THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS

So here we are. Bowie's so called magnum opus. Or...his most successful album. Yes, it must be said, that the only reason this album did so well was because it came out at a time where it could have easily gained popularity.

Even though this may not be my favourite Bowie album, I do respect what Bowie did with this album, and there is a slight touch of genius behind the marketing techniques. Creating a character under the name of Ziggy Stardust, this allowed Bowie to basically become the pop star he has always wanted to become.

This album is usually considered to be a concept album, but lyrically I find it really hard to see any real concept on the album. There is a vague story throughout, but usually with Bowie's lyrics, it is very hard to really understand what he is trying to portray, which usually always bodes well in his favour, but because a concept is present, it makes it very hard to understand. Luckily enough Bowie made most of these songs incredibly catchy, so a concept wasn't really that important.

Musically, this would be Bowie's safest album. The hard rock sound found on "The Man Who Sold The World" is present, but with a little bit more campness and flamboyance. One of my all time favourite albums would have to be Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." At times, I do think these albums could easily be brother and sister, especially if you listen very close to how the piano is used in these songs.

The opening track "Five Years" is probably one of the most interesting moments on the album. A rather dark moment for Bowie, it really is a song that builds up to a massive explosion at the end. Brilliantly arranged and definitely one of Bowie's best album openers. The album closer "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" has a similar vain and almost brings the albums very vague 'concept' to an end.

The album itself created a lot of successful hits for Bowie, which even today get a considerable amount of radio play, and are considered all time classics. Songs like "Starman", "Ziggy Stardust" and "Suffragette City." I can't really deny the brilliance behind these songs and they are classics in there own right. If you have never heard these songs, then you probably have no taste in music, that's all I'm gonna say.

Another of the album's two biggest achievements has to be the tracks "Moonage Daydream" and "Lady Stardust". Definitely two of the best songs on the album and two of the biggest highlights from the whole glam rock era.

The rest of the songs to me are probably what brings the album down so much. Songs like "Star" and "Hang On To Yourself" I think are the weakest moments on the album, and would never really be in the mood to listen to them. Pretty much filler in my opinion.

In conclusion, this isn't my favourite Bowie album and I do think this was one of Bowie's least creative moments throughout his career. I do admire his songwriting on the album and how he was able to craft some brilliant pop/rock songs. There are some genuine classics on this album, but as an album, it really isn't one of Bowie's best. His most successful, but in my opinion, by far his best..

...still a great album though.

8.1/10

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