Virgin
Very rarely is a band's last album its best, but such is the case with the sumptuous Avalon. Shortly after an accompanying tour, frontman Bryan Ferry busted Roxy Music up and embarked on a solo career. There have been reports of a reunion, but nothing tangible has emerged. Avalon has it all: beautiful tunes, ethereal vocals and dense, lush arrangements that include swirling synths, chiming guitars and thick saxophones, doused in heavy echo. At first, the beats sound secondary, but after a few listens they reveal a tensile strength that borders, at times, on funky. This disc will make you remember the '80s — in a good way.
This article appears in Feb 14-20, 2007.