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Roxy Music - Avalon CD (album) cover

AVALON

Roxy Music

 

Crossover Prog

3.73 | 255 ratings

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Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
4 stars This is ROXY MUSIC's final album released in 1982. I remember well hearing 3 of these songs on the radio back then and really liking them even though I was into RUSH, FLOYD, ZEP etc. The fact was these were good songs and I liked the singers voice. I really knew nothing of the band back then, I didn't own any of their records but I had an appreciation for their sound. That grew when they released that Neil Young cover "Like A Hurricane". Fast forward over 25 years and I finally buy "Avalon" just to see if the magic was still there for me. It is, especially on the song "Take A Chance With Me" probably because of the three tracks I knew from the radio back then this is the one I heard the least, so it really brings me back to when I felt like I was on top of the world in my early twenties. Some have stated that this is almost like a Bryan Ferry solo album because he really made the album he always wanted with "Avalon". This might have a commercial flavour but man this is so sophisticated and smooth. Very subtle and mature. Very much mood music, and i'm sure many a guy used this album to get his lady in that special mood.

"More Than This" is of course one of the hits on this record. Just a gorgeous soundscape with Ferry's one of a kind vocals. "The Space Between" sounds like a track that would have been played in the dance clubs back then. A sexy song if there ever was one. "Avalon" is another hit. This sounds so good.The female backing vocals were a nice touch. "India" is a short instrumental. "While My Heart is Still Beating" opens with percussion and drums as the vocals come in.Themes are repeated. I like the sax late. This song's ok. "The Main Thing" is one I do like a lot. It's all about the beat here. A catchy little tune that reminds me of THE TALKING HEADS.

"Take A Chance With Me" is my favourite if only for reminding me of my youth. This is a Ferry and Manzanera composition. Some atmosphere early as the sax comes in. The main melody kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes."I was blind can't you see ? Through the long and lonely night, heaven knows I believe. Won't you take a chance with me ?". "To Turn You On" has the focus on Bryan's almost spoken vocals early before it all picks up. Tasteful guitar 2 1/2 minutes in followed by piano. "True To Life" is another song I really like. Percussion, vocals and atmosphere are like the holy trinity of this album if you know what mean. Great song. "Tara" is the short closing instrumental. Sax and atmosphere.

Even the pictures of the guys in the liner notes show a band who has shed the bizarre clothes and makeup. They look so real and mature. This was their biggest selling album by far. I have to give 4 stars for the ambience they created here. A unique album with well crafted songs that has the ability to take me to another place.

Mellotron Storm | 4/5 |

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