SCARY MONSTERS (AND SUPER CREEPS)

It seems to me this is the one Bowie album no self-respecting progger can do without. Not because the Thin White Duke hasn't made better albums, far from it (in my opinion, ZIGGY STARDUST, DIAMOND DOGS, STATION TO STATION and "HEROES" all are stronger artistic statements than the album under review), but because it contains quite a bit of Robert Fripp's best ever guitar playing! If I remember it well, Bowie had his songs recorded and he then asked Fripp to come to the studio and pour some truly UNHINGED electric solos all over them. Which is exactly what happened. As a consequence, the original A-side of SCARY MONSTERS contains one of the most riveting sequences of songs Bowie has ever committed to vinyl. Of course it helps that all the tunes are really strong. On the other hand, most lyrics are rather obscure, but I remember when this album came out how relieved we all were that Bowie finally seemed to be making a stand against fascist tendencies...

SCARY MONSTERS' B-side is noticeably more bombastic and less convincing than the A-side, in spite of a brief guest appearance by Pete Townshend. Only "Teenage Wildlife" really convinces me. The reason why this side is so much weaker? Well, you guessed it. The tunes are less inspired, and there are no great Fripp Moments! I don't want to give the impression of being a Fripp-adorer (I really am not) but let's give praise where praise is due.