Reviews (page 5 of 13)
With this, David Bowie has become the first artist to give me a 6th album on this generator. I mean, it makes sense if you look at the numbers. David Bowie has more albums on this list than any other artist with a whopping NINE entries. You know what? I'm mostly okay with this. 9 albums is a little high, but like 7 or 8? That's good. David Bowie's discography is filled with stellar albums (mostly from the 70s) with a good amount of stylistic change-ups to warrant numerous entries on a list like this. However, of all the albums he has on this list, Young Americans may just be the most cuttable. It's either that or The Next Day. Despite that, this is still 70s Bowie we're talking about here, so you know what that means? I love Young Americans. This album's great. It is one of the weaker albums of his I've heard, but I still love it. The big thing here is the influences on this album in particular, with two that seem to be the biggest focuses; the soul genre at large and John Lennon. I'll start with Lennon since his influence is more in the making of the album rather than its actual music. John Lennon has a few notable places of importance on this album. He played guitar and backing vocals on a few songs. That's nice. One of the songs on the album is a cover of the Beatles' "Across the Universe." That's nice. It's a good cover. And of course, Lennon helped co-write this album's biggest hit, that being the excellent closer "Fame." Amazing song. I love that guitar. It's funky. Speaking of funk, this album sure was influenced by it and soul. This has led to the album being dubbed "plastic soul" or "blue-eyed soul" over the decades. I like it. I think it's good that Bowie was trying new things with these albums. However, that does kind of tie into one of the reasons as to why this album could be cut and not the other Bowie albums on the list. While this album does have some phenomenal songs, including the aforementioned "Fame" and the amazing opening title track, the "soul-influenced Bowie" era definitely reached its overall creative peak with this album's coke-fueled followup, Station to Station, an album that I strongly prefer. That's not to say that Young Americans is bad. I've had nothing but good things to say. However, its inclusion could be seen as a little redundant. Still, Young Americans is another classic album from a musical legend. It's got some cool influences that are respected in the music and I really like the album's songs. High 4/5.
Faaaame!
I love David Bowie, but this is my least favorite album of his on this list. If I could, I would substitute Scary Monsters, which is one of my top 3 Bowie albums, for Young Americans. The songs, Young Americans and Fame, are incredible, but I'm not overly fond of the "plastic soul" portion of this album. The weird cover of Across The Universe just feels wrong. Usually, I'm all for weird and unique interpretations of covers, but that song feels forced. Still, it's a David Bowie album and the worst DB album is still better than a lot of the albums on this list.
I love David Bowie, but this album didn't feel as great as ziggy stardust.
I've already listened to his album (8). One of Bowie's most easygoing albums. A fun listen, with soulful sax solos and Fame as the cherry on top.
Very mellow, sexy
Not his best work, but a decent album.
A solid album from Bowie. Shifting away from glam rock and going for a more groovy and funky sound is a tough move to make, but Bowie makes it look effortless. The opening and closing tracks (Young Americans and Fame) are probably the best, but in between them are plenty of decent funk and R&B songs.
I'm realizing that I don't really know what David Bowie is all about. That may be by design. I know the radio hits and I know that musicians the world over think he's awesome but I wasn't really ready for this album. Lots of R&B, much more mellow than I thought. The only one I really knew was Fame and I kinda think it's one of the weaker entries. Knowledge gained.
This isn't Bowie's pièce de résistance or anything, but it still has two powerhouse songs bookending the album. The middle is made up of six songs that provide the filler between his massive hits, but also add some incredible deep tracks to his discography. "Win" comes in after the energetic title track and immediately mellows out the vibe with its laid back instrumental work. The vocals, both David's and the background singers, are entrancing (what a pretentious thing to say!). "Fascination" and "Right" give some funky range. "Somebody Up There Likes Me" is honestly a little bluesy without being too 'white man tries to do the blues'. He definitely stays in his lane, which is something that can't be said for the next track. His cover of "Across the Universe" was wholly unnecessary. Throws off the entire project for me. The second to last song, "Can You Hear Me", is much like the second. It's right next to a big hit with massive energy. It's mellow and laid back. It takes us out of the dream that is the middle of the record. The whole album is arranged beautifully. I love this thing. 4/5
Good
Mostly very good, sometimes very great
This is another great Bowie album! Definitely a departure from his normal glam rock sound and more of a funky, soulful, and r&b vibe. ‘Fame’ is obviously the standout track and one of the best Bowie songs. This album also has a great cover of The Beatles with ‘Across the Universe’! The title track is strong and the other songs on the album were solid as well. I definitely give this album a thumbs up and I would listen to it again!
Nice one. I like Fame and Fascination.
Solid Bowie album with a few classic songs.
This was good i will have to come back to
Funky Banger
Classic
Not my favorite Bowie. At only eight songs you would think they’d all be at least solid, and yet i skipped many. Now imagine if this was an EP of the title track, Fame, Across the Universe and one other, maybe Fascination. Now that would be at least a four star entry.
A little bit of soul and slow funk here, a bit of a reach from his usual but I think it works pretty well
Iconic. Right length. Would have done without across the universe
A musical chameleon changes its sound.
Uh oh... more Bowie. It feels like I just finished ranting hot takes about Heroes... here we go again... maybe. I will say... I think I enjoyed this more overall. It's more consistent. It picks a sound, a vibe and really explores it thoroughly. And David sings the whole time, which is a plus (no instrumental tracks, thank god). I think he at one point described it as plastic soul which is a pretty strong description. It sounds like David Bowie, filtering soul music through his weird and specific experience... and making something new. It's not just Bowie does soul karaoke, he brings his own spin to it and creates something different, which is really cool. However, I'm sure there are some funk/soul artists who are like "wtf man, you stole our sound" (but who knows, that's just speculation - i hope this record got people to check out more funk and soul music, a gateway record). I love the backing vocals. I love the sax all over this thing. It's just got a cool, groovy, funky vibe the whole time. HIs vocals are great, but the lyrics don't stick out to me as much as a normal bowie album. Every song is over 4 minutes, which is good and bad. When he hits a good groove/vibe, he really explores it. But if you're not into a song, it's not going anywhere anytime soon. My first listen in headphones on my own, i was feeling a 3. But then I was hanging with some friends and threw it on some nice speakers while having some drinks... and it kinda made me like it more. Just a good record you can bob your head to the whole time. I'm thinking more a 3.5... rounded up to a 4. Specific track thoughts... Young Americans - I love this song. Love the sax. Love the piano. The backup vocals in the chorus are mind-blowing. Just gorgeous. Hot take: I think this song goes on a bit long. I loveee it but i think i'd love it even more if it was like a 4 minute song. They really milk it. Win - another great chorus with the backing vocalists. Fascination - this is an awesome track. I did not know it going into this album. What a great find. Love the momentum. The chorus is so good. Again the backing vocals are incredible. Apparently it's on a grand theft auto soundtrack so it's known very well by anyone who was a teen boy in 2008 (i know this because i put on the album and my friend was like "holy shit, this has fascinations on it, loved it in GTA 4"). I don't know how i wasn't also exposed to this song at that time. I did play this game briefly. Can You Hear Me - Just this great dramatic slow jam. I'm a fan. Across the Universe - Sigh. This cover just doesn't work for me. I do like the choice to replace some of the vocal lines with instruments doing the melody. It is a very passionate performance. The little Nothing repetition with the fast drum beat is cool. I just don't think this song works in this style. I kinda wish I could hear Bowie do a different Beatles song in this style. I dunno... maybe don't let me down? There's probably 50 beatles songs I'd rather hear him cover in this plastic soul style. This one does not work for me. Fame - it's a hit. It's a great song. Groovy as hell. That guitar line is iconic.
