Customer Reviews

David Bowie

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This much underrated early debut is a must for any Bowie fan. Though the music at this point lacks the sophistication of his later work, the lyrics are brilliant and the production is excellent. His early work shows him to be one of the wittiest lyricists of his time. This album is a thoughtful jab at all the pretensions of the 60's. It makes a connection with far stranger artists such as the Bonzo Dogs and Frank Zappa, but is more clever and dignified than either.

Somehow, this album makes the whole rest of Bowie's career fall into place, and made me even more mindful of the underlying wit present in all his other albums. This album may seem strange at first, but it grows on you. I find myself loving it more with each listening, which is odd for an album full of "novelty songs". It proves to be so much more.

I would also recommend The Deram Anthology 1966-1968 as a more complete collection of early Bowie recordings, but some of the added songs were unwelcome intrusions next to the coherence of this album as it was originally released. I myself own both and wouldn't part with either of them.

David Bowie was 19 when this album was released, and it is proof of the origination of his unearthly writing genius. Released in 1967, it's sound has it's own light oddness, but it's distinctly mid-1960's London. However, the album's sounds are extremely contradictory to the subject matter; The incongruities of suburban London. The track "Please Mr. Gravedigger", is the story of a gravedigger with an unhealthy fetish. It's subjects that lie within remain to be explored by the listener. From polotics to things that seem to be plainly silly, but deserve the most inquiry.

This cd rented a hotel room in my heart, and I let it stay for peanuts. Honestly, I think its brilliant. I much prefer this Bowie to the "Star Man" that came later. There is something so pure and unjaded in the melodies, and the lyrics reveal a popstar in the making.

I don't have this exact album but have another with about 3/4 of these tunes plus 4 others from this period.

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.)

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.

This album is simply a must for David Bowie fans. Dodgy 80's material notwithstanding, all of Bowie's albums are absolutely essential listening. This one is no exception. On the other hand, why not get THE DERAM ANTHOLOGY 1966-1968 which includes this album and a load of 'bonus' tracks too?

David Bowie's first album originally released in June 1967 is a pretty cool little record. If you like Bowie or quirky mid-60's British pop, then you really can't go wrong. 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!

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.Rex. 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.

As a modest Bowie fan I already owned a best of collection and "Aladdin Sane" when I heard "Please Mr. Gravedigger" on the radio. It was the twisted sentimentality and sinister narrative of this song that attracted me to this first Bowie album. "Please Mr. Gravedigger" is, without doubt, the stand out track here. The album as a whole does not seem to have worn well with the years, sounding like a novelty recording - dated and quaint.

I agree with most that gravedigger is not worth the time of day but the other 11 are brilliant. For the pre Ziggy days its a work of art and matches even the beatles (but unrecognized). All Bowie fans should buy this it is a must.

Even though I like this album, because it's a cool but too brief look at Bowie circa 1967,I wish I'd bought "Deram Anthology" which has more tracks,back in 1998. Sadly,this CD on the budget Rebound label was several dollars cheaper & I was just too cheap to spend a couple extra bucks though I was fully employed at the time. I love the early melodies & witty songs (I also like the sound quality) of Bowie & this CD just makes me want more of his Deram label material! I'm not even sure "Deram Anthology" is still in print since lots of great CD's from the 90's are out of print. I guess that's what I get for being a cheapskate!