Customer Ratings & Reviews

David Bowie released this album on his 69th birthday on January 8th, 2016. Unfortunately, he passed away two days later. It is fitting though that his final release during his lifetime would demonstrate once again his desire to always change his musical direction and to reach for something new and different. This record features seven songs and two of those are reworkings of earlier releases. He uses a new band made up of young New York jazz musicians. I really like the record and think you will too.

If you are a fan of the late David Bowie you probably have this CD by now. While I'm sure there will be more releases to follow of "left over-never heard tracks" in the future, this is his final masterpiece, the last album he called all the shots, while so sick. It makes me sad to listen to this CD because of his passing, but your Bowie collection should not be without this album. RIP David Bowie.

What happens when David Bowie gets inspired by To Pimp A Butterfly...an amazing album to cap off his groundbreaking career! Dollar Days is my favorite song on the album. Must have for any fan.

I was floored as to how genuinely good this music is. My taste has always been to experimental or the avant-garde. If you're fan of or are looking for pop music, don't bother.This is not 'Let's Dance'. The fact is that if you like progressive (Pink Floyd, King Krimson, Roxy Music), jazz and/or avant-garde music, you'll love this as much as a visit from a long lost friend. David, we'll miss 'ya! May you R.I.P.

I cried when I heard of his loss but he left a different part of him with this new different music what a genius the sound is somewhat of a fusion of jazz and change that is hard to explain I've never heard anything like this Bravo RIP

This entire album is about death. There's no way to deny that. Every song is a different aspect of it, or interpretation of it from any perspective. Theming an album about death is usually a really bold step, but Bowie was always about that kind of thing. He was bold. That's what this album is. He knew this was going to be his last album, and he wrote about it. He wrote about his life, his fame, his legacy, and his possible fade into obscurity. This album is also about embracing truth, but also fear. It's real, and it's present. The drones and bass lines, the slow paced drums, the beautiful sax; they all emphasize this notion. Bowie Successfully ended his career. Maybe he didn't choose to, but he did it. He went off with an homage to himself. Fantastic album.

David Bowie never disappoints, the album is deep and dark, and yet full of beauty and light. It's hard to put into words, at first it was too painful for me to listen, but when I did I was truly surprised to find that I didn't find it sad, instead it had a rather calming effect. The music is very inventive, his true magical genius shining as brightly as ever. The courage and heart that it took to create this masterpiece, a lasting tribute to the strength, determination and courage of a true legend. He will be sadly missed, but will live on forever through his music and in the hearts of his dedicated fans. I would highly recommend this album.

I've been a Bowie fan since 1975 since I bought Changes One 41 years later I'm saddened by the death of a longtime hero. The album clearly comes from what had to be his state of mind in the final year of his life. Track one, Blackstar is a 9+ minute journey that made me think of the adventure undergone by Cancer as it invades, manifests, grows and eventually consumes it's host. It was the darkest thing I've heard from Bowie since his Outside CD about a serial killer. I did enjoy the album but I really liked The Next Day better. Mostly because it wasn't connected to his death but rather another leg in a journey that left you awaiting the next step. I guess it was consciously harder to enjoy what I knew was going to be his last one. I'll re-evaluate it in a month or so.

It's unfortunate the circumstances surrounding this album but David did it again. I love his more industrial sound. The two stand out tracks for me are Lazarus and I Can't Give Everything Away, which are probably the least industrial tracks on the album. Unfortunately there are only seven tracks on the cd but it is a strong cd throughout.

David Bowie was well aware that he was entering the finale of his days on earth, and he left this world doing what he loved, making music. Blackstar was a gift to his fans. I appreciate that he encapsulated several genres of music in his last effort, including a jazz flair. He will be forever missed, yet his work will always be appreciated by the older fans, and I am certain he will attract many new fans on the way. He was a physical work of art that wanted to remind everyone they were unique and special no matter their outward appearance or their choices in life.

I was excited for this release and bought it the day it came out. It's a wonderful album. The digipak packaging is very well done, more so than his The Next Day release. It is very well put together. It has a lot of black on black printing, with the lyrics and information, which makes the words hard to read, but very neat looking. I listened to it a few times, but I've been too sad about Bowie's death to even listen to it the past week, I've been listening to his past catalogue much more, but I know I will revisit it.

I was saddened by Bowie's death and instantly went out to buy this disc... his final recording. I had a hard time finding it. It was sold out everywhere. Finally I found it at the third Best Buy store I tried. They had the foresight to order what looked like more than a hundred copies. Once I listened to the album I was positively surprised. The music is excellent. Very unique, creative, original and experimental. This is Bowie at his best taking chances with new sounds always moving forward.

David continues to evolve his sound on this one. Blackstar has more of a "jazz" feel to it than previous works. Contrary to popular belief, he knew he was sick as the sessions for Blackstar progressed however David did not learn his illness was terminal until about November of 2015. Upon receiving that terrible news, he did go into the studio and manage approximately five more tracks which for now, remain unreleased. Until that time, Blackstar is a fitting end to a beautiful 40+ year career.

I did not hesitate to buy this album since the release date. However, I wanted to purchase 'Blacksta'r on vinyl at a later date. Unfortunately, the death of Bowie increased record sales and now the vinyl is no longer available. 'Blackstar' is a must have and definitely worth holding onto as it was his final farewell album. Listen to the haunting songs of "Blackstar" and "Lazarus", to the saxy and jazzy "Tis A Pity She Was A Wh*re" and "Dollar Days". Buy a copy today!

I wore out my first Bowie album Ziggy Stardust, then bought an 8track,a cassette(wore them both out too) and finally the CD. I had a lot of likes and dislikes with his musical variations but Blackstar is one of his better offerings. Dark and moody lyrics and beats with his usual cryptic overtones. Go online for some of the songs lyric definitions as told by band mates, they are very interesting, If you like his music at all this one should not be missed.

It's hard to believe that "Blackstar" was released only 2 days before Bowie died. He was experimenting with his style until the very end, as this album proves. There is a definite jazz influence, although it is not a straight jazz album as some had reported. The album as a Parental Advisory label for the lyrics in one song. I found this funny, since I doubt the average buyer would be someone needing their parent's permission.

I was leary about getting this release due to the fact I didn't care for the songs that I heard on The Next Day, Glad I took a chance. Great haunting lyrics. Music is fantastic. I've been a Bowie fan since I was 16, I'm now 45. If your expecting a guitar driven album like his early 70's work, you won't find it here. He uses top notch musicians and they all shine to make a lush sound experiene. He will be sorely missed.

This CD was difficult to listen to for its superb musical quality at first. Given the heartbreaking loss of a great great human we all were touched by that week. It's still affecting me and Bowie's music , film and other arts always will. It's a fantastically beautiful set of songs. Though it's mostly all slow and somber, it begs to be listened to repeatedly, so that Ziggy may still speak to Us from across the stars.

This, to me, stands up as one of Bowie's most interesting albums. It's different, but really every album he did was different, taking on new genres as he went, every album a different story. It is pretty reasonable to think that he knew this would be his final album, and when listed to through that lens, it is even more haunting. A lot of jazz in this record, which I personally like so then do I enjoy the album.

Like its immediate predecessor Next Day -- and, more significantly, their historical antecedents Low and "Heroes" -- this album is a haunting meditation on mortality and the human coil but neither lugubrious nor plodding. Rather, its tracks are shot through with sharp and bracing hooks and rhythms, both lyrical and musical. If you loved Bowie at his detached but engaged best, you must experience this final word.