FOR YOUR PLEASURE

To me, the followup to the band's debut always felt a little more simplified than when compared to its predecessor. I mean, sure you have the glitzly and whacking sax-pop of 'Do the Strand', with Ferry impersonating some wily dance instructor and only coming off as half a sex offender, but what bothers me most is it seems that the group were more interested this time around in the non- keyboard elements, which imbalances the record to me. It's not to say Brian Eno's contribution is lessened, either. I'm certain that if any other producer were to have taken reign over the album's final form, it would sound completely different.

In fact, For Your Pleasure is even more of a keyboard rock album than before, it's just that, and here's where we lose some folks, Eno doesn't play anything but his VCS3. Ferry sang, played the piano, mellotron, and was credited for having written all the songs. That, my friends, is why I see this group's legacy in a different light. I don't know what your station is, but from what I've heard, Roxy Music has been heralded so much because of Eno's conclusion. I love the man, probably more than most, but in the spirit of fairness and reverence, this was always Ferry's vehicle. His delicious, emotive crooning over the staggered wash of 'Beauty Queen' is a feel that pretty much nobody was able to recreate.

There's a larger emphasis on swing and sax, which is evident in the first and third tracks. I said that FYP was simpler, but what I didn't mention is the sheer explosion of personality. It might be a little dull from time to time, but 'Strictly Confidential' has a sound you won't hear from many other outlets, I assure you. It's the right blend of dreary gothic embrace and energetic rocking to give it that 'rounded out' edge. It's another (suitably) diverse rock/pop album from some very smart people who know how to kick up a mood. Hell, I typically hate extended excess suites, but the 'Bogus Man' is 9 minutes of crazy experimentation and boogling noises that have actual focus and mood. If anything, there are merely fewer peaks than there were on the debut.

Share this ROXY MUSIC review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Alitare
• Report this review (#443576)
• Buy ROXY MUSIC music online with PA partners
• Show all ROXY MUSIC MP3/Stream
• Go to ROXY MUSIC page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to For Your Pleasure page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for ROXY MUSIC related discussions