Flesh and Blood
Roxy Music · 1980
42 min · 10 tracks · new wave
A vibrant blend of art rock and new wave, pulsing with romantic longing and lush instrumental arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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In the Midnight Hour Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Same Old Scene — This track encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of disillusionment with modern relationships, propelled by a catchy chorus and vibrant instrumentation.
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Flesh and Blood — The title track serves as a poignant reflection on love and intimacy, showcasing Bryan Ferry's signature lyrical style intertwined with lush musical textures.
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Oh Yeah — With its infectious groove and playful lyrics, this track exemplifies the band's ability to combine sophisticated pop influences with an artful sensibility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends art rock and new wave with polished production, showcasing strong songwriting and varied instrumentation.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with driving rhythms, while the second half shifts to more introspective and slower tempos.
- Several tracks incorporate lush string arrangements that complement the synth and guitar work, creating a rich sonic texture.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- romantic introspection throughout
- for reflective evenings
- immersive in-order listening experience
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Roxy Music's mainstream success and commercial viability.
- Career context
- By the time 'Flesh and Blood' was released in June 1980, Roxy Music was transitioning into a more mainstream sound following their creative peak with 'Manifesto'. This album marked their return after a three-year hiatus and showcased a refined style that still retained their glam rock roots while embracing new wave influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Bowie· Brian Eno· Talking Heads
Tracklist
- 1 In the Midnight Hour Start here 3:12
- 2 Oh Yeah 4:52
- 3 Same Old Scene 3:58
- 4 Flesh and Blood 3:13
- 5 My Only Love 5:20
- 6 Over You 3:28
- 7 Eight Miles High 4:54
- 8 Rain Rain Rain 3:21
- 9 No Strange Delight 4:46
- 10 Running Wild 5:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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