Gosh I love David Bowie and I do love everything he does but this one didn’t blow me away like some of his others… fun album tho! Low 4 for me prob
Quelques jours après Hunky Dory, un autre album de Bowie, mais assez différent. Plus mellow, plus soul. Plus dans mes cordes. Je suis étonné : Hunky Dory est paru en 1971, dans sa période plus folk (sa période glam commence en 72 avec l’album suivant, The Rise...), et, quatre ans et cinq (!) albums plus tard, il entre dans sa phase soul. La période soul n’est pas très longue : deux albums seulement. Ça me donne le goût d’écouter le suivant (Station to Station) ensuite. La période suivant, c’est les expérimentations berlinoises avec Eno. Suivent enfin sa période pop (je ne sais pas si j’ai hâte) et la période finale (des années 90 jusqu’à sa mort) avec les deux très beaux albums finaux. Mais, revenons à Young Americans. Les quatre premières tounes sont vraiment très fortes ! Go David ! En tous les cas, c’est presque un album parfait. La deuxième face est un peu plus faible : son cover de Across the Universe n’est pas à mon goût et la toune trois commence de manière peu intéressante (mais se rattrape avant la fin). Et Fame comme grande finale !
Bowie is an icon, in large part due to his ability to reinvent himself. This requires constant experimentation, and not every song is perfect. Fame and Young Americans are well regarded hits. In an alternate universe, Fascination and Somebody Up There Likes Me would be as well. The Beatles cover is great, though nothing revelatory. The rest are fine, but nothing really special
Favourite Bowie album so far. Title track and Fame are great tunes and was pleasantly surprised by the Beatles cover.
wonderful, always
Fame
Baller as always. Great Bowie album
En bra skiva, men det är endel utfyllnad i jämförelse med andra klassiska Bowie
Very decent album that merits multiple relistens.
Not my favorite Bowie album, but still good.
Toppenplatta! Men på ett helt annat sätt än Ziggy vilket är kul
Stil!
Bowie’s best ever vocals on title track. Ending track Fame (with Lennon on vocals) also very familiar but never heard album in its entirety before. Had no idea Bowie covered All Across The Universe, albeit nowhere near as good as The Beatles. Great album, cool as always. Bit short.
Heard this in the end of college in my "i gotta learn to understand bowie more" phase. It was maybe my favorite one? At least one that stood out as pretty consistent. The instrumentals started to finally pop and his voice chilled out lol
Wow! Funk/Soul/Disco Bowie?!? I'm here for it.
Dad- 9.5 Mom- 9 Mike- NA Lori- 6.5 Michael- 8 Miles- NA Cole- NA Avg- 8.25
Bowie is my man. First concert I went to without adult supervision was Bowie. Life changing. Forever grateful for David Bowie. This album fuckin rules. Closing the alum with Fame goes so hard. Epic
I love Bowie's venture into Soul. It's such a marvelous album but it's not my favorite from him. I feel like it's so great mainly because it's Bowie and this album includes a few of his most well-known singles. I think this is a such an interesting departure from his previous sound, but it feels more like a transition album. I will always love Bowie, but this is a 4 instead of a 5 for me. There's just better Bowie albums out there! Though if you love Soul and you love Bowie, this album is a marvelous juncture of the two. The popular singles from this album are the stand outs and the rest of the songs can drag through the middle. The beginning with Young Americans and then the end with Fame and Across the Universe? Okay Bowie!!! I see you!!!!
So I wasn’t sure what to expect with this album but I was still pleasantly surprised. The obvious huge hits at the beginning and ending of this album are both amazing but they definitely overshadow the bulk of the middle of the middle of the album. But that being said I really enjoyed this album that was very clearly designed to be a straight soul album. I don’t think this album had the variety that I adore Bowie for, but I think the fully realized soul album was a very cool change of pace for him. As far as which songs I saved it was kind of a perfect split down the middle. Four of eight. I didn’t care for the slower songs like right and can you hear me. But I loved the two huge hits and Somebody up there likes me along with Across the universe. Honestly this album is a total gem even if I technically wasn’t blown away by half of the album.
I didnt really like him back then, but compared to most of the crap these days he is good
It's his kinds R&B album. Seriously every Bowie album I get is just damn good.
I’ve been looking forward to my first Bowie album, knowing there are so many on the list. But it’s taken 190 days for one to finally arrive. I was never a huge fan of Bowie growing up, but his music is difficult to avoid as you go through life and I’ve liked most of what I’ve heard. But his is the first time I’ve sat down and listened to a full album… and this isn’t really what I expected. It’s almost ‘middle of the road’ funky soul. What I'd have expected to hear on 'old person' radio? Not at all what I thought a David Bowie album would be like. But maybe that’s the point? Did he ever produce what people expected him to? I don’t know the answer to that but I suppose I’ll find out when I get the next Bowie album on the list. So.. unexpected, but I’m not saying I didn’t like it. I rarely mark tracks individually, but for this album I did. Can’t be arsed to list them all but the average is 4.25. So there you have it.
History has been kind to this album and what was driving Bowie at the time. Some of the castoffs deserved to be on the album, and it might have been a more cohesive record, but with Fame it probably wouldn’t have sold as well.
It's ok. Fame is the best song.
J - 4/5 Best Track - "Fame" F - 2/5
Oh, is ‘Young Americans’ a David Bowie song? Had no idea! This list has completely changed my perception of Bowie totally. Think I had mostly heard the Ziggy Stardust album before and some of his hit songs, but I now realize what a breadth he has to his songmaking, along with even more hits I wasn’t aware of! This album doesn’t sound like any other Bowie record, but it’s still very good. Opener track is obviously one you recognize, but I found myself really enjoying the rest as well! Would definitely come back to this.
Great album, a complete change from previous albums and sounds grwat
I am not sure if it is because this was the first real exposure I had to David Bowie or it really is for me just what makes me like David Bowie regardless of when and where I heard it, but this, for me IS David Bowie in a form I would recommend to people. Some of may all time favorite songs are on here. Now, with that said, I must say that in some ways I get that this is also the most commercial and POP that he gets. And I will not discount his "weirder" stuff so readily. This album by itself does not make him an ICON. Yet it is a good starting point, no doubt.
