David Bowie – Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (1980) Album Review
Released in September 1980, Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) is often considered David Bowie’s final masterpiece of the 1970s, seamlessly bridging his experimental Berlin Trilogy with the more accessible pop-rock sound of the 1980s. The album combines art rock, new wave, post-punk, and avant-garde influences, demonstrating Bowie’s ability to redefine his sound while maintaining critical acclaim.
Scary Monsters captures Bowie at a point of personal and artistic clarity. After the turbulent years of addiction and experimentation in the 1970s, he returned to a more disciplined and polished approach, creating an album that is both innovative and commercially successful.
Musical Style and Sound
The album blends angular guitar riffs, layered synth textures, and dynamic arrangements, balancing experimentation with pop sensibility. Guitarist Robert Fripp—fresh off his collaboration on “Heroes”—adds sharp, distinctive guitar lines that define the album’s edgy sound.
Bowie’s vocals are versatile, ranging from dramatic, theatrical storytelling to smooth, melodic delivery. Producer Tony Visconti helped craft a clean yet textured sound, allowing the album to feel both contemporary and timeless.
Scary Monsters also anticipates the rise of 1980s new wave and post-punk, with songs featuring tight rhythms, danceable grooves, and experimental electronic elements.
Themes and Lyrical Concepts
Lyrically, the album explores themes of alienation, fame, societal decay, and personal introspection, often with dark humor and surreal imagery. Bowie revisits some of the personas and motifs from the 1970s but with a sharper, more ironic edge.
The album title, inspired by Bowie's fascination with psychological and cultural fears, hints at the mix of quirky horror, social commentary, and pop culture references that permeate the songs. Characters in the songs range from disturbed outsiders to societal archetypes, creating a vivid narrative tapestry.
Standout Tracks
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Ashes to Ashes – A direct sequel to Space Oddity, featuring the return of Major Tom. Its innovative production and haunting lyrics made it one of Bowie’s most iconic songs.
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Fashion – A funky, post-punk-infused track critiquing the superficiality and obsession of the fashion world.
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Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) – The title track blends art rock and new wave energy with a narrative of psychological tension.
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Up the Hill Backwards – Experimental and upbeat, it showcases Bowie’s quirky songwriting and vocal playfulness.
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Scream Like a Baby – A complex, theatrical track with layered arrangements reflecting Bowie’s Berlin-era influences.
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Teenage Wildlife – A sprawling, multi-part composition blending narrative storytelling with edgy guitar and dramatic vocals.
Fun Facts & Trivia
🎸 Robert Fripp returned to contribute his distinctive guitar work, continuing the sonic experimentation that began with “Heroes”.
🖤 Ashes to Ashes was accompanied by a groundbreaking music video, one of the most influential early examples of the medium as art and promotion.
📀 The album marked Bowie’s commercial resurgence in the UK, reaching number one on the charts and spawning several hit singles.
🎤 Fashion became an anthem for the post-punk and new wave scene, cementing Bowie’s status as a trendsetter in both music and style.
🎨 The album cover, designed by Guy Peellaert, features Bowie in a striking, angular pose with bold makeup, signaling a return to theatricality and visual innovation.
🌟 Scary Monsters is widely seen as a creative culmination of Bowie’s 1970s experimentation, blending accessibility with avant-garde ambition.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon release, Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) received critical acclaim, praised for its artistry, innovation, and polished production. It is frequently cited as the last great album of Bowie’s 1970s era and a template for his 1980s pop-rock successes.
The album influenced genres such as new wave, post-punk, and alternative rock, inspiring artists like Nine Inch Nails, Arcade Fire, and Radiohead. Songs like Ashes to Ashes and Fashion remain central to Bowie’s legacy, highlighting his ability to blend innovation, persona, and cultural commentary.
Mini Biography: David Bowie
David Bowie (born David Robert Jones, January 8, 1947, Brixton, London) was a singer, songwriter, actor, and cultural visionary. Bowie became a global icon through his fearless reinventions, from Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke, exploring genres such as glam rock, soul, funk, electronic, and post-punk.
In the 1970s, Bowie revolutionized popular music with albums including Young Americans, the Berlin Trilogy (Low, “Heroes”, Lodger), and Scary Monsters. Across 26 studio albums, he influenced multiple generations of musicians, performers, and fashion designers.
Bowie passed away on January 10, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, artistic fearlessness, and cultural impact that continues to resonate worldwide.
