David Bowie - Scary Monsters (1980) [Full Album]

Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), also known simply as Scary Monsters, is the 14th studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 12 September 1980 through RCA Records. His first album following the Berlin Trilogy (Low, "Heroes" and Lodger), Scary Monsters was Bowie's attempt to create a more commercial record after the trilogy proved successful artistically but less so commercially.

Co-produced by Tony Visconti, Scary Monsters was recorded between February and April 1980 at the Power Station in New York City, and later Good Earth Studios in London. Much of the same personnel from prior releases returned for the sessions, with additional guitar by Chuck Hammer and Robert Fripp, and a guest appearance by Pete Townshend. The music incorporates elements of art rock, new wave and post-punk. Unlike the improvisational nature of prior releases, Bowie spent time writing the music and lyrics; several were recorded under working titles and some contained reworked elements of earlier, unreleased songs. The album cover is a large-scale collage featuring Bowie donning a Pierrot costume, with references to his prior releases on the rear sleeve.

The album's lead single, "Ashes to Ashes", revisited the character of Major Tom from "Space Oddity" and was promoted with an inventive music video. Scary Monsters garnered critical and commercial acclaim: it topped the UK Albums Chart and restored Bowie's commercial standing in the US, reaching No. 12. Scary Monsters would later be referred to by commentators as Bowie's "last great album" and a benchmark for subsequent releases.

Tracklist:
01. It's No Game (No. 1) 0:00
02. Up the Hill Backwards 4:20
03. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) 7:36
04. Ashes to Ashes 12:50
05. Fashion 17:16
06. Teenage Wildlife 22:05
07. Scream Like a Baby 29:03
08. Kingdom Come 32:39
09. Because You're Young 36:26
10. It's No Game (No. 2) 41:22

Personnel
Albums credits per the liner notes and biographer Nicholas Pegg.

David Bowie – vocals, synthesisers, mellotron, electric piano, piano, synth-bass, sound effects, backing vocals, saxophone
Dennis Davis – drums
George Murray – bass
Carlos Alomar – lead and rhythm guitars
Chuck Hammer – guitar synthesiser (on "Ashes to Ashes" and "Teenage Wildlife")
Robert Fripp – guitar (on "Fashion", "It's No Game", "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)", "Kingdom Come", "Up the Hill Backwards", and "Teenage Wildlife")
Roy Bittan – piano (on "Ashes to Ashes", "Teenage Wildlife", and "Up the Hill Backwards")
Andy Clark – synthesiser (on "Fashion", "Scream Like a Baby", "Ashes to Ashes" and "Because You're Young")
Pete Townshend – guitar (on "Because You're Young")
Tony Visconti – acoustic guitar (on "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" and "Up the Hill Backwards"), backing vocals
Lynn Maitland – backing vocals
Chris Porter – backing vocals
Michi Hirota – voice (on "It's No Game (No. 1)")

+++ Description, Tracklist and Timecodes by Alex4Rock +++