Slaps lol
Bowie est mon artiste préféré et ça ne changera pas. Si cet album est excellent, devrait-il être célébré pour son innovation quand Bowie emprunte tellement au style Motown et aux artistes noir-es? Peut-être est-ce moi qui ne m'y connais pas assez pour voir ce qu'il y a apporté. La qualité d'exécution générale et son propre charisme sont indéniables, sa personnalité inimitable. On passe de l’énergie contagieuse de la première pièce à une intériorité feutrée, une assurance enivrante, une tension sexuelle... Les ambiances et univers se succèdent avec succès. Mais c’est dans «Fame» que Bowie se permet le plus d’être Bowie, de décoller et de tordre les coins, de distendre la réalité.
Groovy, opener and closer are top notch
A lot of pleasant songs
Part blue-eyed soul swerve, part semi-requited love letter to his pal John Lennon (beyond just "Fame" and "Across the Universe," note, for example, the Beatlesque arpeggios on "Won"), multiple parts attempt to keep up with Lennon's Lost Weekend habits, with attendant consequences (the backup singers overpower Bowie on "Fascination" like he's losing a battle with the voices in his head). Come to think of it, this is perhaps the least Bowie Bowie album - the sound of someone tired of his old persona, trying on a new one, not sure who he really wants to be and fighting valiantly to keep the demons at bay. I play it less than Low or Ziggy but I think I respect it equally.
Standouts Young Americans Win Fascination Somebody Up There Likes Me
Probably my favorite Bowie album.
David bowie
Wonderful
I LIKE IT PICASSO
This was great. Had Heroes the day before and this is so much better. With the exception of a truly awful cover of Across the Universe. Don't know what possessed Bowie with that one.
I love the hits but skip the music the other songs
incredibly funky motown-esque offering from David Bowie that incorporates tight basslines, high energy vocals, choirs, and other elements that absolutely slap.
Good one!
Have loved this album for a good while. Good energy, great lyrics propelled by the back-up singers. 'Right' being the standout track for me.
There’s nothing that tries so hard and yet does so little as 70s prog
Weird cover of the Beatles, but otherwise a great album.
One of Bowie's most underrated 70s albums got some quality songs. Most enjoyable.
The Good: We understand that this album is for the Young Americans! The Bad: Not being a Young American… The Ugly: Wondering if Bowie would still want to call the song/album such in today’s epoch? I get it, there are people who feel that this is cultural misappropriation. The same people who will scream in your face if you are eating a hamburger… Me, on first spin, this album did not do it for me… yet today, I find myself doing some cleaning, while the album is gently doing it’s thing in the background, and I have to say that I am starting to really enjoy it. Would I agree that this is soul music? Not for me, as I equate soul music with a specific sound and voice, and though the unknown Luther V pops in to show it should be done, DB just does not have that vocal style. But damnit, the songs are all catchy, and I have been humming the title track for the past 24 hours, so that should mean something. Don’t know if the album just happened to have caught me at a certain mental state, and that if I would listen to it in 3 weeks I would start having issues with the over-used saxophone. But today, today I am going to dish out 4* well deserved!
You can’t go wrong with any of the Bowie albums on this list, but this one is probably my least favourite (together with The Next Day). Bowie himself described this as “plastic soul” and I feel like that’s a pretty fitting term. This is by no means a bad album and I enjoy it quite a bit (especially Fascination and Fame), but in my opinion Station To Station that followed the next year perfected the soulful, funky sound that Bowie started with this album.
It’s good just not my style
Pues me gustó mucho, aunq dos albums d Bowie seguidos si q es un poco too much. Fame es un temazo eso sí, las otras tb me gustaron pero no me destacan demasiado. Le pondría 3 estrellas pero como estoy feliz por mi canción y pq tres treses me parecen demasiado poco para Bowie le pongo 4.
Enjoyable. Varied.
An excursion into soul between Bowie's glam rock era and the more experimental late-70s work. It's not my favourite Bowie album by any means but I really liked Somebody up There Likes Me.
Very good album, classic Bowie! Love all the songs here. 8.1/10
Da verbowie mi widermal vor em Dave, klatsche ganz lut id händ, heb min huet, schmeisse vier sternli id rundi und Mach grad no en bürtselbaum. De Dave macht widermal vieles richtig bi dem Album
hed spass gmacht
One of my favorite Bowie records. It gets some unfair criticism for the "blue eyed soul" of it all but I think it genuinely comes off as sincere instead of imitation. Anyone paying attention to his career up to this point knows he was always influenced by r&b/soul. It was only a matter of time.
I love 70's Bowie. Anything up to Let's Dance really. Smack in the middle of this prolific period, Young Americans takes a swing at American funk/soul....and only kind of gets there. Bowie himself noted this record as plastic soul and that sounds about right. It gives off a kind of an uncanny valley effect if you are trying to listen to a soul record. Whatever it is trying to be though, it is a good solid effort. The backing band is stellar this time around. The tracks are well layered and some of those funk jams are tight, giving of Stevie Wonder vibes. Also contained within is possibly one of the worst Beatles covers ever put on record. Yikes. We will blame that one on the coke....
Well spaced album with the 3 big songs at beginning, middle, and end. Decent album tracks. If this was an unknown act I'd be raving but this is the guy who did Jean Genie, Suffragette City, Starman etc. and this is a drop from that level
The opener is magnificent, and the closer is great too, but hardly anyone talks about the rest of the album, save for perhaps the infamous cover of Across the Universe, which I will admit is probably the worst track here. However, the rest of the album carries that same white boy funk that Fame masters, and had me grooving along with it for the entirety of the A-side. I was actually surprised by the tone of some of these, with tracks like Right having darker undertones, which I wasn't expecting with this record. It is an extremely commercial album, and yeah, it is kind of obvious with context that this was made with tons of drugs involved, but I think it deserves the mild recognition it has garnered over time, and while it certainly isn't one of his best, this is a solid step into a genre you would think someone like Bowie would have no business in, and that's what makes it all the more impressive.
Great work as expected from David Bowie, I felt like an 80's principal character and I love the across the universe performance, little different than the Beatles but really good tbh
Really great stuff. The backing band and personnel are top notch.
Young Americans - 5/5 Win - 4/5 Fascination - 4/5 Right - 5/5 Somebody up There Likes Me - 4/5 Across the Universe - 2/5 Can You Hear Me - 4/5 Fame - 5/5 Average score: 4.2/5 (rounding down) solid. i was so certain i'd give this album 5 stars... then i heard that atrocious cover of Across the Universe. i just don't think his style of singing suited that song
Groovy and hypnotic
4/5
Wonderfully fun. Bowie is in peak form as a crooner. This is a 4.
Even when Bowie made an album heavily carried by the titular opening track and the famous closer, it was still a super solid record.
Loving David Bowie has taken years, but I am there. Fun and dynamic....though i still struggle with sax solos
Across the Universe is a great song, but this album is no Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust... or Hunky Dory. Still, it's Bowie, the dude was a genius.
