Take his 1975 release, Young Americans. No, really, I have an extra copy, so take it.
The album draws on soul music, which was in full swing (pun intended) in the mid-70's-in fact, disco was thriving by the time the album was released.
Ahead of its time? Hardly.
But a reflection of its time, successfully blending soul and rock elements?
I'll give him that.
I'm pretty sure I got my mitts on this one when my oldest brother moved out to go to college and left it behind. It is one of my favorite Bowie albums, and in my opinion far outshines his 1980's commercial high water mark, Let's Dance.
And why does it matter that it's one of my favorite Bowie releases?
CAUSE IT'S MY F#@$&NG BLOG!
YOUNG AMERICANS
SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME
It's also in the Vault, for you in the know.
Interesting trivia-forty years ago, the song "Fame" from this album hit number one on the Billboard 100 (week of September 20, 1975)
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It took a few albums for Bowie to start catching on for me. I was kind of turned off by the Glam Rock trend. Bowie was a product of his times, somewhat of a trendsetter, and a precursor of times to come. "Ahead of ones time" is kind of a cliche I think.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
There are a few artists that really changed music...
DeleteEddie Van Halen changed the way rock guitar is played...Nirvana basically turned the eighties music scene on it's head overnight...
But as much as I like Bowie, I never thought that he was muscially that unique. I always thought he got more press over his persona than anything else.
This is actually the first David Bowie album I've ever listened to. Like Arlee mentioned, I think I've just always been turned off by the whole glam rock thing. It's not really my cup of tea. With that said, I do like the funky soul sound of the album, much better than I like any of the things I've heard from him via the 80s.
ReplyDeleteI always thought Bowie had one trait in common with Rundgren-his chameleon ability, and he really showcases it here.
DeleteSometimes I like him, sometimes not. For me, his best song is still Major Tom.
ReplyDeleteAssuming you mean the first song with Major Tom (Space Oddity) and not the "sequel" (Ashes To Ashes). I like that one, too, as well as Changes.
DeleteIf I come off as not liking Bowie, that isn't the case-it's his media coverage that I object to!