Reviews (page 3 of 7)
The first side of this album is 5 star material. Rocking, melodic, accessible yet unique and unwavering. Side 2 is more eclectic though at times it finds a nice tight groove. But the point of side 2 is to challenge notions of what rock mudic should be. Did these guys invent art-rock? Quite possibly yes. An important album that broke through barriers. 4.5 stars
It's like Bowie meets Television
There's a lot of perfectly good albums that came out around this time that do one thing, possibly very well, but just repeat that one thing for 40 minutes. This is not that. I'm not quite sure how to describe this, it's a bit all over the place. I'd throw it in the '70s glam rock category, but there's a lot going on here. It has some classic guitar-and-drum songs, it's got a singer that sometimes sounds like Hozier and sometimes sounds like an '80s synth-pop guy, it's got Brian Eno laying down some weird ambient/electronic/outer-spacey noise. Truly a bit of everything. I like this quote from one of the guys in the band, "Discussing the music, Andy Mackay later said "we certainly didn't invent eclecticism but we did say and prove that rock 'n' roll could accommodate – well, anything really"". It is certainly eclectic. It was also produced by one of the King Crimson guys, and I kind of see some similarities (wide variety of instrumentation, some long songs that keep the beat going, for instance on "If There Is Something"). I started this and during the first song basically completely judged a book by it's cover, and I regret that. This is solid, and it's fun having some early Eno somewhat in the confines of a band. There's a few songs that aren't hits for me and the front half is definitely stronger, but on the whole this is super enjoyable. Favorite song: If There Is Something Other: Ladytron, Virginia Plain, 2HB, Chance Meeting, Would You Believe? 1/22/25
kind of a lopsided and malformed tracklist...even considering that it amusingly predicts several future eno-involved projects with Explosive A Side, Atmospheric B Side, the b side's got a bit more to go...if anything, it perhaps remains Slightly too propulsive and jarring, and therefore hard to soak in! its hard for me to fault any individual song on either side tho, there is always something of sonic interest on offer, often densely and evocatively so...often the impression is that things are so much more then just a band playing in a room. also pete sinfield produced this??? i had no idea??? really great work, definitely a rly good album overall, but theres probably a better one with more or less this same material ordered in a more flattering way
Pop genius
If tête is something of amusing. The rest falls a little flat.
7.5/10 Nice one, this. Weirdo glam-art-rock. Built on familiar rock styles but infused with a really fun strangeness Sounds great, love the musical choices especially the saxophone Really loved it when Eno whips the synth out Best: Sea Breezes
Musically this was cool, but I didn’t love the vocals. I think I expected a bit more funk to this, not sure why. As it is the arty rock stuff is pretty interesting.
When I first went through Roxy Music’s discography, this album didn’t really click with me due to how strange it was. After a relisten this album clicked with me and now I enjoy it quite a lot.
I can see how this was very influential for new wave and electronica. Reminded me a bit of Devo. Probably one of the best debut albums I've listened to recently. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
Weird group, weird mysic, and I liked it. If There Is Something is very nice. Upbeat, funky, some good solos, goofy singing, and overall a great song. This album also feels strangely placed in time. For 1972, it sounds like not much else from that era, and that gets it some bonus points for me. Starting to see Brian Eno's fingerprints all over this list and it's cool to start noticing connections between groups.
An album of two halves (sides) for me. Liked the 70s romp through the first four tracks, but less so the more experimental songs that followed. Will have to listen again another day, give it another go.
Love Bryan’s vocals. Something about them is cool and smooth.
british twinks having fun
Hey I just heard Here Come the Warm Jets for the first time recently and I loved it. This really feels like the predecessor to it. Fun and experimental while also being listenable music
I’m not a big glam fan but the instrumentals on this one were really good and despite the vocals I enjoyed it
Roxy Music's debut confounds me because it seems glam almost by accident -- there's almost none of the bluesy 50's worship or psychedelic strums of their contemporaries. rather, it feels someone accidentally beamed it in from a dimension where glam rock was a natural extension of prog rock, and Pink Floyd ditched the acid for cocaine and sequins. the woman on the cover is near incongruous to the music -- she could be an elf or a terrible Hipgnosis collage instead and i doubt it would fit the music any less. however, as interesting as the self-titled is, it does spin its wheels a bit more than go anywhere. songs like "2 H.B." and "Chance Meeting" are underdeveloped, not lacking in sound but rather lacking in stand-out ideas. there are moments of glammy greatness and weirdness on this album, but they don't often mix. i'm mostly wondering if Eno wishes he'd been in an actual prog band like Phil Manzanera was. also, i hate saying it, but the American version with the bonus track is essential; "Virginia Plain" is what i thought this band was gonna sound like before i hit the second track. i feel like not hearing on here is a big mistake, like leaving "Peace Love and Understanding" off of Armed Forces. a rare opinion from me, i assure you.
Roxy Music’s debut album is definitely the one to start with when exploring this band. You’ll definitely notice an evolution in their sound as you move through their catalog over the years. My favorite song from the album is “If There Is Something”—it’s such an amazing track with great musicianship that really draws you in and takes you on a journey. Another standout aspect of this album is the electronic and synthesizer work, all done by Brian Eno. He played a big role in shaping Roxy Music’s early sound. Eno was with them for the first couple of albums before leaving due to creative differences with Bryan Ferry, but he went on to do some amazing work in experimental and electronic music, as well as producing some incredible albums over the years. Another interesting fact about this album is that it was produced by Peter Sinfield, who was a key member of King Crimson. Sinfield contributed a lot to King Crimson’s early success, and it’s really interesting to see his involvement with Roxy Music, showing just how interconnected the music scene was at the time, even among bands with different sounds.
Super weird and experimental, for the time at least. I love the early stages of glam you can hear in this. This one is definitely not for everyone but I loved it. I'm not sure any specific song individually would be one that I would play just to hear it, but the album as a whole is great and I will definitely keep an eye out for it in the record store. 4/5
I hate saying that albums are "unique", sounds like it was terrible and it's the only compliment I can gather, it is not the case for this one - it's unique in the best sense of the word
Interesting music
This did not sound ANYTHING like the cover. It caught me really off guard. Fun album with an eclectic mix of rock and new wave sub genres
We’re a pro-Brian Ferry, pro-Brian Eno, pro-Roxy Music family over here. Good listen.
Always heard about Roxy Music. Never listened to Roxy Music. I really like Roxy Music!
It has moments of absolute brillance but the album as a whole sounded inconsistent to me. It's like they gave it their all right from the start but they've gradually lost their energy song after song. Still a really nice listen but I don't know if I would have picked this one as their essential release.
For 1972, this is pretty ahead of its time. Side A is much better than side B anyhow
One digs the artier edge of glam. “If There Is Something” is really something and "Would You Believe" is also good fun, combining distinctly '80s vibes in the opening '50s diner-doo-wop – strange but cool, not unlike the lead singer who has a wonderful voice and knows how to use it to excellent effect. The sax work is great throughout, notably on "Bitters End." Really strong overall, even if much better was to come.
I liked this right off the bat, great sound and a lot of cool influences. It dips a bit in the middle/toward the end, but still overall a fun album
A solid debut. I still prefer For Your Pleasure but this is undoubtedly good. There are Brian Eno touches all over it but I feel that the album still has a pop sensibility that Eno would lean away from in later years. Some crazy Phil Manzanera guitars on here that sound better on headphones. Otherwise they get a little lost. Virginia Plain is the standout which is funny since it wasn’t on the original UK release.
First time listening to their debut; I got "County Life" and "For Your Pleasure" way earlier in my project. This is pretty much what I expected - some establishing glam rock stuff with their own Roxy Music twist, but also a bit of experimentation with different styles in the form of those weird ballads.
I love 'If There is Something' and its split personality. I first heard it in 2008, 'Flashbacks of a Fool' starring Daniel Craig, and I was immediately enamored.
