is forgettable to me and Across the Universe is not great. This album is a weird detour between his Ziggy Stardust personality and the Thin White Duke persona that lasted longer and morphed into the Berlin trilogy. Often referred to as blue-eyed soul, I’m glad he didn’t linger in this area longer. 3/5

Lost count of the number of Bowie records on this list. Young Americans is probably one of the better ones.

It gets kinda boring

85/100

Bestes Lied: Fame

4.5/5 - Soulish bowie. It’s an great album and the cover of across the universe is very good

decent

A little hit or miss but Win, Fascination and Fame among my favorite Bowie songs. Fascination probably #1

Shorter than I thought, full of classics tho

Soulful, rock, i liked the instruments used, bouncy feel to it. What i imagine people in the 70’s were vibing to at a listening bar. I liked how the album started, but towards the end the sound/vibe changed a bit to more rock.

David Bowie - Young Americans 1. Young Americans - not really my thing, too “optimistic”. But the sound production, or what’s it called, is very versatile and interesting, you can clearly hear the saxophone, the drums, etc. - that’s cool. So I guess for me it’s like 3.5/10 2. Win - 3/10, the same about the production, but not my style at all 3. Fascination - the beginning really caught my attention, that percussion and guitar🤌🏻 But then in turned to the “too optimistic” level😔 3.5/10 4. Right - the beginning was quite calm and I liked that, but something happened after 1min and…☹️ 3/10 5. Somebody Up There Likes Me - the saxophone is perfect 🤩…. And unfortunately that’s all I can say🫩 3/10 6. Across the Universe - 2/10 7. Can You Hear Me - Boring🫩 3/10 8. Fame - I had hope at the beginning but… it’s a no for me 2/10 I’m sorry Bowie fans, but I guess it’s just not my type of music😔

I think this is my favorite Bowie album. It was a magical ride. The background singers really make this piece what it is.

This might be my favorite Bowie album when looking at it from front-to-back. Really impressed by this one

Recognise young american song (1), good song, slightly repetitive, can tell its early bowie. verse 2 good lyrics. not the biggest win fan but the psychadelicy bits are fun (bridge) fascination is groovy across the universe bangsssss like a 7/10

Album 995 of 1089 David Bowie - Young Americans (1975) Rating : 4.5 / 5 This one really is a standout, even if I wouldn’t call it perfect. It starts strong with the title track and keeps a solid groove all the way through. Bowie leans hard into soul and R&B here, and it works - not as a gimmick, but as a confident shift in direction. This is the album that truly brought Bowie to the masses in the U.S., and it’s easy to hear why. The songs are more direct, the production is clean, and everything feels a bit more accessible without losing his personality. There’s still experimentation happening, but it’s wrapped in melodies and rhythms that invite you in instead of challenging you to keep up. What I appreciate most is how effortlessly it flows. It doesn’t rely on a single massive moment; it just stays consistently strong from start to finish. A really enjoyable listen and a great example of Bowie knowing exactly when to reinvent himself — and how to do it without losing his identity.

Bring the funk

Super!

David Bowie is one of those artists who defies description. That's why I think it makes the most sense to consider his albums in this list separately from the others. In that sense, “Young Americans” is a good, but not outstanding, R&B album. The fact is, however, that this is not the music for which David Bowie was primarily known. Of course, “Young Americans” is therefore also an experimental excursion by a singer who simply likes to try things out. According to Wikipedia, this album represents something of a commercial breakthrough for him in the US. That surprised me, but it highlights its historical significance. As I mentioned at the beginning, I don't yet have a complete overview of Bowie's work. But I hope to gain one in the course of this challenge and that this isn't the peak yet.

Well, even on albums like this which are not my favorite ("Across the Universe" - Yuck!), it's still David Freaking Bowie and makes others sound like amateur hour. This is most definitely not a soul album- may be "soul-ish" at best. "Fame" is the obvious stand out track for me, with "Young Americans" next. Other songs are ok - nothing to write home about, but also nothing to make me want to switch to the next song...well, apart from "Across the Universe." *shiver*

Damn this album is fire

Bowie is great. ★★★★

OK. I like other Bowie albums over this one. Dig the horns.

the sax sounds amazing. pretty groovy. love the adlibs bowie has some soul in him don't love some the lyrics black choir popping off sax solo bass is holding it down David is daviding across the universe is my favorite, but I hate the fade out there's a little ziggy in here those are some pretty harmonies, oohhh and the strings. very pretty and soft song, should have been the closer. why is fame at the end overall pretty solid record, just gets a little white man making weird noise over a black choir sometimes.

