Reviews (page 4 of 8)
I hate when male bands have women as the album cover and no women are singing
These guys rule
Took me a few goes to find the pulse here. Sounded like a bunch of fancy art-school types showing off their new synths. Good fun though, like martinis before the party gets weird. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions - Out Of The Blue - If It Takes All Night - A Really Good Time
I had heard of Roxy Music but don’t think I had heard of them or could even place their era or genre. This was great - love the energy of the first track (The Thrill of It All) and it went back to that level quite frequently. Even the things that were a bit more out there were well done and exciting. Very solid, will seek out more of their work. While Roxy Music is obviously geographically distinct I see a lot in common with the CBGB bands that I’ve to some extent discovered that I love through this (Television and Talking Heads in particular)…I had been generally familiar with the era and the names of the bands but had equated the style more with the Ramones (also great but not as interesting to me), which has been a major benefit of exploring this list.
Absolute dog shit. Fuck you for making me listen to this.
+1 for boobs. -1 for the weird Nazi song in the middle.
Really enjoyed this one!
I really enjoyed this one—I’d never heard of Roxy Music before.
Good vocals. Okay music.
This list should have been called 900 and some average albums that you could definitely miss with some great albums and some terrible albums thrown in. This is so average it’s painful.
This is an album that stands out immediately for its, um, album cover… and one that I’ve listened to occasionally over the years. I actually didn’t realize until this listen that it’s two albums removed from Brian Eno’s involvement in the band. Sonically, it’s quite impressive and varied, and sounds ahead of its time in some ways. Out of the Blue is my personal favorite.
Fun and eclectic. Must confess I didn't pay much attention to the lyrics. But the music was enjoyable.
Decent rock I guess, but nothing that blew me away.
-this is def my favorite Eno-related “conventional” rock project i’ve heard so far, it’s cool as hell -a lot more sophisticated than the other album i heard from Roxy Music, i think. could honestly use a relisten but i enjoyed it. sorry if this is nonsense i’m drunk -Favorites: The Thrill Of It All, Triptych
Very interesting album, I liked a lot of the songs, did start off slow and I thought it was going to be a mid album but found myself enjoying it quite a bit
Had some pretty fun, catchy tracks.
I have more questions than I could ever have answers to. Sometimes this is a good thing, but I don't know about here. First, the album cover. This is the sister and girlfriend of a member of Can, a krautrock band. I don't think this is a question that I want an answer to. If we get past that and get into the music, some of it sounds familiar, but I have no idea what I've spent 40 minutes listening to. This is a question I would like answered. It wasn't all bad, but it was such a bipolar album. Some of the songs sounded like the 80s pop that my mom listened to when I was growing up and other songs sounded like they'd be a cult anthem with some different lyrics. The song Triptych sounded almost like Renegade by Styx if it has more classical instruments (vibraphone and bagpipes) that was rearranged and the vocals were all changed. I think songs individually would all get a 3-4 if they weren't in an album. I'd even consider a 5 for a couple. The album as a whole gets a 3.
It's not bad, but not exactly great either. Not a fan of the singing and the instrumentals didn't hit very well either for me. Solid album, though
O que me incomoda no som do Roxy Music é o exagero de camadas, guitarras, sopros e teclados, tudo misturado, tornando o som confuso e comprometendo a completa apreciação das melodias. Dos três álbuns que aparecem no livro, este é o mais fraco, mesmo assim um bom disco.
Just about a perfect album from the glory years.
I didn’t even hear the music. I never got past the album cover.
I've heard of this band. Not sure i have listened to much of their stuff. First track is decent. Nothing that flies out of the speakers for me. Eh.
Бубсы на обложке, а под обложкой... Скучный дефолтный поп-рок. Реально серый и ничем не примечательный музон. Даже каких-то вот песен не запомнил, даже инструментов. В одно ухо влетело, в другое вылетело. Даром что с ними когда-то, но не на этом альбоме, играл Брайан Ино...
Okay I liked this one MUCH more than the last Roxy Music album, fun and funky without overstaying its welcome
Roxy music are great.
not my favourite roxy music album
Mindst interessante vi har haft med dem endnu. Nogle af numrene lød en lille smule som David Bowie
Meget chill i forhold til de tidligere RM vi har haft. Den mindst gode
Best cover they ever did. (Not the best album though)
It was hard to follow the direction of the album. I don't feel like it collectively meshed together to wow. Like different identities trying to fight for the front spot light. I can appreciate the start of glam but into it was like a slow bleed ..
Album art is nice. Album itself is forgettable.
NIPPLES!! funky, groovy, effortlessly cool didn't quite give me what i need for a five (and i'm kind of struggling on why), but an entirely excellent album and another exciting find through this journey! could this be my gateway into liking 60s and 70s rock? would play this album for traveling through space!
A fun listen overall. Between the times he sings like a rock star he also got in the mid evil jester voice, and like he was in Ooingo Boingo. Lots of different sounds and a ton of solid riffs. I can appreciate it not just for the art, but for it's influence on other bands I'm more familiar with. I will admit, the sudden high influx of 70s music in my life is starting to have an impact and I may have to give this another listen when I can come back with fresh ears. I didn't hear anything I out right hated, it's just that nothing grabbed me. Was I distracted by the cover art? Maybe. Is this a moment like when you need to focus on driving and you turn down the music to see better? I'm not ruling it out. It's entirely possible I too turned down the music to see better. Am I disappointed in myself? A little. Will it happen again? Mostly likely. Am I convincing myself I need to listen again to have the excuse? I'm not sure reader. Sometimes the depths of a man's soul has shallow sections.
not a fan. i think i liked the other one we’ve listened to by them better
Can see how this would be influential but I thought it was just fine.
I like Roxy Music but have never listened to this one before. I didn't find it very engaging. 2.5 stars
You’d be hard pressed to find a better album opener than “The Thrill of It All.” It’s dramatic in a way only Bryan Ferry could pull off without toppling into self-parody. And while Roxy would go on to release bigger albums—Siren, Manifesto, Avalon—this one doesn’t need a qualifying asterisk. Country Life stands tall all on its own. It’s commercial and arty in the same breath. Glossy, but with fangs. At times it’s even relentless but they always find the pocket. Ferry sings like he’s half in love and half in peril. The cover was banned or censored in multiple countries. Ferry apparently met the German models on the front in Portugal the week before. I'd love to hear their side of the story. It’s glam, it’s gothic, it’s absurd, and it all totally works.
