It's my favorite Bowie album, but as far as I know they never did figure out what that substance airbrushed onto his clavicle is supposed to be... 🤔
Also, there's a boutique fuzz pedal that's supposed to replicate Mick Ronson's guitar sound on this album, but I still haven't bought one. I'm just not convinced it's that easy.
It's my favorite Bowie album, but as far as I know they never did figure out what that substance airbrushed onto his clavicle is supposed to be... 🤔
Also, there's a boutique fuzz pedal that's supposed to replicate Mick Ronson's guitar sound on this album, but I still haven't bought one. I'm just not convinced it's that easy.
I'm also guessing that's a pretty expensive fuzz pedal to try it out on a whim.
I have to admit, it's been ages since I last listened to this album so I'm pleased that it's been picked as our first album as it gives me a chance to listen to it again.
I'm also guessing that's a pretty expensive fuzz pedal to try it out on a whim.
Ehh, well... $350 new on Reverb.com if you include shipping to the USA, but I've seen more expensive fuzz pedals than that. Of course, this is 2025, so everybody has a digital modeling unit that can reproduce almost any sound you want, if you don't mind a few digital artifacts.
More to the point, I just checked and (not to be boastful or anything, but) I'm currently the top BEA point-provider for Aladdin Sane with 114 ranking points across all three available charts. Part of the reason for that is probably because most people rank Dark Side of the Moon higher for 1973 as well as in their 1970s decade charts, not to mention Houses of the Holy, Quadrophenia, Band on the Run, and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (though apparently not the debut album by the Sadistic Mika Band for some inexplicable reason). I'm not saying this makes me some sort of "Aladdin Sane expert" or anything like that, though I did read most of The Complete David Bowie a few years back, which covered it in considerable detail.
Basically, aside from the songs themselves there are two differences between Aladdin Sane and Ziggy — one is Mike Garson, the piano virtuoso, who didn't play on Ziggy but is all over Aladdin Sane, especially the title track. The other is the recording/mixing desks they were using at Trident Studios — both were variants of the "Trident A Range," but the one used for Aladdin Sane was significantly modified and improved compared to the earlier (and possibly the original) 1968 model used for Ziggy. That's why Aladdin Sane has more "presence" and a brighter sound overall, and it might also explain the improved reverb too. However, supposedly they mixed Bowie's vocals down slightly to make room for more bass response, and I suspect they also expanded the stereo image for the same reason. (Or, maybe just because they could.) I actually like that, but others might have preferred it the other way 'round.
I don't think the recording quality is why I prefer it to Ziggy, but I could always be deluding myself on that score. I am, after all, completely delusional.
Great guitar intro from Ronson. A very decent garage “rocker” to kick off the album. I’ve read reference to both the New York Dolls and the Rolling Stones in relation to this track and I get both references.
There are better track to come on the album but I think that it’s a very decent track.
Ehh, well... $350 new on Reverb.com if you include shipping to the USA, but I've seen more expensive fuzz pedals than that. Of course, this is 2025, so everybody has a digital modeling unit that can reproduce almost any sound you want, if you don't mind a few digital artifacts.
More to the point, I just checked and (not to be boastful or anything, but) I'm currently the top BEA point-provider for Aladdin Sane with 114 ranking points across all three available charts. Part of the reason for that is probably because most people rank Dark Side of the Moon higher for 1973 as well as in their 1970s decade charts, not to mention Houses of the Holy, Quadrophenia, Band on the Run, and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (though apparently not the debut album by the Sadistic Mika Band for some inexplicable reason). I'm not saying this makes me some sort of "Aladdin Sane expert" or anything like that, though I did read most of The Complete David Bowie a few years back, which covered it in considerable detail.
Basically, aside from the songs themselves there are two differences between Aladdin Sane and Ziggy — one is Mike Garson, the piano virtuoso, who didn't play on Ziggy but is all over Aladdin Sane, especially the title track. The other is the recording/mixing desks they were using at Trident Studios — both were variants of the "Trident A Range," but the one used for Aladdin Sane was significantly modified and improved compared to the earlier (and possibly the original) 1968 model used for Ziggy. That's why Aladdin Sane has more "presence" and a brighter sound overall, and it might also explain the improved reverb too. However, supposedly they mixed Bowie's vocals down slightly to make room for more bass response, and I suspect they also expanded the stereo image for the same reason. (Or, maybe just because they could.) I actually like that, but others might have preferred it the other way 'round.
I don't think the recording quality is why I prefer it to Ziggy, but I could always be deluding myself on that score. I am, after all, completely delusional.
Thanks such great feedback Madhattanjack. I'll be honest and say that this is one of Bowies album that I listen to the least so your perspective is really interesting.
The early 70's were, IMO, a period in time when there was such an explosion of creativity that it's hard to place albums as "the best". There are just so many to choose from. Your example of only a handful of albums that came out on 1973 demonstrates that. All classics.
When I'm listening to an album for an upcoming session I always do a bit of research and the idea of turning down the vocals has come up a few times. Personally, I would have preferred the vocals to be mixed slightly up but as you say, personal choice.
350 on a reverb! I'm not much of a musician but I'd definitely baulk at that. I wonder what the tariff would be on that?
Once again, thanks for taking the time to post and share. It's really appreciated
This album and Diamond Dogs are my favorite Bowie albums. If they're not the best, they're definitely the most Bowie-ish. Which is why I like them. This one sounds so great, even the one or two tracks I don't care for very much. It's his best rock and roll album too.
Favorite tracks:
Watch That Man
Time
Aladdin Sane
The Prettiest Star
Jean Genie
I feel like I should just point out that my Dad loved listening to Benny Goodman records, but never once did I catch him attempting to paint holes on his own hands. His feet, well... that was a different story, but he usually wore fairly high socks so this wasn't a major problem.
This album and Diamond Dogs are my favorite Bowie albums. If they're not the best, they're definitely the most Bowie-ish. Which is why I like them. This one sounds so great, even the one or two tracks I don't care for very much. It's his best rock and roll album too.
Favorite tracks:
Watch That Man
Time
Aladdin Sane
The Prettiest Star
Jean Genie
Forgot Drive-in Saturday, one of my top 3 songs on that album, Time is the n⁰1 though, don't really like Jean Genie that much, it's almost the "It Ain't Easy" of the album. Diamond Dogs is a good album, but there was too much "Young Americans" influence by then (one of my least favorite by Bowie) half the songs are good, half meh. My favorite Bowie albums would be 1) Ziggy Stardust 2) Hunky Dory/Aladdin Sane 3)Low/Heathen
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