Fresh off his Berlin trilogy (LOW, HEROES, LODGER), David Bowie released SCARY MONSTERS, an album that continued the cool, detached, electronic-flavored sound he'd been experimenting with on the aforementioned records. Robert Fripp's distinctively angular guitar style contributes greatly to the resulting Kraftwerk-flavored funk of "Fashion" and the jittery paranoia of the title track. Elsewhere, Bowie updates the saga of Major Tom with "Ashes to Ashes" and turns to Tom Verlaine for the new wave nihilism of "Kingdom Come" which also features Fripp on guitar.
Robert Fripp was far from the only great guest invited to play on SCARY MONSTERS. Pete Townshend's swirling guitar on "Because You're Young" made it an underrated classic in Bowie's canon. SCARY MONSTERS proved to be David Bowie's last musical effort for a while as he spent the next three years pursuing a career in acting before returning to the studio in 1983 to record LET'S DANCE.
Recorded at The Power Station, New York, New York.
Personnel: David Bowie (vocals, keyboards); Tony Visconti (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Pete Townshend, Robert Fripp, Carlos Alomar, Chuck Hammer (guitar); Roy Bittan (piano); Andy Clark (synthesizer); George Murray (bass); Dennis Davis (percussion); Lynn Maitland, Chris Porter, Michi Hirota (background vocals).
Q (6/00, p.74) - Ranked #30 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" - "...The last truly great Bowie LP....finding Bowie in a post-modernist mood, rehashing his past and feeling old and washed up....poetically, he slayed the new romantics..." Q (11/99, pp.140-1) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...a fitting end to the ['70s] decade....wrapping up his career thus far..." Musician (9/92, p.110) - "...applied elements from Bowie's previous three records to a terrific set of songs...a loud, tough sound...It's the urban nightmare he's been trying to recapture ever since..."
Momentum and adrenaline Scary Monsters is really an exciting CD - it just hurtles along with sleek momentum. None of the songs drag; they are all full of catchy riffs, extra embellishments, and loud-soft dynamics. Ashes to Ashes and Fashion were the hits - but I think other tracks are even better, especially Teenage Wildlife and Because You're Young. Guest musicians include Robert Fripp, Pete Townshend (on one song), and Roy Bittan from the E Street Band on piano. Highly recommended - I play it more than all of my other Bowie CDs. Submitted by Michael (Canal Winchester, OH, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
Wonderful CD I have only owned this CD for about a year now. I adore Ashes to Ashes and Fashion, the videos are also fantastic and define the era they were made perfectly. I do believe Bowie DID have a major impact on the New Romantic period with this album, especially with the incredible use of synthesizers and electronic sounds. I haven't listened to it for a while, but shall again very soon. It has such an edge to it which makes it stand out against all of his other work that I've heard- you really wonder what he must have been thinking and feeling at the time of making this. Simply essential. Submitted by Karl (Bath, UK.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
Scary Talent Probably Bowie's best & last great album as far as I'm concerned. His next was too mainstream & thereafter he was just too old.
This album chrystalised every influence of Bowies incredible career before. A last hurrah of greatness from one of the most influential singer/writer's on the UK music scene. Along with The Stones 'Tatoo You'(1981)an era closed magnificently. Submitted by johnh (Albany) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
Scary Sacd Shame it's only a stereo mix. What a waste of SACD Submitted by ddeeming (Ontario,CDA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Have you heard this album?
Buy Scary Monsters CD
Buy David Bowie - Scary Monsters Posters From Allposters.com
Momentum and adrenaline
Wonderful CD
Scary Sacd
Share this Product