Sadly, I don't share Ben's enthusiasm for the debut album from David Bowie. In fact, I think it pretty much stinks the room out every time its played. There is something so desperately needy about his early music, attempts at popularity which fall way short of achieving his aims. Whilst The Laughing Gnome is not present, it is indicative of where his head must have been at that time, bobbing about on the fringes of music, desperate for a hit, anything to get him into the charts.
I am glad though that his first album did fail. Imagine how horrible it would have been if the public had embraced the appalling lyrics, the flimsy melodies and awful fake humour of this album. I am sure that Bowie would have tried to repeat the formula on his subsequent albums, in a series of diminishing returns. And would have more than likely sunk into nothingness. Thankfully, this across the board rejection of his early work caused him to re-examine his art and come back with something far stronger.
Space Oddity is way better. The song Space Oddity, as we all know, is a belter, full of interesting sounds and some amazing production (compare it to the demo on the DERAM sessions to see the difference a decent producer can make). whilst the album is still patchy in places, it is so full of life and vitality, at times exploding out of the speakers. Unwashed and Slightly Dazed is a real sign of things to come, starting small before an extended outro to knock the tightest socks clean off your feet.
If I had lived at the time of release, I would have never bought Space Oddity if I had heard David Bowie. In much the same way as I am unlikely to purchase the second Mika album, having been subjected to his debut. Between the albums, Bowie seems to change into a different artist, and for that we should all give thanks.
Scores:
David Bowie - 24
Space Oddity - 62
For a more detailed overview you can read my piece from the website Line of Best Fit here.
I am glad though that his first album did fail. Imagine how horrible it would have been if the public had embraced the appalling lyrics, the flimsy melodies and awful fake humour of this album. I am sure that Bowie would have tried to repeat the formula on his subsequent albums, in a series of diminishing returns. And would have more than likely sunk into nothingness. Thankfully, this across the board rejection of his early work caused him to re-examine his art and come back with something far stronger.
Space Oddity is way better. The song Space Oddity, as we all know, is a belter, full of interesting sounds and some amazing production (compare it to the demo on the DERAM sessions to see the difference a decent producer can make). whilst the album is still patchy in places, it is so full of life and vitality, at times exploding out of the speakers. Unwashed and Slightly Dazed is a real sign of things to come, starting small before an extended outro to knock the tightest socks clean off your feet.
If I had lived at the time of release, I would have never bought Space Oddity if I had heard David Bowie. In much the same way as I am unlikely to purchase the second Mika album, having been subjected to his debut. Between the albums, Bowie seems to change into a different artist, and for that we should all give thanks.
Scores:
David Bowie - 24
Space Oddity - 62
For a more detailed overview you can read my piece from the website Line of Best Fit here.
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