Scary Monsters Super Cree

Just as David Bowie successfully entered the 1980's in dazzling force, he had released another blockbuster album in 1980 that found him returning to the conv- entional rock and roll medium while maintaining the electronica edge of his Berlin days as he took yet another striking momentum in his trend-setting music career. Scary Monsters is a spellbinding landmark masterpiece that highly showcases an encapsulation of his artistic experimentations from the 1970's that reworks glam- rock themes with avant-garde synthesizers that are backed by uplifting flourishes and reversing the processes to create dense, highly accessible music by creating a stylish caliber phase for his music. Beginning with the compelling instrumental opening track It's No Game, the high voltage track set proceed with other classic songs including Up To The Hill Backwards, Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps), Ashes To Ashes, Fashion, Kingdom Come, and Because They're Young. Hailed by many as his masterpiece, Scary Monsters is headed by world class musician- ship, first rate excellence and complex melodies, as it introduced him to The New Wave Movement and the Euro-dance circuit in the early-1980's. There are even several guest appearances that include arranger Chuck Hammer who add to the multiple layers he gives to the guitar-synth background, while Robert Fripp make his return to the band and The Who's Pete Townsend also gives his guitar-driven cameo role on Because You're Young. While the music is not quite far removed from the post-Punk Rock of the early-1980's, it highly showcases a sound that is fresh, hip, fascinating and contemporary that he did to near-perfection, which will always remain as visually timeless as ever.

Before I dive into the review, I want to try and dispell some myths appearing on this review page. A lot of people say that "Scary Monsters" is Bowie's last great innovative work of music, and his last essential album. I insist that if you're a fan just getting into Bowie, take all of his albums very seriously because the man is a genius. Regardless of innovation or anything, Bowie makes brilliant music. The problem may be that "Scary Monsters" is hard to live up to. If you're in the proper mood for it, "Scary Monsters" will absolutely blow you away. It's dark, edgy, and sometimes bizzare, but it's always brilliant. The album is basically the culmination of Bowie's experimental "Berlin" period. This is validated by the fact that all three "Berlin" albums' art appears on the "Scary Monsters" album art. What really stands out on this album is the emotion in the vocals, lyrics, the cohesiveness of it as a whole work, and the variety of sounds that keep it from ever getting boring. I will warn you though, the album is a grower. You may have to have it for a while before it strikes you, but give it a chance. On prior listens you'll be anticipating the various climaxes if you take the time to find them. Not necessarily recommended as an album for a Bowie newcomer, but easily one of the most rewarding album you could ever get into.

Bowie’s brilliant epic masterpiece on his 14th 1980 Studio album “Scary monsters and Super Creeps “absolutely amazing epic gold playlists of more alternative catchy commercial songs , if you’re a Bowie fan this album will not disappoint along with his great backup list of great musicians King Crimson’s Robert Fripp ,Carlos Alomar ,George Murray ,Dennis Davis Tony Visconti ,Roy Bittam , Andy Clark ,Pete Townshend ,Dennis Davis ,Chuck Hammer.Lynn Maitland Chris Porter.

If 'Ziggy Stardust' was Bowie's scale for measuring his 70's work then this album does the same for his work up to today.At it's most basic 'Scary Monsters' is David Bowie's hardest rocking album of the decade.Both parts of "It's No Game",the title cut and "Teenage Wildlife" all feature Robert Fripp's slashing guitar riffs strung into wild,disonant patterns.So if songs such as "Up The Hill Backwards","Kingdom Come" and "Because Your Young" all carry on the warped and disonant guitar rock sound,they also carry an equally mutated wall of sound-like production and (yes) very catchy writing.Of course this album will be remembered commercially for two reasons-the tongue in cheek dance-rock of "Fasion",with it's great rhythmic backup and the jerky "Ashes To Ashes",the twisted follow up to 'Space Oddity' where Bowie implies 'Major Tom was a junkie'. So is there a good reason to say that any Bowie album today is and I quaote 'his best since 'Scary Monsters'?Well there is-this album ushered Bowie into the era of the music video (Fasion and Ashes To Ashes both have their own clips-worth searching for) and everything on this album has a particularly timeless quality.Because of his clout Bowie knew he'd succeed no matter what so he committed himself to his own artistic vision rather then to being ultra trendy.In fact as is the case here he went out of his way to mock those trends when he could.By far his most consistant album of this decade.

