SIREN

Siren is the 5th Roxy Music album, and it is indeed a classic. Detractors may be put off by the direction taken by the band on this release, but they can't ignore the art that lies within the grooves of Siren. There may be some pop hooks here and there in place of the experimentation from previous Roxy releases, but this is still a strong effort thanks to some great performances and melodic songwriting.

Among the highlights are the Top 40 and club fave "Love Is the Drug". It features a nice groove, some rich harmony vocals by Bryan Ferry, an amazing bass guitar line by John Gustafson, and powerful sax from Andy Mackay. "Sentimental Fool" harkens back to the experimental days of Roxy Music and features Phil Manzanera's blazing guitar. "Whirlwind" is a powerfull little number that recalls "Do the Strand" followed by "She Sells", a melodic gem of song that segues into a danceable groove. "Both Ends Burning", a staple of Roxy's live shows, features a haunting melody and yet another dance groove. The album's closing track, "Just Another High", is one of those underappreciated Roxy Music tunes with a strong melody in the verses and nice changes in the chorus. Hats off to Bryan Ferry for his great work.

Siren is a nice snapshot of Roxy Music history, and it hints at the future of Roxy Music a la Manifesto and Avalon. While it may not be as lauded as other albums like their amazing self-titled debut or Country Life, it is still a great addition to any collection and is highly recommended.