Avalon by Roxy Music

[Dave]

I’m probably pissing in the wind here at OSG, but holy fucking hell I love that record.

I like the smart mouth 70s Bryan Ferry as much as the next guy but I can’t help but feel this mystical wonder with Avalon… bring on the quacky strat , the lush pads, the chorus pedal…

I don’t know why I allow this record compared to what I would generally dismiss from that era?

[Telliot]

Avalon is by far my favorite Roxy Music record, and I think you could argue it’s one of the greatest albums ever made. From the first note it puts the listener in a sonic world that is instantly recognizable as unique to only that album, and has a consistent quality from beginning to end. The songs are strong and moody, and I think you could make an argument it’s very close to being a concept album.

I don’t know why I allow this record compared to what I would generally dismiss from that era?

I don’t know what styles of music you prefer, but I‘d encourage you to not dismiss any musical era out of hand. Even if you have your doubts there will always be good music from that time (of course it helps if you have an eclectic taste).

[Dave]

Avalon is by far my favorite Roxy Music record, and I think you could argue it’s one of the greatest albums ever made. From the first note it puts the listener in a sonic world that is instantly recognizable as unique to only that album, and has a consistent quality from beginning to end. The songs are strong and moody, and I think you could make an argument it’s very close to being a concept album.

I don’t know why I allow this record compared to what I would generally dismiss from that era?

I don’t know what styles of music you prefer, but I‘d encourage you to not dismiss any musical era out of hand. Even if you have your doubts there will always be good music from that time (of course it helps if you have an eclectic taste).

I phrased that weirdly. I was more referring to how bands that were big in the 70s sometimes often turned kinda lame in the 80s with later albums, once they started fucking around with DX-7s etc.

I don’t know that much about Roxy Music as a band I suppose, this was a record that my dad played a lot when I was a kid and I always kind of perceived it as “cheesy dad music” but maybe it’s not thought of in that way.

What you mentioned about the sonic “landscape” it creates really resonates with me. I have found it always found it unbelievably captivating. I’d love to know more techincally about its production, like how the hell did they achieve that overall sound.

[PorkyPrimeCut]

This is the record that shattered one if my mum’s fantasies because Bryan Ferry “went all slimy”
She was besotted with him in his early Glam phase & absolutely gutted when he moved on to his sweaty crooner look.

[sal paradise]

I phrased that weirdly. I was more referring to how bands that were big in the 70s sometimes often turned kinda lame in the 80s with later albums, once they started fucking around with DX-7s etc.

I don’t think it was the move to experimental electronic that led to the massive influx of dull 80s albums. Cocaine is a far bigger culprit.

20 year olds who never grew up, hitting their 30s & limitless supplies of high grade powder.

Lots of stories of superstar musicians half-arsed bashing out song wiring, doing one take in the studio, declaring it a hit and walking out to leave the rest to it.

Admittedly it started well in the 70s. But it was the solo albums that really let them nosedive in the 80s.

[tdksa90]

Proceed directly to Bryan Ferry’s Boys & Girls… the soundtrack to my overwrought teenage years. But Ferry uses the same producer as Avalon (Rhett Davies) and it has a similar vibe.

[JSett]

It's a bit like Tango In The Night by Fleetwood Mac...wildly different sound from their previous output and a wholly different level of 'sheen' to it. "Tango..." took a long time to resonate with me but, when it clicked, I began to really love the songs on there.

Avalon is one I need to go back to again really now I'm older, maybe this will spur me on.

[Larry Mal]

You know, I'm a big Roxy Music fan, but I never gave Avalon all that much of a chance. I probably have listened to Flesh and Blood more than Avalon, because I remember the music video for Avalon on a lot as a kid and never liked it that much.

But maybe it's time to reconsider. Thanks for the reminder.

[dinosaurkale->]

perfect album

[panoramic]

I grew up listening to them as my father is a huge fan, Self-titled is my absolute favorite but all of them are great. 2HB is my favorite song of theirs and it's 100% because of the drumming on it, the hi-hat play is so nice.

[Larry Mal]

Sentimental Fool is my favorite, from the Sirens album.

[bluemonday]

Really nice track. I have a comp called the Atlantic Years 1973-1980. That basically shaped my love of Roxy Music. I don't exactly know where it fits into the lounge singer dance band version. I've seen some of the Eno glam style, but my Roxy Music would be Manifesto and Flesh+Blood which I suppose could rankle some of the more hard core fans.

[repoman]

I like the schmoozy sleazy Ferry stuff more too.
Flesh and Blood is a really good album too, I've listened to that one a bit more.

[BlixaFan]

it's fantastic! my mom bought it as a gift for christmas, and i spin it on saturday mornings quite often. roxy music was awesome, avalon is straight vibes all the way

[MC5tooge]

All their stuff is amazing. Avalon is probably one of their weakest IMHO - but that's only because the others are so damn good.

Managed to find a rip of the scarce a(nd obscenely expensive when it does come up for sale) SACD with 5.1. Your ears deserve to hear this. Needs a rerelease.