Search - Roxy Music :: Flesh & Blood

Half of a Decent Roxy Music Album

Jay Murphy | Landover Hills, Maryland United States | 08/21/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Though I'm a huge fan of Roxy Music, everything after "Manifesto" was pretty weak for my taste, especially the beloved "Avalon". I prefer "Flesh + Blood" to that disc because of the five gems that follow "Midnight Hour", an OK rendition of the old soul standard but couldn't Bryan have sticked to the covers on his solo albums? Aside from putting the Roxy touch on the Byrd's classic "Eight Miles High", the last songs find me wishing for the Roxy Music of old. But all is not lost! I love "Oh Yeah!"; the glam-disco of "Same Old Scene"; the lone rock song "Flesh And Blood" that sounds like it could have fit easily on "Country Life" or "Siren"; the gorgeous, heart-breaking balladry of "My Only Love"; and the sugary pop sweet "Over You". Both Bryan's vocals and the band's instrumentation are in top form but I miss the weirdness of albums 1 through 4. Still, there is some good stuff to be found here."

On The Road to Avalon

Tim Brough | Springfield, PA United States | 03/13/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Bryan Ferry's evolutionary molding of Roxy Music hit a creative path that started with Manifesto and peaked with Avalon, and "Flesh and Blood" was the bridge between the two. He maintained the artiness of the music and removed the quirks, allowing the sound to become as smooth as silk. By now, Roxy was essentially a vehicle for Ferry, who had reduced the band to himself, Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackay.



There's a show of slick soul/disco/lounge here, bridging the poppier "Manifesto" to the sophisticated arrangements of "Avalon." Ferry's old lounge instincts appear via F+B's two covers, "Eight Miles High" and "In The Midnight Hour." I have often thought these were included as a last stab at an American hit, while in England, both the soulful "Over You" and "Same Old Scene" became hits. ("Same Old Scene" also found its way onto the cult movie Times Square Soundtrack.)



While not as brilliant as their "Avalon" swan song, "Flesh and Blood" at least compare to such later Ferry solo albums as Bête Noire or Mamouna. If that's the Bryan Ferry you prefer, "Flesh + Blood" will suit you fine.

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