Roxy Music

Released just two weeks after The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Roxy Music’s eponymous debut heralded the ascent of a certain form of high-octane yet highly artistic form of rock 'n' roll. Both acts had heavy guitars and otherworldly costuming, but where David Bowie's rock appealed to Led Zeppelin's audiences, Roxy was more eccentric. Between Bryan Ferry’s quavering vocals and Andy MacKay’s honking saxophones, there's something in these songs that's not just conceptually alien but truly, unnervingly peculiar. At the same time, “Re-Make/Re-Model” and “Virginia Plain” are two of the most lovable dance tunes of the early '70s. Roxy could be cacophonous and elegant at the same time, but it could also be downright dashing, as on the swaying ballads “2HB” and “Would You Believe?” Thanks to Brian Eno, the music is deeply textured in a way that stands out among the dry production tactics of the early '70s. Roxy was full of neon and glitter, but unlike other glam bands, it showed remarkable maturity and wisdom underneath the music's boisterousness.