Pretty nice
I listened to this album twice and I don't really have anything to say about it.
There are a few good songs on here, but generally this seems like a struggle for ideas and a sound. Ferry's voice remains strong here, and it's still Roxy at heart, but the dabbling with - ahem - country on the closer doesn't really work, for example. A bit of a mixed bag, this era probably best sampled via the Greatest Hits.
A very bold and in your face album. It demands your attention, often when it's not welcome. I prefer the more introvert Roxy of soundscapes and endless introductions. But at least its got balls, and isn't afraid to show them.
Not for me. 1/5
Title track is cool, rest is just alright
I expected and wanted to hate this album, but I really didn't.
👍
5 stars because of the album cover.
I won't deny I spent a considerable amount of of my teenage record store fiend time with this album cover. The music is pretty good though. I especially like Out Of The Blue. I think of the period between Altamont and Ramones as something of an interregnum where weirdos basically had Roxy Music and the New York Dolls to tide them over and that's about it. It's quite something how many first generation punks and new wavers took inspiration from Roxy Music. Hat's off, guys. Thank you for your service.
Yet another Roxy Music album (three now, and thankfully all that we get in this collection). I'm not sure there's much to say about this album, except that I found it strangely screechly/jangly, far more so than the earlier albums, especially so on some tracks like their hit "All I want is you" (but maybe that's due to new headphones? or maybe Brian Eno's absence?). I've generally enjoyed Bryan Ferry's strangely distinctive voice, but not as much on this album (with the partial exception of the uber-dramatic "Bitter sweet"). Sorry, Bryan!
First half is brilliant, not so much the second half.
I enjoyed this more than I was expecting to! A bit of a "kitchen sink" approach to some of the songs but definitely offers variety. I like it better than their later work. Top Track: Out of the Blue
I really liked this album, would likely spin this again. However, that album cover is so edge lord
I think this is a great record!
What’s the appeal of sophistication? A striving for an unattainable lifestyle of the idle rich? A perfection of the form, enabled by years of study and mastery? I don’t dislike later Roxy Music, Avalon is a legit triumph, but the glam rock era just...it’s like a James Bond film, all glitz and cheeky action in service of what exactly? The vibe and feel, I can see how that all must’ve been exciting for a brief window, but even then, was it all that outside of the UK? Listening to these records, which I am clamouring to find catchy songs or hooky melodies anywhere, it’s again that phenomenon of being told about a really crazy party someone went to that defined their entire personality. That Ferry, a working class-born striver himself would eventually become a lite-Tory really completes the picture of sophistication’s empty promise.
Joda, gubberock. Med gubbecover.
This was a nice surprise indeed! I've always read about this band here and there, but never listened to them. I even didn't know how they sounded like, so I expected something more poppy bc of the name. But to be honest this is mainly rock, and it's so heterogeneous it gets ridiculous! But in a good way. While the obvious reference could be Bowie, there are some hints of Kiss there in the guitar riffs (All I want is You) and amazing guitar solos in 2 or 3 songs. Then in maybe the best song of the record (Out of the Blue) star in a dark dark way almost resembling post punk. To be lated evolved into rock n roll again, nice! So this is the vibe... glammy rock n roll with a lot of influences, most of them good but with a few embarrassing moment (that corny country song If Takes All Night is annoying). Really liked this, and the cover art is cool too! Listening notes: Obvious resemblance is Bowie, but guitars are heavier, check those solos and KISS riffs in All I Want is You, super suprised about this... always heard the name but first time listening to them. And then Out of the Blue sounds totally like Joy Division to transform into a shredding guitar piece... what mejunje is this? El rollo ese country ridículo de If It Takes All Night no es para mí
3,3
Nothing special in my opinion
Meh
I want to like Country Life more than I do. "Out of the Blue" cuts through for me, but not so much the other tracks.
hey this was pretty fun - had no problem putting this on and going about my day today. great stuff!! but also, an aside: starting to notice a pattern where everybody blames brian eno for everything. didn't quite realize my guy was the jack antonoff of the 70s... highlights - the thrill of it all, all i want is you, out of the blue, triptych, casanova, prairie rose
Roxy Music albums are pretty alright, but they never really manage to blow me away, like they're lacking that special something.
Not even and inkling of familiarity with this album. Incredible fast bass lines and genre bending. Sounds ahead of their time. Reminds me of king gizz
Cohesive whilst retaining a broad spectrum of sounds. I've found more to enjoy here than with previous Roxy Music offerings, with perhaps the exception of For Your Pleasure.
I thought I'd like this even more because there's some really good stuff, but still something makes it not quite deserving of the 5 stars.
Solid. Loved it, I guess I know where I live.
Pretty cool.
Opening song is excellent. Definitely other shiny bits and pieces.
A fine work!
What did I expect with this album? Well, not what it actually turned out to be. It's not country, that's for sure. I wasn't really impressed by this album. It was okay. Quirky. Creative. I really don't care for the vocalist, and the only standout to me was the bassist.
85% Best: The Thrill Of It All; Out Of The Blue; Casanova; Prairie Rose Must-Hear? Sure
Not something you want to listen to in school
This is an average LP for Roxy in my opinion with a few good cuts. Put out between Standed and Siren it is the weaker of the three.
complicated. kinda catchy. vocals. brass.
