The Depths · All albums

Aladdin Sane

David Bowie · 1973

• Scores: Noise 2, Unease 2, Complexity 2 (each 1 to 5)
• Genre: Rock, Glam Rock, Art Rock
• Mood: theatrical, restless, decadent
• Sound: avant-garde jazz piano, glam riffs, theatrical vocals, dissonant solos, Stones-style rock

Bowie wrote most of this on the American leg of the Ziggy Stardust tour and described it as Ziggy under the influence of America. It was recorded at RCA in New York and Trident in London, produced by Bowie and Ken Scott. Pianist Mike Garson's jazz background pulled the sound away from straight rock and roll, and his title-track solo was improvised and recorded in one take. The Jean Genie rides a Bo Diddley-style beat, while a synthesiser-led cover of Let's Spend the Night Together closes the first side's mood.

Track list

1. Watch That Man (4:30)
2. Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) (5:15)
3. Drive-In Saturday (4:38)
4. Panic in Detroit (4:30)
5. Cracked Actor (3:01)
6. Time (5:10)
7. The Prettiest Star (3:28)
8. Let's Spend the Night Together (3:10)
9. The Jean Genie (4:06)
10. Lady Grinning Soul (3:53)