Aladdin Spain

Overall Album Score: 8.7 out of 10

Hola! How vas yer trip ta Spain???!

Oh yes. David Bowie's super stuper follow-up to Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From That Place is certainly a worthy one! Do I fully enjoy this album? You bet I do. It is nothing but a decadent, glammy thrill ride!

However, first a little disclaimer: When I first bought the album, I hated it. I thought this was a completely boring album with absolutely nothing at all to get out of it. Those expecting Aladdin Sane to be a carbon copy of Ziggy Stardust will be let down. This is only remotely similar to Ziggy musically. The tunes here are actually more crunchy and rocking, and they don't quite have the same sort of theatrics that was so present on the previous album. This album is also characterized by very impressive decadent piano playing! We have Mike Garson to thank for that.

That said, I'm not sure I can wholeheartedly recommend this album. The melodies, for one, are not all that grand ... which is why it took me so long to enjoy it. Instead, you'll have to let the decadent atmosphere soak in. Once you do that, enjoying the album is a cakewalk! I found myself putting it in my CD player quite often, and I got my money's worth out of it (finally).

So, crack baby crack, show me your real, and GET THIS ALBUM TOOOODAY!

Overall Album Score: 8.7 out of 10 (While all Bowie fans probably think rock albums can't get much better than this, the average person might not enjoy it ... and I can say with some certainty that the average person needs to give this album 5 or 6 listens before they can fully appreciate it.)

Average Song Score: 8.6 (Duh-duh-duh-definitely good decadent songs from Mr. Bowie. There are a few VERY memorable ones in here, such as the title track. Perhaps some of these tracks test our patience a little bit, but there are some real keepers on here.)

Album Tilt: 8.5 (While I enjoy listening to this album very much, it is still not completely enjoyable ... but it's a great album altogether.)

Artist Tilt: 9.0 (Way to go Bowie for not sticking to a formula! The musical elements that made Ziggy Stardust such a smash-hit album are not present on this one ... except, of course, Bowie's still in his "Ziggy Stardust" persona. In my opinion, the artistic integrity of this album overshadows its actual entertainment value. And so, I wouldn't put this on David's top 5 best.)

Track Reviews

Watch That Man 9/10

Actually, when I first purchased this album, this was the only song of the album I liked. The reason: this is the most Ziggy Stardust-esque song on here. And, well, if I didn't like Ziggy Stardust, there would be no way in Kansas that I'd ever get this album! Also, it's a nice catchy Glam song with great crunchy guitar by Mick Ronson. It's also among the album's catchiest tunes.

Aladdin Sane 10/10

Okay ... here's the best song on the album. The reason? The piano! Great decadent piano work by Mike Garson! Suuuuuuuuper! Though due credit ought to go to Saynore Bowie for coming up with the actual song. It's just played very well. (I love piano stuff, too, by the way. That sucka goes ALL OVER THE PLACE!) This song is best compared to early Roxy Music songs that have a nice, constant beat and instruments that seemingly have their hearts set on crack.

I guess the world will never know who will love Aladdin Sane. (I would if he has big breaststs!)

Drive In Saturday 9/10

A 50's style do-wop on CRACK! (Come to think of it "CRACK" would be a nice one-word summary of this album.) This is also one of the better songs on the album, and it has one of the better melodies. (I suppose this one is kind of similar to the songs on Ziggy Stardust, 'cause that album had a 50's connection, too.)

Panic in Detroit 6.5/10

Mmmm! No. Mmmm! Naaaah! Nannanaaananaaah!

Those non-verbals indicate that this track is quite overrated. While it's still a good song, it doesn't deserve the credit many people give it. (Oooo! Look! That rhymed!) The reason? It's a bit boring. There's nothing, including a good melody, impressive instrument playing, or anything else that makes this song a particular joy to listen to. In fact, this is my least favorite song on the album! I'm just not impressed. (However, that jungle-like beat is kinda fun.)

Cracked Actor 7.5/10

Slightly more memorable than the previous track, this one is more crunchy, bouncy, and even singable. In structure, this is one of the most "traditionally-correct" songs in the album 'cause it has an identifiable chorus (ya know ... like those church songs, 'xcept this one doesn't talk about Jesus ... it talks about crack babies). Hmmm... these lyrics ARE interesting. But I gave up paying too much attention to David Bowie lyrics after reviewing The Space Oddity.

Time 8.5/10

I used to like this song a lot. (I included it in my David Bowie mix CD and not "Aladdin Sane" for some reason.) This one sounds more theatric than anything we've heard so far in style. (Mike Garson also has fun little spots where he impresses us with his masterful piano playing here, too!) This song was well-realized.

The Prettiest Star 9.5/10

My second favorite track of the album is also very theatric in style ... this one has a better melody line. It's also a bit more simplistic and has a definite 50's influence. It's a good song!

Let's Spend the Night Together 9/10

Am I a bloody fool for enjoying this song a tenfold more than I enjoy the original Rolling Stones version of it? Naaaaaah! (And if you call me a fool for enjoying this more than the Rolling Stones original, I might have to backlash with my razor-sharp wit.) Here, it is played much faster and more rockinful. (Ooo! Look! I just invented a new word!) It's also hella more fun to listen to with all its weird electronic bleeps and stuff. I can't say it "goes" with this album -- it seems rather out of place -- it's just a nice highlight.

The Jean Genie 8.5/10

This is the big hit from the album ... and it's fine. This is a more R&B song (that will be more prevalent on his next original album, Diamond Frogs) that was married effectively with T. Rex-esque Glam music. Interesting. I'm not sure that the "hit" of the album is among the best, though. Apparently, David wrote this in a hotel room to impress a chick. (I did that once, and I put it on my 1995 album I Am the Gopher.)

Lady Grinning Soul 8.5/10

Yay! More impressive piano work! The tune is less so. But I cannot help enjoying it! Nice, memorable coda to the album. Yippedeedippedeeee.

YABBBBBBBBBB!

Do you think this was the bestest review of all reviews? Or, am I simply a pretend lounge lizard who wears way too much make-up? Leave your comments here