As usual with Roxy Music, the music in itself is _fine_ but it just doesn't engage me, even when I'm trying to find things to appreciate with the music. I guess it's just not my thing 2/5
Not a fan
6/10 This was an interesting listen. It had a distinctly 80s edge to it, despite being released in 1974, so there must be some element of this being ahead of its time. It also had places where it sounded very reminiscent of David Bowie. From a songwriting point of view, I didn’t find that there were too many memorable hooks that stuck with me past the end of the record, which was a bit of a shame. The vibe was often really good, but it rarely completely engaged me, despite the overall appeal of the sound itself. When they allowed things to get a bit weirder, things were pretty fun, although perhaps less synthy than I was hoping for (now that Eno had left the band, maybe that was to be expected). They do conjure up some really good grooves here and there and some of the guitar playing was particularly decent. There was a slight lack of balance to the album, in that a few of the tracks didn’t stylistically blend particularly well with the rest, like If It Takes All Night and Triptych, but sometimes that can be a really useful device to add a bit of intrigue to an album. It’s probably not an album I’ll be coming back to that often, but there were certainly some interesting aural flavours that were worth hearing. The Thrill Of It All - A good song to kick things off. There’s a nice pace to it that drives it forward with a tight and solid rhythm section. There’s plenty of instrumentation that comes and goes, with the strings and sax offering some interesting flavour. Solid guitar work too. Three And Nine - I’m a bit less keen on this one. It’s a bit more laid back, but it doesn’t really offer much in the way of interest outide of the main theme. There are parts of it I like, particularly the rhythm of some of the vocal lines against the track and some of the vocal blend of lead and backing. Nice, but not overly exciting. All I Want Is You - There’s some cool guitar playing on here. I like the overall vibe and it feels super 80’s, so must have been ahead of its time. There’s nothing about it that really grabs me hook-wise, unfortunately, but I did enjoy it. Out Of The Blue - There’s some great playing on this. Some really nice sweeping phasey parts too. I like the little breaks that they throw in here and there, and there’s a real driving thrust to it too. It’s quite Bowieish, and I like the slightly off the wall descent into mania at the end. Sonically, it’s a pretty interesting track. If It Takes All Night - A fairly straight rock n’ roll number, but with more modern production values. It’s decent, but it does sound a bit like Bryan Ferry trying to ape Elvis a bit too much. I kind of feel like this might have been the jumping off point for Huey Lewis & The News. Bitter Sweet - This is atmospherically interesting. It’s quite grand in a way and the climbing and falling piano is interesting, before the thudding, plodding weirdcore section, which is the kind of thing Mike Patton would take in an even heavier direction almost 20 years later with Mr Bungle. It’s pretty bold and wacky. Triptych - This is also a bit of an odd one. It doesn’t really offer a huge amount of diversion from its fairly plodding rhythm, despite the always moving harpsichord tone. It never really gets grand or big enough. Not for me. Casanova - This has got a really nice swing to the rhythm. Some of the best vocal delivery on the album, too. This is a proper head-bobber and it’s got a bit of grit and attitude to it too. It’s still got that twist of weirdness, bit it’s more anchored and has some really cool guitar work too, which pulls against the synth parts nicely. A Really Good Time - I quite like the attitude to the vocal and the way it sits against the rest of the track. There’s some nice rhythmic choices too, particularly with the descending beats that the band hit together. There’s a nice ambience to the instrumentation here too. Nice track. Prairie Rose - The groove of this is good. There’s a nice drive from the drums and the blend of the different dynamics from the staccato rhythm section and the drawn out vocal and slide guitar is nice. It feels like this track does do quite a bit of hanging around on one thing for too long though. More solid guitar playing, but the vocal sections are maybe a bit too broken up and repetitive. Not bad though.
This is the second album by roxy music that I have had on my list. The first was I was almost unable to listen to. This set my expectations low. I was surprised when I made it through all of this without wanting to shut it off. The vocals were much better then on roxy music. The song on this one have focus and made sence. But the album is still not good.
Automatic one star deduction for the album cover.
First of all, I absolutely fucking despise that album cover. But other than that, this feels like a slightly improved version of the previous album I've listened to, which is of course "Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire", great album. Favorite tracks: 1. Out Of The Blue 2. Prairie Rose 3. The Thrill Of It
Not what I was expecting. Enjoyed it! Lots of different styles blended on 1 album 4 ⭐️
I was ready to write this off after the first 6 songs but total 180 after Bitter Sweet. Astounding 5 song run. Glad to be proven wrong for once.
it was fine, i guess
Of its time
It’s really good
A lot of the songs on this one hover around the upper edge of "okay" for me - I wouldn't quite say they were good, but they're kinda almost there. He dips into his Dracula voice occasionally but it's not as prevalent. This finishes me on the list's trio of Roxy Music albums. We got all 3 of these within a span of about 40 albums - For Your Pleasure came up as album 234 in July, Roxy Music was 258 in early August, and now Country Life is 274. I'm ready to put this group in the rearview.
The first half is a great album. The second is weird but still likable.
Roxy Music is cool. Period.
This is exactly what'd you expect of a Bryan Ferry album titled "Country Life." Not exactly sure what shade of irony he was contemplating, but while the album is moderately fun and interesting, I am not sure it is fun enough to listen to or think about in the future... unless your a fan of Roxy Music or Bryan Ferry's brand of wit.
Bit shit
Det er sådan rigtig glam rock, avant garde/art agtig rock. Det er meget teatralsk og har arrangementer og virker bare sådan ja, glamorøst i lyden. forestiller mig det er pga violinerne, saxofon, klaveret osv. Det hele lyder bare meget dramatisk og vokalen lyder sådan lidt bowie agtig, fordi det nærmeste bliver sådan snakke agtigt. teksterne har fokus på forførelse, romantisk drama osv. Synes bare ikke det er ligeså godt som f.eks. t-rex eller david bowie. Men hvis man generelt er til genren så er det jo must hear. Det er ikke dårligt, men bare ikke lige mig pt.
Great album
My review suffers from having listened to Bowie’s “Heroes” right before I listened to Roxie Music. Too much experimental and over *performed* music in one day. I can tell this is good, though. I’d need to listen to it again, but for now, it’s a 3.
This album just works. From the first song to the last, it's a whole vibe. The band was firing on all cylinders, and you can hear it. It's cool, it's weird, and it feels like it was way ahead of its time. And yeah, you can totally hear Eno's touch all over this thing. His genius just shines through, making everything sound amazing. This isn't one of those albums with just one or two good songs; it's a record you can put on and just let play from beginning to end without ever wanting to hit "skip." It's just a classic.