Solid work from Bowie again.
Loved Fame and title track Young Americans
I think 4 is fair - even Bowie doing things I'm not crazily into is still interesting! :) Not sure it was "vital" like Blackstar, Heroes, Ziggy Stardust etc, but I can see why someone might disagree (I liked it)! :)
This, unbelievably was the first time I've ever listened to the whole album in one sitting. A revelation indeed. Brilliant album.
4.5
3.5
Light 4.5
The Title track, Fame and Facination are obvious highlights in fact all of side one really kicks. Side 2 is hampered by a rather drab Across The Universe, but other than Fame really doesn't live up to side 1 8.75 ★★★★
4.5
A higher mid-tier Bowie release. Opener title track is barnstormer plastic soul and the rest of the first half is generally strong. Cover of Across The Universe is a little overwrought and questionable but metatextually links with the John Lennon co-written Fame at the end which is the one other unquestionable funkytastic gem off of this. Low 4.
What stands out to me most on this album is the backing instrumentals and vocals. I am a known Bowie hater and I know that, but this was my most enjoyable of the Bowie listens that I have had this far. As Zach pointed out, one cool thing about Bowie is that his albums follow the time period that they were made in very well. It then makes sense that I like the sound of this album as the late 70s hold some of my more favorite musical pallates. 7/10
Thin White Duke era Bowie, what else needs to be said. All his albums in the 1970s, including Young Americans are perfect music for when we go up to outer space. Also cool that John Lennon is on a lot of these tracks as guitar or backing vocals.
I fucked with this, I love Bowie
Funky, plastic soul. It’s David Bowie, what’s not to like? Highlights: Young Americans, Fascination, Fame.
It's Bowie, but not my favorite album of his.
I really enjoyed this album considering the genre Bowie went with this time. I understand why he called it “plastic soul”, but it still does a better job than many other white artists trying to mimic the style back then. Definitely an enjoyable ride.
Muy genial nunca le había prestado mucha atención. no ando muy inspirada para reviews, perdón, Bowie :)
Young Americans and fame are great songs obviously, and somebody up there likes me is pretty good, but otherwise just ok
Probably my favorite Bowie album. 4.0
David Bowie!
I finally found some David Bowie i can stand to listen to!
bowie in his strength 70's vibe
Soulful Bowie
Very nice found a few good tracks
Stu I love that you know about Luther as a background singer (?!) for YA 🥰🥰🥰
Outstanding work. He’s one of a kind. This is the 3rd album on this list and is my favorite so far. More approachable and not as far out on the edge as the exploratory Berlin albums. Across the Universe cover is absolutely brilliant.
A short and sweet album. Fan of "Young Americans" And, well, "Fame"...iconic.
From folky to one hit wonder/novelty to extraterrestrial glam rocker to soul singer in just 6 years. That is the Bowie way. This album introduced his long time guitarist as well as discovering Luther Vandross. He would only pause on this sound for one album before continuing his adventure but what an aperitif this is. A great album by any metric. But transitioning between the Ziggy Stardust era the berlin years - this pit stop is all the more extraordinary. This is a career path for most musicians. But for Bowie it's just another excellent band with another great roster of songs. 4.5 stars.
Excellent album with a couple of iconic songs!
I remember when we met David on Houmous & Chutney’s 1974 tour of Zambia, we said it to him then. He’s not an album artist. Just a best of. Noone wants to hear anything but his hits. He wasn’t happy! He wrote Fame after that. 3.9
There are parts of this Bowie album that are absolutely outstanding. The opener and closer are great and I actually never knew who sang Fame, so that's cool. And the opening of Right has that special Bowie flare to it that makes it sound truly unique in a foreign genre to him. I do enjoy a lot of the album, but it does feel like an immitation rather than something confident or genuine for large stretches, compared to something like EW&F or The Isley Brothers.
Great album
David Bowie is another musical icon that I don’t own many albums from. I know the hits from his catalog but have always been a bit stumped on his popularity. Not that the songs are bad, but why he is so popular. This album didn’t really define it any better for me. I did enjoy the hit tracks “Fame” and “Young Americans” along with other non hit tracks like “Fascination”, “Across the Universe”, and my personal favorite from the album, the funk inspired “Right”. Overall it’s a great album but maybe there are better Bowie albums. Although I’m still trying to understand the Bowie mystique.
All hail The Sovereign of the Guild of Calamitous Intent! Best: "Young Americans" (an absolute classic) Worst: "Can You Hear Me" (string section made it sound like it was intended for Barbra Streisand)
So a few years back I did the full Bowie discography, in chronological order. Bowie was interesting as I found just about every album he had one or two zingers and then the rest was pretty much filler. It's like he knew how to get at least one hit on every album! Bowie was a master at changing with the time, as this album saw the end of his glam rock era, and he begun to explore R&B and Funk, perfect as music was moving into the disco era. This album has a more than one zinger for sure, but I think he had a little help from his friend John Lennon. Favorites, Young Americans, Facination, and Fame.
Zemlech guet vorallem de Tetelsong. Halt klassisch David Bowie
I've written on more than one David Bowie albums that this is where I felt that he grew into his voice and I stick to that, he largely drops the shrill, nasally style. It's not completely gone, he still kind of does it when he hits higher notes, but the baseline for his voice seems much lower. His voice also suits the soul style, and I really like the backing vocals, which compliment his really well There's a bit of a grand, cinematic quality, like on Somebody Up There Likes Me but especially Win. That would fit in perfectly in some rainy city landscape with lights reflecting off of the wet pavement. I rarely have such specific mental images from music (outside of nostalgia or memories) but that was vivid Fascination is so nostalgic for me, I loved when it came on on the radio in GTA IV. It's pretty high up in my list of Bowie's best stuff Highlights: Fascination, Win, Fame, Young Americans
Not my favorite Bowie album. Some good stuff on here, but just doesn't resonate with me.
4.5/5. Cool John Lennon cameo.
Title track is fun and young love u David. He really went all out on the vocals. And the Beatles references? Okaaayyyyy The second track gets more into the whole "plastic soul" thing. like it love fascination enjoy right. can see it growing on me with some listens somebody up there's good i've been noticing that most of these tracks range from fine to good at the beggining but go off at the end and become great. loved the ending of somebody oh right the mandatory bowie cover that he included once per album in the 70's. the original is better. and fiona apples's version is even better. he gives the same "going-off-at-the-end" performance here but it doesn't it the same. okay cut, but a skip can you hear me is a fine track. don't have an urge to hear it again tho. good performances tho. might grow on me with more listens I already knew fame before i listened, and it's definitely with of the better tracks here. overall, this is a pretty good listen. the weakest spot is across the universe, but the rest of the album makes up for it. a very interesting step off the expected path for Bowie, and if this is what he had to do before making the genius that is Station to Station, then I'll gladly take it.
