Scary Monsters (studio album) by David Bowie

This has always been one of my favourite Bowie albums. As others have said, the first half is stronger than the second, but it is all pretty strong stuff. His last great album, imho.

From lleon79 09/28/2022 16:05

First half is like a 10. Second half deflates like crazy, but it's still enjoyable.

Not the best from bowie

This album is definitely something new for Bowie at that point, instrumental experiments are mostly successful and they sound incredible, but vocal experiments are either incredible or horrible. Best tracks are Up The Hill Backwards, Scary Monsters, Ashes To Ashes, Fashion and hidden gem - Because You're Young.

Love the guitar work on this, and the bass on Ashes to Ashes is great. Highlights are Ashes to Ashes, Fashion and Teenage Wildlife. One of his best albums for me.

This is a solid record but it isn't up there amongst his greatest releases. It is quite an experimental album which means that there are quite a few strange moments for us to decipher so this record needs a few listens to properly digest it. This also means that there is a high chance of all the songs on here either really hitting or really not which is the main problem with the release. Songs like the title track, Ashes To Ashes and Teenage Wildlife benefit massively from this experimental nature as they sound so fresh even today and they are extremely infectious. Then there are the closing songs on the record amongst a few more which are just quite dull and can sound slightly dated. However, Bowie is extremely consistent throughout and so is the instrumental performances. Overall, there are some brilliant songs on here but the record can't maintain the consistency it needs to be considered an all time great.

The pros and cons of being an “avant-garde art rock” musician. There’s always lots of creativity, plenty of risks taken.

On this album, several of the risks pay off (Ashes to Ashes and Teenage Wildlife, most notably). And some do not (the last few songs aren’t great). Still a fascinating album, in all, due to the change in direction it signals.

Ashes to Ashes was the big hit, I remember watching the utterly bizarre video on Top of the Pops. I hated the video and didn't like Bowie much as a teenager. How things change... Generally a good album and interesting listening experience.

this is the album that got me hooked on mr bowie.the album that started the new romantic sound in the uk. he was always ahead of the rest.i love super creeps/ up the hill backwards as much as the 2 bigger hits.

A top 5 Bowie for sure...at a apex of avant garde & more popular.