VARIOUS ARTISTS - ALBUM REVIEW

Various Artists - Ziggy Stardust: 50 Years Later

(Pale Wizard Records)

Release Date: Out Now

I've always been a big fan of David Bowie as a person, an artist and a pioneer but as a musician, the timing was always a little off for me and it has only been in recent years that I've fully appreciated his genius. Combine that with the list of artists involved in this collection of covers and my interest was certainly piqued. Opening track 'Five Years' is given the big'n'bold treatment by Sail with sweeping guitars and crashing drums getting the party started in perfect fashion. Son of Boar pick up the baton with their growling version of 'Soul Love' which sounds a little like a pastiche but Tony Reed's take on 'Moonage Daydream' is a more faithful rendition and you can almost hear Bowie's voice in between the notes. 

As well as being a highlight from a songwriting point of view, 'Starman' is also a highlight on this collection thanks to Mother Vulture's grunged up cover hitting all the right notes but with extra punch and snarl. Deltanaut's 'It Ain't Easy' is an expansive delight while 'Lady Stardust' performed by the Lunar Effect is just dripping in early 70s energy and is all the better for it. 'Star' is given the Killers treatment by Suns of Thunder, 'Hang On To Yourself' goes full glam-punk thanks to Possessor and 'Ziggy Stardust' has never sounded heavier than it does on this rendition by Redshift. Raging Speedhorn's 'Suffragette City' is an absolute delight of a rock banger with thundering drums and a wall of guitars that are hard to resist. 

Kong Social's epic take on 'Rock'n'Roll Suicide' is almost theatrical in terms of scale and ambition which Bowie would have approved of entirely. Similarly, the vocal arrangements on 'Ashes to Ashes' that Bitter Kisses bring to the show are refreshingly original and give an old song new life. 'The Jean Jeanie' performed by Sergeant Thunderhoof is a chugging, glam-rock delight before the album closing honours are performed by Tony Reed with a solemn take on 'Sweet Thing (Part 1)'. Regular readers will know that I don't often review compilations, rereleases or tribute albums but this is a particularly special mix of superb songs and exciting rock talent so it deserves to be heard. Trust me, you'll find something here to love. 

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