Hunky Dory

01/01/1971 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Dave DiMartino

Bowie's first album to really get any notice at all in the States--and that largely at college radio--this catches the singer exactly at the moment before his life would change forever, thanks to the success of Ziggy Stardust. As a result, there's a warmth in such songs as "Changes" and "Life On Mars" that seems the closest he's ever come to sincere, first-hand, non-self-conscious expression. And it sounds wonderful today. Spectacular closing with "The Bewlay Brothers," too.