ROXY MUSIC – Roxy Music (1972-2015) RM | Platinum SHM-CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Falling halfway between musical primitivism and art rock ambition, Roxy Music's eponymous debut remains a startling redefinition of rock's boundaries. Simultaneously embracing kitschy glamour and avant-pop, Roxy Music shimmers with seductive style and pulsates with disturbing synthetic textures. Although no musician demonstrates much technical skill at this point, they are driven by boundless imagination -- Brian Eno's synthesized "treatments" exploit electronic instruments as electronics, instead of trying to shoehorn them into conventional acoustic patterns. Similarly, Bryan Ferry finds that his vampiric croon is at its most effective when it twists conventional melodies, Phil Manzanera's guitar is terse and unpredictable, while Andy Mackay's saxophone subverts rock & roll clichés by alternating R&B honking with atonal flourishes. But what makes Roxy Music such a confident, astonishing debut is how these primitive avant-garde tendencies are married to full-fledged songs, whether it's the free-form, structure-bending "Re-Make/Re-Model" or the sleek glam of "Virginia Plain," the debut single added to later editions of the album. That was the trick that elevated Roxy Music from an art school project to the most adventurous rock band of the early '70s. Stephen Thomas Erlewine 
Tracklist :
1 Re-Make / Re-Model 5:10
2 Ladytron 4:21
3 If There Is Something 6:33
4 2 H.B. 4:30
5 The Bob (Melody) 5:48
6 Chance Meeting 3:00
7 Would You Believe? 3:47
8 Sea Breezes 7:00
9 Bitters End 2:02
Credits :
Bass Guitar – Graham Simpson
Drums – Paul Thompson
Guitar – Phil Manzanera
Saxophone, Oboe – Andy Mackay
Songwriter [All Songs By], Voice, Piano, Cover – Bryan Ferry
Synthesizer [Synthesiser], Tape – Eno

ROXY MUSIC - For Your Pleasure (1973-2015) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

On Roxy Music's debut, the tensions between Brian Eno and Bryan Ferry propelled their music to great, unexpected heights, and for most of the group's second album, For Your Pleasure, the band equals, if not surpasses, those expectations. However, there are a handful of moments where those tensions become unbearable, as when Eno wants to move toward texture and Ferry wants to stay in more conventional rock territory; the nine-minute "The Bogus Man" captures such creative tensions perfectly, and it's easy to see why Eno left the group after the album was completed. Still, those differences result in yet another extraordinary record from Roxy Music, one that demonstrates even more clearly than the debut how avant-garde ideas can flourish in a pop setting. This is especially evident in the driving singles "Do the Strand" and "Editions of You," which pulsate with raw energy and jarring melodic structures. Roxy also illuminate the slower numbers, such as the eerie "In Every Dream Home a Heartache," with atonal, shimmering synthesizers, textures that were unexpected and innovative at the time of its release. Similarly, all of For Your Pleasure walks the tightrope between the experimental and the accessible, creating a new vocabulary for rock bands, and one that was exploited heavily in the ensuing decade. by Stephen Thomas Erlewine 
Tracklist:
1 Do The Strand
2 Beauty Queen
3 Strictly Confidential
4 Editions Of You
5 In Every Dream Home A Heartache
6 The Bogus Man
7 Grey Lagoons
8 For Your Pleasure
Credits:
Bass, Guest [Guest Artiste] – John Porter
Drums – Paul Thompson
Guitar – Phil Manzanera
Oboe, Saxophone – Andrew Mackay
Synthesizer, Tape [Tapes] – Eno
Voice, Keyboards – Bryan Ferry
Words By, Music By – Ferry

ROXY MUSIC - Stranded (1973-2015) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Without Brian Eno, Roxy Music immediately became less experimental, yet they remained adventurous, as Stranded illustrates. Under the direction of Bryan Ferry, Roxy moved toward relatively straightforward territory, adding greater layers of piano and heavy guitars. Even without the washes of Eno's synthesizers, Roxy's music remains unsettling on occasion, yet in this new incarnation, they favor more measured material, whether it's the reflective "A Song for Europe" or the shifting textures of "Psalm." Even the rockers, such as the surging "Street Life" and the segmented "Mother of Pearl," are distinguished by subtle songwriting that emphasizes both Ferry's tortured glamour and Roxy's increasingly impressive grasp of sonic detail. by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist:
1 Street Life 3:29
Written-By – Ferry
2 Just Like You 3:36
Written-By – Ferry
3 Amazona 4:16
Written-By – Ferry, Manzanera
4 Psalm 8:04
Choir – The London Welsh Male Choir (Written-By – Ferry)
5 Serenade 2:59
Written-By – Ferry
6 A Song For Europe 5:46
Written-By – Mackay, Ferry
7 Mother Of Pearl 6:52
Written-By – Ferry
8 Sunset 6:04
Bass [String Bass] – Chris Lawrence (Written-By – Ferry)
Credits:
Bass – John Gustafson
Drums, Timpani – Paul Thompson
Guitar, Other [& Treatments] – Phil Manzanera
Oboe, Saxophone, Other [& Treatments] – Andy Mackay
Violin, Synthesizer, Keyboards – Eddie Jobson
Voice [Voices], Piano – Bryan Ferry

