Roxy Music - Manifesto (LP, 1979)
- LP
- 1 piece(s)
- 1979
- 10 tracks
- 42 min
- glam rock
ManifestoCheapest atcomebackvinyl.com
Whether you're just starting your vinyl collection or have been spinning for years, the right turntable makes all the difference. We've selected the best options for every budget.
Discover our selection of turntables
4.5
Average of 11 reviews
7
3
1
0
0
Whether a review is positive, negative, or neutral, we always publish it. However, we screen every review to ensure it is authentic and free of profanity. These checks happen automatically, though a human occasionally steps in. We never pay for reviews.
Has anyone else encountered issues with this release? I own all the other half-speed remasters put out by RM so far, but this one sounds terrible… am I the only one noticing this, or did I get a defective copy?
I'm really into the INTRO, the title-track on East Side
I see Roxy Music in two distinct phases. Their initial five albums form a complete cycle for me. After that, the band disbanded to pursue solo projects. At that time, Ferry was still releasing albums that were half original material and half covers. "In Your Mind" was the only Ferry album from that era entirely composed of original songs, all penned by Bryan. Still, the truth remains that even his covers were personal or original statements by Ferry. A cover is just a cover unless it's done by Bryan Ferry, in which case it takes on a different meaning. "Manifesto" was the first Roxy Music album after their split. There was a four-year gap between "Siren" and "Manifesto." During those four years, Ferry and the band were quite active outside of the Roxy Music sphere. What's fascinating about this 'good' album is that it doesn't have much more to say. "Manifesto" is more about the craft of songwriting and recording than inspiration. Emotionally, the songs sound like they were written post-depression. It's intriguing that this once radical band released an album in 1979, during a vibrant time for post-punk music. The title track "Manifesto" musically touches on that era but lyrically feels quite dry. "Manifesto" is a very good album, but compared to the high standards of the first five Roxy albums, it's not as significant. Still, commercially, it did wonders for them through songs like "Dance Away" and "Angel Eyes." Those two are perfectly crafted pop songs, but they feel empty compared to something like "Virginia Plain." At this point, Ferry is writing very literal lyrics expressing sadness, romance, and so forth. The surreal brutality of "Every Dream Home a Heartache" has been replaced by lyrics like: "Yesterday, when it seemed so coolWhen I walked you home, kissed goodnightI said, "It's love", you said, "Alright"It's funny how, I could never cryUntil tonight, when you pass byHand in hand with another guyYou're dressed to kill and guess who's dying"("Dance Away" Bryan Ferry)Compared to something like: "Throw me a line I'm sinking fastClutching at straws can't make itHavana sound we're trying hard edge the hipster jivingLast picture shows down the drive-inYou're so sheer you're so chicTeenage rebel of the weekFlavours of the mountain steamlineMidnight blue casino floorsDance the cha-cha through till sunriseOpen up exclusive doors oh wow!Just like flamingos look the sameSo me and you, just we two got to search for something new"(Virginia Plain" Bryan Ferry)This isn't bad Ferry writing, but a shift has occurred. One could view it as maturity, but to me, it seems more like a convention or normalization of his writing world. The music also loses its innovative edge. The arrangements are straightforward and to the point. Still, the album is enjoyable in its own right. This is the first Roxy Music album that was self-produced by the band. Manzanera is still a guitar virtuoso on the album, and Mackay's oboe and sax playing is textural and adds a lot to the mix. The disappointment, especially for long-term Roxy Music fans, is that this could have been a better album. At the same time, there's a seduction to Ferry's voice, which he could sing the alphabet and bring significant meaning to those letters. That aspect of Ferry and company never fails. Perhaps they saw "Manifesto" as an experiment to make a commercial album? The technique is there, but not the spirit.
Right from the start, "Manifesto" by Roxy Music reveals itself like no other album from the band, a bit eerie, setting the tone, transforming into the vocals of Brian Ferry, as if putting on a fancy set of clothes one piece at a time in front of a full-length mirror reflecting pure flawlessness, and then abruptly plunges into the track “Trash.” This was another album criticized by reviewers, though it did offer seven strong songs to the world, where music enthusiasts eagerly welcomed the piece with open hearts. Regardless, "Manifesto" is a peculiar and delightful creation, with the album cover almost encapsulating what was held within the grooves. This was the first album where Brian Ferry envisioned the release as more theatrical than not, appearing totally lost in the desperate heartache, a sense of emotional abandonment (a theme to which he poured a great deal of emotion) and personal yearning, delivering his vocals seemingly totally unaware that there were a group of top-notch musicians standing behind him … and in that moment he captures a dialectic imperative, balancing two concepts at the same time, where listeners freely switch from vocals to music within the same breath. If Ferry set out to encompass and capture a smoky dreamscape, he succeeded masterfully with his lush take on cinematic popular music, where Brian sets his sights on becoming the country gentleman of British rock. At the time there were many who considered all of these trappings and attitudes as being uncool, yet these aspects seemed to be just what the world was in search of at that moment, embracing their uptown dinner guest and his splendid musical entourage as nothing but sleek and cool. Yes, Thompson’s drumming had been severely toned down, less aggressive where both the chords and playing of Manzanera’s guitar, leaving Ferry to croon like someone lost to time, an emancipated Norma Desmond if you will, infatuated with his own sense of being. With all of that in mind, this slender, and seemingly fragile bit of blue-eyed soul is still laced with sustained and brilliant guitar lines from Phil Manzanera, just listen to “Still Falls The Rain” and remind yourself how it feels to be swept away, while “Dance Away” and “My Little Girl” have been groomed to perfection. Many critics shuffle their feet, hands thrust deeply into their pockets, shyly suggesting that this isn’t Roxy Music at their most innovative, though I would stand toe to toe with anyone and ask, “Who else is creating these enthusiastic majestic pleasantly funky relaxed grooves?” "Manifesto" is an artistic vision brought to light, and to see it in any other fashion would be to do it an injustice. ** The Fun Facts: There’s a picture disc vinyl of this album where the models featured on the jacket are unclothed. Both the album’s title and typography were inspired by Wyndham Lewis’ magazine Blast. Aimee Stephenson (the nearest to the camera) later worked in film (script writing and production). She tragically died in 2001 from burn injuries sustained from exploding fireworks on a bus in Peru. As for Shelley Man she is literally residing in the “where are they now” file, gone and forgotten at least as far as the internet is concerned ... hopefully this indicates she is enjoying a quiet happy family life somewhere in the Cotswolds, free from controversy, rumor or tragedy.
fantastic sounding record with a solid punch and crisp analog tone
| Date | Lowest price | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2025 | $14.79 | $27.94 |
| Apr 30, 2025 | $4.99 | $18.25 |
| May 27, 2025 | $29.99 | $29.99 |
| Jun 28, 2025 | $2.99 | $20.99 |
| Jul 31, 2025 | $14.79 | $27.44 |
| Aug 29, 2025 | $29.99 | $31.24 |
| Sep 30, 2025 | $29.99 | $31.24 |
| Oct 31, 2025 | $29.99 | $31.24 |
| Nov 30, 2025 | $22.49 | $27.49 |
| Dec 31, 2025 | $22.49 | $28.86 |
| Jan 31, 2026 | $22.49 | $29.36 |
| Feb 28, 2026 | $22.49 | $29.36 |
| Mar 27, 2026 | $22.49 | $29.36 |