T. Cheek | Cincinnati, OH United States | 05/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm so happy that people (especially young people) are still discovering this band and their unique musical styles. This album and the follow-up were extraordinary at the time they were released. Mr. Ferry's quixotic vocals backed by Brian Eno were then and still are interpreted by most as odd at best. I picked up the second album initially and went back quickly for this, the first. Roxy has a huge presence on my IPod and will always be a source of musical inspiration. My point being, finally, that one doesn't always need to be in perfect pitch to make a truly profound and lasting impression."
Lush And Sexy
Zilbanne | Oregon U.S. A. | 08/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The first five albums of Roxy Music are lush and sexy. The heart and soul of the band were really explored in these first five: Roxy Music, For your Pleasure, Country Life, Stranded and Siren. Bryan Ferry was at his best with most of the original band members. That's because they helped his natural tenancies towards softness become more firm in a way that was lacking in later albums, when most of the original members were no longer around. Beyond that you can debate the fine points if you would care to. For me I'm just too busy listening and enjoying as I have for years and Roxy continues to please."
Excellent way to start things
B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 12/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Roxy Music started out with a bang. Much of their debut sounds like it influenced punk, despite being tagged a glam rock band. This is because there's a distinct incredible energy to each and every track. But these guys were also really good songwriters, so luckily each song is equally filled with tons of musical ideas. Also, the guitar solos are really good which is something people tend to ignore about the band.
The lead singer has a very memorable voice that resembles David Bowie a little bit (hey, he does a little). I won't deny it might take some time getting warmed up to it though. It's not exactly an immediately welcoming voice, let's put it that way.
I'm not exactly sure how much these guys influenced punk, if at all. It would be VERY hard for me to believe they had nothing to do with the punk genre, since many of these songs capture the feel of punk very very well while maintaining a rock and roll vibe. It's pretty impressive.
But anyone assuming Roxy Music is just a cheap rip-off of David Bowie would be wrong. Nope, these don't even sound like David Bowie most of the time. Roxy Music's talent is making sure there's never a dull moment on any one of their early albums. Now, the disco albums they released later feel a bit lazily created to me, as far as songwriting goes, but not the early to mid 70's albums.
"Ladytron" is a highlight for me, along with "If There Is Something" with its many themes crammed into one 7 minute track. I also love "The Bob" for some reason. Some of the guitar soloing in this track is truly incredible (and melodic). "Virginia Plain" sounds VERY familiar to me, like maybe from a radio station years ago. Unless a movie had this song as a theme and I can't remember. "2HB" has very good vocals, and "Chance Meeting" is pretty darn creepy if you ask me! Just listen to that verse melody and tell me it doesn't send shivers through your body.
Good album, and good stuff you need to own!"
Artsy tunesmith
IRate | 03/27/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"3 1/2
Absolutely noticeable debut for these art-rock, early 70's glam gods contained enough attention-grabbing creativity to warrant much exaltation. There are at least a few classics contained within where the group already found a great balance between the art and rock. A fair deal however is spent in perpetual experimentation where either a lack of cohesion or a surplus of pretension robs the whole album of a certain fluidity."