Not one of his best but still has some great tracks. A 3.5
Pretty rubbish. For a Bowie album. It's only got the two stellar singles.
Álbum que se tiene que escuchar completo. R&B
How many more Bowie albums are there? It's enough already! The above my my initial reaction. This is actually a very funky, listenable album that I enjoyed a lot! I love David Sanborn's little signature exclamation points of sax on the end of Bowie's sentences. Liked Songs Added: Young Americans Fame
Very good! Timeless. Great vocals. Catchy tunes.
My favourite Bowie so far. But that’s mostly due to nice funk and soul instrumentals. Bowies singing is often weirdly low in the mix.
Classic and would def listen to on my own.
Not one of my favourite Bowie albums. Listening all the way through I was reminded of its quality. What a guy. Most consistently brilliant artist of the 1970s?
I loved this album, it was very beautiful and soulful. For the Bowie albums we have listed to its the one that made the most sense and flowed the best. Is it a little more commercial? Yes, but it also made sense.
I didn't get this album at first. Then my wife explained to me that it's a soul album. ooooooohhhh... that makes sense. Great instrumentation and playing. Dig the sax and the funky guitar riffs. Great backing vocals and I especially like Bowie's vocals on Fame. Can't "imagine" any one else singing that song.
I guess I can like plastic a lot, in the right circumstances.
Really enjoyed Bowie does soul. Fame is an absolute all timer
Solid album. Bowie has such a cool blend of styles and vibes. A really good album
Can't go wrong with this era Bowie. Props to him for covering two of my favorite Beatles moments: "Across the Universe" is a great cover of a Beatles song (even if the original is better) and during "Young Americans" he says "I heard the news today, oh boy" which is a tribute to "A Day In The Life" (one of my favorite Beatles songs). This is a fantastic album. So many fun moments. Solid 4 for sure. The instrumentals are so great and this is a top tier Bowie album. "Fame" is legendary. Fun Fact: John Lennon co-wrote "Fame" with Bowie. Additionally, Lennon played guitar and sang back-up vocals on "Across the Universe." Ironically, Lennon said he liked Bowie's version more and said it was "great because I'd never done a good version of that song myself. It's one of my favorite songs, but I didn't like my version of it." Note: Lennon famously was egotistical and never gave compliments, so this is high praise. Liked Songs: "Young Americans" , "Right" , "Somebody up There Likes Me" , "Across the Universe" , "Can You Hear Me" , "Fame"
i enjoy this but it’s not amongst my fave bowie sounds. FAYYMEEEEEE!! however, is absolutely iconic!
How David Bowie got his groove back. I'm not usually a fan of blue-eyed soul but Bowie proves an exception in a lot of things, including this. Fun to hear a random Beck sample (used pretty appropriately given Midnite Vultures was also Beck's sexy lounge album) and while most of the songs aren't as strong as 'Young Americans' or 'Fame,' it was a largely enjoyable listen.
Not my kind of Bowie but it was good and it was funky!
Early Bowie
Great Bowie album
aquest àlbum és colega meu. Bowie desquiciat (i alliberat del personatge)
ja goed, lekker begin van de 1001 albums
82% Best: Fascination; Right; Somebody up There Likes Me; Fame Must-Hear? Sure
Heeft Bowie eigenlijk slechte albums (waarschijnlijk wel, kan niet anders met zo'n carrière)? Dit is er alvast geen van! Fame en Young Americans zijn uiteraard één van zijn topnummers. De rest is ook niet slecht. Zeker eens de moeite! 3.6
Great album, can't really go wrong with Bowie. Top notch production and performances. Rating: 4.0
Quite good but nothing to throw me out of my chair 3.6
Alltså är ju david bowie men denna är verkligen minst märkvärdig från hans gyllene tid
Kedvenc/Favourite: Fascination Jó volt, néhány szám rajta különösen jó. Ugyanakkor szerintem vannak jobb David Bowie albumok, ez még kicsit kiforratlan. Néha elhúzódik egy-egy dal, vagy olyan háttérzenéssé válik, de amik nagyon jók rajta, azok tényleg lenyűgözőek. It was good, some songs on it were particularly good. However, I think there are better David Bowie albums out there, this one is still a bit undeveloped. Sometimes songs drag on or become background music-ish, but the ones that are really good on it are truly impressive.
A fine album.
the sax on this album absolutely FUCKS Bowie is doing everything he can and I'm loving it ++ little surprise beatles cover
Great great
Fuck yeah, funky and rocky
Torn between a 3 and 4. It’s not Ziggy Stardust but I suppose not all albums can be. Fame is both weird and haunting and groovy, right in Bowie’s sweet spot. I wasn’t blown away by the rest though I did enjoy it. It’s just sometimes I fucking love David Bowie and I didn’t really get that a ton here. I’m going to go with a 4 because I think I love his hits so much that it’s skewing my perception of how much I like his other stuff. Def going to relisten
I'm not the biggest Bowie fan, but this was definitely my favorite album of his that I've heard. Really easy to listen and a constant sound. The sax throughout was great, and ending on "Fame" was a cherry on top.
This was actually the first full album by Bowie that I heard, thanks to my friend in college showing me some of it and me just loving it! So this album had a special place in my heart, it's such a good chill vibes out album and I can just sit around smoking s joint feeling like I'm there! Good songs! Great artist endless listening!
Amazing book ends of Young Americans and Fame. And some quality in the middle too.
Ending the album with Fame is crazy work. Another solid album from David Bowie, still haven't gotten my favorite but always an enjoyable listen.
Middle of the pack for Bowie, which still means it’s great.
Liked how he was able to take the pop music of the time and make it his own.
Would be 4.5 if i could do it
Love me some bowie. Some great tunes on here. Some not so great tunes on here. All in all though a great listen
First listen ever. Really good. The Beatles cover blew me away.
J’avais déjà écouté l’album par le passé sans être grandement impressionné, mais cette deuxième écoute m’a convaincu que Bowie peut aussi être un soul man. Voyons voir si ma troisième écoute lui garantira un spot dans les 5 étoiles
Pretty solid album throughout, with a few standouts
This was an enjoyable Bowie album - my favorite from what we've heard in the project so far. The songs were fun and interesting. I did find it note worthy that the songs often felt more aligned with disco than other Bowie work I'm familiar with.
Really fun soul vibe on this one. Super accessible.
Groovy
young americans 5/5 win 3.5/5 fascination 4/5 right 4/5 somebody up there likes me 4/5 axross the universe 3.5/5 can you hear me 3.5/5 fame 3/5 76/100
Hat sehr viel Spaß gemacht
8/10 It’s heretical to say, but Bowie is probably overrated as an album artist. Having said that, this might be my favourite of his. Glam soul. Well played, great vibes, great voice, great backing vocals. Love the sax. Doesn’t all set the heart racing, and some of it is under produced or over long. Best: right
Fame is a banger, this one is funky throughout.
