ROXY MUSIC

I'd like to open with a quote from Mike Ohman from the GEPR site. "In 1972, when the first ROXY MUSIC album came out, it was unlike anything that came before.Ten years later, there were scads of different bands attempting to emulate ROXY's style, and often failing miserably at it. The first album introduced the sublime talents of Bryan Ferry, Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera and Andy MacKay to an unsuspecting world. Eno was using his synth like no one else, not only as a lead instrument, but primarily as a sound processor, interacting with what the other members were doing. His presence is deeply felt on the debut, which also displays Ferry's highly stylized vocals". When I told tszirmay that I was going to review the debut album of his favourite band, he said "Just remember that it was released in 1972". Important advice and i'm still in disbelief that it was released so early in the seventies. This is highly original and innovative music, but it's also great music.

"Re-Make / Re-Model" opens with what sounds like a sample of cafeteria sound affects as tszirmay mentions. It then kicks in with piano, drums then vocals before the guitar rips it up. Sax joins in. Such a punk attitude here before the genre even existed. Love the vocal / sax interplay. This song's a blast, these guys are having too much fun. "Ladytron" is spacey to open then the aboe comes in. Vocals after a minute with mellotron. Bass and a steady beat follows as the song settles in. The guitar and sax are great after 2 1/2 minutes. "If There Is Something" is led by piano and vocals early and it has a country flavour to it. A change in style before 2 1/2 minutes and the vocals get passionate as Ferry sings "I would do anything for you, I would climb mountains, I would swim all the oceans blue". Love that part ! "Virginia Plain" is catchy and a whole lot of fun. "2HB" is a track that moves me, and has from the very first listen. It's Ferry's vocal delivery which is truly one of a kind. Later the drums sound so crisp as the bass throbs.

"The Bob (Medley)" opens with Eno doing his thing then the drums and vocals come crashing in. It settles after 1 1/2 minutes with aboe, piano and war samples. It turns uptempo after 3 minutes,the guitar that follows is excellent. The aboe is making all kinds of noise then it settles with piano and spoken words. Kicks back in. My God ! Ferry is brilliant ! "Chance Meeting" opens with fragile vocals and piano. Eno before a minute as it turns dissonant. The piano continues though then the vocals return.Themes are repeated. "Would You Believe ?" kicks in after a minute as the sax blasts away. Ferry follows suit. Guitar after 2 minutes followed by more sax. "Sea Breezes" opens with the sound of waves rolling in. The vocals come in reminding me of Fish during his MARILLION days. Aboe joins with paino. Guitar before 3 minutes as the waves continue. It changes completely after 3 1/2 minutes as drums, bass, vocals then guitar get loud. Back to the earlier sound before 6 1/2 minutes. "Bitter's End" is the final track and they're having fun again. I Iike the sax. Those cafeteria sounds are back as the album ends just like it began.

Well I agree whole-heartily with tszirmay and Tom Ozric's assessments. 5 stars !