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ladyislingering · 10-24-2013, 09:38 PM

I think it's time to do a special feature on Roxy Music. I won't bore anyone with history or specifics, because it's really all about the music. However, I will mention that the noticeable shift in Roxy Music's general sound after "For Your Pleasure" is due to Brian Eno's exit from the group. With or without him, I love this band. Here's some of my favorite songs from each album.

Selections from Roxy Music (1972)

"Ladytron" (Old Grey Whistle Test)

Bryan Ferry's looking superfine here. And this song is just incredible. People must have heard it back then and wondered what the hell was going on. It's so bizarre, though it does give a nod to the psychedelic rock of the late 60s (in the UK and the US) with Eno's "treatments".

Spoiler for brass is so sexy.:

"If There is Something"

I love this song because the first time I heard it, I was so taken off-guard. I wasn't really sure what I was hearing, what to make of it, how to feel about it, but it just touched my glam-loving soul. I love Bryan's vocal strain, and the bizarre Ladytron-esque melodies about mid-way through and toward the end. This is just a great song. Simple as that.

Spoiler for growing potatoes by the scoooooooore:

"Bitter's End"

This one's incredibly Sparks-like, but came about before Sparks did, if that makes any sense. It's like a crooning 50's love song with a little bit of spook and a little bit of weirdness. It's just really something. Just listen.

Spoiler for A strange end to an album really:

Selections from "For Your Pleasure" (1973)

"Strictly Confidential"

Gloomy, hypnotic, melodic, and lovely.

Spoiler for rolling and turning, how can I sleep?:

"The Bogus Man"

This is just a great song to get really messed up to. Or to listen to when you're stoned or drunk or any other sort of chemical modification. Mainly because you can groove on this **** for like 10 minutes. It's groovy, strange, and a little creepy. It's even a little proggy, if not for all the art-rock stuff being thrown at you at a weirdly comfortable pace. I could listen to this song a thousand times and still it never bores me.

Spoiler for I feel a little messed up just listening to it again:

"For Your Pleasure"

With its luscious lyrics and psychedelic melody, this is almost 7 minutes of perfection. It's a soothing, beautiful end to this weird album. The "tara, tara" at the end always gives me a spook. I don't know why.

Spoiler for in the morning, things you worried about ... last night.:

Selections from "Stranded" (1973)

"Just Like You"

Bryan Ferry's vocals just make me swoon. For some reason this song is a lot like something Squeeze might record a decade later.

Spoiler for and the lyrics are grand.:

"Mother of Pearl"

I hope none of you are stoned upon listening to this, because it'll freak you out for quite a while and you'll never get to the exceptionally beautiful part.

Spoiler for WHAT'S THAT COMING AROUND THE CORNER:

"Serenade"

This is just a really great track. It's more of what Roxy Music was slowly shaping into. It's some good rock. That's really all I can say.

Spoiler for just listen.:

Selections from "Country Life" (1974)

"Bitter Sweet"

This is just a rollicking track, full of surprises, lush with instruments, with some terrifying German lyrics thrown in. It's one of my most favorite Roxy Music songs. I can't exactly explain what I love so much about it; it's just an unusual song.

***I could only find a video with this song and the next, with "Casanova"***

"Triptych" begins at 4:50/"Casanova" at 8:00. "Casanova" is pretty groovy, too.

"Triptych"

I just love the intro of this song, it really drew me in because it was so odd. The rest of it is awesome, too, but ... that weird intro.

Spoiler for Bitter-Sweet/Triptych/Casanova:

"A Really Good Time"

There's really nothing particularly special about the sound of this song. I remember just being so taken with the lyrics the first time I heard it, and it instantly became a favorite of mine.

Spoiler for you're well educated, with no common sense.:

Selections from "Siren" (1975)

"Both Ends Burning"

This song will always sound fresh to me. There's just something totally timeless about it. It's an electronic masterpiece. This is classic Roxy Music style.

