Roxy Music- Roxy Music
1972
4.5 stars

In the annals of modern music history, few bands have proven themselves as trailblazing and wildly experimental as Roxy Music. With its grand artistic aspirations and sundry political, mythological and literary references, the band transcended the mere sleazefest fun of most glam rock acts. Their incredible career trajectory begins on this eponymous debut, which features some of the most cinematic songs in their history.

The first side of Roxy Music stands to date as one of the most adventurous and varied displays of vision, talent and unbridled macho revelry in the history of modern music. Leading the way is the raucous rave-up "Remake/Remodel", which sees each musical component vying to be heard among the cacophonous roar. Synthesizers, saxophones, drums and guitars offer a full-fledged onslaught on the senses geared by Bryan Ferry's vocal lunacy. The intensity proves too potent as the song literally breaks down and collapses at its finish. This dramatic opener yields to a slightly more peaceful but no less affecting "Ladytron". As Brian Eno maps out uncharted, almost medieval territory with his pioneering synthesizers, Ferry unveils his clandestine seduction: "I'll use you and I'll confuse you and then I'll lose you, but still you won't suspect me." Like its predecessor, the song comes apart at the end, this time via some screeching staccato synth stabs. Next is the album's highlight, "If There Is Something". The song begins with a silly honky tonk false start before opening up into a sweeping, sorrowful epic. A descending chord progression carries an air of death as Ferry's vocals swerve of control, his offerings being superlatives of commitment. Eventually, the song launches into a visceral synthesized oboe solo whose drawn out delivery is one of mourning as the chord progression continues before some synth strings and chorus-backed Ferry close the song in grand splendor. Although originally unissued on the album, orphaned single "Virginia Plain" has thankfully been added to later versions, its peppy percussive piano and sleazy swagger offering a perfect introduction to the band's sound. The song rightly stands as Roxy's most famous and seminal. Closing the first side, the subdued delight "2HB" is a heartfelt ode to the late Humphrey Bogart. That the band is able to dexterously showcase its variety weaving through a myriad of styles and sounds only fortifies its claim to greatness.

After the unimaginable highs presented on the first side, the second side is unable to keep up, although it succeeds in closing the album in great style. Not short of ideas, the band compiles three songs into one on the slinky, meandering "The Bob". Roxy's assortment of influences becomes more evident here, particularly Bryan Ferry's fascination with crooning on such tracks as the poignant piano ballad "Chance Meeting". Nevertheless, there are always a few tricks up the band's sleeve, and the song is eventually propelled by a distorted guitar screech into a bopping synth shuffle. Elsewhere, "Would You Believe?" sees Bryan Ferry pulling out the panache before evolving into a fun ode to 50s rockabilly. The highlight of the second side, "Sea Breezes" features an ancient melody backed by ocean swells, soft organ touches and a wandering oboe before switching gears to a bass-driven groove that grows more desperate with increasingly rowdy scratching guitars and eventually subsiding to the opening refrain. The 50s make an even more prominent return on the bellhop bebop of the album's final track, "Bitters End".

Many bands go through their entire careers without as many ideas as are present on this album alone. Unfortunately, the tempestuous sound would extend itself to Roxy Music's chemistry and the original lineup would only remain intact for one more album. While Roxy Music opened the gates to even greater pastures on For Your Pleasure, it stands as one of the most thoroughly satisfying and bold debut albums on record. That the band was able to carve out a slice of commercial success and forge a great deal of critical acclaim is testimony to its greatness.

I have to buy this album..I Love BRYAN FERRY... AVALON is GREAT and I have his Solo is it called Music? Forgot.... The covers of their albums are Great Especially Love the ONE with JERI HALL on it and this one also. Roxy Music was a Wonderful Band. Bryan Ferry is EXCELLENT in CONCERT.....

Bryan Ferry has several solo albums.