ROXY MUSIC - Country Life (1974-2015) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Continuing with the stylistic developments of Stranded, Country Life finds Roxy Music at the peak of their powers, alternating between majestic, unsettling art rock and glamorous, elegant pop/rock. At their best, Roxy combine these two extremes, like on the exhilarating opener "The Thrill of It All," but Country Life benefits considerably from the ebb and flow of the group's two extremes, since it showcases their deft instrumental execution and their textured, enthralling songwriting. And, in many ways, Country Life offers the greatest and most consistent set of Roxy Music songs, illustrating their startling depth. From the sleek rock of "All I Want Is You" and "Prairie Rose" to the elegant, string-laced pop of "A Really Good Time," Country Life is filled with thrilling songs, and Roxy Music rarely sounded as invigorating as they do here. by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist:
1 The Thrill Of It All 6:22
Written-By – Ferry
2 Three And Nine 4:01
Written-By – Mackay, Ferry
3 All I Want Is You 2:52
Written-By – Ferry
4 Out Of The Blue 4:45
Written-By – Ferry, Manzanera
5 If It Takes All Night 3:09
Written-By – Ferry
6 Bitter-Sweet 4:49
Written-By – Mackay, Ferry
7 Triptych 3:09
Written-By – Ferry
8 Casanova 3:23
Written-By – Ferry
9 A Really Good Time 3:43
Written-By – Ferry
10 Prairie Rose 5:07
Written-By – Ferry, Manzanera
Credits:
Bass – John Gustafson
Drums – Paul Thompson
Guitar – Phil Manzanera
Oboe, Saxophone – Andrew Mackay
Strings, Synthesizer, Keyboards – Edwin Jobson
Vocals, Keyboards, Art Direction – Bryan Ferry

ROXY MUSIC - Siren (1975-2015) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Abandoning the intoxicating blend of art rock and glam-pop that distinguished Stranded and Country Life, Roxy Music concentrate on Bryan Ferry's suave, charming crooner persona for the elegantly modern Siren. As the disco-fied opener "Love Is the Drug" makes clear, Roxy embrace dance and unabashed pop on Siren, weaving them into their sleek, arty sound. It does come at the expense of their artier inclinations, which is part of what distinguished Roxy, but the end result is captivating. Lacking the consistently amazing songs of its predecessor, Siren has a thematic consistency that works in its favor, and helps elevate its best songs -- "Sentimental Fool," "Both Ends Burning," "Just Another High" -- as well as the album itself into the realm of classics. by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist:
1 Love Is The Drug 4:05
2 End Of The Line 5:14
3 Sentimental Fool 6:11
4 Whirlwind 3:34
5 She Sells 3:45
6 Could It Happen To Me? 3:37
7 Both Ends Burning 5:12
8 Nightingale 4:05
9 Just Another High 6:28
Credits:
Bass – John Gustafson
Drums – Paul Thompson
Guitar – Phil Manzanera
Oboe, Saxophone – Andrew Mackay
Strings, Synthesizer, Keyboards – Edwin Jobson
Vocals, Keyboards – Bryan Ferry
Written-By – Mackay (tracks: 1, 3), Ferry, Jobson (tracks: 5), Manzanera (tracks: 4, 8)

ROXY MUSIC - Manifeto (1979-2015) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Returning to action after four years of solo projects, Roxy Music redefined its sound and agenda on Manifesto. More than ever, Roxy sounds like Bryan Ferry's backing band, as the group strips away its art rock influences, edits out the instrumental interludes in favor of concise pop songs, and adds layers of stylish disco rhythms. Although the songwriting is distressingly inconsistent, there are a number of wonderful moments on the record, particularly in the sighing "Angel Eyes" and the heartbroken "Dance Away." Still, trading sonic adventure for lush, accessible disco-pop isn't entirely satisfactory, even if it is momentarily seductive. by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist:
1 Manifesto 5:29
2 Trash 2:14
3 Angel Eyes 3:32
4 Still Falls The Rain 4:13
5 Stronger Through The Years 6:16
6 Ain't That So 5:39
7 My Little Girl 3:17
8 Dance Away 3:48
9 Cry, Cry, Cry 2:55
10 Spin Me Round 5:15
Performer – Alan Spenner, Andy Mackay, Bryan Ferry, Gary Tibbs, Paul Carrack, Paul Thompson, Phil Manzanera
Written-By – Mackay (tracks: 3), Ferry, Manzanera (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 7)

ROXY MUSIC - Flesh + Blood (1980-2015) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