Spoiler for so goddamn supreme.:

"Love is the Drug"

This is possibly the first Roxy Music song I ever heard. I was about 15 at the time. I was completely sold. It's not really my favorite anymore, but it deserves some recognition because it's still a pretty good track.

Spoiler for 't'ain't no big thing:

"She Sells"

This is so much like the groovy stuff that was going on in the states at the time. I'm not sure what to say about this; I feel like it would have climbed the charts in the US, had they been more popular across the pond. This is just so groovy. Almost disco-groovy at some point.

Spoiler for super groovy!:

Selections from "Manifesto" (1979)

"Angel Eyes"

This is just a great pop song, while still being, of course, Roxy Music and classy as hell.

Spoiler for am I deceived, or did you sigh?:

"Dance Away"

Another great pop song. Delightful, and remixed about a thousand times in its lifetime. Lush. Have at it.

Spoiler for ugh:

I have to confess that I'm not super-familiar with "Manifesto" in its entirety just yet, but I'm working on that as I write this. I actually have the LP, I've just never played it. I'm a bad person.

Selections from "Flesh + Blood" (1980)

"In the Midnight Hour"

Just a great cover of Wilson Pickett's original. Enjoy it.

Spoiler for Pretty awesome.:

"Same Old Scene"

This one sounds like it should have been on "Manifesto" or (as we'll find out later) "Avalon". Just a pleasant, smooth listen.

Spoiler for Love this song so much:

Here's a weird cover of the Byrds' "Eight Miles High" ...

Spoiler for not really sure how I feel about this.:

"Avalon" (1982)

I just really love "Avalon" as an album. I'm sure I've mentioned it before but it's one of my most favorite albums of all time, so it's hard to choose which songs are my favorites.

If you have about half an hour to spare, just listen to this. If you need to calm down, chill out, feel totally awesome, whatever. Whatever you need, you need to listen to this album.

Personal highlights:

More Than This
The Space Between
While My Heart is Still Beating
True to Life

I seriously have chills just listening to the first track.

I hope I've turned someone on to the magical world of Roxy Music. That's all for me tonight.

