10 Forgotten David Bowie Gems

4. Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed (1969)

http://youtu.be/uOpO7SGLdtM For a long time I mistakenly thought of Space Oddity as Bowie's debut. It's not, of course. What it is, though, is another album like The Man Who Sold The World that seems to be remembered purely for its title track. As spellbinding as Space Oddity is, those who ignore the rest of the album are missing a treat. There's something to recommend about every song (apart from the jokey Don't Sit Down), but the frantic Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed gets my pick. I love how stately and refined it sounds from the start; with an almighty folk chorus and everything €“ but soon order is lost. In comes that jaunty electric guitar, and out goes the discipline in Bowie's voice. The resulting sound is one of confusion; as the harmonica screams, the drums go wild, the guitars become inebriated and stately horns struggle to be heard amongst the chaos. This is a loose and possibly cider-sozzled side of Bowie, and yet he still somehow manages to find time for an irresistibly catchy chorus. Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed is a masterpiece that finds the midpoint between Tyrannosaurus Rex and T-Rex; whilst paving the way for the acid drenched adventures of Spiritualized, Mercury Rev and The Flaming Lips.