Pas ma période préférée de David Bowie mais Famé clôture l’album 🤩

Hate bowie

Bookended by Young Americans and Fame is sort of crazy?? I liked Win, but some things felt like filler (like I don’t need a cover of Across the Universe). I think I like his theatrical work better

legend. great album

Young Americans, Fame, who can I be now and Can you hear me now are the best tracks - I didn’t love the rest as much.

Good start and good end, but a bit soft in the middle.

I loved this album. Hadn't listened to it all the way through before. Bowie could do anything well.

As I would expect with Bowie: some greats, some strange, and some OK, but well done.

Good stuff.

I don't think l ever understand the love for Bowie

I like the soul influences of this one, it's not like the other Bowie songs I am familiar with.

3/5 no my thing

It’s not a “Masterpiece 5” but EVERY SONG *ROCKS*

Not my favourite Bowie but shit this is funky. Fav tracks: Young Americans, Fame Saved a song: Y RYM: N

Featuring Fame and Young Americans, I expected more tracks of this standard. Perhaps if I listened again they would grow on me but they felt like fillers. The production sound didn't do much for me either. Over produced on most tracks I thought but the the title track and Fame are simply perfection.

Very Soul. Very Funk. Very Bowie. And with John Lennon appearing on multiple tracks for backing vocals and backing guitar, what more could you ask for?

We've got a riverboat piano flourish and SNL: saxophones in the first 5 seconds. You know, I can concede that David Bowie is an iconic figure in musical history. A figure who I believe truly is an artistic and cultural revolutionary. To see this androgynous British fellow change genres every 6 months had to have been earth shattering for the time. With that acknowledged, I am of the FIRM belief that this record is not one of those cultural or musical touchstones. This is an insane person's take on a radio disco-rock record from 1975. It's uninspired, typical, run of the mill, pulp grade junk packaged, sealed and delivered to middle America for mindless consumption on the go. The only difference between this and a record label sampler performed by a studio band is the bizarre warble vocals and repetition which I believe are meant to signal "This is art, you moron" to the unthinking musical public like a patterned moth displays what look like eyes to would-be predators. I've probably made all of these points before, as this is the fifth (5!!) Bowie album I've slogged through on this pilgrimage. He has represented 1.5% of this entire list so far. And there is no end in sight, so I'm sure I'll say this again, but behind David Bowie's legend is a cult of personality. When John Q. Music Reviewer sees Bowie's painted face on a musical release, the next hour or so is already revered as a slab of esoteric musical genius before play is pushed. I simply don't get it. Whether that puts me above the unwashed masses or writhing around in the dank mud of ignorance, will divide opinion, but I will leave it for you to decide. You be the sneering judge for a change. I just can't get it. 0 HIGHLIGHTS: Old Canadians

Decent Bowie

great Across the Universe cover, young Americans and Fame hold up

It feels like this album didn't sufficiently showcase Bowie's incredible vocal talents. A little too much funk for me, but still fun.

I quite liked it. It was very mellow and yet upbeat in some of its melodies. It was also so refreshingly new to my palette.

quite easy to listen to, but not particularly my taste. wouldn’t add to the playlist :(

Faves: Young Americans

Good vibe. Didn’t like the Across the Universe cover. Fame is a classic - so good. Would listen to this album beginning to end no problem

