Search - Roxy Music :: Viva

Peaked Right Here

Bill Board | God's Wrath, Ohio | 01/14/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Viva" could be called Roxy Music's "Get Yer Ya Yas Out," were it not for the fact that it is the final offering from the original Ferry-Manzanera-Mackey-Thompson-Jobson era. The music is tight, crisp, (and some reviewers here have noted that renditions of songs on the album are superior to their original "album" manifestation. I agree...) After this, Roxy, sadly, would become but a dreaded "AOR" vehicle for Bryan Ferry."

Eccentric Rock Glory!

Mactavish | 04/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I was 12 or 13 I saw pictures of Roxy Music in Creem. They seemed like a gimmick band, a circus troupe, a costume party, a joke band. Then I took a risk and bought Viva. I've been a fan ever since. Out of the Blue combines everything great about The Doors, VU & King Crimson, and yet is totally original to Roxy. Pyjamerama is more funky yet relaxed than studio version & rocks harder. Both Ends Burning is THE version of the song. I give this 4 stars because it's a single record/CD (you know there is more stuff in the can). I recommend any fan seek out 1975 bootleg from NYC with a jaw-dropping version of Mother Of Pearl & other material from Country Life through Siren. Also, the 1976 show bootlegs from Stockholm, Sweden are excellent. Some of those songs can be seen in recent DVD collection The Thrill of It All. Force this CD on Avalon fans, or people who think of Roxy as a mellow 80's euro-pop band."