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Posted by MF DU on 2007-02-05 17:41:15 +0000

I have always really enjoyed Kooks There is a line in there which is something to the extent of: 'if the homework brings you down, then we'll throw it on the fire and take the car downtown' I used to fantasize about that at UNH sometimes in Neurology and Kinesiology classes...

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-05 18:54:46 +0000

My favorite of the batch so far.

Posted by Chopper on 2007-02-06 17:36:31 +0000

A great album. Rick Wakeman of Yes on piano. The Spiders from Mars as a band - Woody Woodmansey on drums, Trevor Bolder on bass and Mick Ronson on guitar. These band members would be around for several more albums. "The Bewley Brothers" and "Oh! You Pretty Things" are more schizophrenia paranoia writings - but truly great songs in their own right. "Queen Bitch" is a great glam rocker. The lyrics seem to be a dig at those who try too hard to dress up. "Changes" was and remains a true "pop" song. "The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars" is on the horizon, but for the time being, "Hunky Dory" is a mixture of great piano, intriguing lyrics and vocals that are true Bowie. Definitely less "hard rock" and more stylistic than "The Man Who Sold The World" - but such a change is what Bowie was beginning to show - himself as a chameleon.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-02-06 17:36:58 +0000

"Oh You Pretty Things" = great!

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-02-07 16:27:19 +0000

The first real keeper IMHO. Lots of great songs ("Queen Bitch," "Oh You Pretty Things!" "Life on Mars?" even "Changes" although I could live a full life and never hear that song again). Hate to say it, but really only the "singles" are sticking out for me. I know we've said it before, but only now am I beginning to realize the severity of us chugging through a whole catalog of filler. I know we got some gems top to bottom coming up ("Ziggy Stardust," "Stationtostation", "Scary Monsters," etc.) but is anybody looking forward to "Black Tie, White Noise?" I digress, "Hunky Dory" is vastly superior to the blah title he gave it. For the first time he seems confident, although there's still that goofy schmaltz of the "theatre" running through it. For a guy who loves melodrama, he sure doesn't know how to end records yet, does he. I still get the feeling that I'm looking at someone's sketchbook. Sure it's great to see how he's progressing towards Ziggy, but Christ, call me impatient, but let's get moving here, Mr. Jones. Seriously, somebody give this guy an eight ball. Is Mick Ronson even on this one? Couple of these tunes are screaming for his guitar work. And enough with the comically transparent "experimentations" with homosexuality. C'mon. At least on the next album he's going to come out (literally) saying he'll give you sweet head instead of whining about the "Homo Sapiens." Puh-lease.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-02-07 17:04:29 +0000

"chugging through a whole catalog of filler" If its not a hit, is it filler? Every recording artist will have filler, but I would be inclined to argue that Bowie has proportionately less filler than yr avg rock star.

Posted by virtue on 2007-02-07 17:44:36 +0000

Are you excluding the bonus tracks when you say that he doesn't know how to end an album? As originally released it ends with the Bewlay Brothers after Queen Bitch. Although, to be honest, I'm enjoying the non-"singles" just as much as the classics. I also like the back hand allusion to Warhol/VU not on warhol, but in the guitar line a couple of songs later on the track listing as we have it (not sure which one off the top of my head, at work away from music). Mick Ronson is on guitar here.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-02-07 17:48:42 +0000

There is a very Lou Reed-sounding song on the album.

Posted by mr. mister on 2007-02-09 01:49:39 +0000

Life on Mars is one of my all time favorites. Some of this album is very Belle and Sebastian like. Ecspecially Kook. This album reminds me a lot of Alladin Sane. I don't really need to hear Bowie scream "Free" again. Queen Bitch is very Lou Reedy.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 05:30:13 +0000

Wow, I am a neglectful bastard. I'm not reading this post at all and I'm just going to go for it. I apologize for missing "Man Who Sold the World"...probably won't be the first time...I, miss that guy who sold the world.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 05:39:58 +0000

Holy Shit!!! I was talking to THE D tonight about how this was used for a diaper commercial. Cranking this.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 05:43:22 +0000

Holy Shit!!!

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 05:48:08 +0000

Dude can sing. Dude can play.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 05:56:24 +0000

I had only remembered Gavin Rosdale's name 'cause he married Gwen Stefani.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 05:57:56 +0000

This spawned whole genres... (?)

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 05:59:10 +0000

Hippie dick shit. Broadway here we come.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 06:04:55 +0000

Metallica fagan. ...also, Jandek.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 06:07:05 +0000

Wow, what was the conversation between Dylan and Bowie like after Bob heard this. Awkward!

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 06:10:11 +0000

What's up Lou, like the nail polish.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 06:13:31 +0000

Spirit Fingers!!!

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 06:17:04 +0000

Eeewwww mold.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 06:19:40 +0000

Holy Shit!!!

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 06:26:32 +0000

That backwards guitar sounds like a sax!!!

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 06:28:31 +0000

Good one. I am moved.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-02-11 19:00:51 +0000

I saw him on this tour - 'Earhtling' @ Orpheum - I think he had just turned 50. I know it sounds cheesy, but Seal had an 'Unplugged' eons ago where he did a version of this song that still gives me chills when I hear it. Fantastic song - one of Bowie's greatest IMHO.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-02-11 22:29:54 +0000

It's from his 50th birthday show that I watched on pay-per view. At one point there is a three drummer assault with the guy from Sunny Day, Dave Grohl, and the amazing drummer he had with him at the time.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-02-14 15:20:11 +0000

After listening to this again, I am reminded of "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake" by The Small Faces. A definitely recommended psych record for those out there.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-02-14 15:29:49 +0000

re: 'if the homework brings you down, then we'll throw it on the fire and take the car downtown' There is a similar line in a Smiths song that talks about setting homework ablaze that I heard while my Ipod was on shuffle the other day (apologies to Conor) Can some Smiths experts help me out? The Queen Is Dead maybe?

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-02-14 16:17:18 +0000

Do y'all have the BBC show "Life on Mars" yet? It is fan-freaking-tastic. Modern-day cop gets hit by a car and wakes up in 1973. (No need to guess the theme tune...)

Posted by MF DU on 2007-02-15 18:40:40 +0000

I answered my own question. The Smiths song is Sheila Take A Bow. I heard it on the radio last night.