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- Posted: 04/22/2026 20:00
- Post subject: Album of the day (#7091): ★ [Blackstar] by David Bowie
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Today's album of the day
★ [Blackstar] by David Bowie (View album | Buy this album)
Year: 2016.
Country: 
David Bowie discography rank: 4 (out of 96 listed on BEA)
2016 rank: 2
2010s rank: 8
Overall rank: 94
Average rating: 86/100 (from 1676 votes).
Tracks:
1. ★ 
2. 'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore
3. Lazarus
4. Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)
5. Girl Loves Me
6. Dollar Days
7. I Can't Give Everything Away
indicates a top-rated track.
Top voted comments:
"Whilst listening to Blackstar for a second time, I realised something: this is the only Bowie album to not have his face on the cover. That left me feeling that not only was this really the end, but that he was fully aware his end was coming. And if this was his final dance, then he's certainly pulled it off with the same confidence and conviction that he's always had.
But, just like his passing, the album cover only helps to bring the album into context. This is the last goodbye, and it is constructed with wondrous precision, care and quality.
Musically, it's diverse and most certainly new. Plenty of influences here from a broad range of genres and styles, but it's synthesised in such a way that the resultant sound feels original, crisp and interesting. It's what he's always done best.
The themes in the album now, sadly, make a lot more sense. The lyrics are personal and revealing, sometimes saddening but filled with a sense that he was ready to go. It's certainly gloomy, but by no means dark, definitely enjoyable, with plenty to read into further.
What's more, the overall structure and composition is fantastic. Tony Visconti has once again done an amazing job, and I thoroughly recommend you listen to all the songs on a good pair of headphones at some point. Order wise, the songs flow from one to the other without a hitch, and I'm seriously glad that "I Can't Give Everything Away" is at the end; it's a final twist in the tale, and it's brilliant.
I don't want to let his death get in the way of my verdict for Blackstar, but this is without a doubt the best album since Scary Monsters, and as far as parting gifts go, this is a very good one. Even so long after he began his career, and with his death on the horizon, he managed to reinvent himself just one more time. Whatever this persona comes to be known as, it's certainly the closest we're ever going to get to the man himself.
So long, Thin White Duke. And thank you."
- DeusExMackia (Rating: 90/100)
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"Putting it mildly, it is extremely difficult to comment an album after his composer has just died so unexpectedly. However I don't personally think that his death will influence our judging over this piece of art, since it IS part of his project itself. 'Blackstar' wouldn't have even existed without the terrible pain Bowie was passing through: he did it exactly because of his illness, just like the truest of artists he felt he needed to tell the world what he was experiencing. Throughout the record, Bowie just seems to be reflecting over his life, his past and the sense of it all. Very few artists, philosophers or whatever in the history confronted themself literally face to face with death,and I have to admit sometimes it is really disquieting (like when he sings "look up here, i'm in heaven [...]. I've got nothing left to lose"), in the positive sense of the term, if there's any. Musically, it's strange and particular, jazz and electronic influenced (demonstrating that he was still getting along with the times, even after nearly 50 years of activity, restless). It's deep and never disappointing, emotional and rich, complex and for sure not money-orientated (how could it have been?), showing that Bowie was and always will be the truest music chamaleon, an artist capable of nearly everything but always looking forward.
This is the lesson i've learned from his music: always innovate, don't waste your time staring at the past but keep on doing what you think is better, without being stopped by anybody.
Thank you David, thank you for everything. May you rest in peace."
- Socipluco (Rating: 90/100)
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About album of the day: The BestEverAlbums.com album of the day is the album appearing most prominently in member charts in the previous 24 hours. If an album, or artist, has previously been selected within a x day period, the next highest album is picked instead (and so on) to ensure a bit of variety. A full history of album of the day can be viewed here.
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