4.5 Stars

really this album is all about Eno, I feel alot of time the vocals take away from his soundscape, Sea Breezes is the exception though,pefrect combination on that one.

that and Ladytron are my favorites.

lilgish said:

4.5 stars may be too low.

I have Boys and Girls and Bette Noir..Thanks for the Clarification..Hey you like KING CRIMSON and ADRIAN BEALIU {Spelling off?}

Moonbeam said:

Those early albums are interesting, but they were really doing different things, eno and ferry really needed to split. even though I've never heard the Fripp/Eno songs, Here come the warm Jets is such a breath of fresh air from the gloom of Roxy Music.

Zelaira said:

Not familiar with their music.

But I do like some other glam acts:

David Bowie
T. Rex
Lou Reed/Velvet Underground
New York Dolls

lilgish said:

I guess we'll just have to disagree, as the first 2 Roxy Music albums are my favorites! That tension is part of the charm, I think.

Zelaira said:

Adrian Belew

Fripp and Eno..Great stuff.....Oh Man.... Do ya like MY LIFE IN THE BUSH OF GHOSTS and AMBIENT MUSIC and stuff like that? I DO! ALOT!

Moonbeam said:

well Crimson is more psychadelic ala barrett floyd, The Court of the Crimson King is one of the greatest records ever.

21st Century Schizoid Man and The Court Of The Crimson King ranked high in my favorite songs list.

I have their DISCIPLINE and the one after that. King Crimson was GREAT.... Ever hear but this is different too..Hot Tuna? Listen, I'm into ALOT of Different music. Alot of Stuff...

Zelaira said:

mos def, I'm trying to cop the No Pussyfooting Single he put out before Warm Jets.

Actually alot of his great work is on the first roxy album, Bob Medley, honestly I haven't been able to hack alot of his compisitions from Airports or on land. The stuff he did with byrne and U2 to name a few was excellent though.
[Edited 12/27/05 19:37pm]

lilgish said:

Sounds a little too prog for my tastes.

Zelaira said:

King Crimson...



...Discipline


Adrian Belew...



...Lone Rhino


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Zelaira said:

I know that's why I love you. Only Crimson records I hacked is Court and Red.
Red was supposed to be influential in terms of metal somehow, I need to revisit that record.

lilgish said:

Speaking of Brian Eno, have you heard either one of these...



...collabs with Harold Budd and Jon Hassell?


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Moonbeam said:

what wrong with prog, not that I really understand what prog is?
Yes is prog, they're cool, early Genesis was prog, they were cool and I like metal prog bands like Dream Theater. So I guees prog is ok with me.

No, Never saw those albums..... I actually saw Alot of bands in NYC at Pier 84 which was the DR Pepper Festivals and they did shows at Central Park and stuff like that. I Always went to shows even if I didn't make it to School..Laughingly.... Just Really into Music...

Nowhere near their best.

lilgish said:

I don't really like any of that. Or Pink Floyd.

VoicesCarry said:

I think it's quite close to For Your Pleasure, which is their best!

Here's how their albums rank on the all-time lists over at acclaimedmusic:

For Your Pleasure: 96
Roxy Music: 210
Avalon: 299
Siren: 429
Stranded: 433
Country Life: 912

I think Stranded should be above Siren, but other than that, I agree.

theAudience said:

I know he did a follow up to Airports called Mirrors with Harold Budd, never got that one.

Early Stuff Genesis and Floyd Different... What can I say? I thank you Lil. Oh yeah, Airports all that kinda stuff. I really love all that stuff and there is this Gradient stuff too right and Adrian's album is Great. I betcha like Steely Dan? Like Donald Fagan's Nightfly?

Moonbeam said:

Moonbeam said:

I consider Avalon their best. For Your Pleasure is second on my list. Flesh & Blood is their worst.

lilgish said:

I know. Maybe it's because I've never done drugs.

Zelaira said:

they aight

not a big fan, a little too mellow
[Edited 12/27/05 19:54pm]