THE COMPLETE STUDIO RECORDINGS

The complete studio recordings give the indication of a band that were ahead and yet of it's time. The more avant garde approach of the first album; it's far more accessible successor and the understated styling of the next two (especially Siren) followed with a more mainstream approach but with still enough odd harmonies and sounds happening to continue what is clearly a subversive approach to music. The more overt abrasions give way to the occasional ones on later albums. But Phil Manzanera's guitar harmonies are so perfectly chosen and timed it is a real delight to go from Ladytron to Dance Away on these alone.

Roxy found a way of getting into people's music and quietly upsetting the apple cart in their own way. Like Bowie they knew a pop audience buys into an image; the music is second. Underlining this is the absence of the book that most box sets would have inside. I'm sure Ferry and Co know very well a book would be part of the overview; I think it's absence is a statement that Roxy Music were all about their music not the image. Perhaps the band are hoping either the image fans or detractors will get the idea that this superb outfit really is and was all about the music.

So what follows are what are "straight transfers" of the original tapes. N.B. There is a box set "5 Original Albums" that are a different mastering (Bob Ludwig). Some, like me, may find these more immediately enjoyable as they sit more suitably in a digital reproductive environment. But this box set is just fine audio wise, a few listens to adjust perhaps, not a problem. Perhaps the vinyl junkies from years ago (even your truly included there...) may appreciate the sound instantly which should do all record enthusiasts proud. Unless you really do want the sound of needles, dust and scratches. Not me though and these albums have never sounded so good as now.

Unlike the vinyl versions of these you get a 2 CD set of outtakes, B Sides and rare tracks. Details above and this set only with the box at least at this time of writing. Apparently 24 bit hi resolution audio versions were considered but subsequently vetoed; keep costs down perhaps? I do understand if the hi res might be the deciding factor but perhaps the surround options were not suitable. All I can say if you like the music, the albums then no matter that this is only superb 16 bit audio then this is a pretty good choice. If the set is going for a reasonable price (as determined by you) then it's worth it for the outtake set - provided you are familiar with Roxy Music. I do wonder how Love Is The Drug fans would get on with Sultanesque?

There is a lot of negative criticism about Roxy Music playing "pop" songs. Their more accessible material is very far from disposable. Well written, well played with exquisite taste and a hint of that smooth subversion ever present). Now, something more dance oriented may seem less demanding than the more intellectual offerings such as Out Of The Blue and Bogus Man to pick a couple of my all time favourites, but it may be that listener has fallen victim to the subversion that is Roxy Music. Odd and even harmonies along with graceful rhythms abound. Ferry sounds great from beginning to end.

New Zealand readers may, if they are unaware, note that the NZ band Netherworld Dancing Toys took their name from Tara finishing the elegant Avalon album. A very influential band in the world of rock and this is more the evidence. Roxy Music are to the old new wave, new romantics and even punk and some RIO oriented prog what Zeppelin are to hard rock, or Sabbath to metal.

The covers are all gatefolds some where none existed before (Jerri Hall in The Siren centrefold for example) or Country Life - none of this unreasonable approach to prurient censorship here. Great, no complaints from the cheap sets round here. They are all housed in the both stylish and sturdy box all reminiscent of the Led Zeppelin box set of CD albums (pre-latest remaster). The CD albums are in a case that slides out and has to be returned correctly or it won't fit. All very nice.

Possibly the next set will be a comprehensive reissue of the live albums CD / DVD / Video sets. I hope so.

If you are a Roxy Music fan then this should be five stars, rock and prog rock fans four stars. If you are wondering if Roxy Music has any value to you then I suggest a smaller (20 greatest hits perhaps) as your entre to the music.

I suppose if this box set were live albums inclusive, with DVDs, Hi Res, books etc then the removal truck delivering that huge set would demand 5 stars alone. Do I knock off a whole 1/2 star for Roxy Music daring to let their music stand on it's own. No. To me it's five, to my fellow mainstream prog fans 4 1/2 and be prepared to upgrade that rating. Perhaps 1 to 3 live albums should be there but they are not so too bad.

