FOR YOUR PLEASURE

"For Your Pleasure" is the 2nd full-length studio album by UK rock act Roxy Music. The album was released through Island Records in March 1973 (Warner Bros. Records in the United States). It´s the successor to the eponymously titled debut album from June 1972. The "Pyjamarama/The Pride and the Pain" single (featuring two non-album tracks) was released in February 1973 in advance of "For Your Pleasure", but the album initially didn´t spawn any singles. Opening track "Do the Strand" was subsequently released as a single in the US and in Europe in July 1973. "For Your Pleasure" still ended up a commercially successful release, reaching No. 4 on the UK charts.

Stylistically the material is sophisticated pop/rock drawing influences from many musical genres and incorporating many musical elements. Roxy Music were not afraid to experiment and although some of the materal is relatively maintream oriented and accessible, you´ll also find experimental/avant-garde ideas like the closing minutes to "The Bogus Man" and the title track. The former also features a rather obvious krautrock influence with its insisting beat and sonic experiments throughout (Can was probably a great influence here). Compared to the atmospere of the debut album, many tracks on "For Your Pleasure" feature a darker more gloomy mood. Tracks like "Strictly Confidential", "In Every Dream Home a Heartache", "The Bogus Man" and the title track are for example quite sombre (and some like "In Every Dream Home a Heartache" and "The Bogus Man" feature some quite twisted lyrics too). Roxy Music haven´t completely forgotten the uptempo energetic atmosphere of the debut album though, and tracks like "Do the Strand" and "Editions of You" are both uplifting uptempo rock´n´roll/glam rock songs.

"For Your Pleasure" an an exceptionally well sounding album, featuring a sound production which is powerful, organic, and detailed, suiting the material perfectly. Upon conclusion "For Your Pleasure" is a high quality release by Roxy Music and a great sophomore studio album showing progress and an (at this point) unwavering will to experiment. "For Your Pleasure" is arguably Roxy Music´s most adventurous and challenging release. The highly eclectic nature of the material makes it an engaging and varied listen throughout. The album takes you through flows and ebbs and light and darkness and as a listener you´ll have to be open minded and be willing to embrace whatever the band throws at you. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.