ZIGGY V.S ALADDIN

ZIGGY V.S ALADDIN

The Thin White Duke has gone through many different phases (and pounds of cocaine) as the eras in which he performed evolved. As time changed David Bowie (anyone? Anyone?), so did the characteristic personas in which he carried himself. From differently styled, flowing red mullets to 80’s Berlin minimalism and later tapping the gross 90’s rave scene, David has done it all. However, it’s safe to say that the most well known and famous persona, was the Ziggy Stardust era (complete with band, the Spiders from Mars). This was the messiah calling of Glam Rock. It was this era that was the most fundamental for fast, gnarly rock like punk and old school metal. Lets face it, without this shit, you wouldn’t have ever heard half of the stuff you listen to today. This literally started the biggest musical chain reaction of all time. While Patrick Wolf questions the art of fucking a horse he may be in love with, he won’t ever do something of this stature. In fact, its artists like him that wouldn’t even know where to start without this.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, with its hymn-like status, was arguably the most famous album from this era. Although, the Ziggy persona may have started making an early, premature appearance in Hunky Dory, this album practically defines the era. Where Hunky Dory featured classics like “Queen Bitch”, The Rise and Fall was shot full of speed with epic tracks like “Moonage Daydream”. It continues its interstellar greatness with classics like “Starman” and a song about a transvestite named “Lady Stardust”. Guitarist Mick Ronson of the Spiders showcases some rad guitar that only gets better as the album progresses. This album has become a necessity for anyone who doesn’t want to sound like Pete Murray. It optimises the spirit of Rock and Roll. Unlike the K-Mart soundtrack tunes of that aforementioned douche bag.

On the other side of the wide, profitable spectrum that is the Stardust era sits Aladdin Sane. This album is a straight up classic as well but for different reasons. The heavy, droning guitar in tracks like “Cracked Actor” and “Watch That Man” make it a pivotal starting point for anything that remotely tries to say “I don’t give a fuck”. Even in the slower songs such as “Time” the listener is treated to anthem-like lyrics of rampant Quaalude abuse and a maelstrom lifestyle. There must have been some heavy drinking going on during its production because this album is utterly raw and edgy. It was this aspect that must have captivated legends like Johnny Thunders and the New York Dolls. The heavy guitar riffs and offensive lyrics make it appeal to a different crowd then that of The Rise and the Fall, or maybe in fact, just a gnarlier one.

Which album is better? I guess it really depends on the listener and context of the mood desired. If an emotive memory slide show is what you are going for, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust is for you. If you want to drink JD from the bottle whilst snorting that last line of god knows what off the grungy toilet seat in front of you, your better off jamming to Aladdin Sane. Or, why not just make it easy, and just do both in the same day getting the best of both worlds? –Ian