Product Description

Roxy Music's fifth album, SIREN, is a return to the form oftheir first couple of records--that is, it mixes astonishing material with some that, well, isn't quite as good. This is not to say that the band abandoned sophistication, however. If anything, they turned the suaveness up a notch--tracks like "Sentimental Fool" and the brilliant "Just Another High" both, albeit in different ways, suggest the path the band would follow before arriving at their masterpiece, AVALON. For those keeping track of these things, the cover model on this album is Jerry Hall.
"Love Is The Drug", the album's first track, is a classic. A story-song that could describe the beginning of the relationship that dissolves in "Dance Away" (from MANIFESTO, the band's next studio album), it is built on solid rhythm grooves with added flourishes of brightguitar. Bryan Ferry's vocals are more expressive than usualon "Both Ends Burning", a fairly sedate, but insistent dance groove with synthesizers weaving in and out of the propulsive bass line. SIREN, as the middle album in the band's studio career, includes pointers to both their past and future and is an excellent introduction to the worlds of Roxy Music.

Track Listing

1. Love Is The Drug
2. End Of The Line
3. Sentimental Fool
4. Whirlwind
5. She Sells
6. Could It Happen To Me
7. Both Ends Burning
8. Nightingale
9. Just Another High

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6469 in Music
• Released on: 1999-09-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Customer Reviews

Not the poor relation it is often made out to be
Popularly, "Siren" is seen at the final nail in the coffin of "Roxy Music - innovative art school band". It has received its fair share of critical brickbats since its release in late 1975. Listening to it again, I feel it has been somewhat unfairly lambasted. Indeed, in my opinion, I view "Siren" as a second cousin to "Stranded", with Edwin Jobson's electric violin to the fore, far more so than its predecessor, "Country Life". On "Siren" we have an appealing mix of practically perfect pop and laid back lounge bar lizardry. "Country Life" was far edgier, far more bombastic in many ways and, if anything, just a little more directionless.

Here we have great singles in the iconic "Love Is The Drug" and the sumptuous "Both Ends Burning". Both these tracks successfully made the crossover and received airplay at discos, something quite unusual for a "glam" or a "rock" group at th time. "Whirlwind" is "Serenade", "Editions Of You" and "All I Want Is You" revamped, while "She Sells" and "Could It Happen To me" are upbeat, rocky numbers keeping the mood fresh. The longer tracks, "Sentimental Fool" and the magnificent "Just Another High" feature the trademark brooding introspection and experimentation of the early albums, while "The End Of The Line" is Ferry at his vocal best. "Nightingale" is a bit of a throwaway, but there always was one such track on each offering. Even so, its not that bad, check out the electric violin/bass interplay in the song's closing stages.

Many seem to feel Roxy were just going through the motions here, as the first split neared. Maybe they were, but they were some smooth, highly professional motions and well worth one's time and pleasure, even now. This album was effortless in its execution. At times it veers on perfection. Certainly less spontaneous and inventive than those heady, madcap early efforts, but very accomplished all the same.

Roxy on a High
Love Is the Drug kicks off the album in terrific style with a great intro and signposts the lead bass line theme which underpins all the tracks on this excellent album.

End of the Line is a slow lament with a strong piano melody and heartfelt vocals surrounded by bass with punchy drums throughout. The fade to finish is very apt.

Sentimental Fool is loaded with Eno's synths at the start and is a good example of vintage Roxy.

Whirlwind is an up-tempo romp with classic Ferry wailing on top.

She Sells is a slightly strange combination of violin strings and on offbeat tempo which changes a few times to great effect.

Could It Happen to Me? is a highpoint. Ferry's vocals give a slightly haunted feel and the musical arrangement matches this. The song moves through some changes in pace ending up as a tour de force.

Both Ends Burning keeps things on a high with a great, swirling tune and strong vocal.

Nightingale has an excellent intro that kicks in the groove and never really lets up.

Just Another High is a stunning finish to the album. The distorted guitar intro and a well delivered Ferry vocal with a great punchy drum roll kicks off the song and sets the scene. The chorus delivers and sways with bags of style and is the icing on a fine cake.

Best track (s) : End of the Line, Could It Happen to me? Just Another High

Best left : None

Overall, 9 great songs, drenched in Ferry style and delivered in a tight and competent manner by a band putting down the best of what they can do, with ease. Quality.

A strong band feel despite the imminent split.
This was Roxy's fifth album and their last before their initial split and it kicks off with the highly commercial 'Love Is The Drug', which is, of course, about sex, not love. Thereafter it combines rock and country elements to form what is largely a melancholy album, delivered with the utmost skill, particularly on the eerie 'Sentimental Fool' ("the knowing of fate is cruel, you ought to forget it") and the epic closer, 'Just Another High' which, in the Britpop era, would have blown the opposition out of the water. 'Whirlwind' packs a punch and 'Both Ends Burning' demonstrates the true class of Andy Mackay on saxophone and Phil Manzanera on guitar (although he did it even better live). Although not as inventive as their early albums, this is my favourite prior to their first split as I can empathise with it, but then, as Bryan Ferry sings, 'I'm just another crazy guy'.