Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure

[C.Cat]

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/you´ll 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

[babybongo]

I first saw Roxy Music around the time this album was released. It was in New York City at Madison Square Garden and they were the opening act for Jethro Tull, I believe. I didn't quite know what to make of them, they were dressed in what looked like space suits and played rock'n'roll from outerspace. So a friend played this album and the 1st album for me...and they blew my mind!

[nizz]

Great review - all comments totally endorsed by me, although I'm still not too fond of Grey Lagoons even after all this time.
Definitely my favourite Roxy album, though, and among the best ever by anybody.

I got into them circa1980/81 when I was 13 or 14 and bands like Japan, Simple Minds, Ultravox and Spandau Ballet started namechecking them, and the Eno connection led me to loads of other groups, including the Krautrockers, so I've a lot to thank Roxy for. I only knew them for hits like Dance Away and Same Old Scene before that.
I'm still kicking myself I didn't go and see them on the reunion tour a few years back. One of my mates - 10 years older and a fan since the glam days - was raving about it in the pub one night and ran through the setlist. I was amazed they were doing so much of the early stuff, including much of FYP. The Live At The Apollo DVD is tremendous and I've played that to death.
Anyway, the first three albums and Viva! are all 10/10 in my book and the rest aren't far behind.

Cheers, Nizz.

[Ezekiel]

Cool review! I should get this album soon, because I really love their debut.

[babybongo]

While on the subject of Roxy Music, has anyone else heard The Wolfmen's cover of Eno's "Needle in a Camel's Eye"? The Wolfmen include ex-members of Adam & the Ants and Souxie & the Banshees. It's definitely a tribute done with love and rocks like nobody's business. Right up my alley!

[ginnie]

Could be my favourite Roxy Music album, although their first one is great too.

Stranded is also very good. "A Song For Europe" is outstanding.

I also strongly recomend Eno's "Here Come the Warm Jets". I like it almost as much as the early Roxy Music albums. Especially "Baby's on Fire" and "Dead Finks Don't Bark".
I consider it classic.

[dabronxboy]

I remember seeing them when the album was released also but I recall it at The Felt Forum because the seats were more "up front"
They were fantastic I recall Manzenera and Eno wearing "space Suits " but Ferry being decked out in a white tuxedo =very slick; but that was their stage presence. I believe The Sharks opened for them.

That double live CD with an enhanced video of "Both End Burning" is killer