Not bad, classic.
this is a superb album. i love how strong the eno influence is. art rock in its purest form
Roxy Music is great. They stood in this weird crossroads of glam and prog (definitely with Eno and Pete Sinfield) and seem to create the framework for Post Punk. Or is it Proto Punk? While this is a striking debut, I think they went on to put out even better music. This one will sneak up on you, though. Also, I really like Ferry's over the top nature and croon.
This feels like every band Fred Armisen parodies in SNL/Portlandia in a good way. 2HB has some beautiful electric piano/wind textures. Re-make/Re-model goes hard for an opener. Ladytron is cool/weird. I like this a lot better than Country Life. Feels like this record influenced everyone from Queen to the Talking Heads.
Wat een debuutplaat jongens. De eerste keer dat Eno zijn toverkunsten vertoond, naast een ontketende Bryan Ferry. De eerste reeks van vijf nummers heeft alles wat glam-rock zo aantrekkelijk maakt. De songs zijn zichzelf telkens opnieuw aan het uitvinden, door de vele vreemde geluidjes, synths, schele saxofoons, keyboardloopjes en echoënde gitaren. Waar dit wel eens te veel van het goede kan zijn bij alternative rock in de jaren 70, is hier het credo 'more is more'. Een motto dat past bij de werkwijze van Brian Eno (vóór hij juist meer voor 'less is more' ging in z'n ambient-periode), een benadering dat later in Roxy Music's carrière wel gemist werd. Geen nummer in die eerste fase lijkt op elkaar, en er gebeurt genoeg om de aandacht van de luisteraar op te eisen. De opener 'Re-Make/Re-Model' is proto-post-punk als je het zo mag noemen. Een mondvol, maar het dekt wel de lading dat deze plaat ontzettend voorloopt op de trend. Een explosie van energie, en dé manier om je kenbaar te maken aan de wereld. Iets later horen we 'If There Is Something', mijn absolute favoriet van het album. Sterker nog, een all-time favorite van de 70s, en mogelijk de beste art rock song ooit. Die opbouw, met die mood switch, en het expressieve vocale werk van Ferry. Om door een ringetje te halen. Het zalige 'Virginia Plain' en '2HB' - een vermakelijke tribute aan Humphrey Bogart - zorgen ervoor dat een fenomenale eerste plaatzijde van Roxy Music's loopbaan wordt afgesloten. De tweede helft slaat iets meer naar de theatrale prog rock toe, en laat de bouncy art/glamrock van kantje één veelal achterwege. De conclusie is dan vaak dat het mij koud laat. 'Would You Believe?' en de kalme afsluiter 'Bitters End' laten me toch nog even opveren. Maar het kruit was voor een groot deel al verschoten in de eerste helft. Die was zo sterk dat de 4 sterren al wel binnen waren. 8/10 Highlights: Re-Make/Re-Model If There Is Something Virginia Plain Bitters End
Sterk debuut van Roxy Music. Nog niet super strak geproduceerd en lekkere mix van Glam- en Artrock. De introsong heeft al veel Talking Heads in zich. En je hoort die Eno-dingetjes door de hele plaat terugkomen. Genialiteit die de nummers echt onwijs interessant maken. En die je eigenlijk niet in 1x kan ontcijferen. De stem van Ferry is uniek en ook wel sterk, maar ik vind zijn manier van zingen soms wat irritant. Dat is hij meer gaan doen en valt hier op het debuut nog wel mee, gelukkig. Ik vind If There Is Something een waanzinnig 70-s nummer, en toch vond ik 'm enigszins misplaatst op het album. Gek, maar wel genoten. Zeker met Virginia Plain erachteraan. Afdronk: Roxy Music klinkt op het debuut erg 70-s rock. Dat kan je ze niet aanrekenen maar is gewoon niet mijn favoriet. Ze doen wel iets bijzonders leggen de art-rock lat echt een stuk hoger. En Eno is simpelweg te geniaal om dit niet tof te vinden. 8/10 Highlights If There Is Something Virginia Plain
Enjoyable. I don’t have any deep thoughts on this album or anything, it’s just enjoyable.
What a weird bizarre surprise this album was. This is not even close what I expected, given the album cover and year of release. Honestly sounds like a proto-Talking Heads album. It’s a good mix of some soft songs with some nice guitar heavy romps. Not quite perfect, but very great. Favorite track: Re-make/Re-model Other hits: Virginia Plain, 2HB, The Bob (Medley), If There Is Something, Chance Meeting
postmodernist boogie woogie. Thomas Pynchon's musical son.
This isn't really my favorite, but they get an extra star for sounding like this in 1972. They definitely sound late-70s in a decent way.
Dude. This is weird. But you know what? It's a good weird. Roxy Music's self-titled debut is a very fun album. A word I've seen people use to describe the sound of this album is "eclectic" and I would have to agree. The sound is widely varied, and I really like that. Bryan Ferry's voice is one of those love-it-or-hate-it voices in a similar way to someone like David Byrne from Talking Heads. The vocals here are certainly weird, but very fitting for an album like this. The writing is probably thing I cared for the least. It's not bad, it's just probably the least interesting part of this album. I might be wrong though. My one other problem is that some songs are a bit long. The overall album is a great length, but some songs drag a bit. However, there are some pretty good songs here. Despite not being on the original album, I'm very glad I listened to "Virginia Plain." It's probably the best on the album. As for the best song that was on the album's original pressing, I'd probably have to go with "If There is Something." That one's good. It's fascinating that this marked the beginning of Brian Eno's musical career. Yes, the guy responsible for an album called "Ambient 1: Music For Airports" also did some funky keyboard work for an album like this. Crazy. Anyways, this album's pretty good. It's not for everyone, but I liked it well enough. Light 4/5.
Love me some early Roxy Music. Bryan and Brian are my good friends
Debut album, very good
Enjoyable, maybe not as fresh and new to a modern audience as when it released
Strange enough I get Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen vibes. Throw in some synthesizer weirdness and this album earns its spot on this list.
8/8/24. Surprising fun listen today! Not familiar with Roxy Music but sounds so familiar. Always love when the artist pushes the boundaries outside the typical pop sound.
This was a lot of fun - the more grown up version of glam, Bowie-esque. I’ll definitely listen again.
I didn't know what to expect going into this as I hadn't heard of the band before, especially based on the album cover. But I really liked this, particularly the first half. It sounds much more modern than it should for an album released in 1972! I think it falters toward the end - the second half isn't as strong as the first - but I still liked this overall.
Very listenable!
Glad I revisited RM after I was *sure* I didn't like them back in the 80s. This has become one of my favorite not-already-overplayed-classic-rock albums.
Listened to while steam cleaning my carpets so didn't pay attention to any song titles. I am learning that I really like Roxy Music after the third album now and another extremely solid one. The singer has a goofy voice as always but it is in a good way. The times when the big band come in during all of the songs are definitely the best. Another 4 for Roxy as these have all been very above average albums.
ENO Vocals sound so similar to David Byrne. Can def hear the Eno weirdness in If There is Something. Shit slaps. Crazy that Virginia Plain was the single it’s been my least fav so far. Sea Breezes confusing tf out of me since I’m at the beach. Interesting ass album. Weird but good weird. Highs far outweighed the lows.
Mad art rock which is much older than I thought Roxy started. Enjoyable fun.
Love the crazy rock and roll energy that starts the album. It's like a punkier Rolling Stones sort of sound that pushes the instrumentalists to go a bit wild. I'm really impressed by "2HB", this sounds so modern and unique and it's right up my alley. I love the droning-but-interesting drum part, the main keyboard riff is killer and super catchy, and I absolutely adore the saxophone / reed instrument that turns into beautiful textures around 1:45. Even though this came before it, I think the vocals here sound like one of my favorite vocalists, Will Sheff of the band Okkervil River. This is one of those "I wish I wrote that" songs for me. I've heard of this band many times but never really listened, which I regret now because this is some solid rock tunes with just the right amount of exploration. I can't get over how bad the woman's expression is on the album cover. I heard something recently about how photographers should always be highlighting subject's expressions because that's naturally where our eyes go first as the viewer. The photographer had taken a picture of the actress Ana De Armas and she was holding a coke with a mouth full of hot dog, which normally you would think would not be a flattering image, but Ana De Armas is so strikingly attractive that the photo is actually wonderful, and human, and she still looks great in it. I don't mean to talk down on the woman here, but her expression is like almost one of pain? It's a seductive position but I feel like she's working herself into a yoga pose that hurts her back on the way in hahah. I enjoyed this, easy 4/5.
