I couldn't find any topics on him, so I figured I'd start one!
David Bowie's one of those characters that if you're pretty into music, you probably know him, and hopefully like him. Over the course of his career he's made a lot of awesome music; songs like "Space Oddity" (Major Tom!), "Rebel, Rebel", and "Heroes" are spectacular songs that never really get their due on classic rock radio.
I've only got 4 albums of his, and they're all classics. Hunky Dory is a really upbeat, catchy rock album, with some fantastic hooks and great lyrics "Changes" and "Oh You Pretty Things" are two amazing pop gems. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is a rock classic, respected by almost every rock critic on the planet. A somewhat-concept album about a man who saves the world through the power of rock music, every single track on this album is amazing. Finally, Low and Heroes are really interesting albums, which start out with really punchy rock songs, but halfway through switch to very ambient tracks. (A little influence from Brian Eno? Perhaps.)
So, this topic's open for discussion on Bowie. Like him? Love him? Think the only thing he's done worth mentioning was his cameo in Zoolander? Think I've left out integral parts of his discography? (I most probably have, you know.) Discuss!
------ Let's raise a toast to St. Joe Strummer! I do believe he was our only decent teacher
Posts: 2060 | Location: ATL-abouts. | Registered: 24 October 2006
I own or have owned everything he's done, save his Christiane F s'track, Tin Machine, debut album or Never Let Me Down. So when i say, go forth and buy his entire '70's output + 'Scary Monsters (my personal fave), I meannnnn it maaaan!!!
Of his recent revival of songwriting skills, after a fallow period from 1984 to 1993 , I would pick 'Hours' An excellent example of an ageing rocker still making worthwhile..nay, essential recordings!
Besides his terrific musical contributions; he has been on the boards producing great artists such as Lou Reed and Iggy Pop. He is one of the few singers who can act, and his performance in the brilliant Nic Roeg film, 'Man who fell to Earth' is riveting. And he has a lovely eye for visuals, having almost single-handedly kicked off the Glam movement in the UK, along with his chameleon nature thru the decades..(inspiring Madonna, among others).
A hero of mine. No record collection is complete w/out some Major Tom
'for my purpose holds to sail beyond the sunset, and the baths of all the western stars, until I die.'
Posts: 2033 | Location: The ever silent spaces of the East | Registered: 12 February 2007
I always thought their first album was cruelly underrated. Under the God and Bus stop are great songs.
Also - Does anyone like 'Earthling'? I love the heavy guitars and the drums are incredible.
Perhaps I'm alone in these peculiar selections. I seem to like Bowie when he collaborates with Reeves Gabrels. I like the early stuff too (but then who doesn't?). I saw him live at Glastonbury once - he was quite good.
None more Black
Posts: 479 | Location: Kent | Registered: 29 September 2005
I lovelovelove David Bowie. I don't think anyone did better for 70s music than Bowie, who released a mind-boggling amount of incredible music in that decade.
1970 - The Man Who Sold the World 1971 - Hunky Dory 1972 - Ziggy Stardust 1973 - Aladdin Sane 1976 - Station to Station 1977 - Low, Heroes 1979 - Lodger
He actually released more albums than that, but those are just his classics from that decade! I definitely think Ziggy Stardust is his magnum opus, though.
Posts: 746 | Location: San Diego ==> Duke U. 2012 :D | Registered: 24 July 2006
Originally posted by Chamberk: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is a rock classic, respected by almost every rock critic on the planet.
Not me. The Man Who Sold The World is far superior. Low is his best album, "Heroes" his best song.
+++++++++++++++++ Nalgaphobia: the irrational fear of prosthetic buttocks.
Posts: 2074 | Location: Vinylville | Registered: 24 September 2006
I've always been partial to "Dance Magic" of the "Labyrinth" soundtrack
"I can't live the buttoned down life like all of you! I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles! Sure, I might offend a few of the blue-noses with my cocky stride and musky odor - oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called 'City Fathers' who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards, and talk about what's to be done with this Monkey_Boy?!"
Posts: 2423 | Location: Springfield, Oh! Hi ya, Maude! | Registered: 01 January 2007
David Bowie could be more historic than almost anything associated with rock and roll. Personally, I believe the myth and legend of David Bowie is only slumbering, and will rise to prominence again some time in the future.
The cool thing about Bowie is that not only did he record all of those classic aforementioned albums, but he had a part in a lot of other classic albums. For instance, he produced Lou Reed's classic Transformer, wrote and produced Mott The Hoople's "All The Young Dudes", mixed the Stooges' Raw Power, and co-wrote and played on Iggy Pop's two classic 70s albums The Idiot and Lust For Life. He was a giant in the 70s.
----- I’ll be Ben Gazzara, you’ll be Gena Rowlands.
Posts: 5159 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
"Dance, magic, dance!" "Put that magic spell on me!"
"I can't live the buttoned down life like all of you! I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles! Sure, I might offend a few of the blue-noses with my cocky stride and musky odor - oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called 'City Fathers' who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards, and talk about what's to be done with this Monkey_Boy?!"
Posts: 2423 | Location: Springfield, Oh! Hi ya, Maude! | Registered: 01 January 2007
I just started listening to Aladdin Sane. This shit is weird, but in a poppy, kind of accessible way. Sort of a mix between the emotion of Hunky Dory and the cocky strut of Ziggy Stardust.
------ Let's raise a toast to St. Joe Strummer! I do believe he was our only decent teacher
Posts: 2060 | Location: ATL-abouts. | Registered: 24 October 2006
I believe Ziggy Stardust to be one of the greatest albums ever. I did want to say though that I listen more now to Space Oddity. Songs like Cygnet Committee, Unwashed and Somewhat slightly Dazed, Letter to Hermione and Janine are stunning. If you haven't heard these songs make sure you check them out.
Posts: 878 | Location: santa barbara | Registered: 02 November 2006
Originally posted by mymindsblank: i was going to be the Goblin King for halloween but i couldnt find a cod piece for my tights like the one david bowie had
Love it. That would be a sweet costume. Ah, Labyrinth...
It's kinda wierd that when you go to the review of The Labyrinth on Metacritic (they have one?) you'll find that it didn't recieve good marks when it came out. Is that correct? That would be bizarre because I know that movie was fracking formative for a hell of a lot of people.
You're right--I've checked out some reviews of when Labyrinth came out, and they're, for the most part, terrible. Sure, it may not be the most accomplished film. But being a huge Brian Froud (who designed all the faeries and goblins and other creatures) as well as David Bowie fan (oh, and mustn't forget the fact that I'm obsessed with all things dealing with "nature spirits" a la flitty things, goblins, trolls, leprechauns, or any mythology that deals with that sort of thing), it's one of my favourites. I have fond memories assigned to it, as well.
I don't know. It's one of those cult classic wonders. Wasn't it the same thing with The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Very influential for me, but wasn't it not-well-received when it came out?
I'm actually listening to Ziggy Stardust right now. I'm not a Bowie expert by any means, but everything I own from him I like. He's on a long, long list of acts that I'm planning to buy more of their stuff.
Posts: 1376 | Location: Valparaiso, IN | Registered: 01 July 2006