ok
Although it lacks both chart hits and Brian Eno’s presence, Country Life may be Roxy Music’s most consistently good listen from start to finish. Without Eno’s excessive looping, avant-garde diversions — as heard on The Bogus Man or Sea Breezes say — the band retains its art-rock edge while focusing on taut, straight ahead songs. It isn’t yet the sleek, sophisticated pop of Ferry’s later persona, but strikes a confident balance of glamour and grit. With Ferry's libido not yet fully in control, the band feels like a true ensemble, evidently enjoying themselves, even if not doing anything exceptional. I first encountered Roxy Music through several early tracks covered by the supergroup The Venus in Furs on the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack. Among them, Bitter-Sweet stood out: a surreal, menacing concoction of cabaret and glam that remains one of their wildest, most compelling songs, even on a more disciplined record like this one. Though Country Life is not yet Roxy Music being smooth, it is, I think, the smoothest listen from beginning to end. To that point, Billy Corgan did a pretty good live version of Out of the Blue in 2001, proving that there is something to these songs, even without Ferryesque sex appeal. 3 I don’t think much of this record to be honest. Side 2 is certainly much more interesting than side 1 - the contortions of Bitter-Sweet and Triptych almost make up for the Slade-with-manners of All I Want is You and If It Takes All Night. The songs aren’t bad, they just aren’t very good. 2/5
Bitter-Sweet is a long-time favourite song of mine thanks to the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack. What a joy to hear the original version (Thom Yorke covers it on the soundtrack). But overall this is a curious album. The first half is rather anodyne, but the second half digs deeper and weirder (side A & side B?). I much prefer the second half but I need to live with this album for a while before making the final verdict. I think I really like it but I am not sure? As always, Phil Manzanera deserves all the roses. The cover is absolutely awful and does the music no favours.
Fun album
Besides the album cover, there's nothing going for this album
I've listened to them before and got kind of bored and I thought listening to this album might be a change of pace but I got kind of bored again. But for some reason I kept listening to their discography and it played their self titled album album from 1972 "roxy music" and that album kicks ass.
I've never listened to Roxy Music before but I think I will listen to more of their stuff after listening to Country Life. This album offers a wide range of vibes with deep instrumentation. This is one of those albums you can listen to 10 times and still discover new stuff you didn't catch in the background.
Every song is so full. Would happily listen focussing on different instruments each time. It sounded experimental and enjoyable the whole way through. I don't think I can describe why I like it until more and more listens.
I don’t know Roxy Music particularly well. This was way more experimental and interesting than I expected. The bass playing is excellent. Top tracks, The Thrill of it All and Out of the Blue. This kind of New Romantic style is not for me in truth. I did enjoy it. But not as much as others will. Interesting to see how earlier albums compare with Eno in the line up. 3/5
I like the band. Some good songs but inconsistent
It’s a strange sensation to listen to a thoroughly likeable album with a consistently enjoyable vibe, but not be able to just lose myself in it. It might be Bryan Ferry’s vocals that are holding me back, but there’s a lot to enjoy. Out Of The Blue has one of the nicest twistiest bass lines I’ve ever heard. There’s a whip crack propulsion to this song. I also love how tender Ferry sounds on the intro to Bitter Sweet and how a touching, mournful guitar occasionally wraps around him.
Love this but not quite as much as s/t, for your pleasure, or avalon.
Didn’t realize Roxy Music was from the early 70’s, average rock- ish
Funky rock
Different from their other albums, it's still good but I prefer their other music. This one doesn't really stand out with any grand songs that I was expecting. It's not bad but I'm guessing they were still working up to their greatest music.
79/100 absolutely incredible, makes me wanna listen to more glam rock and more foxy music in general, probably my third favourite albim from this project so far
Two albums in one - first half was cool, then stalled at the turn, sputtered through some odd stuff on the way home.
Legendary
I don't really have much to say about this one. Sort of background soft rock?
Quite enjoyed this
Way too close to Billy Joel boring for my taste.
My stepdad had this album and for years I just assumed he didn't let me listen to it because of the cover. Now I know he was just protecting me from the music.
Its not bad. But not my style.
2,2/5
Good 80’s band. Good music, and sound.
This album is pretty strange. The songs are fractured, the vocals are strained, even the artwork has some eerie vibe to it. That being said, it all comes together surprisingly well and, on some days, I'd call it my favorite Roxy Music release. Key tracks: The Thrill of It All All I Want Is You Casanova
Like many people my age, I have bought albums based on ONE single and have been terribly disappointed because that's the only decent track on the album. This is the kind of album that younger me (fuck it; me today) would buy based on the cover art. The difference between this album and the former is that there's at least one track on the album I liked. While very much suited for elevators, I don't think I could bring myself to trap people in a box and force this on them if I owned an elevator. This album kinda sucks ⭐⭐
Roxy Music is a band I’ve been told is very important for most of my life, but idk, this just sounds like fine Brit-rock of the 70s? This isn’t even one of the albums Eno is on! It’s listenable! Didn’t have a problem for it. Very famous cover, yes, but this isn’t 1001 Album Covers You Must See Before You Die.
Didn't expect to enjoy this after listening to their debut album, but I was very pleasantly surprised. A good amount of variety and nicely balanced experimental touches. Some tracks were not so engaging.
This did almost nothing for me.
This may be the first time I've had a desire to relisten to a Roxy Music album. It's not my thing, but there were enough moments on this that I've saved it to revisit later.
Did not like it
5/5. Hell yeah, this was an awesome listen. It's got the absurdness that remained from Eno's involvement but they tightened their groove and it fits more into the rock and roll mold, give or take some rockabilly/country tracks. The second side does lean into the abstract but it still sounds great, even due to the silliness of some of it too. Just great instrumentation and writing all around, even if it does veer into the experimental at times. Weird and cool, a great listen. Best Song: The Thrill Of It All, Casanova, Three And Nine, All I Want Is You
By far the best Roxy music album I've been forced to listen to bu this program. Fyi, theres NO WAY theres at least 3 albums by them in the top 1000 albums ever.
British rock is either some of the best music there is or this. And this is a really hard listen
No thanks.
“Nipple on the sleeve, sell records to Steves.” Bryan Ferry has always sounded like an old man who has drilled countless dressing room peepholes, but this is the first of his records on which I noticed it. Jolly fun, band bright, bold and blasting, but maybe being aware Eno’s not on the album, or what a colossal prat Ferry is, that makes this feel too safe, that the title is an aspiration rather than a dig, a friendly branding of decadence. The weaker songs are dull rather than curious. Yet “Out of the Blue” is delirious, while “Casanova” kicks open the bedroom door wearing nothing other than a Prince Albert, call it a draw.
