Classic Rock Album of the Day- Roxy Music- For Your Pleasure- (1973) ***
Another poster at another site the other day got me thinking about the Eno-Bryan Ferry collaboration back in the early 1970's that was so far ahead of its time. Roxy Music in any form or fashion, and there were several, would never be considered aesthetically for me as a very fully listenable band. They made a few great songs per album, but an entire listen, would often be filled with more what I consider a braggadocio exercise than an effort to please the listening public. That said, I can think of very few bands that, especially in their early era that were so innovative and head of their time than this one. Eno and Ferry really were the "Odd Couple" of Rock, but it set so many precedents in style and gumption.
Putting an exact genre on Roxy Music is impossible. They spread out so evenly among so many types of music, that that said versatility, though so admired and documented, also is part of their demise. This is particular album is the Eno-Ferry creative apex, and strangely, for me the first 50 or so of these reviews, I have covered albums that I loved or really liked. My relationship with this one, is more like strong admiration. Be aware... if you are a rock purist, some of this is not going to be listenable, but again that is part of the eclectic, innovative, and strangeness that often infiltrated Roxy Music's stuff. Lot's of great ones, and some head scratchers often in tandem.
So keep an open mind, and realize the genius, and not as much on content.
Fun Fact: Band never cracked the Top 20 with any of their albums. Very niche listening audience over here.
Side 1-
-------------
Do The Strand- My personal favorite on the LP. Some of the best testicle squeezing sax every done on any rock album. Very catchy, very hooked, and a great rocker. 1
Beauty Queen- Ferry's influence and wants on album covers were pretty consistent. Hot women scantly clad, and sexy. Of course it worked, but sometimes I think he took that musical aspects of his obsession with said hot women and it resulted in lesser music product. Like this crooner, though so nice innovative musically quirkiness, .....meh. 6
Strictly Confidential- Though Ferry wrote all the songs, you can hear and feel Eno's influence on this one. The flowing and intertwined melodic runs sounds more like his future abstract like work. Not my kind of fare. 7
Editions of You- More in the same vein as "The Strand" Has that glam pre-punk feel to it Eno's synth work and sax works nicely. 2
In Every Dream Home is Heartache- Now the ultra-macrbe strange- Sounds like a Bowie meets Morrison exercise in the weird. As eery as the song sounds and presents, it is almost hypnotizing in its ability to work so many sounds and instruments in the background in most strangest manner. Definitely an Eno experimental number. Latter part of songs works like traditional rock, but whoa, you at this point have to remind yourself that this is a work from 1973. Pretty groundbreaking if you ask me. 3
Side 2-
-------------
The Bogus Man- 10 minute entourage into more Roxy weirdness. Song has an off beat, off-key jazzish touch, that is honestly mostly annoying. Damned talented, but listenable?.... Not for me at least. 8
Grey Lagoons- Maybe the most traditional rocker on the LP. Some rollicking keyboard sax work that almost harkens to some '50's jams. Song morphs into a wild harmonica run, then into guitars. They are showing off, that is no doubt. But again, unless you are a big fan, ........ 4
For Your Pleasure- Brit tinged number with strange FX that has a lot of innovative touches. More of the same for those who love that ecletric Roxy sound. 5
Another poster at another site the other day got me thinking about the Eno-Bryan Ferry collaboration back in the early 1970's that was so far ahead of its time. Roxy Music in any form or fashion, and there were several, would never be considered aesthetically for me as a very fully listenable band. They made a few great songs per album, but an entire listen, would often be filled with more what I consider a braggadocio exercise than an effort to please the listening public. That said, I can think of very few bands that, especially in their early era that were so innovative and head of their time than this one. Eno and Ferry really were the "Odd Couple" of Rock, but it set so many precedents in style and gumption.
Putting an exact genre on Roxy Music is impossible. They spread out so evenly among so many types of music, that that said versatility, though so admired and documented, also is part of their demise. This is particular album is the Eno-Ferry creative apex, and strangely, for me the first 50 or so of these reviews, I have covered albums that I loved or really liked. My relationship with this one, is more like strong admiration. Be aware... if you are a rock purist, some of this is not going to be listenable, but again that is part of the eclectic, innovative, and strangeness that often infiltrated Roxy Music's stuff. Lot's of great ones, and some head scratchers often in tandem.
So keep an open mind, and realize the genius, and not as much on content.
Fun Fact: Band never cracked the Top 20 with any of their albums. Very niche listening audience over here.
Side 1-
-------------
Do The Strand- My personal favorite on the LP. Some of the best testicle squeezing sax every done on any rock album. Very catchy, very hooked, and a great rocker. 1
Beauty Queen- Ferry's influence and wants on album covers were pretty consistent. Hot women scantly clad, and sexy. Of course it worked, but sometimes I think he took that musical aspects of his obsession with said hot women and it resulted in lesser music product. Like this crooner, though so nice innovative musically quirkiness, .....meh. 6
Strictly Confidential- Though Ferry wrote all the songs, you can hear and feel Eno's influence on this one. The flowing and intertwined melodic runs sounds more like his future abstract like work. Not my kind of fare. 7
Editions of You- More in the same vein as "The Strand" Has that glam pre-punk feel to it Eno's synth work and sax works nicely. 2
In Every Dream Home is Heartache- Now the ultra-macrbe strange- Sounds like a Bowie meets Morrison exercise in the weird. As eery as the song sounds and presents, it is almost hypnotizing in its ability to work so many sounds and instruments in the background in most strangest manner. Definitely an Eno experimental number. Latter part of songs works like traditional rock, but whoa, you at this point have to remind yourself that this is a work from 1973. Pretty groundbreaking if you ask me. 3
Side 2-
-------------
The Bogus Man- 10 minute entourage into more Roxy weirdness. Song has an off beat, off-key jazzish touch, that is honestly mostly annoying. Damned talented, but listenable?.... Not for me at least. 8
Grey Lagoons- Maybe the most traditional rocker on the LP. Some rollicking keyboard sax work that almost harkens to some '50's jams. Song morphs into a wild harmonica run, then into guitars. They are showing off, that is no doubt. But again, unless you are a big fan, ........ 4
For Your Pleasure- Brit tinged number with strange FX that has a lot of innovative touches. More of the same for those who love that ecletric Roxy sound. 5