10-24-2013, 09:38 PM	#55 (permalink)
ladyislingering Maelian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 695	I think it's time to do a special feature on Roxy Music. I won't bore anyone with history or specifics, because it's really all about the music. However, I will mention that the noticeable shift in Roxy Music's general sound after "For Your Pleasure" is due to Brian Eno's exit from the group. With or without him, I love this band. Here's some of my favorite songs from each album. *Selections from Roxy Music* (1972) "Ladytron" (Old Grey Whistle Test)** Bryan Ferry's looking superfine here. And this song is just incredible. People must have heard it back then and wondered what the hell was going on. It's so bizarre, though it does give a nod to the psychedelic rock of the late 60s (in the UK and the US) with Eno's "treatments". Spoiler for brass is so sexy.: "If There is Something" I love this song because the first time I heard it, I was so taken off-guard. I wasn't really sure what I was hearing, what to make of it, how to feel about it, but it just touched my glam-loving soul. I love Bryan's vocal strain, and the bizarre Ladytron-esque melodies about mid-way through and toward the end. This is just a great song. Simple as that. Spoiler for growing potatoes by the scoooooooore: "Bitter's End" This one's incredibly Sparks-like, but came about before Sparks did, if that makes any sense. It's like a crooning 50's love song with a little bit of spook and a little bit of weirdness. It's just really something. Just listen. Spoiler for A strange end to an album really: *Selections from "For Your Pleasure"* (1973) "Strictly Confidential" Gloomy, hypnotic, melodic, and lovely. Spoiler** for rolling and turning, how can I sleep?: "The Bogus Man" This is just a great song to get really messed up to. Or to listen to when you're stoned or drunk or any other sort of chemical modification. Mainly because you can groove on this ** for like 10 minutes. It's groovy, strange, and a little creepy. It's even a little proggy, if not for all the art-rock stuff being thrown at you at a weirdly comfortable pace. I could listen to this song a thousand times and still it never bores me. Spoiler** for I feel a little messed up just listening to it again: "For Your Pleasure" With its luscious lyrics and psychedelic melody, this is almost 7 minutes of perfection. It's a soothing, beautiful end to this weird album. The "tara, tara" at the end always gives me a spook. I don't know why. Spoiler for in the morning, things you worried about ... last night.: *Selections from "Stranded"* (1973) "Just Like You" Bryan Ferry's vocals just make me swoon. For some reason this song is a lot like something Squeeze might record a decade later. Spoiler** for and the lyrics are grand.: "Mother of Pearl" I hope none of you are stoned upon listening to this, because it'll freak you out for quite a while and you'll never get to the exceptionally beautiful part. Spoiler for WHAT'S THAT COMING AROUND THE CORNER: "Serenade" This is just a really great track. It's more of what Roxy Music was slowly shaping into. It's some good rock. That's really all I can say. Spoiler for just listen.: *Selections from "Country Life"* (1974) "Bitter Sweet" This is just a rollicking track, full of surprises, lush with instruments, with some terrifying German lyrics thrown in. It's one of my most favorite Roxy Music songs. I can't exactly explain what I love so much about it; it's just an unusual song. I could only find a video with this song and the next, with "Casanova"** "Triptych" begins at 4:50/"Casanova" at 8:00. "Casanova" is pretty groovy, too. "Triptych" I just love the intro of this song, it really drew me in because it was so odd. The rest of it is awesome, too, but ... that weird intro. Spoiler for Bitter-Sweet/Triptych/Casanova: "A Really Good Time" There's really nothing particularly special about the sound of this song. I remember just being so taken with the lyrics the first time I heard it, and it instantly became a favorite of mine. Spoiler for you're well educated, with no common sense.: *Selections from "Siren"* (1975) "Both Ends Burning" This song will always sound fresh to me. There's just something totally timeless about it. It's an electronic masterpiece. This is classic Roxy Music style. Spoiler** for so goddamn supreme.: "Love is the Drug" This is possibly the first Roxy Music song I ever heard. I was about 15 at the time. I was completely sold. It's not really my favorite anymore, but it deserves some recognition because it's still a pretty good track. Spoiler for 't'ain't no big thing: "She Sells" This is so much like the groovy stuff that was going on in the states at the time. I'm not sure what to say about this; I feel like it would have climbed the charts in the US, had they been more popular across the pond. This is just so groovy. Almost disco-groovy at some point. Spoiler for super groovy!: *Selections from "Manifesto"* (1979) "Angel Eyes" This is just a great pop song, while still being, of course, Roxy Music and classy as hell. Spoiler** for am I deceived, or did you sigh?: "Dance Away" Another great pop song. Delightful, and remixed about a thousand times in its lifetime. Lush. Have at it. Spoiler for ugh: I have to confess that I'm not super-familiar with "Manifesto" in its entirety just yet, but I'm working on that as I write this. I actually have the LP, I've just never played it. I'm a bad person. *Selections from "Flesh + Blood"* (1980) "In the Midnight Hour" Just a great cover of Wilson Pickett's original. Enjoy it. Spoiler** for Pretty awesome.: "Same Old Scene" This one sounds like it should have been on "Manifesto" or (as we'll find out later) "Avalon". Just a pleasant, smooth listen. Spoiler for Love this song so much: Here's a weird cover of the Byrds' "Eight Miles High" ... Spoiler for not really sure how I feel about this.: "Avalon" (1982) I just really love "Avalon" as an album. I'm sure I've mentioned it before but it's one of my most favorite albums of all time, so it's hard to choose which songs are my favorites. If you have about half an hour to spare, just listen to this. If you need to calm down, chill out, feel totally awesome, whatever. Whatever you need, you need to listen to this album. Personal highlights: More Than This The Space Between While My Heart is Still Beating True to Life I seriously have chills just listening to the first track. I hope I've turned someone on to the magical world of Roxy Music. That's all for me tonight. __________________ You and I, We were born to die.