Manifesto [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Roxy Music | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 14, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 1979
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B0000256VR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,137 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Roxy's Most Overlooked Album Worth a Listen, August 1, 2001

By 

D. Jobe - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manifesto (Audio CD)

In the span of eight albums, Roxy Music went all over the musical map. They made genre defining, experimental albums (the first two) glorious song cycles ('Stranded' and 'Country Life') two absolutely perfect albums ('Siren' and 'Avalon') one album to overlook (the bland 'Flesh + Blood') and this one, the one everybody forgets about.

And that's too bad, for 'Manifesto' is neither as slick as what would follow or as groundbreaking as what came before. This is understandable, of course, when you realize that this is actually the second manifestation of Roxy, coming four years (and many solo records) after 'Siren.' That said, the first half picks up pretty well from that masterpiece, opening with the minor-chord bass chops of the title track, taking you down the fifties glam lane of "Trash" (which almost sounds like an outtake of their first album) the catchy, wonderful "Angel Eyes" and then the slow-downs of the last two songs. As tends to be the case with Roxy albums, the second side doesn't quite match up, seeming a bit slick at times, but never banal like 'Flesh + Blood.' Plus, Ferry ends the record with "Spin Me Round," one of his most elegant odes.

Much has also been made about Roxy Music becoming little more than a glorified Bryan Ferry backing band with this album, but I would disagree. Both Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackey more than earn their billing, and the album is edgier as a whole than Ferry's solo releases of the time. In short, 'Manifesto' may not be the best (or the worst) Roxy album, but it is worth a spin. A terrific collection deserving of a better place in the Roxy canon.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My fave, December 23, 1999

By 

Marc Kloszewski (Indiana, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manifesto (Audio CD)

This is my favorite Roxy Music album. I'm not the most devoted fan, but to me, this record was the best mix of "art" and "commercial" they ever achieved. The early stuff I think can be overindulgent, and the later stuff is a little too laid-back for me. "Manifesto" is a masterful track, just as the title states, it's almost like a document being read aloud, as Bryan's screed goes on, the music continues to intensify--whether or not it's sincere, the "what I believe" thing he has going is affecting to me deep down in some way. I've loved "Angel Eyes" since I first heard it as an LP track featured on my favorite FM station--wonderful elasticity in the guitars, and those ornate touches of harp mixed with scrawking saxophone--inventive and blissfully over the top..."Stronger Through the Years" has the same intensity as the title track--great dense, soupy sound of all those electric instruments chattering away..."Spin Me Round"'s gentle & touching lullaby, "Ain't That So"'s slick and sexy soul...and last but not least "Dance Away" which has one of my favorite pop song sentiments: "Loneliness is a crowded room, full of open hearts turned to stone...all together, all alone..." Breathtaking modulation to the chorus...Excellent all around.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong return from Roxy Music, January 22, 2000

By 

[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manifesto (Audio CD)

After Siren Roxy called it quits. This strong return showed that the band was more than willing to incorporate new musical styles into their own unique sound.

The last album to feature four of the five original members, Manifesto adds the ingredients of new wave, sythe pop and even disco into the band's art rock sound. The resulting soup is rich and spicy without sacrificing the band's trademark quirky sound.

The dark, swirling vertigo inducing Manifesto, straight ahead rock of Angel Eyes (this newly remastered version features the original song not the disco remix that appeared on later editions and the first CD), funky Ain't That So and delicate Spin Me Round are among the albums stand out tracks. All would have fit in well with any of Roxy's classic songs.

The sound on this edition is spectacular (it was remastered by Bob Ludwig with Bryan Ferry's input using the High Definition Compact Disc system). Ludwig manages to capture the warmth of the original recording without sacrificing the detail inherent in the CD format.