AVALON

I suppose prog listeners tend to prefer the early years of this art-rock/ glam-rock band, and of course there's a valid reason for that as they really were so unique-sounding and innovative, back when also Brian Eno was in the group. However, my preference is very clearly on the smooth pop elegance of the later albums in the early eighties. I was charmed in my teenage years by Avalon (the 1982 album), which I still enjoy a lot. Definitely among the finest pop albums of its time. Or of any time, actually.

The romantic, slow paced title track is probably the best known Roxy Music song -- to the large pop audience anyway --, perhaps not least for its beautiful music video. The sensualism is gorgeously finished by the female vocalise part. (Not my fave track on the album, though.)

The B-sider 'Always Unknowing' didn't appear on any album, but it's so good it wouldn't have been out of place on Avalon if there had been room for one more song. But that's the special pleasure with singles, to hear something not heard elsewhere. This song also is in a slow tempo and Bryan Ferry's vocals are pretty sparse in it. There's not much progression in the composition, but the playing is enjoyable, especially Phil Manzanera's guitar. The production is excellent. In my youth there used to be jukeboxes, and this single would have earned my dimes several times.