Is Avalon a good place to start with Roxy Music?

Yes, Avalon is recommended as a starting point for new Roxy Music listeners. Ethereal soundscapes blend lush instrumentation with reflective lyrics, creating a dreamlike atmosphere throughout the album. Released on September 1, 1983, 'Avalon' was Roxy Music's final studio album before their initial breakup. The band had already achieved significant acclaim with previous albums like 'Stranded' and 'Manifesto', but this record marked a shift towards a more polished, mature sound, emphasizing romance and introspection.

Avalon works well if you're into ethereal soundscapes for relaxation, steady flow for reflective moments and mid-tempo rhythms for evening unwind.

How many songs are on Avalon?

Avalon has 10 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Avalon

Roxy Music · 1983

37 min · 10 tracks · new wave

Ethereal soundscapes blend lush instrumentation with reflective lyrics, creating a dreamlike atmosphere throughout the album.

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Top tracks — play these first

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More Than This Start here — Opening the album, this track captures a sense of yearning with its haunting melody and introspective lyrics, setting the tone for the entire record.
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Avalon — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of escapism and desire through its lush harmonies and atmospheric arrangement, making it a standout centerpiece.
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Take a Chance With Me — This track combines playful lyrics with an infectious groove, showcasing Roxy Music's ability to blend art rock sophistication with pop sensibility.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

77 /100

Summit

Higher than 99% of albums we've rated

Avalon combines lush instrumentation with reflective lyrics, creating a cohesive and distinctive sound that rewards repeat listens.

What we noticed

The first track opens with a slow, atmospheric build-up featuring layered synths and soft vocals, setting a reflective tone.
Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections that allow the lush arrangements to take center stage, creating a dreamlike quality.
The album closes with 'Tara,' which features a gradual fade-out, leaving an ethereal sense of unresolved emotion.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

ethereal soundscapes for relaxation
steady flow for reflective moments
mid-tempo rhythms for evening unwind
lush atmospheres during quiet nights

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer standalone singles over albums

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — 'Avalon' is often cited as Roxy Music's most ambitious work, showcasing their artistic evolution.
Career context: Released on September 1, 1983, 'Avalon' was Roxy Music's final studio album before their initial breakup. The band had already achieved significant acclaim with previous albums like 'Stranded' and 'Manifesto', but this record marked a shift towards a more polished, mature sound, emphasizing romance and introspection.
Stylistic neighbors: David Bowie· Brian Eno· Talking Heads