Never really listened to much Roxy Music outside of this list and for an album released in 1972 - two years after the Beatles break up, the rise of Disco and Punk Rock hasn't yet taken off, this album is such a contemporary sounding enjoyable listen. 4/5
This covers a wide variety of styles and genres. The vocals alternate for me from being really good to being just bearable. All the instrumentals are good. Favorites were Re-Make/Re-Model, If There Is Something, and Would You Believe.
4.4 - This was really a close to being a 5 for me, but I think it has a few moments where it loses me. Virginia Plain and Ladytron are such great songs.
Love me some Roxy. It’s really cerebral music that appeals to those with big Brians. The crazy keys of Zeno and the unconventional cool of Ferry do it for me. First half is killer, second half is meh.
I need to return to this one. I think it could really grow on me.
This was not what I was expecting. It was way more rock than I thought it would be. Again, I can hear so many later bands in this album.
Nice 4/5
Always a good listen. Not quite hat listen to. Ow but loved rediscovering the album
It's a remarkable album, so pioneering and innovative. Roxy music in my mind have always been the harbingers of New Wave, bringing art, music, and experimentation together in a newly fused hippie marriage. This is a fantastic debut album, it's bold and unapologetically flaunts its infatuation with its own sound. And yet it's concise, teasing the listener with something new without overindulging. There's promise and potential. Dazzling potential. This album was an excellent way for Roxy Music to emerge onto the scene and make a lasting mark. Because it was only the beginning, they've got way better records yet to come.
I really like Roxy Music. This is a great album. I have listened to the whole Roxy Misic discography, but have not revisited them since. This makes me want to listen to some more Roxy Music.
This process is filling many holes in my knowledge. I had zero idea that Eno and Ferry were the people behind Roxy Music. I could have had a million guesses and never come up with the title of “Virginia Plain”. I enjoyed it. It’s the right kind of weird. Sometime a bit too weird, but the kind of weird that would make sense with repeated listens. Good stuff. I need to listen to more Eno.
Ideal 70s weirdness. Solid album.
Очень странная хуйня на стыке между попом и глэм-роком. Зашло))
4/5. Hard rock and progressiveness mixed with glam? Count me in, this album rocks! Just throwing caution to the wind and bringing the energy full force, with the vocals not quite being the focus but when they are there, only heightens the experience. The weird eerie ballad songs are also highlights, a nice break from the energy of the other songs while still being engaging. The only downsides are some extended instrumental parts that do overstay their welcome, otherwise still great front to back. Best Song: Re-Make, Ladytron, Bitters End
This album reminded me of The Rocky Horror Picture Show-and that is not a bad thing. Wondering if their sound was at all influenced by their "rival" band, Sparks. Def could see how their music and especially the vocal stylings could have influenced bands like the Talking Heads and Devo.
Glam-rock muy animado. Un 4.
Pues muy guay. Glam rock pop.
Enjoyed this. Virginia Plain is a cracking song, I love Ferry's delivery in it. The rest of the album also pretty great (maybe except the last doo-wop track). How many Eno related albums have we had now? Everything that guy touches is gold.
Brilliant stuff
So much going on musically on this album. Hard to believe this was Roxy Music's debut album, as their avant guard, experimental art rock sound is in full effect and the band sounds confident and ahead of their time. The band's first five albums are essential, influential and important from the early to mid 70's and the debut draws up the blueprint. Virginia Plain gives the album a brilliant single amongst a fine mix of eclectic songs that keep the record interesting. A near classic, but this isn't even their "best" album...?
They say this was the start of Glam but its absolutely Prog in essence. Some really interesting and left field pieces on here and very experimental. Very good.
Didn’t really know much about pre-80s Roxy Music, but this was a fantastic debut album. If the world had taken a different turn, Bryan Ferry could have been as famous as David Bowie
I'm starting to think Brian Eno wrote this list. Why is every album he's ever been involved in on here? It can't be that he was such an influential force on decades worth of music that everything he's ever done is worthy of praise. I smell a conspiracy. That said - I really liked this album. It was a lot of fun. :)
I got For Your Pleasure 2 days ago. I like them both, but I don't see why they both need to be on the list. This one starts strong and is 2 or 3 songs too long. Stylistically, it's all over the place. Glam rock, some noise, almost-punk like at times, some prog parts... Favorite song: re-make/re-model.
Innovative and exciting, was not familiar with Roxy Music’s work and they piqued my interest immediately with Re-Make/are-Model, what a cool song. I judged this one by its lame cover, I admit it, had I known beforehand that Brian Eno was involved I would have expected this. So many layers to this, the drummer was solid, the synth work obviously great, so creative so immersive. 4 stars
Roxy-tastic. 4 stars.
Some of this is awesome and some of it, I really don't like...
Fantastic, what a great debut.
This is a love it or leave it kinda record. It's from the past and future at the same time.
I think it was maybe the album cover that gave me an entirely different expectation from what was actually on this album. Roxy Music, their self titled debut, is just fantastic. This thing is brimming with original ideas on top of original ideas, traversing between glam rock to spacey Prog rock to avant-garde doo-wop in the span of like three songs. Stretch that across the whole album and you have a work that never fails to surprise you, no matter how many damn surprises you get hit with. This album is not only great musically, but the lyrics evoke such a specific feeling of loneliness and longing for something that you lost, or more specifically something you lost because of your own actions, which is equally as heartbreaking as it is plain karma. Front to back, this album is a concise 10 tracks with absolutely no filler and I believe it is an essential for anyone
Great album!
actually had a really good time with this one. first half is definitely better than the second. kind of a mix between talking heads and sparks
This was a surprisingly fun album to listen. I definitely said “how come I’ve never heard of these guys?” out loud. 3.5 stars
Really enjoyed this one. Wasn’t a bad track on the album.
Very eclectic and enjoyable!!!
If it was more memorable this would get a five from me. Very cool stuff going on though, it’s got its own sound for sure and I love the experimentation. I feel like they rely on a few similar motifs throughout.
Strong 4
Bryan Ferry's voice and delivery reminds me of David Byrne's, albeit with more vibrato. I love the breakdown in the opening track where each instrument gets a solo, and that the bass solo references "Day Tripper" and the sax references (I think) "Flight of the Valkyries." That bottom-heavy synth sound during the last minute of "Virginia Plains" makes my brain vibrate. The bass sounds great!! Listening to a new album and enjoying it more and more as it continues it one of my favorite feelings, and I'm thankful today that the generator has done it for me again. What a great debut album. Highlights: Re-Make/Re-Model, If There Is Something, Virginia Plain, The Bob (Medley), Would You Believe?
Such a full sound it sometimes overflows. Experimental, rocking and before it’s time
Quite a variety in one album. Pretty enjoyable.
Ladytron // If There Is Something // 2HB // Bitters End
That one hit
Pretty good actually. Seemed like pretty smooth rock
I wasn't familiar with Roxy pre-Avalon, so this was the first time I got to hear the Ferry/Eno duo -- and I admittedly love Eno as a solo artist. Was very interesting to hear his elements of weirdness reflected in a straight rock album. Ferry, of course, has those gorgeous pipes. Really nice stuff. Not a perfect album, but certainly worth a relisten. Unexpected Banger: Chance Meeting.