7/10 This marks the point when Bowie cast off his glam shackles for good and stepped into the world of ‘plastic soul’, as he would dub it. For an album that completed that full transition, this is stylistically a very consistent record. It slides its way competently and smoothly between more laid back sleazy soul and more funky up-beat grooves, never losing touch with the fun, pop music edge that would typically keep Bowie connected to the mainstream for most phases of his career. The songwriting is solid, if a little plain in places. There are moments when hooks come and go with regularity, and others where, despite a solid groove and vibe to the track, he never stumbles upon anything particularly memorable. That being said, there was rarely a point (except for the cover track) where he lost me. It was almost like it was wavering between being really good background music and something that was able to grab and engage my ear in a more substantial way. I never felt bored or uninterested, just didn’t always keep focus on it and found myself bopping along, my attention drifting elsewhere. From a production point of view, it is really well put together. There's quite a lot going on, particularly with the sharp staccato rhythms that built into those all encompassing grooves, but nothing ever felt crowded out or lost in the mix. The musicianship was excellent throughout. With this kind of music, staying in that pocket is crucial, and they tackled it with a tight swagger that kept the groove of the album pulsing along nicely. The backing vocals are great and work as a smoother contrast to Bowie’s more edgy delivery, and the man himself just has this vocal charisma that, despite him not being the world’s greatest singer, is endlessly engaging. This is a funny album where I think no real part of it (Beatles cover excepted) was anything less than solid, but it only really rose above that a few times. And despite that, I'm quite looking forward to having it on again in the future and it may end up growing on me. Young Americans - A smooth and groovy start. It’s got a nice, easy style about it and it's got some great hooks. There’s some really nice rhythmic blends across the different instruments. It’s got a pretty cheesy edge to it, but that’s part of the charm, I think. Bowie’s got that cool swagger about him that just makes it easy to buy into a song like this. Win - A laid back vibe. It paints a warm picture, but it’s perhaps a little unfocused in places. The first part of the chorus doesn’t quite connect for me, but the second half, from “all you’ve got to do is win”, is super smooth and works really well. The backing vocals are quality in particular here. It’s sleazy, no doubt, but with an edge of cool. Fascination - Ooh, funky. Co-written with Luther Vandross. It’s got a great groove and some really nice staccato rhythms across the different parts. The call and response between Bowie and the backing vocals is super cool. It’s a fun little song and it’s really well produced. There’s a lot going on in there, but it doesn’t feel crowded and it all comes together to create a really bouncy vibe. Like it. Right - Another solid, if unspectacular track. He’s got some really good grooves going on and the vibe and style is great, but I don’t feel it necessarily elevates above being a good slice of r&b to being something really standout. It’s good, and I again enjoy the interplay between the different vocalists, the groove also keeps me moving along with it, but I’m not sure it’s a massively memorable song. Somebody Up There Likes Me - This one kind of drifts a little further into the world of incredibly competent, well produced music that doesn’t do much to elevate itself above being really good background music. I like it, and I’m enjoying listening to it, but I can’t find myself being fully absorbed by it. That being said, there’s some great vocal work again, and Bowie’s throwing some nice bits of grit and swagger into his delivery, and some of the sax work is solid. Across The Universe - An unnecessary Beatles cover? Why not? Bowie got chummy with Lennon at this time and they did this one and Fame together. It’s just not a particularly good cover and doesn’t hold a candle to the original. It seems all together a bit too fierce and overdone to my ear. Lennon said this was better than the Beatles version. He was wrong. Can You Hear Me - This builds quite nicely and I like the string arrangements. There’s a nice flow to the composition and it’s another really easy listen. There’s a nice dynamic range across the track and Bowie really hams it up in a great way. There’s a nice bit of grit and drive to it towards the end, and the band do a great job with it all. Fame - Bookended by the hits. It’s undeniably funky, but in an oddly thin way, but I think that does emphasise the groove really well. There’s not a lot of low end drive to it, and everything is very staccato, but the hooks are really good. There’s some really great guitar work across this and the second half starts to have a bit of fun with the established groove, which is fun. It’s a bit weird to chuck this right at the tail end, but it certainly ends the album on a high.

I usually dislike "blue-eyed soul", often finding it artificial and derivative, and I was kind of ready to bash this album from the get-go... However, Bowie proved me wrong, showing me once again that preconceptions should never get in the way of good music. Sure, it did at first sound a bit like a bored artist toying with a musical genre he doesn’t even like that much. But it quickly became obvious that Bowie approached the source material with genuine respect, and he clearly had fun doing it. He also didn’t pretend to advance or better the genre – as he said himself, it’s just “plastic soul”, which means he was very aware of the artificial nature of his endeavor. I wasn’t sure Bowie could pull it, since his voice kind of lacks the power or raw emotion that defines soul music. But he made a real effort in this regard, using his own strengths (like his Curtis Mayfield-like falsetto) to give a convincing performance. What really got me on board, however, were the brilliant instrumentation and backing vocals. Despite a few weaker tracks, I find the end result really convincing, especially with brilliant songs like Right or Fascination. Overall, it’s really good soul music with an interesting art rock twist ; it manages to pay tribute to the genre while at the same time creating something truly Bowiesque. A nice discovery for me ! 7/10

Bowie always way ahead of his time, doing cheesy 80's music in the 70's! The sax in "Somebody up there like me" or young Ameriacnas was particluarly annoying. But now and there we can hear the great purring guitar riffs or Mick Ronson and all is forgiven.

