This aint rock'n'roll, this is genocide (David Bowie) (LP 650 - 653)

David Bowie  The Man Who Sold The World (CD, Warner Music, 1970) *** 

David Bowie  Pinups (CD, Warner Music, 1973) *** 

David Bowie  Aladdin Sane (CD, Parlophone Records, 1973) ****

David Bowie  Diamond Dogs (CD, EMI, 1974) *****

Genre: Pop rock

Places I remember: Fives (Leigh on sea); The Warehouse; JB HiFi

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Rebel Rebel (DD); The Jean Genie (AS)

Gear costume: Where Have All The Good Times Gone (Pinups)

Active compensatory factors: It seems appropriate to group these albums together as there is definitely a glam sheen over the period.

That's largely because of Mick Ronson's influence as well as the prettiest star. His guitar is all over these albums and it's a glorious sound. Rest in peace Mick!

The glam party starts with the Man Who Sold The World, although it has a foot in the heavy rock vibe of 1970. 

The title song was a hit for Lulu at the time (she does a great version) and, later, Nirvana did a memorable cover during their unplugged set.

Aladdin Sane and Pinups share the same year and have a similar approach - classic pop; Drive In Saturday is a stand out.

And Diamond Dogs is the culmination of all those sounds from the previous 4 years. Bowie was very prolific during this period (which, of course, also includes Hunky Dory and Ziggy).

Diamond Dogs as an album has a real cohesiveness, thanks to the 1984 storyline. Compared to Aladdin Sane, there is also a different heaviosity at work through the album in songs like We Are The Dead/ Big Brother/ Chant/ Candidate.

Where do they all belong? Another four albums from 1977 to 1980 next (he didn't let up!)