Roxy Music - Country Life (LP)
- LP
- 1 piece(s)
- 1974
- 10 tracks
- 41 min
- glam rock
Country LifeCheapest atstore.acousticsounds.com
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4.2
Average of 19 reviews
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Matrix / Runout groove details on my copy of this vinyl:Side A: S 88370 A-1 II Pressed in GermanySide B: S 88370 B-1 Pressed in Germany
Matrix / Groove code on my copy of this album:Side A: 2459 344 S1 1 C A PSide B: 2459 344 S2 M 1 B
It has a somewhat boxy tone, is a tad too bright, and feels a bit off. The pressing is alright, though.
Roxy Music has forever brought me immense joy, their music always carrying a rebellious edge, even in their most danceable tracks. There's something indescribable about their lyrics that you can't ignore, filled with conversation and subtle nuances that make you pause and ask, "Did you catch that?" Country Life is Brian Ferry's "Dolce Vita," a portrait of a man of the world, oozing with charm and a touch of self-indulgence, as he muses to himself, "Ah, more champagne to drown this sorrow would be lovely / So I'll pour myself another drink and find myself, even if it takes all night." This album at times feels romantically blasphemous, as if Ferry is seeking both sin and salvation in the same places, where fantasy and reality slightly blur, where uncertainty is a virtue, where imagination and desire gently collide. Yes, the album is about contrasts and contradictions, like the unexpected song "Three And Nine," a track few know, yet while its surface meaning is clear, beneath lies a slightly unhinged journey of manipulation, much like Hendrix's "If Six Was Nine." Of course, the lyrics and music are tinged with melodrama, for without it, Ferry couldn't create such vivid imagery, nor could the musicians bring those verses to life with some of the finest instrumentation ever recorded. Country Life is cohesive in its lack of cohesion, with the band exploring diverse styles and influences, always aiming to surprise listeners. At this time, Andy MacKay's sax has never sounded more elegant and beautiful, his riffs dancing across the ceiling before blending with Manzanera's inventive and splendid guitar chords, all while a series of new bass players rotate through the lineup. Woven deeply into the best tracks is a foundation of seductive funk and soul, not quite R&B, but unmistakable nonetheless. What makes defining Roxy Music so challenging is that they sound like no other band on the planet. They've managed to exist in two worlds at once, that of experimental rock and pure pop, and no matter which side of the fence you're on, they're simply a blast. On the other hand, to say Ferry's vocals and lyrics are unique would be an understatement, and like fine wine, it often takes several listens for the subtleties to reveal themselves, and even then, for years to come, you'll hear something in a way you didn't expect. *** The Fun Facts: The album cover features two scantily clad models, Constanze Karoli and Eveline Grunwald, whom Bryan Ferry met in Portugal and convinced to do the photo shoot and help with the lyrics to "Bitter-Sweet," though they weren't credited for appearing on the cover, only for their German translation work on the lyric sheet. The cover image was controversial in some countries (including America), which is why it was censored before release, though some uncensored copies managed to slip through. As a result, a later American album release of Country Life featured a different cover shot, replacing Karoli and Grunwald posed in front of some trees with a photo from the album's back cover that featured only the trees.
This album is among my top picks for a relaxing listen. The '74 US ATCO version I have is quite good, so I wanted to mention that because I saw a comment about a later ATCO pressing ('82 I think) that someone said wasn't up to par. That's not the case with this one. I haven't had the opportunity to compare it to any UK pressings yet. However, compared to CDs, digital files, and newer reissues, this pressing stands out. It's definitely worth your time.
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| Date | Lowest price | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2025 | $34.98 | €34.98 |
| Apr 15, 2025 | $24.99 | €24.99 |
| Jun 26, 2025 | $34.98 | €34.98 |
| Jul 31, 2025 | $29.98 | €32.48 |
| Aug 29, 2025 | $29.98 | €31.65 |
| Sep 30, 2025 | $29.98 | €32.48 |
| Oct 31, 2025 | $29.98 | €32.48 |
| Nov 30, 2025 | $29.99 | €32.48 |
| Dec 31, 2025 | $29.99 | €32.48 |
| Jan 31, 2026 | $29.98 | €31.65 |
| Feb 28, 2026 | $29.98 | €31.65 |
| Mar 7, 2026 | $29.98 | €31.65 |