A complete reversal from yesterday's album, this is experimental brit-rock/pop at it's absolute finest. Variety between tracks, beautifully sung vocals with a good range of pitches, and a consistently amazing drummer that holds tempo as if he was a metronome. This is an album of it's time that stands out due to the willingness of the band to take some risks and develop songs people otherwise were not thinking of. Some may be 80's pop, some may be hard Zeppelin style rock, and even what I may consider to be a nod to the Doors with psychedelic pieces that drag on in a good and developed way. Finally, no album with an exceptional sax solo cannot be rated less than 3 stars. This album comes together to provide a unique listening experience that puts you right back into the time where nobody knew what to do with an electric guitar and everyone wanted to find out.
Pues muy guay. Glam rock pop.
What a pleasant surprise! Diverse sound, lots of great instrumentation and fantastic energy throughout. Super solid album.
Very good!
not as polished as the other one I heard
Unreal glam rock instrumentals for ‘72. This is quite ahead of their time.
Solid rock album, with some great tracks!
Odd but fun
Another great find because of this challenge. Every song grew on me on the second listen. Really enjoyed the production behind this. Looking forward to hearing more from Roxy Music. 4.5/5
Bought this album on vinyl at time of release. The album cover is perhaps one of the most recognisable ever. I loved the album when I bought it but must admit I rarely listen to it now so was eager to do so in full. It brought back many memories some in particular about a girlfriend I had at the time and I remembered it was her not me who really liked Roxy and in particular Brian Ferry! An album of its time which is regarded quite rightly as groundbreaking. One I’m not likely to regularly play again but one I’m glad to have in my personal library
Really liked this. So much fun! A little bit all over the place but still rocking where it needed to be.
I quite put my finger on it, but I loved this. I don't know what the songs are about, and I don't care, the vibe was immaculate.
The vibrato was a bit over the top, but I heard bits and pieces that reminded me of a bunch of bands and songs years (sometimes decades) before they were created. I had to remind myself several times that this album was from 1972! I'm they had a pretty big influence on other artists.
Subtle
Unexpectedly fantastic - I have always associated them with Bryan Ferry crooning Avalon (which is a great song), but this was something quite different. Will listen again
Not expected. I only knew jealous guy. Really nice ending with the sax in the mix. Much more advanced than I expected, not just a standard rock band.
Pues muy guay. Glam rock pop.
Very original and exciting first album for Roxy Music. Not sure this is my favorite Roxy Music album, but it's very important and influential. The US version has Virginia Plain, which improves this album a lot. There is a lot of good songs on this album and I can't wait to hear more full albums. The downside of this is Brian Eno became empowered to make his solo music, which I do not enjoy as much.
It'sOK. I never really liked Roxy Music, they'really not quite my style. .
I liked this enough to listen twice before reviewing. I love how the instrumentation is used on this record. Sax everywhere it's needed, but not on every track, synthesizers that sound like barely tamed chaos, and lots of cool noodely modal riffs mixed in with some very classic rock riffs. I've never heard of Roxy Music before but I'm now a fan.
Liked this one quite a bit. I was ready not to because Brian Eno can often be pretty boring and most of what we hear of his is more ambient. But yeah, this is good. 4/5
A classic debut, shows off the band’s folksy future while prepping us for their legendary glam side immediately. I prefer the latter, so For Your Pleasure is my RM album of choice, but this is also deserving. B+
There's so much going on here it's hard to distill it down to a shot review but have never heard of Roxy Music before, I was impressed by how much thought and presumably trial and error went into this album. I hear other favorites in this including Bowie and Talking Heads but this remains it's own. This is a great listen.
4.5
Wow wow wow! Never heard this album before. I was only familiar with some of their later stuff. Now on my third listen and I’m starting to really love it. ‘If There is Something’ builds into a great song and leads into the one song I knew ‘Virginia Plain’. The album feels fairly unique and quirky. ‘2HB’ dreamy keyboards (Brian Eno?). Overall, a slightly weird experience with lots of creativity and mood. Right up my street that!
A big surprise! I knew 'Virginia Plain' which is a good song, but the rest of the album is great. I love a bit of experimental art rock. I'm surprised it's taken me all this time to get round to listen to this. The two Brian's on top form, some eclectic disjointed songs on here, which leap in different directions - brilliant stuff. Interesting to discover where the synth band 'Ladytron' got their name from - my favourite song on the album. Certainly a million miles from 'Avalon' etc. A high 4 and will be listening to this and more of their back catalogue.
I love it. For 40 years I thought of Roxy Music as the Adult Oriented sounds of Avalon. And I loved it. About 20 years ago I listened to Country Life and thought, OK, they were a punk band that went AOR. That's typical. But hearing this album, I'm in awe of the breadth of their musical interests. It's as if they started their careers as kids who loved the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack SO MUCH they thought, "that's the kind of music I want to make." And they were good enough musicians already to do it.
It wasn’t a bad album, I just didn’t vibe with it very much which is always unfortunate.
A lot better than I expected, lots of changes, some very lively parts, some of the lyrics seemed interesting
Finns nåt lågvattenmärke men överlag goa grejer
Side 1 is pretty much perfect. Sadly side 2 isn't.
This is a fine debut album. Strutting out the esoteric sounds on their first album showed they had a lot of confidence.
I enjoyed this more than For Your Pleasure. What an oddball assembly of musicians and ideas I like how strange yet confident it all is.
I'll admit, it took me a while to get into Roxy Music, but this album and "For Your Pleasure" have definitely grown on me. They're both really weird, and while this one isn't quite as weird (and therefore, in my estimation, is the inferior of the two), it's still really solid. Or rather, FLUID - and that's what makes it so good. As his career has gone one, it really seems like Bryan Ferry wanted to make rather straightforward music, but also be a weirdo doing it, as opposed to wanting to be a weird guy making weird music (he's pretty conservative in his politics, you'll find!). The 'proof' I offer for this hypothesis is what results we get when Ferry is completely in charge, like on the last three Roxy Music albums, after they reunited in the late '70s, as well as Ferry's first three solo albums, which to my ears sound like Bizarro versions of Rod Stewart's "Great American Songbook" albums, or at least trying to do the same thing (decades earlier, but you know what I mean). The problem is, Ferry in the early '70s put together a band of weirdos who were actual weirdos. Brian Eno is a weirdo. His entire job in the band was to make them sound weirder. He went on to make weird solo music and contributed significantly to the weirdest music Bowie ever made. Phil Manzanera is a weirdo. There are some moments here where his playing is predicting what Robert Quine would do with Richard Hell and Lou Reed. It's weird! And Andy Mackay is a weirdo. He looked weird, he dressed weird, like if the 1950s were also somehow the 2150s. And he played OBOE in a rock band. His second solo album is a concept album about the Chinese Revolution. That's weird! And it's those weird parts that really make these songs come alive, I think. Don't get me wrong, they're good songs, but I can see an alternate universe where Ferry has a different band and different arrangements and the songs simply aren't as good. So yeah, it might be Ferry's name all over the songwriting credits, but it's the presence of all the other guys that makes this really noteworthy. All these weirdos were assembled and moving various directions that worked because, for the time, there was no in charge. Inmates running the asylum and all that stuff. It works here, really well. Having said that, it works much better on Side One than it does on Side Two, which does drag a little bit. "Sea Breezes" is a little overly long, and by "Bitters End," they've kind of shown of all the tricks they currently have in their bag. They'd have a few more by the time they started working on "For Your Pleasure." 7/10
Hell of an album. I have many strong familial connections to this album so I have to go at least 4 stars.
Roxy music was one of the bands o discovered via this list and I'm glad to have listened. I love how weird and cool this album was. I almost want to give it a 5, except for the last 3 songs kind of lost it for me.
I was here for the instrumentals! Good stuff, fun 80s album!
I enjoyed this, varied instruments and kept my interest
Hadn't heard of it, wasn't digging the album cover, and honestly this is a JAM. It's experimental and interesting, with cool instrumentations and neat percussive sounds throughout. I'm having a somewhat hard time grabbing on to a melodic anchor and throughline for the album so I don't think I'd put this on for fun/background listening, but I'm glad I checked it out.
