FLESH + BLOOD

This was one of my prog related disappointements in a decade full of prog disappointments. Roxy Music´s second coming had a certain amount of quality alright, but below what one should expect from such great musicians. The production here seems to be the main problem: too slick and sterile, it robbed the songs its energy and life most of the time. But there are other issues besides that: Roxy come back was much in the 80´s style of regrouping, i.e. meaning founding members plus hired guns. Roxy Music always had a great overall sound that was more than a sum of its parts. That chemistry is missing here. No matter how important and unique are Andy McKay and Phil Manzanera: this is almost a Bryan Ferry solo record.

Inspiration is lacking too. Most of the tunes are not as powerful and remarckable as earlier stuff. Again the production may have buried some gems, since songs like My Only Love, Oh Yeah and Same Old Scene got some real nice, convincing versions when played live in future concerts. The two covers included here are also much more fitting to a Bryan Ferry CD than on a RM release. An even then, I´m afraid they´d not be that album´s highlights.

Conclusion: not a bad record (specially if you compare it to much that was produced at the time, prog wise). But this one is definitly not a good starting point to someone who wants to get to know this groundbreaking band. Flesh + Blood are for (hardcore) fans and collectors.