For our first album in cottagemixtape.com‘s 10-day challenge, I chose Roxy Music’s explosive debut album, Roxy Music (1972). I remember seeing a clip of Roxy Music on television, at the age of 11 and I was captivated by what I saw. I couldn’t comprehend what was unfolding in front of my eyes. It knew it was definitely a band playing, except it was more like ‘The Monster Mash‘ had come to life, with the Wolfman, Dracula, Frankenstein, Zombies and the Crypt Keeper, all in attendance. Except each member not only had their own distinguished style, visually, but musically as well, and they were each vying for space in this song. Especially at the break where everyone gets a solo. Taking their turns, as it were. The video clip (below) was dripping with crude video effects on top that just added another element of weirdness.
Like a 50’s group from another dimension was beaming a transmission to earth, complete with sci-fi sounds and looks (like phasers) set to stun. This eventually would lead me to the album from where it came, Roxy Music’s self-titled debut “Roxy Music” produced by Peter Sinfield.
Roxy Music’s “2 H.B.” appears on Cottage Country Mix Vol. 7:
The album itself is very dynamic moving from high energy performances to moody numbers with great instrumentation throughout, including some outside of the traditional rock sphere (oboes, castanets, mellotrons). Not classic rock in the classic sense but “classic” nonetheless. I included two cuts on The Cottage Country Mix, “Remake/Remodel” on Cottage Country Vol. 2 and “2 H.B.” on Cottage Country Vol. 7. But also sense of fearlessness is also inspiring. It was tough not picking Roxy Music’s “Avalon” album or alternatively, Eno’s “Here Come The Warm Jets” on this one.
Read our next pick in our 10-Day Album challenge. Albums that influenced The Cottage Country Mixes.
Update: For a good laugh read the rejection letter from Polydor’s Hugh Smith to Bryan Ferry that has been circulating recently.
Hear Roxy Music’s “Remake/ Remodel” on Cottage Country Mix Vol. 2:
Dougie Boom's Cottage Country Mix 
3 Replies to “Day 1/10 Album Challenge: Roxy Music – “Roxy Music”(1972)”