AVALON

Talk about sophistication. From raw experimental electrified Rock to highly depuration in language and structure music-wise; the one that really concerns us; more than concepts and postures ..This kind of refinement was well forewarned in "Siren" (Roxy 5); midly reached in "Flesh & Blood"(Roxy 7) and of course the route Bryan Ferry´s solo works were heading. It was inevitable; the system was already rolling; since Roxy "1". And "Roxy Music" never intended to create a "style" or a "trend" (apart from the humurous proposed; unexistent, upcoming and fabulous "STRAND" ) . They just followed their "tue to life"- instincts (well; Ferrys´s) ; therefore; this structure developed naturally and easily; as the band grew in its wide scope of musical skills; as every record dared intentionally to out-do the last. ("Manifesto" if not for 2 songs; almost out-did all the discography!! for the worst)....BUT; some composers have a clear picture of the sound that haunts them to the point of never declining their self-imposed endeavor to "uncover" it. "AVALON" is elegant, personal and full of restrained; near to perfect songwriting; as Mr. Ferrys´s concept had developed to "Less is More" and the least; is even better; so; why scream? when you can whisper, why repeat?.. what already has been done (even by you). And of course; yes!.. this is the less prog oriented Roxy effort; you will come close to... But It is here; because the band self-evolution started somewhere around the Prog-sphere; But ROXY never tied themselves down ; but to creativity (sacrifices included; which will explain the lack of commercial success). They went their own way. Natural evolution in all its extension. Crystal clear compositions; effective production and oh! yes; the band sounds better than ever. Each member sounds more than comitted to this album. I suppose it was clear for eveyone in the band; (well; the base 3-unit members); that Roxys´s way; was really going to fade away some day soon... The pinnacle of a close to perfect discography. And of course the less prog oriented recommendable ROXY album ("Siren" still hold some.).***** 5 "Masterpiece Stars; even IF..it will never head the top-10-Prog-list-band, and that is; at the end of the day; irrelevant when it comes to music; more if the music is flawless, "More than this there is nothing"