First listen of this album, and I only knew one song before. I see that some critics describe it as a commercial but original approach to Black music, which I don’t really understand. Blues among others has already been reused and transformed in every possible way. I can hear the funk influence, that’s true, but Bowie’s style is still very clear through the way the songs are built, his slightly strange imagination, the odd touches he adds here and there. It won’t be one of my favorite albums of his, but it’s still Bowie (and Lennon), and that already makes it better than at least half of the albums on this list. Overall, a very nice listening experience, I actually really enjoyed it.

Funk. Soul. Grooves. Horns! Sax! Highly danceable. Despite being a decent Bowie fan and knowing a few songs from this album, I’m not sure I’d ever listened to the whole thing. What a mistake! This is incredible. Also I do miss true covers being parts of major artists albums. Adele did a few! Sturgill Simpson too. But it’s rare. I was almost surprised when this was THE “across the universe.”

Not his best but still has amazing songs on it

Good. Not my fav Bowie but I liked it.

jävligt bra! så najs att han bara kan trolla ur sig ett otroligt fett soulalbum mitt i allt. somebody up ther likes me är en otroligt bra låt som bara pågår.

Favorite track(s): Young Americans, Right, Fame Heard before Previous rating: 6/10

This is the first of 37 David Bowie albums that have popped up on my list. The bookends of Young Americans and Fame are 5-star--and everything in-between was 'meh.' Across the Universe was ok, but didn't really improve on the original. Would I listen to again? Willing to give it another try to see if it changes my mind...

One or two justifiably famous songs and a lot of background noise.

8/10 album!!

i enjoyed this but probably would have enjoyed it more if i wasn't actively crashing out over an essay while listening 7/10

This one didn't really do it for me. I'm sorry Mr. Bowie, I respect your legacy but had a hard time getting into this one.

I mean, I love Bowie, but I wouldn't say this is essential!

Can the imitation be more real than the thing itself? Bowie’s “plastic soul” has the touch and taste of flesh and blood. 4.25/5

More Bowie is always welcome Fave track: Young American

More Bowie. 3.5/5

I’m not Bowie girl but it is fun to see the history behind albums I love. I get the hype

That cover of "Across the Universe" is wack. "Win" is good. In general, it's alright, but I don't really care for early Bowie nor have I really like his albums. Love his singles... could do with a Changes, haha.

Love this. soul, r&b, funk all into one album with some minor blues connections. It's not Bowie's best album, but I love it anyway. Goodbye Ziggy stardust..

I adore Bowie, like so much, but come on now, this is like his 7th or 8th most relevant record. Was Plastic Soul supposed to expose 70's Black Music to a wider audience, or merely to culturally appropriate and exploit for profit? With heavily coked out Bowie, I'm not so sure.

Some recognizable songs on here for sure. Bowie is one of those artists I want to like so much more than I do. He’s the coolest, but after listening to this album I was struggling with anything to say about it. I’m chalking that up as it’s a fine album, but nothing really pulled me one way or the other. Will need to revisit this one again. * I revisted the album, it's better than I remembered. Changing my rating from 3 to 4.

Bowie was such a shapeshifter, both musically and with his identity, but his essential, foundational Bowie-ness is always present and palpable. This is one of my favorite records of his. It’s absolutely pastiche, satirically vapid, and full of radio hits — and yet, he manages to assembled a blend of funk and philly soul completely his own.

This is just a rough album to listen to. Bowie is clearly struggling to find his new voice, and he’s also clearly gakked out of his brain on cocaine. Somehow, at the peak of his heroin days, he was still more coherent than on this album. You can hear him transforming into his Berlin-era Martian chanteuse phase, but it’s too glam to be cabaret; too cabaret to be glam; and too coked out to be very good. A real bummer all told.

Don't think it was very good. Too repetitive and just made me think of the "doing your mom" meme. I guess the first song was better, and it was still al lekker 70s vibe. Just don't get the hype.

It's Bowie it was always gonna be good

Great album, "Win", "Somebody Up There Likes Me" and "Across the Universe" are great.

Yes yes yes

Un très bon album. Mais si celui-ci fait la liste, je calcule qu'il y a au moins 8 autres albums de Bowie qui devraient figurer dans la liste.

Muito bom

Cool album. I dig

There are two fantastic songs on this album. I'm not really a fan of the rest of it. Blue eyed soul and cocaine isn't a combination that works for me. The album is further docked points for having the worst version of Across the Universe in existence.

Young Americans has some kick, everything else forgettable.