Never quite convinced by this album as a youngster, despite its obvious charms. 3-4 great tunes, the rest is a bit labored. If you're looking for the best post-Eno Roxy, "Stranded" has you covered; if you want the most fun then go "Flesh + Blood"
Not as great as I remember
My relationship with Roxy Music and their music has always been a little divided. Just as I am with the music of Brian Eno. Of course I knew the cover of the album. Now I've heard it for the first time. I liked it for the most part. I will listen to it again in more detail. 4/5
This album absolutely rips. I'd seen the album cover but never listened to Roxy Music before and they're fucking awesome. If I started listing best songs, I'd end up listing the entire album. Bryan Ferry's vocals are kinda similar to David Byrne of the Talking Heads Three and Nine is a great, chill tune with kind of a Ray Davies delivery Out of the Blue is a ripper, awesome guitar solo at the end. If It Takes All Night is a fun Elvis sorta pastiche Bitter Sweet is an amazing dramatic vaudeville song that wouldn't sound out of place on Pink Floyd's The Wall Triptych has some baroque vibes with almost chamber-like vocals and harmonies Casanova simply kicks ass. Funky as hell. A very strong 4
I felt like this was a solid English rock album. I didn’t find anything particularly mind blowing about it but I had a good time listening to it. I wouldn’t be opposed to listening to this album again but it wouldn’t be first on my list to re-listen to.
👀
5/10
not my cup of tea
Ooh, nearly naked & super skinny women on the album cover! Edgy. But I’m enjoying the music.
Been a while since we’ve had some Roxy! This was a solid offering. Not something I’d go for again and again but it was consistent and I have no complaints. Light 4.
Sounds like they made a David Bowie album. It's fine but not really special.
I liked and hated various parts of this album. Obviously Brian Enzo is creative but I don’t love most of these songs. They didn’t really stick with me and after the album ended I could not sing a single song back to you.
Heard it before. I think there isn't a Roxy Music album that I dislike. Great album 4/5
I really liked the music itself, but not the vocals.
All good. Love roxy
Little too glam for me
I never know what to make of Roxy Music. Country Life is art rock but shows Roxy Music dabbling in hard rock, country, folk, electronic--who knows what other genres. It's all over the place! But of the albums I've heard of theirs, Country Life is probably the most palatable. Take that for what it's worth.
I wasn't quite sure what to fully think of this album. One thought was definitely something akin to: "Seriously? A THIRD Roxy Music album on this project? Fuck off." This was probably the least off-putting Roxy Music album I've received, containing a nice eclectic mix of new wave and glam sounds, not unlike something that Bowie might do. It felt decently polished in these spaces, unlike some of the previous Roxy Music albums. All that said, I still hope this is my last Roxy Music album on this project. A low 3, but an admitted 3 nonetheless.
First listened to in 1976. Post Eno. The Thrill of It All. Andy McKay !!!!
Pretty good
Not bad
It's fine. 2 stars.
So smooth and well crafted audio
So I don't remember much of this bc I forgot to review it after listening, but I do remember thinking it was better than I expected considering that there was no Brian Eno on this record.
‘You’ve had enough of the blues and stuff’ - too fucking right. At times this album is too busy, packing itself with a standard 4-piece setup and adding, strings, piano, and harmonica sporadically to the mixes. I feel the album could have benefited from a more stripped back, driven, rawer mix. That said, the instruments are all played well, the arrangements are all nice and catchy, as are the vocals - are marked improvement from For Your Pleasure. A good length, a strong collection of songs; solid album that while sometimes feels disjointed, particularly with the more unorthodox pieces in its second half, feels like a fun prototype for late 70s/early 80s new wave rock and pop. The Thrill of it All (8/10) Three and Nine (7/10) All I Want is You (8/10) Out of the Blue (8/10) If It Takes All Night (8/10) Bitter Sweet (7/10) Triptych (7/10) Casanova (7/10) A Really Good Time (8/10) Prairie Rose (7/10) 7.5/10
Better than expected, not sure what I expected though. The album cover is hot as fuck though, let’s not kid ourselves.
Great album felt like being in a bar in 1974: came out swinging with The Thrill of It All and kept my attention through most of the album.
Listening to Roxy Music feels the same as listening to the xx. These are people who are too cool for me and would roll their eyes if I was sat next to them at a fancy restaurant
Definitely felt the country vibe of the music, saved one song, some felt quite rocky, liked it overall, but not sure whether I will return to it just like this.
Not much there beyond the album cover
Dope
You would never miss the Brian Eno influence on this album, despite having quit the band the year previously. This is just a bit weird, and not particularly enjoyable - I’m not quite sure what it is trying to be. Lovely norks, though.
Brian Ferry’s voice is like butter, so smooth and unmistakable. Great album.
It's fine, not that special for me though
Très varié mais ça me parle pas trop
Didn’t hate it…
Wanted to like this better due to reputation and similarities to 70s Bowie. But just didn’t do it for me.
Some pretty good music, but the vocals are too pretentious.
3.5*? Maybe?
Fun british rock, I enjoyed the opener the most. Good listen but no aspect really wowed me, fun album
Another good effort from Roxy music. Their music doesn't tend to stick with you a lot but its enjoyable. The Thrill of It All is great. 7/10 Favourite: The Thrill of It All Least Favourite: Triptych
4.7
Much more theatrical. I liked their first release better, it had a little bit more edge and grittiness to it. At least if I'm remembering it correctly. Not for me.
Yeah
OK, I thought that I liked Roxy Music, but it turns out that I just like the early hits with Brian Eno freaking out on his cobbled together synthesisers. This album has a couple of interesting rock/blues tracks and a seriously odd one that sounds like it was recorded in a 1930s Berlin nightclub followed by something that sounds like a combination of lute and medieval crumhorn. Other than that, this album is just a stepping stone on the road to their easy listening 80’s era album Avalon. Oh, and minus several stars for the seriously dodgy sexist cover
I knew the name, but I wasn't really familiar with their sound. And that is pretty good: entertaining, enough variations and experimentations so that it is not boring, not too long... The artwork is cringe, but the music is nice.
A perfect example of an album that has been standing in my record closet for decades and that I never really listened to. and that's a shame because it turned out to be a really great record. I have a bit of a troublesome relation with Bryan Ferry as a singer - that strange vibrato... I don't like Brian Eno, but he had already left the band. The result is an album that meanders between very energetic and swinging rock and strange, very arty songs that sometimes seem to be inspired by thirties German cabaret - a bit odd for an English band in 1974 but certainly okay. The highlight of this album is easy to find: the songs 'All Want is you' and 'Out of the night' are linked in between. The former is a great rock song, the latter is a fantastic rock song. I should have given this album more attention!
