AVALON

Strange but great way for a band to end a career. Most do not quit when they are on top and Avalon was probably Roxy Music's most successful album in commercial terms. It is thick and atmospheric with a slick production and an 80's dance sound (i.e."The Main Thing") that had come into vogue at the time. Avalon evokes a subtle hypnotic affect and endears the listener to a romantic quality seldom matched by their contemporaries. The songs range from melodic to icy cold and stark in contrast. Again the production by Roxy Music and producer Rhett Davies is layered in such a way that the interplay between Manzanera's guitar work and MacKay's saxaphone standout while the emphasis is heavy on delay as witnessed in the drum sound where a single beat takes up a vast sonic quality. A great example of this is on "While My Heart is Still Beating" and witnessed on "Take A Chance With Me" with it's beautiful opening between Manzanera and MacKay's sax. Likewise there is the pure exhilaration that is the title track "Avalon" and especially on "More than This" where Ferry croons some of his most emotional and heartfelt vocals. "True to Life" is a classic Roxy Music tune and ultimately ends the album on a somewhat autobiographical note. It's a shame that this ended Roxy Music's career as it seems they easily could have continued judging by the strength of the songs on this album. They went out on top as few bands do and that in itself should only add to the legend. A great art rock band essential to anyones collection with an appreciation of both technique and heartfelt emotion. Maybe not a progressive rock band in the strictest sense of the word but most certainly an art rock band that helped define an era.