Aladdin Sane *****

I always refer to Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane as the Triumphant Trio of Bowie albums.

I do not think that any other artist in the history of rock music has brought out three stronger albums in a row.

If Hunky Dory stands as the peak of Bowie's songwriting and Ziggy stands as the zenith of his cosmic era, then Aladdin stands as a monument to an almost crazed and apocalyptic future.

Here was an artist having the power to single-mindedly follow a direction. It is almost as if everything Bowie did before was building towards this masterly trio.

Almost 30 years after its release it still has a haunting freshness with Mike Garson's outstanding piano playing threatening at times to get out of hand but never totally losing its direction. Bowie's voice acts as a counter-point both to Garson and Mick Ronson's guitar.

Arguably it is his most expansive worldly-aware album. It has tremendous variation and tremendous power without losing the need for catchy choruses and stunning vocals.

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