David Bowie

1967-1979 Studio Albums

The early years were definitely a lot more pleasing to me then some of his later releases.

I didn't do a really good job listening. I did play the songs as I was delivering food but I did pay attention to the music the best I could. I was listening for any songs that stood out to me, but I didn't really find anything that wasn't already widely popular. I did notice how the music changed over the years. The lyrics were sometimes hard to hear and sometimes, there weren't any spoken words at all. Bowie definitely explored a lot of different music styles. If I was alive during the release of his albums, I would probably have been into the weirdness of it all. Mind you, I'd be a completely different person if I lived through the 70s and 80s. No computer with access to infinite knowledge or fun visual technology would have made me a lot more normal.

 David Bowie (1967)

Fun, oldies music. Clear vocals that you'd expect from the 60s. Nothing stands out, it's got strangeness going on, but maybe it's just a British thing.

David Bowie (1969)

I didn't realize this was a different album the first time through.  "Space Oddity" is the first song on the album and is easily a favorite. That was to be expected, as it's not the first time I'm hearing the song.

The Man Who Sold the World (1970)

Thanks to Kurt from Nirvana, I am familiar with the track "The Man Who Sold the World". Again, not new to me, probably a popular song already. Nothing new gained. Maybe my brain has already determined what songs I like, or all the good songs are already pointed out when the album's released in the first place. Yea, maybe that. 

Hunky Dory (1971)

Definitely feel the 70s vibes forming in the opening song "Changes". "Life on Mars?" is another favorite. Thanks to American Horror Story for doing their own rendition on the Freak Show season. Also, I love the movie Life Aquatic, which uses a bunch of Bowie's songs, some sang in another language. "Queen Bitch" was used at the end of the movie, I think, but I can't say it's actually a favorite of mine, but it is good.

I have to say, I liked the guitar and piano used throughout the album. This might be my favorite album overall.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spider from Mars (1972)

This album does have a fun vibe throughout and is quite enjoyable, but I don't love any one of the songs in particular. Does that make an album good? Yes. I know some people do have some favorites from this album. "Starman" and "Suffragette City" for sure are good, but they don't flip the switches required to be favorites of mine.

This is rock music.

Aladdin Sane (1973)

Is Bowie melting? This album has some pretty clear sounds, still not bad. Nothing special.

Pin Ups (1973)

Hey, this is a covers album. I didn't know that the first time I listened to it. He covered songs by bands that influenced him. I didn't know any of the songs. They're not bad cover songs.  I didn't hate it, it's all pretty standard rock. Glam rock if you want.

Diamond Dogs (1974)

There are some elements I do like, "We Are the Dead" has slow beat that I enjoy. Overall, I liked this album less than the previous ones. "Rebel Rebel" would be the song that someone might know. Not one of my favorites, but I've heard it.

Young Americans (1975)

"Across the Universe" cover of the Beatles song, was fun to me, but probably because I knew it from the Beatles. "Fame" is a great song, I don't know the words, but the beat is memorable. Not new, but that's probably because it got really popular in America.

Station to Station (1976)

This is when Bowie started to lose me. I didn't like the lyrics, they seemed messy, repetitive and often just lost in the sounds. Minus the vocals, the songs aren't bad, but maybe a little strung-out.

Low (1977)

The last two albums had cocaine all over them. This one is experimental rock. If I heard this out of context and not under the understanding of it being David Bowie, I'd probably enjoy it. It doesn't fall into a favorite or can't because with most instrumental stuff, I like listening to them to clear my mind, relax or something like that.

 "Heroes" (1977)

"Heroes" is a good one. Nothing new.

Lodger (1979)

I got nothing from this album.