ROXY MUSIC AVALON
Released May 1982 
Recorded 1981–82 
Label Warner Bros.

Flesh + Blood suggested that Roxy Music were at the end of the line, but they regrouped and recorded the lovely Avalon, one of their finest albums. Certainly, the lush, elegant soundscapes of Avalon are far removed from the edgy avant-pop of their early records, yet it represents another landmark in their career. With its stylish, romantic washes of synthesizers and Bryan Ferry's elegant, seductive croon, Avalon simultaneously functioned as sophisticated make-out music for yuppies and as the maturation of synth pop. Ferry was never this romantic or seductive, either with Roxy or as a solo artist, and Avalon shimmers with elegance in both its music and its lyrics. "More Than This," "Take a Chance with Me," "While My Heart Is Still Beating," and the title track are immaculately crafted and subtle songs, where the shifting synthesizers and murmured vocals gradually reveal the melodies. It's a rich, textured album and a graceful way to end the band's career.

Tracklist:

1 "More Than This" – 4:30
2 "The Space Between" – 4:30
3 "Avalon" – 4:16
4 "India" – 1:44
5 "While My Heart Is Still Beating" – 3:26
6 "The Main Thing" – 3:54
7 "Take a Chance with Me" – 4:42
8 "To Turn You On" – 4:16
9 "True to Life" – 4:25
10 "Tara" – 1:43

Personnel

Bryan Ferry - vocals, keyboards, guitar synth
Andy Mackay - saxophone
Phil Manzanera - guitar
Neil Hubbard - guitar
Alan Spenner - bass on tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10
Andy Newmark - drums on tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9
Jimmy Maelen - percussion on tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9
Additional personnel
Neil Jason - bass on tracks 2, 6, 7 & 9
Yanick Etienne - vocals on track 3
Paul Carrack - piano on track 8
Rick Marotta - drums on track 8
Kermit Moore - cello on track 8
Fonzi Thornton - vocals on tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9