Interesting mix of styles. I know Roxy Music but hadn't listened to this album. Definitely needs repeat listens.
This is the first Roxy Music album I didn't love on the first few listens. Not sure why. When I need a Roxy fix these days, it rarely is the one I play. When compared to the first two, the songs pale in comparison. Perhaps the middle of the road direction they took after Eno left was not a direction I was on at the time. I tend to lean towards the first 3 albums of their catalogue these days.
AWOOGA!! eyes pop out of head, foot starts tapping on floor and tongue rolls out on the floor albums ahead of its time. some really good songs. some bad ones
This is just Ween if they were foppish dandies
My interest in this band is stark. Only thing that kept me going was the mention of Brian Eno, who has already left the band by this point. Probably for the best.
This thing sounds pretty incredible. None of the songs are super sticky but you can tell this is 4-6 very talented people making good music even if there are not very many Good Songs on this record.
I liked this much more than I expected to, it's a really good collection of songs. It has enough art school touches to keep the sound interesting and fresh combined with strong choruses and lots of memorable moments throughout.
A very good Roxy Music record. Not my favorite, but has some incredible songs on it...
Hot album cover
Would have been a 2 but the titters got an extra star
Was an ok album. Gets an extra star because of the album cover
its ok maybe later different mood (boomer)
High 2s, enjoyable. Iconic of the time.
of the Roxy Music albums i’ve listened to, i think this one is my favorite
First song slaps
Like it. Favourite track is The Thrill Of It All 3/5
Good but not quite my vibe
3+ Stars (9/15)
okay but didn't like it enough to add it to my library
“The Thrill of it All” is such a killer opening. The music theory on this record in general is chef’s kiss, I love when pop music uses uncommon intervals - but knocking this down a star for the Bryan Ferry of it all 😑
Every song has things or choices to enjoy/like and there is a lot of variety on here. That being said, almost every song also has a completely baffling choice in it that makes the song significantly worse. Still an overall decent experience
Nice groove on "The Thrill Of It All". Nice harp on "Three And Nine" and "If It Takes All Night". The Franz Ferdinand- like "Bitter-Sweet". Nonetheless the album needed a few runs to grow on me from two to weak four stars. 3,5
Not my fav from Roxy Music but still good.
Boring dad rock with synths as a saving grace
Never got into this tbh
Slow start, terrific end, overall okay album with some standouts
He visto la portada mil veces, pero no lo he escuchado nunca. Conozco dos canciones de Roxy Music y creo que no es lo mío. Puta mierda. No entiendo esta música. En serio, suena, suena bien, pero no entiendo el sentido de las canciones, no llevan a nada ni aportan nada más allá de los cinco primeros segundos. No puedo decir que nada es una mierda, simplemente no hay nada bueno.
Much better than the last Roxy music a lot of shit at least some redeeming songs
I've never heard of this band, so I was excited that this might be an album by a rock group lead by women bc of the cover but it was the 70s so it's just dude rock. This list greatly underrepresents women artists. That's not really Roxy Music's fault though. I found this album to be mid. Nothing stood out to me, but it wasn't unpleasant either. The lyrics were a whiplash going from songs about religion to love songs to break up songs. It was exhausting in a way that didn't leave me satisfied. Also, I just generally want to leave religion out of my rock music.
I understand the impact, as far as it being something I would listen to ever... No.
Eh it’s ok
This took me on a journey
Didn't really excite me, they have a solid enough sound, just didn't overly enjoy it.
It’s ok. I preferred the Avalon album. This one is less ethereal but I can hear what is to come.
Interesting! I had never heard a full album of theirs before.
100%
This is the third record by Roxy Music that a got. There's 3 on the list. It's a transitional album towards the smoother style of their later work, which is not on the list because it's not very good. The album probably influenced bands like Pulp and maybe Duran Duran. I like the other albums, but I don't like this one very much. Favorite song: All I want is you.
Not good - not one song on this album that I cared for
an album that grew on me and sounded much better on a second listen. fave songs; bitter-sweet (WOW?!), out of the blue (slaps so hard), a really good time (so good!) and the thrill of it all (banger).
I never was a big fan of Roxy Music and Brian Ferry. The music isn't bad, it's just not my thing.
This is a little too over-dramatic 70s music for me, but there were highlights including the bass playing. Liked Songs Added: Out Of The Blue
Really digging this. Proggy but rockng. A lot of cool stuff going on. Will come back to this. 4 1=Crap that shouldn't be here 2=I didn't like it but get why it's here 3=I thought it was ok or even like it, get why it's here, but won't revisit 4=I like it, will revisit 5=This is some of the best music I've ever heard and will continue listening to it
At first I was like meh. But then why was it kinda giving rocky horror picture show? I see you 🏳️🌈
Rock aus den 70ern. KLingt aber noch frisch und gut hörbar. Gute Melodien, die Texte interessant. 4/5
Awesome album. top to bottom a very enjoyable listen.
A wild album for sure. There’s so much going on, this is a Roxy Music album unlike any other.
Sonorite moderne pour l'époque, mais tres simple et disco...
J'adore les 5 premiers albums de Roxy Music. J'aurais aimé faire du rock avec Bryan Ferry.
Super éclectique. Pourquoi il y a un blues rock-a-billy en plein milieu? If it takes all night Ça parle en allemand sur Bitter sweet? J'aime bien Triptych qui est une genre de marche de Renaissance avec du clavecin Les emprunts classiques me font penser à Jethro Tull, et la voix du chanteur aussi d'ailleurs. Dans l'ensemble très intéressant bien que je ne connaissais pas du tout. Comme Guillaume avec Depeche Mode, je me serais bien vu découvrir ça à l'adolescence en bon trippeux de prog rock (la couverture aidant avec les hormones, comme quand j'avais découvert The Darkness)
On m’a perdu avec celui là! 2 etoiles c’est probablement trop harsh mais faut bien etre un peu mean parfois! Chaque chanson semble avoir un style différents alors difficile d’embarquer. Je ne vois pas dans quelle circonstance je ferais jouer cet album. La première toune est bonne, rockait bien. Bref rien contre l’album mais je n’ai pas tant envie de le faire jouer une autre fois!
the thrill of it all- 5 three and nine- 5 or 6 all i want is you- 5 out of the blue- 5 if it takes all night- 6 bittersweet- 6 triptych- 5 casanova- locked back in when he said heroin. normal toby moment. 5 or 6 a really good time- 5 or 6 prairie rose- 5
I listened to this album yesterday, and as I recall, I believe I kind of liked it. I think it was about 3 1/2 stars for me. I may have to give it another listen. I will settle at three stars.