You've bought this so you're likely a Bowie fan, so I don't have to sell you on how exceptional an artist he was. I have been going through my album collection and acquiring CDs I did not already have, and somehow I had not updated my CD collection to include Bowie in the same manner I had so many other artists. My bad. Scary Monsters is an exceptional release, and we all know that. This remaster is a fine one as well. It was done before the loudness war began with more modern releases/remasters, and so what we get is a remaster done for the age of digital (as opposed to vinyl/cassette), which does this release justice. If you are a Bowie fan there is no reason to not own this.

One of my favs from Bowie. Love this record.

If you want to gain an understanding of the Berlin Trilogy but aren't down to listen to all three, dig into this one. It combines the sounds and themes of Low, 'Heroes', and Lodger concisely into one 45 minute collection. Bowie uses his rhythm section and guests from past albums very effectively and makes new wave sound actually enjoyable. This was around the time that New Romantic and post-punk acts were beginning to make headlines and their music was even seen as a copycat rendition of Bowie's experimental output. Regardless of your opinion of those contemporary acts, this stands as his bookend of easily a decade's worth of albums, each one more of a landmark than the last. Also—a legendary character makes a surprise appearance.

A few months ago I was in a used record/CD store and on the speakers was the David Bowie album "Scary Monsters." Yes, it had been years since I have played this album on my stereo system (the vinyl remains tucked away in a peach crate with several thousand other vinyl offerings) and had forgotten how wonderful this album actually was. While browsing for other CD's, this album just seemed to get better. Sure I looked for it in the used CD bin, but it was not in there, so I decided that when I came home I would order it on line. Well, it came the other day in my mail box and it is now being played on my CD player and it rocks my world. Could I name a few of the top songs? Sure, but I won't because there are so many to choose from, buy the CD, play it and make your own decisions as to what tracks you like the best, it is chock full of some real gems!

Un opus incontournable, et vraiment beaucoup de plaisir à écouter Bowie. Toutes les périodes de cet artiste multiple sont intéressantes bien qu'inégales. Bémol sur le boîtier qui est arrivé cassé dans un emballage normal et entier, bien qu'ouvert, probablement par le livreur qui heureusement pour moi ne doit pas apprécier ce genre de musique.

Fantastic record from start to finish. The vinyl sounds great and you can't beat the songs therein. I already have this album from back in the day but getting the remaster also is well worth it.

Un indispensable

Tengo toda la discografía de Bowie, salvo los cuatro discos de la etapa comercial. Además los tengo en diferentes ediciones, tengo los vinilos normales y tengo algunos vinilos en edición limitada, numerada y con una tarjeta con el número correspondiente. También tengo vinilos de colores, etc. Entre los fanáticos de Bowie hay dos grupos: los que consideran que su último gran disco es, precisamente, “Scary Monsters”, y los que consideran tan buenos (al menos algunos) discos posteriores: “1.Outside”, “Heathen”, etc. Yo siempre fui del primer grupo, traté de convencerme durante un tiempo de que formaba parte del segundo, pero lo cierto es que sigo considerando “Scary Monsters” su última obra maestra. “1. Outside” podía haber estado a la altura, pero no lo está, uno se esfuerza en creer que es una obra maestra, pero no lo es, es una obra notable. “Scary Monster” es una obra maestra absoluta: se adelanta y supera a los “Nuevos Románticos” con “Ashes To Ashes”, entra con elegancia en los años 80 con “It’s No Game” y “Fashion” y en el álbum colaboran grandes como Robert Fripp o Pete Townshend. Además nos regala una versión preciosa de un tema de Tom Verlaine. Todas las canciones son sobresalientes, no detallaré. Un “must have”.

Essential!