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 (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 the tunes are strong. On the other hand, most of the lyrics seem 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. Why is this side so much weaker? Well, you guessed it. The tunes sound less inspired, and there aren't any great Fripp Moments! I don't want to give the impression of being a Frippadorer (I really am not) but let's just give praise where praise is due.