ROXY MUSIC

Roxy Music was a prog art rock band from UK that was founded in London in the early of the 70's by Bryan Ferry. Ferry, who was graduated from art school, became the group's lead vocalist and the main songwriter. The band's name is a reference to the titles of old cinemas and dance halls and a pun with the worth rock. Ferry first named the band Roxy, but when he knew that there was a US band with the same name, he changed its name to Roxy Music. Roxy Music's debut features an entertaining mix of styles, even within the songs, which unrestrainedly crosses all genre boundaries.

Roxy Music isn't only interesting because Brian Eno was in the first albums, although I already share the opinion that the first two albums were the best of the band in terms of technology and progressivity. If you only know some hits of the band mainly from later years, you get a wrong picture. In reality, Roxy Music offers much more. Already on the first self-titled album everything is there, what comes later and much more. And the album sounds clearly progressive here.

So, "Roxy Music" is the eponymous debut studio album of Roxy Music that was released in 1972. The sexy cover of the album features the model Kari-Ann Muller, who later married Chris Jagger, the brother of Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones. All songs were written by Bryan Ferry. The line up on this album is Bryan Ferry (vocals, piano, Hohner Pianet and Mellotron), Brian Eno (backing vocals, VCS3 synthesizer and tape effects), Andy MacKay (backing vocals, oboe and saxophone), Phil Manzanera (electric guitar), Graham Simpson (bass guitar) and Paul Thompson (drums). The album had also the participation of Rik Kenton (bass) on "Virginia Plain". "Roxy Music" has ten tracks. The first track "Re-Make/Re-Model" is the song that opens brilliantly this album in a great rocking style. We can say that this is a perfect card for what would become the type of the band's music, especially on their first two studio albums. It's also a song where each member of the band could shine at solo, especially Andy MacKay and Phil Manzanera which would be the two pillars of the group with Bryan Ferry. The second track "Ladytron" is another fantastic song. Despite having a bizarre start is a very melodic song where we can see the great influence of Brian Eno's hand. Also deserves emphasis the use of an oboe by Andy MacKay and the powerful sound of the drums of Paul Thompson. The third track "If There Is Something" is a different song with two distinct parts. It begins as a rock calm song but it changes and gradually becomes more intense. This is a song where the performance of Andy MacKay shines, very well supported by Phil Manzanera and Paul Thompson on the back. This is one of the highest points of this album. The fourth track "Virginia Plain" wasn't part of the original UK LP. It's a very interesting song which was made originally to be released as a single hit. It has some good interesting musical appointments by Brian Eno. The fifth track "2 H.B.", as the name says, is a song made to pay tribute to Humphrey Bogart, one of the great cult film stars. It's a very beautiful song where the main emphasis goes entirely to Bryan Ferry and his lyrics, and also by to the nice and very interesting spacey and futuristic keyboard work. The sixth track "The Bob (Medley)" is about the Battle of Britain in the World War II. It's a more experimental and original track than the previous one. It's a good and interesting song very original. The seventh track "Chance Meeting" is without any doubt one of the most original and bold songs of the band. This is one of the most avant-garde and experimental songs, thanks mainly to the spatial and futuristic sounds of Brian Eno's synthesizers. The eighth track "Would You Believe?" is probably one of the most atypical Roxy Music's songs on the album. It's a typical Rock'n'Roll song with very interesting individual performances by all the musicians. The ninth track "Sea Breezes" is a fantastic song, very beautiful but at the same time very strange. It's the lengthiest song on the album with a very quiet and slow beginning followed by a long experimental part. This is another most avant-garde experimental song of the group. The tenth track "Bitters End" is a very strange way to close this album. It's a nice and a bizarre song that seems be part of the ambience of a cabaret show. It brings a little bit fun to the end of this album.

Conclusion: "Roxy Music" is an excellent, original and a fantastic debut musical work of the group. "Roxy Music" and "For Your Pleasure" are the two albums that represents the first musical period of the band which corresponds to the most experimental and avant-garde period of them. They represent also the most interesting phase for all progheads. Some songs of this album remind me the new wave, especially "Ladytron" that reminds me the debut album of Simple Minds, "Life In A Day". That isn't surprising because Roxy Music is one of the greatest inspirations of the new wave movement. To finish, I strongly recommend this album to all fans of the progressive rock music, especially for those who don't have the idea that the progressive rock is only for the traditional progressive bands like Genesis, Yes, King Crimson and Pink Floyd. However, you must have your mind open to hear this original and unique progressive band.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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