A classic Bowie album that blends rock, funk, and R&B, as well as 80s pop sounds that would not be popular for another 5-10 years after this album released, all with Bowie's unique flair. It's hard to listen to some of these songs and not want to dance. Aside from Bowie himself, the background vocals and saxophone are the real heroes on the album. As with a lot of Bowie's work, some of the songs go on a bit too long, but in the case of songs like Young Americans, it's catchy enough you just don't care. Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here came out the same year, and the song Win definitely has some similar vibes with smooth R&B verses and a punchy 5/4 time chorus. Across the Universe also gives Pink Floyd vibes, but more Time than Money. Bits of the album drag a little bit, but the vocals always shine through. Fame was way ahead of it's time, in that music would not sound that bad again until the 80s, combined with the worst meandering 70s funk has to offer. Who Can I Be Now closes the album out nicely, with a ballad in the same vein as legendary songs like Heroes or Changes. This album is a classic for a reason, and other less talented artists would spend many years trying to achieve what Bowie does on this album.

Very nice, but Bowie is always nice

There are some great Bowie songs on this album that get a huge amount of radio exposure, but I don’t think this album is representative of Bowie at his best or most creative as an original artist. 3.5⭐️

Enjoyed, of course

👩‍🎤💖

Great backing music. Vocals at times are odd. Fame is the real saving grace. Solid 2.5.

All very good except the title track which is near perfection and the god awful “Across the Universe” cover

I don't think David Bowie had the right kind of voice for soul music... Or else I just don't like his voice very much. In any case, I think this is a good album, but I didn't enjoy the vocals enough to give it five stars, or to want it in my collection.

The title track goes so hard and honestly could’ve done without much of the rest.

Standouts win and fame. I’m trying to do this without pre conceived opinions( which is impossible for someone as ubiquitous as Bowie) the parts of this album I enjoyed were funky and weird and catchy. I found a lot of the middle boring. I kind of really hate the Beatles cover

Correcto

Groovy tunes. I don't love what he did with across the universe. Despite being bookended with hits, I think this record lands itself in the Hall of very good. 3.4 outta 5

Not that familiar with David Bowie beyond his most popular; I didn’t know he could chill like that. Vibes, relaxing.

Famw

I love bowie but this is not my favorite Bowie. Young Americans is really good but every other song has too much echo effect, too much sax, and is 2 minutes too long.

I have mixed feelings about David Bowie. He's solid but good grief we're 150 albums into this and this is like Bowie album number five. I really like his Berlin period and that swan song was pretty phenomenal but, and I know this is sacrilegious, I find most of his stuff to be pretty underwhelming and boring and this doesn't prove to be an exception to that rule. Absolutely hideous cover of Across the Universe.

Not my favorite Bowie, it’s a little faux in the soul department. I like the cover, and there is some good material here, but it doesn’t shine like his glam rock.

Classic Bowie

Still prefer Ziggy Stardust but this isn't bad. A little too smooth for my tastes, but his singing is great, as always.

132/1089 This was a good album quality-wise, as i’d expect from Bowie. However, it just didn’t really grab me unlike the others i’ve listened to. Maybe i need more time between Bowie albums in this project to be able to better appreciate one like this one which is a bit more understated imo fave: Right 63/100

7/10 Favorite: Across the Universe

Even with my Bowie bias this can only get a 4. Young Americans is great and win is excellent. Other songs on the album are good but more sorta middling with a few highlights

3 of 5

Really good Bowie Album. It's short and to the point. Very enjoyable!

Great, funky, fun to listen to.

Har lyssnat på den redan :3

I listened to this album before and remember not being terribly impressed. However, having put it on just now, I immediately started to be entranced by the rhythm. It really is a fun album to dance to! Bowie is not the greatest singer of all time, and I don't purport that he would say otherwise. He sings fine, and his vocals match the musical style well, but he's not on the Mt. Rushmore. He's one of those artists whose gravitas outweigh their native talents. He's got so much confidence and creativity that it doesn't matter how well he sings, because the listener is just enveloped by him. That's how I feel about this album. It's not got the most obvious talent or composition or complexity, but there's just something that makes me want to dance when I hear it.

Soulful

"Young Americans" and "Fame" are standout tracks, but those two are the only ones that have any distinct sonic character. The rest of the tracks are generic soul and R&B backing tracks with not-particularly-interesting vocal melodies from Bowie. (The less said about the ill-advised cover of "Across The Universe" the better.)

Elsker alle Beatles referencerne!!!

