SPACE ODDITY [AKA: DAVID BOWIE, MAN OF WORDS / MAN OF MUSIC]

After having an unsuccessful album under his birth name, Bowie decided to change his name, writer better songs and develop some sort of star persona. So donning longer hair and taking influence from the modern hippy era, he almost transferred himself as like a hippie ubermensch. Sadly the hippy generation was dying, so what was seen as hippy fashion gone to the extremes, was pretty much Bowie doing something a little different.

I can't not say anything about the album until I talk about the albums title track. So when ever we went to the moon and stuff, a lot of interest during the 60's revolved around space and stuff. Seeing a cash cow emerging, Bowie decided to write this song. And wouldn't you know it, it was a hit. And I can kind of see why. Not only did it come out in the right place at the right time, but it is a brilliant song, and did create a brilliant profile for David Jones, under his new moniker David Bowie! I was also surprised to hear Rick Wakeman was the one who played the mellotron on this track. Again, Mr. Wakeman doesn't fail to surprise me.

Another odd classic emerging from the album is the very upbeat "Unwashed & Somewhat Slightly Dazed." Having a very hard rock meets blues rock vibe to it, it does sound a bit like Led Zeppelin meets Bob Dylan. I do think that the song goes on too long for a bit, but other than that it's pretty kick ass.

"Cygnet Committee" is a very interesting track. Being one of Bowie's longest composition, it is a folk laced song filled with brilliant build ups and some rather potent lyrics. A very different side of Bowie can be seen on this track.

"Janine" has to be one of my personal favourites. One of the more upbeat songs, it has to be one of the more tolerable and poppy moments of Bowie. Some good lyrics bode the song well too.

The last track "Memory Of A Free Festival" is another crowning achievement on this album. With a nice composition, based on melodicas and harmoniums, the chords played are presented in a very beautiful way. It also has to be Bowie's best vocal performance on the album. The ending is pretty anthemic as well.

In conclusion, this album does get a lot better every time I hear it. I can see why at the time people weren't 100% impressed with this album, mainly because the lead single promised something different to what was expected, but I do think this album is one of Bowie's underrated classics.

8.5/10

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