Audio CD review:
David Bowie - David Bowie

David Bowie - David Bowie

Band: David Bowie Title: David Bowie Rating: Release Date: 23 March, 1998 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Uncle Arthur 2: Sell Me A Coat 3: Rubber Band 4: Love You Till Tuesday 5: There Is A Happy Land 6: We Are Hungry Men 7: When I Live My Dream 8: Come And Buy My Toys 9: Join The Gang 10: She's Got Medals 11: Maid Of Bond Street 12: Please Mr. Gravedigger

Customer Reviews He's an existentialist... If you like Bowie or quirky mid-60's British pop, then you really can't go wrong. David Bowie's first album originally released in June 1967 is a pretty cool little record. Should it be the first Bowie album one buys? God no! But it is very enjoyable in the right frame of mind. "Join the Gang" is a rip on certain aspects of "Swinging London" and is a personal fav from the debut. "Rubber Band" is a fun nostalgia trip on big bands during the Great War. "Uncle Arthur" is a silly song about the ultimate mama's boy. "When I Live My Dream" is generally considered the best song on the disc; it definitely seems the most mature. Even "Sell Me Your Coat" sounds cheerful though the poor guy seems to be freezing to death. David will always be one of rock's greatest songwriters and lyricists and 'Bowie' the album has its fair share of hilarious stories of maids, transvestites, models in the ads, meglomaniacs, childhood fantasists and psychotic gravediggers. 'David Bowie' is a neat little record where every song is memorable for good or bad. Not essential listening for 60's psychedelic enthusiasts but more for Bowie completists. In 1967 a 20 year old genius was having a blast giving commentary on both Mod London and Twentieth Century England in general. Years after this release, when Bowie became Ziggy and ruled the world; he may have been embarassed by this record. However, fans of folky, campy rock will enjoy! . Some true Bowie brilliance from the late 60s Bowie's material from this period could perhaps only be appreciated by people who enjoy trippy psychedelic pop in the vain of Syd-Barett-period-Pink-Floyd ("Piper at the Gates of Dawn") or The Beatles (ala "Sgt Pepper's" etc. I don't have this exact album but have another with about 3/4 of these tunes plus 4 others from this period. ) It is fun, it has humour, it has fantasy, it has some great story-based trippy lyrics. . . a little bit like mid-late 60s John Lennon and Syd Barret. This is music to make you smile and recall childhood days of fantasy and wonder. In essence, this music is right on the mark for the time it was created. Sadly, this particular album does not have "The Laughing Gnome", which never fails to bring a big grin to people's faces. I love and appreciate Bowie's work from all of his phases - except for the "Space Oddity" album which, apart from that great title track, is truly bland. However, if you're limited in interest to his moody late 70s stuff, or his heavier stuff from the late 90s, or his 80s pop, or his glam stuff from the early 70s, then this possibly isn't for you. But if you like trippy 60s pop that will make you smile and daydream - then a lot of Bowie's work from this period is excellent! My wife and I view this album as therapy - if we're feeling down or moody these charming happy go lucky tunes snap us out of it and put a smile on our faces ;-) How could you not feel better after hearing a song like "Rubber Band"? So, if not this album, then maybe go for the Deram collection that other reviewers mention. PS - what also amazed me when I heard Bowie's late 60s works, is that the clarity of the music and his vocal performance far outshines his later, famous early 70s works. They sound muddy and cluttered in comparison. David Bowie Rex. If you are a fan of either David Bowie or Marc Bolan, you will probably know that both were friends and rivals, and both were Glam stars, Bowie solo and Bolan with T. What you may not have known is that both had a completely different sound than their future efforts, but a very similar sound to each other. This album is more of a folk-pop-rock album than anything Glam, and it is all the more charming for that. It is similar to the early Tyranosaurus Rex albums, so if you are a fan of them, pick this up. If you would like to hear a different side of Bowie, buy this. Each song [with the exception of Please Mister Gravedigger] is excellent. I would highly recommend picking up this album, it is well worth the minimal cost, and it is very interesting to hear such a different sound from such a household name. . You can see a complete list of all David Bowie discography, or go back to the David Bowie tabs