2/5
The best Roxy Music album I have listened to yet. Still was a bit weird but not as bad as the others. 6/10
meh. did nothing for me really
I prefer my Roxy Music with Brian Eno. This wasn't terrible. It's just not as remarkable as the previous ones.
Not bad, but a bit dated (as per the album cover)
Great album. Definitely hear the influences they had on Brit pop acts such as pulp and blur.
This cover always had quite the impression on me. But I had never taken the time to sit down with the music behind, so here I am now. The first track is quite good from the get go. By track four (with an open and unfatigued mind), the album proves to be satisfactory. That bassline on Out of The Blue makes the song. After that, the back-half varies with some songs that pass me by and some that I do enjoy. The arrangements on this album are ambitious which is a word I can use to describe Roxy Music as a whole. But I don't know if this record has tons of staying power besides a handful of tracks. By the end, I feel as if I could've gotten more besides the tits and bush on the cover. Prairie Rose does end well however. (5/10, 2/5 on this scale)
2nd half of album much better.
it's like whatever. i liked the bad german!
Eh. What was the need for this album.
I found Country Life to be a much better record than "For Your Pleasure". Here, they lean much more into the rock side of their music. They also manage to keep the record interesting and innovative but accessible at the same time. The first half of the album was the strongest for me. It does get a bit weird around the middle, but it still works for me. No Brian Eno also means that the weirdness isn't as experimental as before, but this also helps keep the record grounded in Art Rock territory. One big improvement is Ferry's singing, he manages to complement the music much better, dialing down the excessive vibrato singing heard in "For Your Pleasure". My favourite track was "Out Of The Blue", and "Prairie Rose" was great too, the guitar work on both tracks is excellent, and the drums are pretty good.
Classic artwork. Maybe just an average album. Not the Roxy highlights found elsewhere
I know you aren't supposed to judge an album by the cover but this one just really gave me some ick from the start. The naked women gave me no insights into the music but then as I listened it made me feel a little incel vibe, like I am weird and strange but now that I have money I can get hot women to pose naked for me. Also what did this have to do with "Country Life." The music on its own was okay, but nothing was special or different.
Roxy Music always has sexy women on the covers of their album. They sell more albums that way. Is it an artistic statement or maybe an "in your face" comment on culture and rock n roll? I was introduced to this band about 20 years ago by a friend who had a live video of them playing in Germany. If you aren't sure about this band, it's worth checking out their live videos on Youtube. Their energy is as amazing as their fashion sense and gave me a deeper appreciation for the music. I realize that Bryan Ferry's vocals may not be everyone's cup of tea. He's a bit odd and I love it. Great instrumentation. They have such a thick, rich sound that they know how to amp up into great rock energy (Thrill of It All, All I Want is You) or bring it down to a haunting somber tone (Bitter Sweet) or some kind of weird samba-like groove (Three and Nine) or a swinging little jam with a country twang (If It Takes All Night). Triptych feels like Brian Eno wrote that one (although he had left the band by this album and this is not the best song). Overall, this album is the kind of complex songwriting that I can listen to over and over again. What else is to love about this band? HOT SAX! (although this is a more strings & keys dominated album, some of their other albums have more sax appeal.)
Thom Yorke covered Bitter Sweet for the Velvet Goldmine movie, so I’m well aware of that song and I love its campiness. In fact, campy is the name of this entire albums game. Each song feels like it’s being delivered with a smile and a wink. This may end up being one of the better albums from 1974. It’s definitely the first Roxy Music album that I enjoyed.
I was pretty meh on this after the first listen but didn’t feel like I gave it enough of a chance, so I listened twice more and found more things I liked each time. It didn’t quite reach 4 territory for me, but definitely enjoyed it more than I did at first. Standout songs for me were If It Takes All Night and A Really Good Time.
A lot heavier and guitar based than I expected
This was ok, listened a couple of times still no songs grab me as a banger
Decent
low 2, please stop putting roxy music on this list i don’t get it
Pre-listening thoughts: whatever I did not care about Roxy Music’s last album. Why are they on the list three times???? Post/during listening thoughts: am I supposed to form an opinion about this? It’s so generic and unexciting. Turns out Brian Eno wasn’t a part of this one but idc Roxy music is still his project so I am continuing my beef with him. I liked the opening track and then liked everything that came after it a lot less. 4/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: The Thrill of It All Least fav tracks: If It Takes All Night, Triptych
Great album I enjoyed a real good time
They've never quite done it for me - shades of Bowie and Sparks, but nowhere near as good. That's not to say that this is an entirely rubbish album, there's plenty of interesting moments, but as a whole package, it's just not as clever or as important as you suspect everyone involved believed it was.
Not my favourite from Roxy, it's too contrived. The Thrill Of It All and Out Of The Blue are highlights. Scrapes a 3.
This album opens with a BANG. I really like “The Thrill Of It All” because of its infectious and repetitive tune/groove. It truly managed to stay interesting despite this repetitiveness. Sadly, staying interesting is one thing that this album failed to do after that opener. Not bad, not anything more though.
Not as annoying as the last Roxy Music album we had - this felt a bit more mellow. Decent, and a pretty varied mixture of songs, but nothing massively standout.
It's been a minute since I've reviewed a Roxy Music album! The only Roxy Music album I've reviewed is For Your Pleasure, which I gave three stars to. I really wanted to love that album, but here's hoping Country Life is more my speed! Overall, I thought this album was fine. I've always (possibly erroneously) thought of Roxy Music as pioneers in electronic composition, so every time I fire up one of their albums, I expect something with more synthesizers, but this album felt more like glam rock with some touches of early new wave. I liked the guitar playing and drumming, and I really liked Bryan Ferry's signing too. Overall though, this album felt a bit uneven. There were some fun glam rock songs like "The Thrill of It All" and "All I Want Is You," but songs like "Three and Nine" and "Bitter Sweet" were a bit of a drag. "Prairie Rose" was probably my favorite song on the album. I really enjoyed the guitar playing, and the rhythms and bass playing were really great too. The piano rounded out all of these elements really well, and gave the song a really fun glam rock sound. While I wasn't blown away by this, I'm still holding out hope that the last Roxy Music album I get to review will be the one that hooks me in and makes me a big fan!
