ROXY MUSIC

Roxy Music debut with the eponymous album was epochal. There had never been any pop songs with such a rate of artistic sophistication. The art-rock was born, which today we consider crossover prog. The band was a breeding ground of talent, as in the tradition of prog was composed by virtuosos: Bryan Ferry invented a decadent dandy singing, then taken up by the vocalists of glam rock and new wave groups, and he was an excellent pianist, as well as the composer of all the tracks. Brian Eno was an electronics pioneer. Phil Manzanera was a brilliant and extravagant guitarist. Andy Mackay was a real virtuos. Graham Simpson and Paul Thompson were a perfect rhythm session.

"Roxy Music" starts with "Re-Make/Re-Model" (vote 8,5/9), a manifesto song: it's a rave up with whimsical rhythm, where the singer and every instrumentalist are singing or playing as if they were soloists. One of the most striking incipits in the history of rock. The second song "Ladytron" (vote 7,5) continues with the sustained rhythm of the first, but in a more classical way: by ascending the instrumental incursions alternating with those of the singing.

The third, "If There Is Something" (vote 9+) touches one of the peaks of the music of 1972. It is an absolute masterpiece. Part like a catchy pop song, sung with mocking joy, and gradually becomes more and more melancholy and mournful thanks to instrumental solos (Mackay divine), and in fact the singing of Ferry gradually transforms, becomes an increasingly neurotic crooning and suffered. Absolute masterpiece that is worth, with its six and a half minutes, much more in terms of pure inspiration, creativity and pathos (I don't say in terms of compositional effort), of all or almost the suites of the great or minor prog rock band of 1972 (includes "Close To the Edge" and "Supper's Ready"). "Virginia Plain" (absent in the UK version, vote 8) is an experimental electronic song, where Eno shows his creativity as an electronic pioneer. But let's not forget to praise Bryan Ferry, who is the creator of all these pieces: he is the Roxy Music factotum, and he is an extremely gifted musician, who is often underestimated as an author and singer. "Virginia Plain" in its brevity is a brilliant and innovative song, due to the collaboration between Ferry and Eno. "2HB", which ends the first side of the album, is a more relaxed, almost resigned ballad (vote 7), which has its best moments in the instrumental parts. End a first side by applause.

Side B opens with "The Bob [medley]", almost six minutes: another experimental song (vote 8) with strange sound, rumours of war, cacophony. Then comes a catchy melody, to the rhythm of rave up, as in the first song, then the anguish returns. Cerebral song. The second track ("Chance Meeting", three minutes, vote 7+) immediately appears heartbreaking, poignant, and Ferry singing is imposed as one of the most characteristic of an era. The arrangement is minimal but very effective in emphasizing the pathos. Short but well-made song. There comes "Would You Believe" (vote 7,5) a happy and disengaged rhythm (I wonder, in fact: until Roxy Music manage to maintain such a high quality level?) which then unleashes another raveful rhythm, and the party starts again.

"Sea Breezes" (seven minutes) is a slow piece, absorbed, with excellent solos of Manzanera, a very raised bass, a more meditative development. It does not reach the peaks of the first side (vote 8+) but is more than good. The final "Bitter's End" (two minutes) is a goodbye song in chorus, as at a party, with the saxophone in evidence. A touch of lightness (vote 6,5).

The second side is slightly inferior to the first, and contains songs that hit less at first listen, on the whole more painful and sought. However, overall the album remains a must for its beauty and for its historical reach. The progressive has moved both in the direction of symphonic music (the suites) and in the direction of writing high-class pop songs, where, and this for me counts, the rate of theatricality, vocal interpretation, arrangements, helps to create deep emotions: like in this case.

Masterpiece. Medium quality of the songs (without Bitter's End): 7,94. Vote album: 9+. Rating: Five Stars.