1001 Albums Summary

I was aware of Sparks from their collaboration on the song “Happy dictator” on the latest Gorillaz album and actually saw them perform as the support act at the concert for that album, so I was happy to have the chance to listen to this one. While I’m not a huge glam rock listener but I do enjoy the work of Bowie and T. Rex so it was fun to listen to an album with similar qualities to some of this work. There was also some comparisons to Queen. The instrumentation is big and expansive while the vocal performance is soaring and almost operatic, with a lot of drama in the delivery. The overall sound is weird (non-derogatory), often highly dynamic and shifting. This can make for a really fun and compelling listen but at times also highlights my main issue with this sort of glam rock. When it works for me it really works but in a few of the songs here there are so many dramatic flourishes and changes in sound that I’m not able to be fully immersed in the music. I also felt this meant some of the songs sounded very similar and therefore indistinct, meaning the album dragged at points. I think amongst all the drama and flamboyance there needs to be a good hook, holding everything down. I appreciate this was a first listen though and this may be mitigated by more plays. Overall this was still a fun listen. Fav songs: Amateur Hour, Equator.

Bowie is a singular icon and this is obviously a perfect, defining, 5/5 album so decided to do a song by song on this one. - 5 Years: has and always will be perfect. Sets the scene for the rest of the album narratively and dramatically, while the way it slowly builds to the point of an almost wailing crescendo is absolute chef’s kiss. - Soul Love: transition from the cacophony of 5 years into something a lot smoother and lighter, the saxophone and bass here stand out, as well as the slightly latin sounding beat. Love the key change about half way through. - Moonage Daydream: just a definitive Bowie song, a banger, not going to waste anyone’s time commenting on which bits I liked. - Starman: first Bowie song I ever heard circa 2013, had never heard anything like it and still haven’t. The chorus makes me weirdly emotional in an almost euphoric way, those strings! 5/5 once again. - It ain’t Easy: one of the lesser tracks for me but the vocals are still great and the big chorus and restrained verses play off nicely. - Lady Stardust: one of the most beautiful and outright emotional songs on the album, the piano is so good. Knowing this is (probably) a Marc Bolan tribute only adds to this. - Star: solid and important song for the conceptual narrative but for me suffers a little coming after Lady Stardust which is so emotive, in comparison to the fairly light feeling here. I do really like the breakdown that comes towards the end of the song though. - Hang on to Yourself: I really like how this one feels like it’s bridging 3 or 4 different genres and the breathless ending is great. - Ziggy Stardust: back to the absolute bangers. I really love the movement of the melody and the storytelling on this song as well as that guitar riff. Feels like the album is building to its climax now. Ziggy played guitar. - Suffragette City: very fun song fully embracing the rock and roll feeling. I think this song would be a little lower in my overall estimation but the “wham bam thank you ma’am” false ending helps it find an extra level. - Rock ‘n’ roll Suicide: one of the great closing tracks. As with many of the strongest songs here, I love the storytelling. The build up, the key shift and the final dramatic string note are all such dramatic elements which really reflect what’s amazing about this album I think. A big, theatrical ending which Bowie can pull off in a way not many others can.