Are all of Bowie's albums gonna be here? Yay soul! Yay title track, tay Across the Universe cover, yay "Somebody Up There Likes Me". More sax if you can afford it.
came around on it after a couple listens. Learned that his voice sounds so low in this one because he was doing so much cocaine that it fucked his voice
funky melodic bowie
This has been one if my favorite Bowie albums so far.
Not a Bowie album I was familiar with outside of a couple tracks, but overall very enjoyable. Lots of sax and soulful tunes. Fascination is my favourite on the first side, a toe tapper with an infectious bassline, but Right is good too. On the back half, it's Across the Universe and the beautiful Can You Hear Me. Then we have Fame, and I do kind of love when an album puts its biggest hit at the end. It's got an interesting stop-start rhythm and a twangy guitar riff. There's probably better Bowie, but this is a comfy **** album.
3.5
something i’d dance to and is very interesting 👍
this sounds like it’s from the 80s when it’s only from ‘75.. i think that says it all i’m more of a heroes person but i love something about all of his music that i’ve heard before (everything pre 90s), i LOVEEE fascination it’s my favourite track and i just don’t know what else to say, it’s bowie he’s the definition of icon x
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.
нормалек.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8/10 I'd understand the low ratings if you are expecting a soul album. However, as someone coming in blind, this is a hell of a yacht rock album. Reminds me of Steely Dan. Great, its sad that this jazzy pop sound isn't popular today anymore, would've loved it if more artists were able to make music like this.
I knew the beginning and end of this album, but didn’t realize the whole thing was funk. Great cover of “across the universe.” David Bowie could truly do any genre.
7.5/8 some great tracks and decent cohesion of the album, but not quite a 5 for me
I don't like Bowie as much as the author of 1001... does, but this was pretty good Bowie
Good album, not Bowie’s best 4/5
Solid album and the saxophone really adds a lot to it. One of the better Bowie albums on the list
Bowie!!!!
My first full Bowie album. “Young Americans,” “Fascination Road,” and “Fame” were the stand-outs to me on the first listen. I appreciate the soul sound, inventiveness, and pure musicality throughout. This sounds fresh and exciting 50 years on.
relaxant, cu clasicul Fame care m a trimis direct in clasa a 9a pe guitar hero
He got better but this is still very good Bowie.
I don't like this as much as station to station or Ziggy Stardust, but its still quite good. Quite similar to Ziggy Stardust but just a little bit more dated. Favourite songs: Win, can you hear me, who can I be now. Overall around 7/10
old is gold
What a perfect day to jump in! There are definitely better Bowie albums, but I love hearing him start to play with funk. It's clear that this was a transition album where he was trying some new things (new for him at least), but it doesn't sound entirely derivative. It feels like a genuine attempt to find a place for his voice in the realm of soul/funk/r&b, and even if it falls a bit short I'm not mad at it. Fame is obviously a shining moment. Admittedly, I'm a bit biased when it comes to Bowie.
Soul-Bowie is better than the other ones.
It piqued my attention
david bowie does blue eyed soul. count me in
Love a bit of Bowie.
1001: I think this may be album 5 or 6 for Bowie so far and I'm at around the 200 mark. Hopefully there are plenty ahead on this journey. Another Bowie album, another genre. I've really come to appreciate his versatility and adaptability from decade to decade. His calling this style " plastic soul" is perfect as it starts to be more funky and soulful than the earlier rock style. I've also started to rate some of the more prolific artists on this list more against themselves than the other artists, and I will say compared to the other Bowie albums I didn't quite like it as well. Kind of like how the Across the Universe cover may not be my favorite, but does enough to distinguish it as a unique version. I think the overall genre for this album may be thing that is getting in my way. Fame does it's best to save it as a great album, but it's just not the absolute top tier I've heard from him before. Is it still better than a huge percentage of the others here? Sure, but that's not really fair to them. Against Bowie's others I'm going to give a 4/5 Favorite track "Fame" 4/5
Tremeeeendo. De principio a fin es una experiencia que se disfruta bastante.
I guess I judged David Bowie without actually listening to his music, as I didn’t have high hopes for this album. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the niceness of his music, especially with the background vocals. I liked the first song especially.
This was never my favorite David Bowie album but as I get older, I like it more every time I listen to it. I could do without the “Across The Universe” cover though.
Upbeat and original without being too weird. Only thing I didn't like was his cover of Across the Universe.
very funky album. never had experienced his music before, it was unexpected. but i liked it
Banger! Love this era of Bowie
豪，说不上哪好听
Iconic title track feels timeless. At the time of release it was a shock after the glam rock period and it took time for this new Bowie period to sink in. Listening over the years it's become one of my favorite Bowie albums. Full of great songs and great Philly soul grooves. Great performances all around, especially the back-up singers who almost outshine Bowie throughout the album.
Really enjoyed this album more than the ones I have previously listened to this album.
Side A is sublime, side B is so disappointing, especially with that horrendous cover of Across the Universe. Still giving it a 4 because the first side has some of Bowie's best work on it.
Love this album! It feels so different from the rest of his discography. Bowie really embodies the Soul sound on this one!
Ok, the "Across The Universe" cover is awful, but if you forget it, this album is fire. Tasty energetic pop/soul with Bowie's unique magic touch. So many catchy hooks and great arrangements in it.
Favorite Track: Right
But jazzy for me to listen regularly but enjoyed and some good tracks
I understand the plastic soul label, but he does do it so well. The arrangements make this album. The lyricism is right behind. Have to admit really don’t like the song ‘Win’ maybe I will change my mind one day but who knows. Very enjoyable 40 minutes.
Four Bowie albums?!???? I’m only 40 ish albums in! Anywho, love Bowie and I appreciate the gospel and funk influences on this one, but it’s not the cream of the crop, still great
Bowie at this stage in his career managed to pull out timeless classic songs every album, whatever else was going on. This isn't his best, or indeed his most inventive, but it has some great songs and stands up pretty well.
Peak cocaine disco Bowie. Favourite tracks: Fame, Fascination
- Bowie's album that followed Diamond Dogs, the end of his Glam-Rock era, and also preceded Station to Station, I mean, you can see why it was overlooked - This one takes a way more soulful style, focusing on Rhythm and Blues and Funk influences - Turns out Bowie worked with John Lennon to produce the Beatles cover of Across the Universe, and the most iconic song from this album, Fame! - Well, it's a different cover, I think I still prefer the Beatles version - For a first dive into that funky, soulful sound, I think Bowie deserves high praise, particularly because of being a trail-blazer for white mainstream artists to embrace the culture that largely was dominated by black artists
7/10
Loved Fame and Fascination
Pre-listening thoughts: I swear I summoned this album into existence. I was JUST thinking yesterday about how much I love the title track of this album SO MUCH but I’ve never listened to the rest of the album (love Fame though) and everyone says it’s mid ☹️ so I’m curious but wary. BUT yall can never crush my love for the title track. It is a masterpiece. Post/during listening thoughts: this ain’t no ziggy stardust but it is 100% better than heroes. I don’t think I’d consider this truly soul music, but it’s an interesting departure from Bowie’s normal sound. There was one review on here that said something like “this album may have introduced white audiences to some form of soul which was cool kind of, but it didn’t do anything to move soul music itself forward.” Which I totally agree with. But this is till a pretty good album. 7.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Young Americans, Fascination, Somebody up There Likes Me, Fame Least fav tracks: Win
It’s Bowie, it’s good. Enjoyed the deep cuts. That said feels like too much Bowie on this list.