Oooh this apparently has Phil Maznanera AND Brian Eno on it. I love all the saxophone and oboe weirdness, very cool album. My man Mr. Eno does not miss he has that Midas touch with the albums he's on. This album feels like if King Crimson and David Bowie had a child but the child was born in the year 2123.
This totally caught me by surprise. I didn't know much about Roxy Music except that they existed. 2HB is easily my favourite. Certainly an album that deserves more plays.
Ok, liked this a lot more than "Country Life" - maybe it's the Eno, definitely it's the weirdness! I think with more listens this might climb to a 5, but for now I'm thinking it's a figurative 4.5... Fave tracks - could be "Re-Make/Re-Model", or "2 H.B.", or "The Bob (medley)", or in fact "Sea Breezes"! Definitely more play throughs required!
Several great songs, and so different from their 80s stuff.
Very creative work of classic rock. I’m especially fond of ”Sea Breeze”, but the other tracks are all fun pieces of quirky pop-meets-experimentation in their own right
Såå episkt
Velvet Goldmind soundtrack. It is not something I would have sought but in that context I enjoy many of these songs.
I think Roxy Music are one of the few prog/art rock bands that stand out from their contemporaries. I really like their oddball pop/rock sound
I liked it. I've listened to some songs from them pretty recently. Definitely hit or miss for me.
First album on this list I've actually really enjoyed. Some complex and interesting pop music. Lovely stuff.
I'd kind of heard of Roxy Music, maybe heard Virginia Plain once or twice, but that's about it. Wasn't sure what to expect, but the result was very weird and unique. Never weird enough to become unhinged and unlistenable noise though. I can totally see how Brian Eno was part of the band. I don't quite know what songs I'd specifically save to my playlist from this album. It all feels pretty coherent despite its weird psychedelia, and I feel this album is greater than the sum of its parts. It's one I'd totally seek out on vinyl. Favourite: Virginia Plain
🥰🥰🥰
This is a fun album with Standouts in Re-make/Re-Model, Ladytron, If There Is Something, 2HB, and Would You Believe?
A classic album. It was so different to everything else at the time that it took me some time before I liked it. The original UK version of the album didn't include their hit single "Virginia Plain" but the US version did, as did later UK versions.
While not reaching the same extreme heights of the follow up, the debut album by Roxy Music comes pretty close. Ferry’s vocals are haunting and crooning in all the right ways, the production is great and otherwise straightforward tracks like “If There Is Something” becomes anything but in the hands of Roxy Music. Once again Brian Eno, “ the balding, long-haired eunuch lookalike” as dubbed by Christgau, is there to steal the show time and time again. It’s so easy to hear how he helped shaped the sound that helped them break through. Those first Roxy Music albums really are something else.
Oh, this voice! I have no clue why this picture was chosen as an album cover though… But I know I’ll keep on listening to it.
Glam out your ass. All vibes, no thoughts.
I listened to a different Roxy Music album a couple of years ago and didn't think much of it. This one I actually liked, even though the last couple of tracks were downers. The first track, Re-make/Re-model was my favorite.
HL: "Re-Make/Re-Model", "If There Is Something", "2HB", "The Bob (Medley)", "Chance Meeting" The mixing in some of the songs is a bit odd, thought my speakers were broken during "Sea Breezes", the sparse drum and bass feels incomplete somehow "Chance Meeting" is better on re-listen, now that I'm anticipating that abrasive synth/guitar I'm starting to "get" Roxy Music with Brian Eno, he clashes musically with Bryan Ferry but some interesting chemical reactions occur June 18, 2023
Strong start, kind of wanders at the end. I'd listen to it again.
I have never heard of this album or band before and frankly, I had low expectations but it's better than I thought it would .
настолько абсурдно и постмодерново, что влюбляет и умиляет
Обложка - ложный друг прослушивателя музыки. Я вот посмотрел, и первая моя мысль - "сейчас будет что-то в духе Bonnie Raitt". Вообще мимо! Взглянув на состав участников, увидел два знакомых имени: Брайан Ферри и Брайан Ино. Ну что ж, Влад нахваливал бесконечно второго, давайте прикоснёмся к легенде, пусть он и не был лидером в коллективе. Очень бодренький глэм-рок, с элементами Спэйс-рока. У Ферри прикольные мелизмы и вибрато голосом получаются, кайфанул в паре мест. Некоторые треки правда всё равно казались безмерно долгими, нехарактерно долгими для жанра. Но это можно опустить)
ПОСТМОДЕРН ВПЕРЕД!!!!
Como hablan muchas reseñas el lado a de este disco es espectacular mientras que el lado b no lo es tanto. Me gusta la propuesta de rock un poco bastante diferente para los 70s. Igualmente es impresionante sentir la influencia de los beatles en este disco. A pesar de eso es un gran debut que pone en juego un sonido diferente 8/10
A good start from a great band, but sometimes the artifice is easier to admire than enjoy.
Great album. The first half is absolute magic. Although a star dropped off during the second half.
A very strong debut album from Roxy Music, it sounds something from the late 1970s or 1980s but in fact it is an early 1970s album. A great mix of glam rock and art pop, it is really an enjoyable listen. The lats few songs falls flat a bit, so I'll give it a strong 4, but it is really a strong one.
3.5
Going in, the only thing i knew is that Brian Eno was part of the band, and from the start you can hear his influences. Bold and experimental, even now the album feels fresh. A cross between proto-punk sensibilities and progressive rock that was wildly different from my expectations. The only reason I'm not giving it a 5 is because I don't want to round albums up to the maximum score.
ok
4st
I have never been a big fan of Bryan Ferry's voice, but I am warming up to it. It seems like a cross between David Byrne and Peter Hammill, but not in a good way. The sax seems all over the place. I can't tell if he's trying to be that way on purpose or not. If that's the whole punk idea they incorporated or not. I liked "If THere Is Something" at first, but then the mantra near the end got very repetitive. Probably my favorite songs were "The Bob" and "ReMake/ReModel." Listening to it a second time driving around today, I think the album is still growing on me more and more. Ferry's voice is sounding more and more likeable, but I shouldn't have to listen to it a few times for it to grow. on me, you know? There should be something there of interest on that first listen. Or maybe I was holding on to my pretensions from the first time I listened to this band, I don't know. Still, I am starting to like it more and more. Maybe it's the other band members who I do know? So I'm giving it a high 3, rounding up to a 4.
This is a great debut album. The opening track ,which is a rocker, shows just how skilled the guitarist Phil Manzanera is during the split speaker duet with saxophonist Andy Mackay. The most famous track on this album, “Virginia Plain”, was not on the UK version of the album since it was released as a single earlier (A Beatles throwback thing I guess). It’s also funny that my least favorite music critic, Christgau, thought that it was a drag queen on the cover and didn’t realize that it was model Kari-Ann Muller, who was also a bond girl in On her Majesty’s Secret Service. Side two is definitely not as strong as side one and a bit more experimental but still solid enough to give the album 4 stars.
Good stuff. I was familiar with several of these songs because I'm a fan of the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack (with Thom Yorke singing them instead, channeling his best Brian Ferry). That made me a little more drawn to those tracks (Ladytron, Virginia Plain, 2 H.B. and Bitters End. 2 H.B. is probably my favorite of those). Of the ones I didn't previously know, I really liked Re-Make/Re-Model (great guitar) and If There is Something (the warbly singing was a little much, but it's a good song and that ending is great). The album didn't blow me away, even after many listens, but I'd definitely listen again which makes it a 4.