An even slicker record than Manifesto, Flesh + Blood precariously balances between alluringly seductive, sophisticated soul-pop and cloying, radio-ready disco-pop. At its best, the album is effortlessly suave and charming -- "Over You" is one of their greatest singles, and "Oh Yeah" is nearly as persuasive -- but much of the record is devoted to ill-formed, stylish lounge-pop. In particular, the reliance on reworked covers of "In the Midnight Hour" and "Eight Miles High" is distressing, not only because it signals a lack of imagination, but also because it suggests that Flesh + Blood is simply a lesser solo effort from Bryan Ferry. And even the handful of undeniably strong moments can't erase the feeling that Roxy Music were beginning to run out of ideas. by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist:
1 The Midnight Hour 3:12
Bass – Tibbs
Drums – Schwartzberg
Guitar – Hubbard, Manzanera
Keyboards – Ferry
Saxophone [Sax] – Mackay
Written-By – Cropper, Pickett
2 Oh Yeah 4:50
Bass – Jason
Drums – Schwartzberg
Lead Guitar – Manzanera
Piano – Ferry
Rhythm Guitar – Hubbard
Saxophone [Sax] – Mackay
Strings – Carrack
Written-By – Ferry
3 Same Old Scene 3:57
Bass – Spenner
Drums – Schwartzberg
Guitar – Manzanera
Keyboards – Ferry
Saxophone [Sax] – Mackay
Written-By – Ferry
4 Flesh And Blood 3:13
Drums – Newmark
Percussion – Schwartzberg
Synthesizer, Guitar – Ferry
Written-By – Ferry
5 My Only Love 5:19
Bass – Spenner
Drums – Newmark
Guitar – Hubbard
Lead Guitar – Manzanera
Percussion – Schwartzberg, Phillips
Piano, Strings – Ferry
Saxophone [Sax] – Mackay
Written-By – Ferry
6 Over You 3:27
Drums – Schwartzberg
Guitar – Manzanera
Keyboards – Ferry
Saxophone [Sax] – Mackay
Written-By – Ferry, Manzanera
7 Eight Miles High 4:53
Bass – Jason
Drums – Schwartzberg
Guitar – Hubbard
Keyboards – Ferry
Lead Guitar – Manzanera
Saxophone [Sax] – Mackay
Written-By – Crosby, Clark, McGuinn
8 Rain Rain Rain 3:20
Bass – Spenner
Drums – Schwartzberg
Guitar – Hubbard
Keyboards – Ferry
Saxophone [Sax] – Mackay
Written-By – Ferry
9 No Strange Delight 4:44
Bass – Jason
Drums – Schwartzberg
Guitar – Manzanera
Keyboards – Ferry
Oboe – Mackay
Written-By – Ferry, Manzanera
10 Running Wild 5:01
Bass – Spenner
Drums – Schwartzberg
Organ, Piano – Carrack
Piano – Ferry
Rhythm Guitar – Hubbard
Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar – Manzanera
Saxophone [Sax] – Mackay
Written-By – Ferry, Manzanera

ROXY MUSIC - Avalon (1982-2015) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Flesh + Blood suggested that Roxy Music were at the end of the line, but they regrouped and recorded the lovely Avalon, one of their finest albums. Certainly, the lush, elegant soundscapes of Avalon are far removed from the edgy avant-pop of their early records, yet it represents another landmark in their career. With its stylish, romantic washes of synthesizers and Bryan Ferry's elegant, seductive croon, Avalon simultaneously functioned as sophisticated make-out music for yuppies and as the maturation of synth pop. Ferry was never this romantic or seductive, either with Roxy or as a solo artist, and Avalon shimmers with elegance in both its music and its lyrics. "More Than This," "Take a Chance with Me," "While My Heart Is Still Beating," and the title track are immaculately crafted and subtle songs, where the shifting synthesizers and murmured vocals gradually reveal the melodies. It's a rich, textured album and a graceful way to end the band's career. by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist:
1 More Than This 4:31
Written-By – Ferry
2 The Space Between 4:30
Written-By – Ferry
3 Avalon 4:17
Written-By – Ferry
4 India 1:45
Written-By – Ferry
5 While My Heart Is Still Beating 3:29
Written-By – Mackay, Ferry
6 The Main Thing 3:54
Written-By – Ferry
7 Take A Chance With Me 4:43
Written-By – Ferry, Manzanera
8 To Turn You On 4:17
Written-By – Ferry
9 True To Life 4:27
Written-By – Ferry
10 Tara 1:45
Written-By – Mackay, Ferry
Credits:
Backing Vocals – Fonzi Thornton (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 7, 9)
Bass – Alan Spenner (tracks: 1, 3 to 4, 8 to 10), Neil Jason (tracks: 2, 5 to 7)
Drums – Andy Newmark (tracks: 1 to 7, 9)
Engineer – Bob Clearmountain, Rhett Davies
Guitar – Neil Hubbard (tracks: 1 to 9), Phil Manzanera (tracks: 1 to 7, 9)
Keyboards, Written-By – Bryan Ferry
Percussion – Jimmy Maelen (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9)
Saxophone – Andy Mackay (tracks: 1 to 6, 9, 10)
Vocals – Bryan Ferry (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 9)
Written-By – Mackay (tracks: 5, 10), Ferry, Manzanera (tracks: 7)

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