• 4/5 • Love the singles (Fame & Young Americans) • Enjoyed the blue-eyed R&B in between, but not really standout tunes • Very adept pivot from the glam rock era
Music from the 70s hits different. What a cool sound, so rich and funky, and Bowie’s voice is so smooth and powerful at the same time
Not bad. I liked the instrumentals and the vocal work here was better than I'd experienced with "Aladdin Sane" - but ultimately, nothing really grabbed me here. 'Fascination' was my choice for a fave.
3-4
Bowie reinvents himself and comes to America. Strong tracks all the way through. Further proof of the legendary talent and pop
Great front to back
I love Bowie's music. I'm glad I got this as today's album so I could sit down and listen to it all the way through (although it is pretty short). I didn't realize Bowie covered "Across the Universe" on this album so that was interesting to hear. Nothing particularly jumped out at me besides "Fame" and "Young Americans", which I was already a big fan of. I will give the album 4 stars, but I wish I could give it 3.5. I rated Songs in the Key of Life 4 stars a couple of days ago and I don't think this should have as high of a rating.
Fame and Fascination
Yes it's very good. The spotify album has lost access to two tracks, which is a shame.
Cannot quite make mind up about the across the universe cover - feels a bit out of place on the album and borderline Bowie parody. Love the title track - rest of album (apart from Fame) not quite as good.
Funky/jazzy Bowie isn't the best Bowie (for the record, that's Labyrinth Bowie), but it's still pretty great
Some great tunes, but the abomination that was his Beatles cover definitely takes it down a notch. A solid 3.5, rounded up cause it's Bowie
Really good! I like this much better than his later works.
First listen. Really enjoyed this one. A little bit different than the other albums I’ve listened to from him.
Good album, Bowie is such a great artist.
This album drips with a cosy, warm style and it builds this theme until its pinnacle: Fame.
Bowie is always at least interesting and you'll always find something you'll like on his records, not the first one I'd grab but I'm not turning it off if it comes on.
7.5/10. I like the instrumentation as a whole and the vibe of the album. Fame is the obvious standout but Young Americans is very catchy as well. Lags a little at the end before Fame but overall a solid album
Like me some Bowie.
This album includes the song Fame, which is my favorite Bowie song. However, it also contains a very undeniable cover of across the universe. David Bowie did not need to be doing covers. Some early disco tunes that sound a bit dated now but were surely ahead of their time in release. But Young Americans itself is a great song. Probably a 3.5 but I’m going to round up,
I listened to this one on and off for the last 2 weeks. It wasn't the easiest to just plow through in one listen and required more in-depth attention. This is totally Bowie's Beatles album. The tracks that that were my favorites all had some connection to the Beatles: - Young Americans has the "I read the the news today" line - Across the Universe is a Beatles cover. An absolutely excellent one too! - Fame has John Lennon on vocals. Although I have a hard time discerning his voice on the track. The other tracks kind of passed me by, except for "Fascination". Still, Bowie the chameleon can do American R&B and a Beatles inspired album at the same time! Genius. Final note: I really listened and read the "Young Americans" lyrics closely. That is not what I thought the song was about at all. It is way darker and depressing than I ever knew. Dang.
Great album
very 70's
Bowie takes a break from art rock to focus on his version of soul. This album is totally listenable. His cover of Across the Universe feels… off, to put it lightly. Young Americans, Somebody Up There Likes Me and Fame are the stand outs.
Super jazzy and listenable. Best songs are front-loaded - Young Americans, and Fascination. I recognised Fame too. Better than I expected.
Pretty amazing how many different styles he went for isn't it. Generally did them very well too. Probably didn't enjoy this as much as the more "classic" Bowie albums we've had, but I was surprised as to how good it still was as an album. Only knew young Americans and fame. 3.5 I think
Another great Bowie record - not much to add to that.
This is good, I like mr bowie Will I listen to again: 50%
Relaxed, easy to listen to, lots of sax. The best track saved for last, the middle of the album went by without much fanfare.
Buen disco de David Bowie, distinto de los anteriores; más soul y con buenas canciones. No obstante tiene varios mejores.
Fav song: Young Americans I love the singles on this album! I just wish Bowie would have stayed away from the saxophones again on this one, they tend to cheese up anything they touch where Bowie’s involved. That Beatles cover is also properly terrible. Still a fantastic album regardless though!
There is a lot to like on this record, as with many of Bowie's. It's got all those stylish idiosyncrasies that make his records unmistakable. Singing style, musical drama, quality of songs, production (including the slightly emphasized mids that sometimes make it challenging to sit through a full record). The issue with this one simply is that it feels like an imitation of a style. Bowie and Soul are not a natural fit, rather it is soul looked through the Bowie lens. Despite all its good songs and the great musicianship, it tends to be a bit of a unsatisfying listen. Do I want more Bowie, do I want more Soul? No idea, but potentially more Bowie.
I had this album fairly high in my Bowie ranking when I initially did the dive of his discography. After relistening a few times since then, I've softened on it a bit. Blue-eyed soul Bowie is not my favorite Bowie, and although I like "Win", "Fascination", and "Somebody Up There Likes Me", I find I need to be in the right mood for them. Additionally, his atrociously oversung "Across the Universe" cover is good for at least a half-star reduction. However, the two best-known tracks deserve all the praise they receive. The title track is an absolutely perfect album opener, and "Fame" continues to rise up my list of favorite all-time songs. Lennon's backing vocals are a trip, Alomar and Slick are totally locked in with each other, and Dennis Davis lays down - for my money - the deepest, dirtiest pocket ever recorded. All in all, it's somewhat of a mixed bag, but I also don't dislike anything other than the Beatles cover, so I'll settle on a high 3.5. 3.5/5
Read some criticism of this album that it fails in its attempt of soul, Bowie himself calls it "Plastic Soul". I'm not sure it needs to be reviewed from that lens. If you accept that this isn't a "true" soul album and just take it for what it is, track by track, then it's a cracker (pun unintended). Aside from his incredible creativity and reinvention, there are simply some fantastic tunes here like Right and Fame. Somehow Bowie manages to dodge being totally cheesy and lame, which really this album would be in lesser hands. This is exemplified in the opening track with that sitcom sax, I mean my god that should have flopped the whole record but it's just really fun and there's a cheeky irony in the lyricism and vocals which elevates it all.