Last two songs were stinkers but I really enjoyed the album otherwise. Maybe it's just being home and not at work that has me in a good mood
An ambitious and creative record, but one that I’d think is inaccessible to most people. You can definitely hear the Bowie and early rock and roll influences on this group (Remake/remodel is a good example)
There is something very interesting, not all of it is worth unfortunately
Fun album! Very quirky, unconventional and original sounds, but at the same time entertaining and making it irresistible to move your feet to the beat. Whole album is on the same level, it doesn't peak up, but definitely it doesn't let you down at any point, just constant high energy stuff. The crazy thing is that this album is from 1972. It definitely sounds more like a band from late 80s, early 90s. If I were to change anything, I would maybe look into the vocalist, who at times felt like from a different story than the rest of the band. But overall, very solid record!
better than country life - medley is kinda cool
Gloriously OTT but I really enjoyed it. It makes me sad a little when I come across an album that has been out there all of my life and I’ve only just discovered it. But I guess, at least I have found it now. I’m going to give this a 4… but I will listen again and in time I can see this being a 5…
Classic.
Didn't know this band and enjoyed that a lot 4.3
A quintessential Glam Rock and Art Rock group that had a hugely impactful debut album. This album has a lot going for it from the inventiveness of the orchestration to the surprisingly thoughtful lyrics. Roxy Music gets it right out of the gate and sets up their future impact in the process.
Ok Roxy Music has no right to be this enjoyable. Knowing nothing about it except for the album cover I was expecting dated tracks I could appreciate but not be invested in; next thing I knew I had listened to the whole thing like 3 times 😅. I wish I had the technical or historical knowledge to explain why this record sounds the way it does: it reminds me of 50’s music but also of a lot of stuff that came after, even of music outside the U.S. like Sui Generis. I’m really looking forward to tackling “For Your Pleasure” and delving deeper into Brian Eno’s other musical projects.
The one with Virginia Plain, which is enough to merit being on the list. But it's also the one with If There Is Something, which turns out to be...wait for it...better than something. It's such a Goddamn great, epic song that bleeds right into the aforementioned Virginia Plain. Maybe the most impressive part of this album is that at no point whatsoever could you pinpoint the year it was released (unless you knew the year already, which would be cheating). This in no way sounds anything like 1972, or even 1982. It somehow sounds fresh. Turns out their debut album was as good as it ever get for Roxy. I'd give this thing a 5 if not for the debate over Virginia Plain not being on the original UK release of the album. Plus it does lose a little steam towards the end.
It's a classic! It's a banger!
Held out for a long time - they were just too much in the 80s, but now seeing the genius of the early stuff
First time listening to Roxy music. I actually really enjoyed it.
love the vibes, some bangers, some stuff i wasn’t crazy about. all in all good!
Never been the biggest Roxy Music fan but their debut album definitely still packs a punch after all this time. The contrasting Eno/Ferry dynamic seems to work in perfect synchrony here, but the reality is that both of them would go on to far better things afterwards. The second half of this album is dominated by Eno’s experimentalism and is all the better for it, but there’s no getting away from how influential this album has become. Hard to add much more, while I prefer their later stuff and am unlikely to return to this record any time soon, it has plenty to offer a wide spectrum of listeners.
Really surprised by this one. Lots of fun, really dynamic electronic sounds for the time and a nice bowie feeling to the performances.
When I saw the cover and heard the vocals, I grunted and thought of how unsexy this is. But then I heard the instruments. j i z z z
How have I never heard of Roxy Music? Even my Alex refused to play this album - "Do you want to hear rocket music on Pandora"? I do not. "Playing Avalon by Roxy Music". Closer. I had to listen on my laptop. What is this? 2005? But the good news is that using the Music app allowed me to see the bitchin' moving art work on the album cover. It's like we're living in Harry Potter land, if Harry Potter the offspring of Mick Jagger and, uh, I don't even know - some early rock saxophone prodigy. "Re-make/Re-model" made me happy; I have no freaking idea what it is, but wow that's catchy. And a short Beatles homage (pronounced without the 'h', of course) in the middle? Wow. But at the same time it's like they're saying "We ain't your grandpa's Beatles", except the Beatles weren't grandpas and were clearly on the top of their wave. I don't love every tune, but Ladytron and Virginia Plain are particular standouts. The rest can be a combination of the Partridge Family + David Bowe + 70's TV chase music, on acid. So I'm gonna let Alexa have her way and play "Avalon", which I learned is the band's last album. EDIT - I knew this reminded me of something, but I couldn't figure out what. Well, boys. I figured it out - it reminds me of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VsmF9m_Nt8 . This is an Italian dude in the 70's who wrote a gibberish dance song that sounds like English to non-English speakers. It was widely successful. Alright!
Me gusto mucho
Not my favorite Roxy Music album. but pretty good.
Great album. Not my genre of music but it was a vibe
Wow. This is one of the most exciting debut records I’ve heard. That opening track! It’s all over the place, it takes some pretty large leaps and, for me, absolutely sticks the landings. I will have to return to their subsequent albums to see if I have a new appreciation for them because this album was an amazing surprise.
Alot going on here. But I like chaotic/weird music so this is right up my alley. Great album in terms of the music. The band sounds GREAT here. Not a perfect album by any means, but really solid stuff here. It got better on my second listen. This is an album you have to be in a specific mood in, but I can see myself revisiting this.
I wish the second half was as great as the first half, oh well
4.5
Not bad purdy good
-Re-Make/Re-Model" is a great tune and the trade-off solos across a bunch of instruments is fun -"Would You Believe" starts off kinda boring but then kicks in and becomes a great tune. I like the old school distorted guitar -Rest of the songs were pretty dang plain. A very weak 4
I didn't give this the attention it deserved the first time around, so I skimmed through it again before writing this. My initial impressions were correct: Roxy Music is weird and wonderful. Honestly, I was thrown from the get-go, trying to come up with some sort of context while listening to the first track, "Re-Make/Re-Model," and I finally landed on "the Stooges meets Talking Heads." Granted, the Talking Heads came came after Roxy Music, but Ferry's vocals have a David Byrne feel to them at times. Things only got weirder and harder to categorize as the album continued, but this is clearly some high-level '70s rock, heavy on the glam. There's some fantastic guitar in here--and fantastic everything else, too. Discovering the Brian Eno was a part of the band at this time certainly explained some things. There's a lot to process here, and I'm going to dive in again in the near future. I'm impressed.
I love all of Roxy Music's catalog. This is definitely during their more experimental years with Brian Eno's strange compositions & Bryan Ferry's drug fueled cabaret style vocals. I deeply appreciate this band & their influence on rock n roll.
Cosmic Rock? Yeh. Would this be worse if you listen to the version without 'Virginia's Plain'? Also yeh. Did I enjoy this? Too bloody yeh.
What amazing debut album. Perfect glam played by a band that looked the part and played the part unlike the other brickies in lipstick that doomed the genre. Four stars for this one though as it was in many ways a band still discovering their sound. The experimenting feeling disjointed stacked against Re-Make/Re-Model and Ladytron
crazy like a rox
I liked this a lot more than the other albums I've had by them. I thought I gave both previous ones a 2, but apparently one of them got a 3. I don't remember that one at all, but I probably like this one better. 3.5/5
Pretty good
Wow, I'm surprised how fresh this sounds despite being over 50 years old. Must have been unreal at the time. great use of non-musical sound effects without sounding too busy or gimmicky. Sea Breezes is a lovely change, showing the band's diversity. Holy shit, I can't believe this was a debut!
It's good
An interesting album that is over the place, but also offers a glimpse of the brilliance that was to come in subsequent albums.
Connaissais juste de nom. Pleins de trucs full intéressants! Du hautbois encore 😄 des sons de synth vraiment cool, des structures atypiques, mélodies de bass sur du noise full lyrique, d'autre fois presque atonal sur qqch de plus conssonnant. Souvent le pitch est rough (le piano qui embarque après le solo de sax soprano... ischhhh ça passe raide. Le son est pas malade ça sonne boxy bien souvent , un peu garage mais avec des citations de Ravel😄 Les tounes plus rock n roll sont moins l'fun. Les voix sont pas malades...surtout celui qui vibrate à la Julien Clair Ça mérite d'être sur cette liste amplement !