This was pretty unexpected and unique. Kinda Bowie, but didn’t always land. I loved the bass work and call and response
This is my second Roxy Music album, and I had higher expectations. Some songs were okay but overall the album felt derivative. Will give it another listen at some point.
Sophisticated and consistent Art Rock.
cool
You know, I wanted to hate this because that album cover is fucking atrocious, but it grew on me. I gave it a few listens and I think it would actually grow on me further.
Good. Not really my thing most of the time.
It was fine. Even in its time, though, it barely cracked the US Top 40 (at 37), so I’m unclear why this was so important to listen to. I didn’t hate it, but I did feel like I could have spent that 40 minutes listening to music I actually enjoy.
Funny, I’ve always flipped past Roxy Music albums in used vinyl shoppes, thinking them too available to be any good (like chuck Mangione or the Carpenters or Peter Frampton)…but they’re pretty alright. Just on this side of Brit Rock, just on that side of New Wave, just a step from C&W, like/not like NYC punk stuff - they cooked it all up into a stew I could eat now and then. 3.5
3.5 stars. Experimental 70's art rock that has some ups ("The Thrill Of It All" and "Out Of The Blue") and downs ("Bitter Sweet" and "Triptych") but a decent album overall.
The Thrill of It All and Out of the Blue are amazing, but overall Roxy Music aren't really impressing me. Good but not great
This band is really great but their album covers truly are outdated in a way I can't even describe.
This band have a few really great songs and many other I can't stand. It's always a love and hate relation with them. 3 stars will be fair enough!
Meh
Fantastic rock with a good helping of 70s pop. A couple of the tracks I could have skipped, but generally a good time. 4.5/5
Reminded me of Echo and the Bunnymen, but FUNKY.
Performative British art rock with a heavy splash of glam. Proof this can work if done well.
ja, spannend aber weniger eingängig als späteres.
Noch zuviel 70er Style, mag Roxy Music später viel besser.
I'm giving this album a star for each of the ladies on the cover. As at least the band was self aware enough to know that their music won't sell albums.
1974. Sometimes it seemed like they were trying to sound bad? Also not very country music as I would describe it. More of a British medium rock.
A new sound for the era, you can hear the influence on newer music.
My third album from these guys on this list and I have to say they love their titillating covers. I imagine this caused some "won't somebody think of the children" controversy. I can't help thinking that if this came out today there would be a bunch of morons claiming the chick on the right was trans or something equally stupid.
Like a more talented Band on the Run with somehow more ADHD stimming. There’s some great stuff here, particularly the proto-new wave “All I Want Is You” and the amazing “A Really Good Time,” which suggests sophist-pop and 2000s twee Girl At A Piano™️ music– two genres I am personally a huge fan of. There’s also a lot to like on “The Thrill Of It All,” “Out of the Blue,” and “Prairie Road,” although I think all 3 of those songs are bit too cluttered and scatter-brained to process, even for my ADHD-riddled brain. Still, I do like these tracks, though I won’t cross the line into love. It’s the middle section where I think Country Life loses me. From the blues of “If it Takes All Night,” to the musical theatre-carnival barker cocktail of “Bitter Sweet,” to the medieval ass “Triptych” and the put-on American soul brother affect of “Casanova,” I hate it all because all of it feels like a costume. And yes, I know that’s technically ✨the point✨, but the result always feels more like an idea to be silly and goofy instead of an actual sincere artistic decision. Frankly, that kind of seems like the entire point of Country Life, and even glam as a genre overall. The same “try-on this random style that I have no cultural or historic connection to just to be quirky and weird” bullshit is exactly what I hate about David Bowie, but at least he sticks to one aesthetic for a whole album. Roxy Music can’t even hold it together across two tracks. The result is completely incoherent, and the only time I ever come close to loving this is when it sounds almost modern for the era, which rarely happens here. The most modern thing about Country Life is its cover, which is glamorous and hot even 50 years later. It is textbook cunty 💅, and has bigggg Doll/Queer Energy. Unfortunately, the contents on the wax disc tucked inside this cover are never has effortlessly chic, or even camp. It’s all too try-hard to be camp. Yet still, the talent is undeniable, and thanks largely to the mish-mash of it all, there’s enough moments for me to enjoy to not hate it too much. Maybe there’s something more my style in Roxy Music’s discography, but Country Life is definitely not it for me.
Bryan Ferry - another one who just never really got Houmous & Chutney. The feeling was very much mutual. 3.1
If It Takes All Night and Prairie Rose are total bangers
Roxy Music really knows how to party. Their albums are always ambitious and delightfully audacious. "The Thrill of it All" and "All That I Want is You" are the standouts for me.
Overall solid - definitely like other Roxy a bit more but this was surprisingly good. A few duds (Bittersweet) in the middle but wraps up really really strong with Prarie Rose.
Gear: Grado Hemp Artwork: 🫱🔞🫲 Production: 🙄🤔🤷 Music: 🌳🌅💘 Rating: 🍉🍉/5
Favorite Track: If It Takes All Night
Not for me
Completely unknown band for me. Like the cover, the music not so much.
Never heard of Roxy Music before this, and I found the album a very enjoyable listen. Every element works together in ways both expected and unexpected. It's hard to describe but I'd say it's a... Sophisticated rock sound. The album feels delicately and deliberately constructed, not just like they threw everything at the wall to see what sticks, and it comes out sounding great.
A must just for the cover
Interesting…not sure if I liked it or hated it.
Hard to come up with much feedback today. Probably need to hear this again. Was cool though
6/10
Ehh... I don't know, there is a lot of music out there thats a lot more interesting. I guess it's kind of ahead of its time, but it is also forgettable. Mid 3.
Bit indecisive on this one but I think it just about scrapes a 4 star rating
eh.
Not bad. fun album cover.
Naah, they definetly have something better to offer than this.
Great opening track, cadence of this album is so eno and this captures his partnership with singer brian ferry at their best. best roxy album.
Mid
Energetic rock album with some great singing and memorable tunes. Definitely gonna listen to it again