Another Look: Roxy Musics Country Life
By Guest Writer
When you examine the newest crop of indie / pop rock bands, several quality acts come to mind. Artists such as The Muse, Interpol, The Shins, and The Killers all incorporate an artsy / hip style into their music. A certain art house chic fused with synthesizer post-punk attitude would accurately describe the overall scene surrounding these bands and the fans that love them.
The “style” with which these bands are “making it” is not actually theirs. It has been high jacked for the sake of rock & roll. The current rock scene has been stolen and repackaged, from the 1970’s to 2007. The biggest contributors coming from the early 70’s glam rock era. More than other bands, Roxy Music I feel has been ripped off and under appreciated. Their crowning achievement 1974’s Country Life being the album most pillaged and pilfered from through the years, without ever getting its true rewards.
It was the second album released from the band after losing original member Brian Eno over disagreements about the direction the group was headed that made them. Recorded in London at Air Studios from July to August 1974 then later released in November, Country Life was immediately hailed as a triumph for Roxy Music.
The first track The Thrill of it all is a perfect 1st song because it sets the tone for the entire album. Hard driving bass guitar and drum arrangements make the song immediately picks you up and take you on a journey. Lead guitarist Phil Manzanera lays in his signature piercing solos making you want to drive faster and faster, for the thrill of it all. The next two songs are great; especially All I Want Is You, and at this point in rock history no one was creating music like this.
Only three songs into the album and you feel like you’re part of the future. Country Life is that rare thing, a true “bridge” album. There is everything before it, and then everything after. The next three songs typify the meaning of progressive, Out of the Blue and Bitter-Sweet most of all, blue for it’s loud pre-punk style and sweet for its cabaret, storytelling quality. The eighth track is the albums real swan song, Casanova. A heart-stopping, full throttle rock jam for the ages, Casanova is an absolute masterpiece. Becareful folks because this song will blow the doors off your car.
The final two songs, A Really Good Time and Prairie Rose are of the softer persuasion, which are welcome friends after the blistering series of previous tracks. Just as amazing, yet different they both command attention and respect. Most listeners will have a tough time remembering them after a first run through because of the blast to the head. On the second time around the true quality of the songs with be immediately obvious.
When it is all said and done Country Life is more of a current album than most actual new stuff. When you listen to the music it’s hard to tell if it was made in 2007 or 1974, it’s so incredibly progressive you feel as if The Killers “Hot Fuss” is actually Roxy Music’s Country Life with a different cover.
Go buy this album it’s $9.99 on ITunes, that’s one meal at Carl’s Jr, come on people. Great music should never be taken lightly.
