Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure
Released 1973
Band members:
Bryan Ferry - Voice and keyboards
Andy MacKay - Oboe and Saxophone
Eno - Synthesizer and tapes
Paul Thompson - Drums
Phil Manzanera - guitar
Guest artiste: John Porter - Bass
For Your Pleasure was Roxy's second album, and their last ever
with Brian Eno (unless he plays on the new album!). It is regarded
as a true classic by the fans, and it often turns up in "classic
British album" articlers in music magazines. I can't pick a
favourite Roxy album, but this one is a serious contender.
Tracks:
1. Do the strand
This is one of the songs that first got me into Roxy. It's about a
fictional dance, and it smartly namechecks lots of previous dance
crazes and makes cultural references in a semi-ironic way. By the
end of it, you'll feel like dancing on the table! 10/10
Footnote - my dad says it would have been a great single
2. Beauty Queen
This song starts with a slightly sinister sounding intro, then
shifts into something more comfortable and lounge like. I didn't
like it very much at first, but I've come to love it now. I like
the way it builds up, with Bryan singing "While you worship the
sun/Summer lover of fun/Gold number with neighbours/Who said
that/youŽll go far/Maybe someday be a star/A fast mover like
you/And your dreams will all come true" before it suddenly
launches into some spacey soloing. 8/10
3. Strictly Confidential
This is one of the darkest songs Roxy have ever done, and it makes
me shiver when I listen to it. Bryan's chilling lyrics tell the
story of a persn on the edge, but what really makes the track (in
my opinion) is Phil's screaming, twisted guitar sound. 9/10
4. Editions of You
Bazzin'! EOY is clearly one of the best ever Roxy songs, with it's
swaggery intro and Bryan's clever lyrics. And the soloing! It's
sheer joy to hear Andy's sax solo collide with Eno's solo, which
then sweetly transferes to Phil's guitar. 10/10
5. In Every Dream Home a Heartache
The best ever song about an inflatable doll! It's a song of two
distinct halves, starting with Bryan singing about his "partner"
and luxury house ofver a wobbly soundscape background. Then it all
goes crazy and psychedelic, with great waves of phasing, courtesy
of Eno. Even the drums are phased! 10/10
6.The Bogus Man
Things get rather tense on this track, once described as "Ice
Funk". Paul Thompson said it was his favourite song toplay live,
and I can see what he means. It's got a hypnotic, dangerous groove
to it, and it's easy to feel as if your being absorbed into it.
9/10
7. Grey Lagoons
It's got standout Bryan lyrics in it, like "Morning sickness on
friday nights/Heaven knows what others I might bring/To you" and a
boogie-tastic solo from Phil 9/10
8. For You Pleasure
The beautiful title track. It's dominated by echoing piano and
melodic drums, and I find it very hard to describe how it makes me
feel. It's a very powerful and moving closing track, listen to it
now! 10/10
Overall rating - 10/10