Here are my ten favorite albums by pop glam rock genius chameleon, David Bowie.
10)Let's Dance (1983)
At the bottom of my list is Let's Dance with the same-titled single that still rules the dancefloors across the world. It represented the biggest twist of Bowie's career, as it played the role of antipode to his works from Berlin era. Although critics were ambiguous towards this sudden change of creative direction, there was universal agreement that China Girl, Modern Love and Without You certainly enriched the artist's mosaic.
9)David Bowie (1969)
His eponymous work, better known as Man of Words/Man of Music, represents his earliest phase. To be honest, this album does not objectively deserve to be in the top 10, but the power of single Space Oddity is so massive. It was a herald of what this man will do in the future. During the euphoria of moon landing, Space Oddity was a manifestation of zeitgeist. Psychedelic cacophony and polarizing structure of the song made it an absolute classic that raised the whole album to the higher level. Cygnet Committee and Dreaming of A Free Festival are also worth the mention.
8)The Man Who Sold The World (1971)
If David Bowie (1969) was the last scream of hippie ideology, then TMWSTW was an excursion into the unknown. Bowie's supporting band Spiders From The Mars was perfectly fit for the concept of the album. From the opening The Width of a Circle to the closing The Supermen, The Man Who Sold The World is a collection of essential rock 'n' roll.
7)Lodger (1979)
My favorite record from Bowie's Berlin trilogy. During this era, he was collaborating with Brian Eno, so you can hear some of the best results of their friendship here. My absolute favorite is a number titled Yassassin, an Eastern dessert in which he growls I am not a moody guy. Another standout is talkinghead-like DJ. A fantastic album.
6)Blackstar (2016)
We are jumping 30 years forth to the Bowie's very last studio album, an eerie and apocalyptic Blackstar. The album is equally important for Bowie's discography as it is for music in general, and I believe it is still unexplored to the fullest. Only two days after the album's release, our protagonist had died, leaving us with seven cryptic, grotesque and avant-garde songs.
5)Low (1997)
When Bowie ran away from Los Angeles with Iggy Pop in order to avoid cocaine, something else was waiting for him in Berlin - heroin. Sad and tired Bowie polarizes the instruments behind him, and generates sonic kaleidoscopes directed by Brian Eno. Sound and Vision, and Always Crashing In My Car regularly catapult me to some other dimension.
4)Hunky Dory (1971)
Is there a perfect pop? Maybe you will believe in perfect pop after you listen to Hunky Dory. Dominant themes of philosophy, sexuality and bravery gave birth to some of his most famous songs, such as Changes and Queen Bitch (which was an homage to Lou Reed). The album cover was a milestone in Bowie's career, as it was the first time the world saw this revolutionary icon being androgynous.
3)Heroes (1977)
Robert Fripp on guitar. Heroes (single) on tracklist. Heroes is a schizophrenic mix of euphoric art-rock and ambient experimentation. Charming in its neurosis and determined in its ethical message, Heroes might be the album that represents Bowie the best. Why it is not on the first place then? Because it was played a little bit safe.
2)Station To Station (1976)
One thing is for sure - Station To Station is a zenith of Bowie's ego. With a makeup! It reminds me of American Psycho, and Bowie himself had said that his goal was to create an album barren from soul. Even love songs sound loveless. It is a bit creepy is that the lack of "humanity" pushed him to create one of the best materials in his discography. Personal favorite: Wild is the Wind.
1)The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars (1972)
Objectively - difficult choice; subjectively - the easiest choice. On this record, Bowie fully accepted himself before giving his all to us. I don't remember If I ever heard someone burning like he did on Five Years, and that is only the first track on this masterpiece. No matter the numerous transformations, I truly believe Bowie was Ziggy.