Solid 5 star album. Yeah, it's not soul per se, but it still slaps. It's amazing that Brian Eno took all this talent and creativity and threw it in the trash when they met and started collaborating.

dosta dobar. premda su mi središnje pjesme malo predugo vukle i iako mi se neki momenti kao npr. prateći vokali i nisu toliko svidjeli, prva i zadnja stvar su jednostavno predobre

More Bowie. I could never deny the craftsmanship of Bowie's music, but I'm just not that into him (I think mostly due to his singing style).

First Listen; 2.5 I didn't enjoy the album all that much, although it isn't terrible. Aside from a few good tracks, I found it repetitive and boring. I did enjoy the production and the instrumentation, but again, nothing really jumped out and grabbed me. Favorite Songs: Win Fame

One of my least favourite Bowie albums. It always felt pedestrian. It’s still Bowie, so points for musicianship. Hate hate HATE the cover of Across the Universe. Gotta rate this a 2/5.

Not my favourite but it's Bowie so....

Top notch Bowie at his best

Wow, I love David Bowie. Fame is one of my favorite songs of all time and the rest of the album is fantastic as well

ah isch das etz s guete bowie album? spass find eig alles vo ihm recht geil. das bsunders bis jetz. tönt alles huuere smooth, young americans sehr en geile song. day in the life zitat extreem geil. win und fascination mached de smooth jazz/r&b wiiter und finds seeehr geil. meh ide richtig r&b wo de ganz song uf eim groove blibt aber trotzdem cool well seehr groovy. right het seehr cooli chords. ich ha alles seehr gern? somebody up there likes me au suuuper schös intro. au chrank coole song. across the universe halt super schöne song. lennon glaub nie happy mit de version vode beatles gsi. LENNom. super version do. bowie sin gsang isch im melodramatischste modus aber s passt. can you hear m de langsami type 70er soul. nöd soo genial aber immerno sehr sehr guet. me ghltt de luther vandross huere use ide backing vocals. aaah fame kenni huuere geile scheiss.

ohh han de bowie glaub chli lieber, s glam rock züg hetmer nöd immer gfalle young americans coole ahfang zum album de hindergrundgsang isch sehr effektiv (falls das sinn macht) ihgsetzt win isch ultra schön mite blöser fascination hetmi jz gad chli an manfred mann erinneret hahah, isch das s clavinet? hmm die letschte paar lieder findi zwar immerno schön warm aber gönd chli ah mier verbii FAQAAAAAME

It was ok

Sorry, DB, I don't love this one.

No my fave Bowie album - too much sax, not enough guitar But it still gave the world Young Americans, Fame & Across the Universe

Good album, not as good as the last Bowie album I listened too but still good regardless. Fame big highlight on the album, very listenable but not too many standouts otherwise.

I really loved this album. It's a cool mix of funky pop and dreamy R&B. The Beatles cover was also a fun surprise!

Classic Bowie. Solid effort. Was surprised by the Beatles cover, hadn't heard that before!

I struggle with Bowie. This is pretty easily accessible though. It's not gonna be a frequent replay from me, but I genuinely enjoyed it.

david bowie can GROOVE and its pretty awesome, i liked this one alot. also unexpected across the universe cover which he does really well. 8/10

It must’ve seemed like a baby switched at birth or like biting into a mouthful of turnip thinking it was potatoes or like sitting down to the newest bill murray movie only to end up sitting through “The Razors Edge” to have bought this album in 1975. Undeniably ‘Fame’ ‘Young American’ are classics and I quite liked the last track too, but this whole thing pales (see what I did there!?) compared to guitar/glam rock Bowie. I consider this a shark jump for him…

My favourite Bowie album. He is such a chameleon and love the sound he adopted for this. My love for YA was cemented when I saw a video of him performing the title track with Luther vandross as a backing vocalist. He owned the stage.

2.75

Annoyingly average because I really bloody like the other Bowie albums I’ve heard before

Bowie's venture into soul and calling it "plastic soul" shows that he was very well aware of how hard it was to navigate this genre with all its forms. I think he did a good job by giving it the right edge. "Win" is my favourite track. I do enjoy other albums by him more, but you can't go wrong here. It's easily one of his most danceable albums.

Enjoyed the hits and Universe (not sure it was a single) the rest was a bit ordinary I felt - was good but a bit disappointing was expecting something better

David in his coked out soul brother era. You can hear a young Luther Vandross on some of these tracks. Another solid album from one of the greats.

not really a fan of this david bowie but still okay

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