"The Complete Studio Recordings" is a very special compilation album of Roxy Music that was released in 2012. This is an economic package that includes the entire studio discography of the band on only one package. But, besides that, it has also two extra CD's with singles, B sides singles and alternative mixed versions. So, it can be an interesting purchase for those who don't have yet all these studio albums individually and they can have also some extra things.

As I've already reviewed all these albums previously on Progarchives, in an extensive way, I'm not going to do it again. So, if you are interested to know, in more detail, what I wrote about them before, I invite you to read all those reviews.

"Roxy Music": "Roxy Music" is an excellent, original and fantastic debut album. It's with "For Your Pleasure", one of the two albums that represent the first period, the most experimental and avant-garde period of them. They represent also the most interesting phase for all prog heads. Some songs of this album remind me the new wave music. Their debut is a classic album. Roxy Music was a band that proved the innovative music can also be melodic and accessible.

"For Your Pleasure": "Roxy Music" and "For Your Pleasure" are the two less accessible albums of the band but are also the best and most experimental and avant-garde of their career. Both albums represent the most interesting phase of the band for prog heads. Still, "For Your Pleasure" is better because is more balanced, mature and adult. Ferry took the reins a little more and Eno's influence diminished. There's no doubt this was the album which put the art into rock.

"Stranded": "Stranded" is a mark in the change of the musical direction of the band. The musicianship is excellent and the production is very professional. "Stranded" is one of the most sophisticated and charming albums of Roxy Music. This is, perhaps, their best work after the departure of Eno. Even Eno later rated it as Roxy Music's finest album. So, if you're really interested in their most prog phase without their avant-garde phase, "Stranded" is the right place to start.

"Country Life": Of all Roxy Music's studio albums, "Country Life" is their most rock album. It's essential for those who love the decadence, the glamour and the passion of art rock. Overall, "Country Life" is another step out of the more experimental sound of the first two Roxy Music's albums. If you liked "Stranded" you will not be disappointed. The new sounds are great, even if they aren't quite complex. The new language made of Roxy Music a band ahead of their time.

"Siren": "Siren" marks the end of an era, the end of the second era of Roxy Music. "Siren" is a fantastic album and a landmark in the progressive rock music of the 70's. It's a model of the modern rock and we can't forget that the Rolling Stone magazine considered "Siren" as the Roxy Music's masterpiece and ranked it in number 371 on their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. "Siren" is a solid offering from Roxy Music, one of their defining truly essential albums.

"Manifesto": Returning to action after almost four years of solo projects, Roxy Music redefined their sound and strips away, and once for all, of their experimentalism and the art rock influences in favour of short concise pop songs with some kind of stylish disco rhythms, while retaining in the generality a good and consistent song writing. "Manifesto" is a transition album from the art rock to pop. So, for all prog heads, it hasn't the kind of music we expected from them.

"Flesh + Blood": I always considered "Flesh + Blood" as better than "Manifesto" is. "Flesh + Blood" is better balanced, cohesive and consistent than "Manifesto is. However, it lacks to it a touch of progressiveness to be a great prog work. Like Genesis, Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music succeeded where other bands like Renaissance, Gentle Giant and Emerson, Lake & Palmer failed and weren't able to achieve and sustain a commercial success in those difficult days of the 80's.

"Avalon": "Avalon" is the most well produced, mature, accessible, commercial and bestselling album of Roxy Music. This is a unique album on the entire band's career that takes us to another dimension. It's true that "Avalon" isn't truly a progressive album but it's a charming album that still sounds fresh, cool and sophisticated after all these years. I still can hear it with great pleasure, even nowadays. So, "Avalon" is highly recommended for any art rock enthusiast.

Conclusion: "The Complete Studio Recordings" is a very good and very interesting compilation album of Roxy Music. It's very complete with all their studio albums on only one package. But, beyond that, it has also two extra CD's of outtakes, B sides and some rarities. So, with all these material, "The Complete Studio Recordings" is an excellent alternative for all who don't have the studio discography of Roxy Music and they can have also some rare material at the same time. It's true that there is another compilation album of Roxy Music very similar to this one "The Studio Albums" also with all the eight studio albums of the band. But, "The Complete Studio Recordings" is a better option because you can have also the two extra CD's. So, we can say that "The Complete Studio Recordings" is indicated to all who don't have their studio albums yet and for those who are hard fans and wish to have everything from the band.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)