The First Roxy Music Album

Roxy Music was a pop experiment that, among other things, provided a fertile spawning ground for many progressive musicians. John Wetton, Eddie Jobson and John Gustafson, in addition to longtime members Andy Mackay and Phil Manzanera, all played in the band. But Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno were the dominant characters of Roxy Music, and their clashes would eventually lead to Eno's exit after their second album. With all this talent though, the band would prove to be an influential force for years to come. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Their debut album, produced by Crimson alumnus Pete Sinfield, was written entirely by Ferry; it offered pop music disguised as art rock. The Bowie-esque "Remake/Remodel" is a standout, as is the single "Virginia Plain" b/w "The Numberer." Neither is hard to digest; but given the full "Roxy" treatment, both gain another dimension beyond simple pop. Even Ferry's overwrought warble couldn't dilute its impact: The album made the UK Top 10. But it's a track like "If There is Something" that, despite starting off slow, descends into the type of instrumental workout that kept Roxy Music albums appealing to progressive audiences for years to come. The band would reach a creative zenith on 1974's Country Life before taking a break the following year, only to return with even smoother records beginning with 1979's Manifesto. In between, Ferry, Manzanera and Mackay would contribute to dozens of solo albums and side projects—again, all of interest to the progressive listener.