David Bowie (May 12 1973) Aladdin Sane – Album Action Feature

Publication: Mickie Magazine Date: May 12 1973 Country: United Kingdom Section / Page: Album Action Review Format: Album Feature / Critical Review

Overview

A vibrant Mickie Magazine feature celebrating David Bowie’s fifth studio album, Aladdin Sane. Printed in bold pink and black, the page combines the iconic lightning‑bolt portrait with a glowing review that positions the record as Bowie’s most accomplished work to date — a deeper, more introspective evolution from Ziggy Stardust.

The Story Behind It

By May 1973, Aladdin Sane had cemented Bowie’s global status. This Mickie Magazine review captures the excitement surrounding the album’s release, describing it as both a continuation and a transformation of the Ziggy Stardust persona. The critic highlights Bowie’s American influences — songs inspired by his U.S. tour, from Watch That Man to Drive‑In Saturday — and praises the record’s conceptual depth, noting its reflection on modern insanity and cultural fragmentation.

“1972 may be remembered for bringing us Ziggy Stardust, but without doubt 1973 has started off with a much deeper musical awakening in the form of Aladdin Sane.”

Side Two receives particular attention for its stylistic range: the vaudevillian charm of The Prettiest Star, the sensual melancholy of Time, and the swaggering cover of Let’s Spend the Night Together. The review closes with admiration for Lady Grinning Soul, calling it “brilliant, beautiful — play it loud in congenial solitude and it’ll blow your mind.” The piece stands as one of the earliest British pop‑press endorsements of Aladdin Sane as Bowie’s defining artistic statement.

What the Clipping Shows

A striking pink‑and‑white layout featuring Bowie’s lightning‑bolt portrait above the headline “Album Action.”   The typography is playful and modern, echoing the glam aesthetic of 1973. The text block below offers a full‑page review in compact type, framed by stylised star motifs. The design reflects Mickie Magazine’s youth‑culture sensibility — bright, accessible, and visually bold.

The Story Behind It

By May 1973, Aladdin Sane had cemented Bowie’s global status. This Mickie Magazine review captures the excitement surrounding the album’s release, describing it as both a continuation and a transformation of the Ziggy Stardust persona. The critic highlights Bowie’s American influences — songs inspired by his U.S. tour, from Watch That Man to Drive‑In Saturday — and praises the record’s conceptual depth, noting its reflection on modern insanity and cultural fragmentation.

Side Two receives particular attention for its stylistic range: the vaudevillian charm of The Prettiest Star, the sensual melancholy of Time, and the swaggering cover of Let’s Spend the Night Together. The review closes with admiration for Lady Grinning Soul, calling it “brilliant, beautiful — play it loud in congenial solitude and it’ll blow your mind.” The piece stands as one of the earliest British pop‑press endorsements of Aladdin Sane as Bowie’s defining artistic statement.

Related Material

• David Bowie (Apr 7 1973) Drive‑In Saturday – Single & Tour Advert   • David Bowie (May 1973) Is Aladdin Still Sane? – Cover Feature   • David Bowie (May 5 1973) Aladdin Sane – Album Chart Entry   • Additional entries listed in the scrapbook tag index

Source Details

Publication: Mickie Magazine Date: May 12 1973 Format: Album Feature / Critical Review Provenance Notes: Original 1973 magazine review of David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane album

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© Copyright Notice — David Bowie (Mickie Magazine, May 12 1973)

All original magazine photographs, artwork, and text remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This scrapbook entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference

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