David Bowie: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (50th anniversary, half-speed master) [PARLOPHONE]

Why you'll love it

Ziggy Stardust is the album that turned David Bowie into a superstar, and this 50th anniversary edition was cut at half speed for a richer, more detailed sound. "Five Years," "Starman" and "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" have never sounded better.

This edition

• 50th anniversary edition
• Half-speed master
• Single LP, 11 tracks
• Parlophone pressing

About the album

Here's the setup: the world has five years left, and a bisexual alien rock star named Ziggy Stardust drops in to deliver a message of hope before rock 'n' roll eats him alive. That's the loose concept behind David Bowie's fifth album, and it's the one that finally made him a star after years of near misses.

Recorded at Trident Studios in London with Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey (the Spiders from Mars), and co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, the record is all glam swagger and big, heartbreaking melodies. Bowie's "Starman" performance on Top of the Pops in July 1972 made a generation of British kids want to start bands, and "Moonage Daydream," "Hang On to Yourself" and "Suffragette City" still crackle with that electricity. This anniversary pressing was cut at half speed to bring out every last detail of Ronson's guitars and Bowie's voice.

Also at Kops: more David Bowie on vinyl · browse Rock

Tracklist

Listen

On Parlophone, a 50th anniversary edition of the 1972 album.