This is a good question, and it allows me to confess that my interest in David Bowie took a total nosedive after Aladdin Sane.
I agree too that "selling out" is an over-used accusation and in fact I have my own theory about the transitions that bands go through, which is like this:-
First album or two: they are still finding their feet or special sound so their music is a bit confused or generic
Albums #2, #3 or #4: they've worked out how they want to sound and are full of great ideas and enthusiasm. These are their classic albums.
Albums #5, #6 or #7: they've explored all their best ideas, but feel that they should progress in some way so they either change their style or try making their songs more sophisticated. If we are fans of albums 2, 3 and 4, we try to like these later efforts, but deep down inside we are kidding ourselves.
Albums #8 and above: just the upper echelons of the musical pantheon find a new creative high and keep going according to their own individual genius.
For me, Steely Dan, Yes, Neutral Milk Hotel, Paul Young and Bryan Ferry more or less follow this pattern, without quite reaching that new creative high.
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"Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953
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