David Bowie's second album was the first to include a chart topping hit. The title track was released as a single and let the world know of what this man was capable of. Although this album only contained the one REALLY memorable song. Its hardly a reason to overlook this amazing jem of an album.
Space Oddity - 10/10
Here is where it practically started for David Bowie. The soft fade-in from nowhere intro, to the banging psychadelic breaks to the folk inspired chorus, this song offers it all to the listener. This song was written based loosely around the story '2001: A Space Odyssey". Outstanding song to jump start the career of one of the greatest rock artists.
Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed - 9/10
This song starts off seeming like its going to be a tragic soft love song, but quickly changes its pace and kicks off into an amazing rock and roll song with an 'In Your Face' sense to it. Good guitar to be heard in this track.
Don't Sit Down - 5/10
Not really a full song... a 30 second song that cuts off like an Outtake or blooper. Charming nonetheless.
Letter To Hermione - 8/10
A very cleverly written love song full of amazing imagery. Pretty much a song about a man writing a letter to his lover. Very gentle song with plenty of good guitar picking.
Cygnet Committee - 7.5/10
The longest song on the album (closing in on 10 minutes). This song has some of the best lyrics from this bowie record. A very haunting song that changes pace once and a while. Sort of drags on a bit, but its still a decent track.
Janine - 9/10
One of the more upbeat songs on the album. An upbeat love song that has some really cool guitar effects. I can't imagine how this wasn't a hit single. Or a single at all.
An Occasional Dream - 7/10
Regardless of sharing his name with Davy Jones (From The Monkees) This is is the cheesiest song on the LP. It sounds like a cheeseball Monkees love song. Still not a bad little song, but the pan flute gets a little annoying. Not a song to play for your friends. Listen to this alone.
Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud - 8/10
Sounds very much like a fairytale adventure song. The lyrics speak of a tale of a madman of some sort. Very Disney feel to this song.
God Knows Im Good 8/10
One of the better songs on the album. An upbeat acoustic song about god watching over you and everything you do. Good, bad...he's watching you. Very cool moral to the story. This song has sort of a Latin/Spanish guitar feel to it. Very nice song.
Memory Of A Free Festival - 8.5/10
Another story to be told. This song seems to be played on an electric organ for the most part. The body of the song is really kind of slow and seems to drag on. Sounds allot like a church hymn. But the ending of the song is SUPERB! One of the best sing-a-long with the crowd song endings I've heard (Sorta like a beatles, All you need is love, Hey Jude, song). The album ends on a positive note with the repeating (sing-a-long).
"The Sun Machine is Coming Down, and We're Gonna Have a Party"
Reviewers Picks
Space Oddity
Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed
Janine
Memory Of A Free Festival
Overall Rating - 8.5/10
Not Bowie's greatest album...But not his worst, by far... It was a great start to an amazing career
Musicians
David Bowie: vocals, guitar, stylophone
Rick Wakeman: keyboards
Terry Cox: drums
Tim Renwick: guitar
Keith Christmas: guitar
Mick Wayne: guitar
Tony Visconti: bass, flute, recorder
Herbie Flowers: bass
Benny Marshall and Friends: harmonica
Paul Buckmaster: cello