J'avais peur au départ. Jusqu'à maintenant, à chaque fois qu'on parlait d'un chanteur en le comparant à Brian Ferry, je n'aimais pas ça. Voici donc enfin le temps d'entendre ce qu'il fait. Et bien c'est pas si mal. Il y a son tremolo qui peut venir agaçant, mais dans l'ensemble, avec cette formation, ça passe bien. Le style théâtral n'est pas trop dérangeant avec la masse de sons qu'on retrouve dans plusieurs pièces et la façon que la voix est mixée. Ensuite, en approchant cet album en terme de face A et B comme à sa sortie, la face A est vraiment super bonne. L'intro du disque m'a fait penser à un mix de l'intro de Tales From the Punchbowl et du Brown Album de Primus. Peut-être des clins d'oeil à cet album. Après on est dans un rock vraiment pas plate. Le mix sax, guitare et synthétiseur de la première chanson est fantastique. Dans son ensemble, j'aime le côté que Brian Eno apporte au groupe. La face B s'essouffle un peu et à partir de Chance Meeting, mon intérêt s'en allait tranquillement, du moins à la première écoute. Par contre à la fin de l'album, j'avais envie de le remettre. Je ne connais pas les autres disques du groupe, mais pour un premier album, ça part vraiment fort. Un album que je vais assurément revisiter. Pièce préférée: Re-Make/Re-Model
A brilliant debut though they got much better later.
I never knew how Bowie-y they were towards the beginning. This was great
I'm happy I'm listened twice to this one - the first time it faded into the background a bit when playing on my speaker as I worked. Really interesting sound, I especially liked the use of sax and synth (early for it's time I believe). I found it hard to pick a top choice, but I'm going with 'If There Is Something'. As an aside, I really like the album art too!
The soundtrack for an unofficial gang bang that escalated into a mass suicide.
4.4 - Bryan Ferry’s vibrato, cushy bass lines, jangly extended saxophone solos, songs that descend into colorful chaos…and Brian Eno pulls it all together with his studio wizardry.
I wasn't really feeling much until the second half of the album, which was very strong IMO. It wasn't so bad that I was going to try to stop listening (I haven't gotten to that point with that many albums yet) but I felt so-so until a few songs in. Sometimes, that's all you need.
A brave debut. Bounces around all sorts of genres and the band don't really give a fuck what you think. And it works.
Elska þetta stöff!
Glittering.
De stem van Brian Ferry, heerlijk. Niet hun beste album vind ik overigens
Glam-rock muy animado.
Art rock en la seva forma més recomenable: composicions extraordinàries però digeribles, arranjaments creatius i avantgardistes però agradables a l'oïda i cançons que per més que les escoltes sempre acabes trobant elements nous per disfrutar-les. Tot i les clares diferències, em recorda el que també aconseguiria Talking Heads als pocs anys. Unes formes d'art de molt alt nivell que no estan dirigides només a estudiants de conservatori o crítics amb ínfules
Side one is approaching masterpiece status. One great song after another. Unfortunately side 2 slows down appreciably but not to the extent to give this great debut anything but a great score 4.5 stars
Wrong album. Stranded (the third Roxy Music album) is easily the best. But this is still very good - even avant garde in its day,
Brilliant piece of work. Virginia Plain gets the 4 stars alone
wild pastiche with bizarre instrumentation. fun stuff!
Наконец что-то похожее на хорошую музыку. Действительно хороший альбом. Довольно странно, что до 1001 я о группе вроде даже ничего и не слышал. Звучит как нечто, что по праву должно иметь признание в культурных кругах. Судя по Вики, оно так и вышло, но до меня как-то эхо признания не добралось. Перед нами первый альбом коллектива. Звучит довольно профессионально и зрело, качество записи весьма на уровне. Альбом комплексный, много всяких жанров завезли, какие-то – по кайфу, как прог- и психоделик-, какие-то ¬– душат, как глэм-рок. Занимательно, что второй же заметкой об альбоме я написал «Virginia Plain заёбывает». Хм-м… интересно, какой же единственный трек вышел синглом альбома? Думаю, когда-нибудь смогу составить список худших треков альбомов, что становятся синглами. Также к душным трекам можно отнести 2HB, Would You Believe? звучит довольно навязчиво. Да и при многократном переслушивании даже неплохие треки душить начинают, вроде The Bob. И подобное отталкивает от глубокого знакомства с творчеством коллектива. Но есть прям неоспоримая годнота вроде Re-Make/Re-Model, If There Is Something, Sea Breezes. Такие треки прям тащат. Особенно в душу запал If There Is Something с его панковским вокалом и прогрессивным, арт- инструменталом. Но всего этого словно мало для благоговения перед альбомом. Ещё занимательно, что обложка показалась весьма проходной и какой-то пустой, мейкап у тян отвратительный, да и одежда безвкусная. А ведь чуть ли не благодаря обложке группе удалось подписать контракт на издание альбома. По итогу имеем просто хороший, крепкий альбом. Хотя бы с оценкой не приходится сомневаться, ровно 4 из 5.
Flowed fairly well. nothing truly banging. 3.5/5
Slaps right from the start. Then the second song sounds like an intro and the rest of the album washes over me. I couldn’t care less for the singing, but it would probably get boring without the vocals.
Loved everything about the album except Ferry’s singing. The bass is ridiculous.
P. Good 👍
What if the Spiders from Mars actually sounded like they were from Mars? After the barrage of British new-wave the generator was spitting out, the more experimental (and at times, playful) sounds of Roxy Music were like an oasis. The opener "Re-Make/Re-Model" gives you no real idea as to what the song is about with its title, but it may as well be a mission statement for the entire album, as nearly every song reinvents itself over the course of their runtimes, with Bryan Ferry's erratic, sometimes borderline unhinged singing often the only anchor. Even the shorter songs manage to flip switches on you: Chance Meeting gives you about 30 seconds before the music gives the lyrics a completely different complexion. The second half isn't as captivating as the really strong first side, but at its dullest, it still managed to keep my interest. Key Tracks: Re-Make/Remodel, Ladytron, If There Is Something
I'm pretty familiar with Eno's work but not Roxy Music, and all I knew about it was that they were supposed to be glam rock. I don't know that we get all that much glam here but we do get a near-perfect side A of explorative and wild rock that I'm shocked I've never heard before. Side B fares considerably worse, where the tracks range from "aimless but enjoyable" to "how did this get recorded?" but oh that side A
LOL WOMAN ON COVER MAKING MEN JIZZ SINCE 70'S
Uneven but quite good
Psychelic - P&T liked, Nicki not so much
Pretty good over all. Ladytron is a standout. Falls apart a bit at the end.
Rock and pop vibes with some fun beats
Esta divertido
Wonderful flow and a dream like quality make this unmissable.
7/10. walks the line between fun and annoying pretty well.
A bit unassuming but good! Relistenible, chill, good vibes. 8
7
Las primeras 3 canciones y The Bob me emocionaron un buen, quizás por eso las demás me parecieron algo anticlimáticas. De todas formas, bastaron para que disfrutara esta escucha, los vientos de fondo en varias canciones y las partes super alargadas de la guitarras me parece que son lo más valioso del album. Mood: quién es roxy?
Un álbum con muchos moods, y en ese sentido, mucho rouuuck pero con varias cosas alrededor, una mezcolanza quizá no tan atrevida de géneros, pero que sí se distingue. Igual todo me sonó bastante bien. Disfruté mucho la batería en varias canciones y aunque pienso que no hay skips, sí tengo una canción fav: "If There Is Something", gran gran rolón. 9/10
Madrugada hørte visstnok på KUN Roxy music på en hel europaturné en gang. Det er kanskje i overkant. Men mye fint her. Et band jeg definitivt bør stifte bedre bekjentskap til. Virginia plain - særs catchy og artig låt.
1972, glam Rock, Art Rock, progressive Rock, is nice, geht hard
Close to a 5. Loving the saxophone
Never heard this self-titled one and, can't really say much other than I love RM.
I liked this. Felt like so many of these i kinda knew, but not these versions. Maybe they are covers or covered.
