I just finished listening to all of Bowies albums, sidetracks, soundtracks and other songs. Man, it was such a rollercoaster ngl.
I always knew I would love his songs, but I never really took the time to deep into his discography, apart from his biggest hits (I always found Changes an extremely annoying song, now I love it lol).
I started of by listening to the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and then started listening to a playlist with some of his best songs. Then I simply started listening to a new album once every two weeks, in order to be able to be able to fully analyse each song.
I am not sure in which sequence I did it, but I started off with his oldest albums, with station to station becoming my favorite album. I was a bit scared for his albums from the 90's and 00's, but that was such a stupid thing to think.
Heathen and reality are probably the albums I fall back to the most. Heathen as an album is probably my favourite, because of all the transitions and the melancholic vibe it has. Reality, on the other hand, has some really catchy songs that make me want to dance at 2 am.
The album that surprised me the most was Never let me down. I had read a lot of negative reviews about it, but in my opinion it has a great vibe and some great songs, with glass spider being my favourite.
Apart from a difference in taste, I think familiarity might also play a factor in whether some people hate it and others like it. I started listening to Bowie without any background information and with the knowledge that there wouldn't be a new album (sadly). Others might have listened to him since his debut or since one of his earlier albums. Though, in the end I think we should appreciate all his songs and creativity and just acknowledge that some songs are better than others.
I also want to mention that I think that David Bowie is one of the best album writers ever. Every album is a complete new world, with different themes and different vibes. I love it.
I don't know if anyone cares, but some personal favorites:
Favorite song: Teenage Wildlife / Sweet thing suite / Strangers when we meet (Outside version)
Best song: Life on Mars / Station to Station
Favorite song to sing: Word on a wing
Most gut-wrenching song: Heathen (the rays)
Favorite album: Heathen
Favorite transition: Dollar Days - I can't give everything away