Never heard this, I still don’t know early Bowie. Mindful of the fact that this is his 9th LP ! Lots of jazzy wind instruments on this, it sounds fresh, rich, warm & alive, upbeat, no 70s weed smoking paranoia here, it’s actually quite 80s although released in 1975. Soulful backing singing. Funky bass too, this is really interesting. Reminds me of the Let’s Dance LP which I love. Gospel & Prince at times. Bowie’s uses his voice sparingly & is quite low in the mix, almost incidental like a composer, he lets the music & backing singers do the talking. Described as a transitional LP when looking back, this is an interesting study for that reason. Fame is in a league of its own, never knew John Lennon was involved. Can only imagine how this sounded in 1975.
Only giving it a 4, as there's some spectacular songs and a few shit ones.
Fame is amazing
Actually so bizarre... of the three Bowie albums that have come up, I've enjoyed this the most, musically... obviously took note of the funk and soul elements he meshes with his sound here, and he collaborated with some icons of the genre/scene (including Luther Van Dross, goat!!), but reading up on this, confounded by and unsure of what to make of him specifically calling this "plastic soul" aka a pale imitation and appropriation by a white musician (a "limey" to use his words). Also the multiple Beatles homages, including a full cover of Across the Universe? Weird, weird album... enjoyed it though.
Enjoyed this a lot more than Aladdin Sane. Beatles songs and references can stay home tho
Very funky, 70s vibe and just great. Also John Lennon helped.
A transitional album for Bowie, and yet he still managed to influence a whole movement of established artists performing soul tracks. 3.5
8/10. Альбом-праздник. Искрящийся камерный концерт, уютное шоу в люксовом клубе с восхитительными музыкантами, не стесняющимися выходить на передний план бэк-вокалистами и виновником торжества в виде Дэвида Роберта Джеймса. Без капли лишней театральности. Чувствуются прежде всего люди, погруженные в музыку и получающие максимальное удовольствие от исполнения, причём удовольствие крайне заразительное для слушателя. Во второй половине альбома со мной произошла типичная для меня история с Боуи - я потерял концентрацию и упустил нить повествования, отчего пришлось возвращаться и искать её утраченный край. Но отдельным фрагментам этой истории, а в частности великолепной композиции "Win" удалось закрепить за этим альбомом мои воспоминания. Дэвид здесь необычайно понятен, выверен и, как ни странно прозвучит в контексте его творчества - зрел. На этой пластинке я услышал того Боуи, на которого ссылаются в своём творчестве нещадно цитирующие его Arctic Monkeys и иже с ними. Подытожив, могу сказать, что если ранее мостиками в творчество сей легенды для меня были отдельные песни, то сейчас уверенным мостом стал этот альбом, к которому я однозначно буду возвращаться не раз.
I listened to this on Friday and forgot to take any notes. I remember liking this one. I remember the funkiness and the sax. This is also a side of Bowie I'm not super familiar with but I'm digging it.
Brilliant album! I love all the different instruments, I love the social commentary. I love how Bowie is just going for it with every song. I love how homages The Beatles not once but twice, including a full on cover of Across the Universe. (which is incredible.) He kind of lives in this post motown sound with this record. It feels very "Bowie" but also sounds like the Jackson Five, which is a fun dichotomy for an album that kind of pokes fun and winks at American culture. (Which he is very much aware that he is living in and benefitting from). It's unarguably the most "American" sounding record of his career. I had a blast with this one.
Albums like this are the reasons why I decided to do this project. I should have listened to this a long time ago. It is great. David Bowie is a legend.
This was really nice to listen to on a sunny Friday afternoon. I think some Bowie albums definitely have the potential to be a 5 for me but this one falls just short.
Much better than the other Bowie albums on here
4.5/5
Great album filled with hits.
Definitely a classic, that has paved the way for modern campy, interesting and conceptual music.
So far in this project I've rated David Bowie 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 4. Did I need yet another Bowie album? Sure! I don't mind! This one isn't overall the best or most influential or most interesting, but it is more of those things than many other artists on this list. Fame is worth its own star. Also notable Fascination and Bowie covering the Beatles.
Good pop rock
This is an album that I’ve previously skipped on Bowie’s journey from Aladdin Sane to the Thin White Duke. It’s R&B/funk aimed with laser sharp cynical precision at the American market, and on reflection it’s pretty darned good and sounds better than the R&B that Bowie release in the 80s. The highlight is probably a spectacular cover of Across the Universe but the bitter and angry Fame written with John Lennon is good too, and also foreshadows 80s Bowie too
Not his best work, in my opinion. A couple of real good songs though
I’v
Not my favorite Bowie, but it’s still pretty great. Not my favorite Across the Universe cover but I enjoy it well enough. 3.9 stars
Bowie does funk. He called it “plastic soul” but I still dig it. I only knew Fame from the Pretty Woman soundtrack & Across The Universe. Fascination is a jam even if the lyrics are “opaque”.
My favorite bowie album remains in a vast minority. 1. Outside is the tops. This album is really good though. David Bowie always comes in eras. This era is simply not my favorite. I don't care for the Disco swing of it all, the mix feels muddy, and the lyrics feel despondently cynical and clever but just not as pointed as other albums. It's not for me but it's a great album!
I know this wasn’t Bowie’s personal favorite, but I really like it! Excellent proto-disco funky guitar work, and not quite as much pretentious posing as much of his other work. It feels like he threw himself into it without doing too much thinking, and sometimes that type of plan yields interesting results.
While I recognize David Bowie's status as an icon in pop-rock history, not only via his music but via representation of the androgynous and queer community, his music isn't always up my alley. There was however a fair bit of this album that impressed me. While I knew of the hit "Fame" and its funky sound, there were multiple songs on this record that mirrored that style that were great. Some of the slower tracks did seem to drag to me, and made me almost want to skip and move on to the next. The fusion of styles in a lot of this album and songwriting were enough to hold my attention, but it still doesn't hit that higher echelon for me. I'm not inclined to seek out Bowie, but I can't deny his magnetism. Notable Tracks: - Fascination - Right - Somebody Up There Likes Me - Fame 7/10
I WANT THE YOUNG AMERICAN Fun album. The two singles are so popular that im surprised I wasnt already familiar with the tunes. For me, its all about side A. Win, Fascination and Right are really fantastic tunes with wicked sax all over the place On the B side, I wasnt a big fan of the across the universe cover on first listen, but after spinning it a second time, I got the gist of what Bowie/Lennon were trying to do. Fame is such a cool song, so I wont call the B side a waste of time. Loved the collaboration on it
7/10. Some good songs. But it didn’t stand out as great for me.
Bowie at his peak is magnificent, but this album isn't his best. Young Americans and Fame are great, most of the rest is fine but nothing more. The cover of Across the Universe is pretty bad. Overall, this just about deserves a four, but there are much better Bowie albums out there.
Nicht das beste bowie, aber liebe
Really good with a bit of filler
underrated bowie
Hell of a good album, drags a little in spots but entirely solid as a rule. Title track is a banger, and closing track (fame) is outstanding. 4/5
Classic 70s Bowie songs