Really something quite else. I don't think it's ever really been duplicated.
Pleasant, understated, playful. The band fits every instrument but the kitchen sink (I think) into a collection rock songs, without busting open the album form. The outstanding elements are noisy bits which do not grate, distinctly British vocals, and the lack of idle repetition or filler of any other kind. There is a taste of prog composition in the penultimate track, but in a quiet way. Nothing is particularly earworm on first impression.
Album #132, Roxy Music, Roxy Music ⭐⭐⭐ I love the feel of Roxy Music. They strike me as such a chaotic band. Take Re-Make/Re-Model. There is so much going on. It sounds like a huge band in a room throwing the kitchen sink at each other. It’s a cracker of an opening song, one of the best I can think of. And what a band of pure talent. Phil Manzanera is such an underrated guitarist, in my opinion. His manic guitar breaks are incredible. Brian Eno, on the other hand, is properly rated, and rightfully so. His fingerprints are all over these first two albums. There’s a colourful ambient current running underneath a lot of these tracks that’s unmistakably his. So it’s a cracking opening to one of the most front-loaded albums I can think of. I remember the first time I heard this and being absolutely blown away by it. It goes from strength to strength in the first half, culminating in the absolutely beautiful 2 H.B., probably my favourite Roxy Music song. Gorgeous textured keyboards, beautiful snare flams, I just love it. But it’s an album of two halves, and the second half seriously lacks memorable moments. Outside of Chance Meeting, I struggle to remember many of the songs at all. So it’s a three-star album for me. I feel like I’ll catch a bit of flak for that, including from my future self when I inevitably come back to it. When I need my Roxy Music fix, I always reach for For Your Pleasure. That’s the band’s peak for me.
A good first album, but Roxy Music sound a little too much like other glam bands from the era. It's as if they had yet to find their identity.
Strong 3
I liked the first song, because it reminded me of the Talking Heads, but after that nothing really did much for me and I was just waiting for the album to be over. Mid 3.
This is very well-made pastiche; the downside of that being that the band doesn't have much of an identity of its own. Some of it works (jazz is always a good companion to rock) and some of it doesn't (the hawaiian instruments feel overused and out-of-place). It did get me thinking, though, about what makes the difference between musical pastiche and a band that uses an obvious assemblage of influences to create something truly additive. A band like Animal Collective is what I'm thinking of here, which uses a lot of the same historical material as Roxy Music, down to the '50s doo-wap. I don't have the answer yet, it's just a thought. What a surprise, though, to hear Brian Eno's synthesizer in the music of a band I've never even heard of! Easily my favorite part of the record, especially on the fun and irreverent "Ladytron"(a standout for me).
Unique but nothing too special
Bit of mixed feeling about this album, Roxy Musics' first. I enjoyed some of the non serious type music and lyrics but nothing here really elevated above. I know Roxy Music for their later more commercially successful stuff but 1982's Avalon (More than this, Avalon) is not on the list nor are the Albums with "Jealous Guy" and "Love is the Drug". The first three Roxy Music albums are on the list. The first two albums are with Brian Eno. Maybe his influence is here in the oddities. Well I liked it better than his solo album at least. Would not come back.
Some interesting songs on it but as a album it doesn't impress me 3/5
It was interesting if nothing else
1/2
Re-Make/Re-Model
Was thinking about giving it a 4. Very avant-garde. Must have been refreshing at the time. Just not very memorable for me.
Feels very pop-prog, like bass line on 2HB, again not biggest fan of vocals, definitely some more obscure elements in album (~2 min on the Bob), overall fun album
If every track was like Virginia Plain then it would be an instant 5. Unfortunately...
Unique yet uneven played by insanely great musicans. It reminds me of the Talking Heads, Devo & the Police. The singer has a weird lounge singer vibe to him that works well often. Other times, not so much. It sometimes seems like two bands fighting with some of the more atmospheric vibes & sounds. Better than I thought it would be. 3
Two in a row of the ehh records. Its fine and maybe even kinda cool in some aspects. Just no singular song really comes together for me. Good parts but never a good whole. And I learned this is eno and I see it. Very artsy for sure. Just not something id ever come back to. It will gor sure get someone else but for me its pretty forgettable
Didn't enjoy this as much as their later music. Favorite song: Virginia Plain
Perfectly alright with a couple of cool jazzier tunes
I had a tough time deciding if this is a 3 or a 4. When Mackay comes in hard with the sax or oboe, it's fantastic. The second half of the album gets a little more experimental and it doesn't always land. For a band I've never heard or listened to before though, it was a pleasant surprise. I'll put it among the high 3s.
Une ambiance expérimentale avec des éléments de rock que j'aime. Des passages de guitare très sympas et du sound design cool aussi. Quelques morceaux pas à mon gout mais bonne expérience générale. Des fois du mal avec les voix. 1) Sea breezes 2) If there is something 3) 2 H.B
Très surprenant je m'attendais pas à ça, on reste sur un album qui porte le nom de l'artiste.
Not bad, but nothing outstanding.
I knew Brian Ferry and Roxy Music by their later works in the '80s. On this list, there are only their older works from the '70s. Those are much closer to David Byrne and The Talking Heads, David Bowie, and the like. I suspect that this stems from the influence of Brian Eno, who was part of the band till 1973. While I'm no particular fan of Eno and his work, he made this record something special. Not all tracks hit, but some will stay with you. For me, it's If There is Something and Bitters End.
Didn't get much from this, mediocre, but it is from the 70s.
Es wirkt heute wie ein seltsames Artefakt aus einer Zukunft, die nie ganz eingetreten ist. Damals war dieses Debüt ein kleiner Schock: glamourös, schräg, artifiziell – ein Sound, der seiner Zeit voraus war und gleichzeitig völlig aus ihr herausfiel. Doch genau dieser Mut zur Exzentrik lässt das Album heute fast wie ein vergessenes Experiment wirken, das nur noch Eingeweihte kennen.
Some weird, inventive stuff on the first half but struggled to keep my interest all the way through. Definitely some forward-thinking instrumentation but I didn’t enjoy much of the vocals. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: If There Is Something, Re-Make/Re-Model
This one was decent enough. More stuff I just won't seek out to listen to again
Really dug the first half of this one. Second half sagged a little for me.
Stranded and Country Life are great Roxy Music records and neither are on this list. Confused.
I actually enjoy hearing music from their glam years. Two of these tracks were used/covered in the film Velvet Goldmine, which I love, and at the time I first saw it I didn't realize they were originally by Roxy Music.
Dober
Little weird. Not bad
Liked the last song
Gewoon een solid album. Niet iets wat erg gaat blijven hangen, maar niet slecht 6.5/10
Interesting debut, filled with style, but in the end I didn't really loved it. The singing was weird and most of the songs were too similar to eachother.
Good listen. Sounds like a lot of bands across multiple decades. I hear a little of The Who, Pink Floyd, and Talking Heads while also a bit of the Hollies. So there's a bit of 60s, 70s, and even 80s sound in the album.
Not as good as I expected, reminded me on Bowie several times. Some songs feel a little random, without a good idea. And then there is this Sax…well. Fav: If there is something
Another artist I’ve heard about but never listened to their albums. I was expecting something experimental and am not disappointed at all. It might be that there is so much going on here I don’t know what to think about where this music is came from. It’s not like anything that came before it, and it seems to have influenced many other artists. At first listen, David Bowie comes to mind, but he had a sensibility about him; his music was more accessible to a newcomer to experimental pop music. Roxy Music drags you along for a wild journey through lots of disparate sounds ranging from rock and roll to what can only be described as noise. I think maybe I could get into this with further listening. 3.5 stars
had some tunes but a bit too pompous in parts
3/5
its okay
So you're telling me this isn't the Talking Heads guy with more saxophone and piano making cool but sometimes unnecessarily long songs?
Pretty great music, the vocals are not my fav
I appreciate what they were trying to do but Bowie did it 100 times better.
Every good song was offset by a song that was just a little too weird.