Released 40 years ago
Street Life: 20 Great Hits
Roxy Music · 1986
74 min · 20 tracks · new wave
A vibrant fusion of glam rock and art pop, brimming with theatricality and lush arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Virginia Plain Start here — This track exemplifies Roxy Music's early sound with its energetic tempo and sharp lyrical wit, showcasing Bryan Ferry's distinctive vocal style.
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Love Is the Drug — With its catchy hook and seductive rhythm, this song highlights the band's ability to blend rock with sophisticated pop sensibilities, making it a staple in their catalog.
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More Than This — A standout ballad that reflects the band's more mature sound, it captures themes of longing and introspection with haunting melodies and evocative lyrics.
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Avalon — As one of their most recognizable songs, 'Avalon' combines lush orchestration with dreamy vocals, marking a pivotal moment in their sonic evolution towards a more polished sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This compilation showcases Roxy Music's diverse catalog but lacks a cohesive narrative flow typical of original albums.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate lush orchestration and theatrical elements, creating a vibrant sound that is characteristic of the band's style.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- theatrical flair for engagement
- nostalgic reflections on love
- for lively gatherings
- catchy anthems for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer minimalistic soundscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A compilation that showcases their past work, not an entry point or breakthrough.
- Themes
- Hollywood-style glamour· after-hours seduction· Avalon-era longing
- Career context
- By the time Roxy Music released 'Street Life: 20 Great Hits' in 1986, they were well-established as pioneers within the glam rock and art rock genres. This compilation came after a notable hiatus following their album 'Avalon' (1982), which marked a commercial peak for the band. The collection showcases their most celebrated tracks, encapsulating their influential sound across a decade.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Bowie· Brian Eno· Talking Heads
Tracklist
- 1 Virginia Plain Start here 2:58
- 2 A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall 4:15
- 3 Pyjamarama 2:52
- 4 Do the Strand 3:46
- 5 These Foolish Things 4:49
- 6 Street Life 3:27
- 7 Let’s Stick Together 2:59
- 8 Smoke Gets in Your Eyes 2:54
- 9 Love Is the Drug 4:04
- 10 Sign of the Times 2:28
- 11 Dance Away 3:44
- 12 Angel Eyes 2:51
- 13 Oh Yeah 4:36
- 14 Over You 3:26
- 15 Same Old Scene 3:57
- 16 In the Midnight Hour 3:08
- 17 More Than This 4:10
- 18 Avalon 4:16
- 19 Slave to Love 4:17
- 20 Jealous Guy 4:54
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Rio
Duran Duran
Pairs glossy new-wave production and theatrical hooks with the same glamorous, after-hours seduction.
Gentlemen Take Polaroids
Japan
Shares art-rock poise, elegant arrangements, and a cool, nocturnal sense of glamour.
Let's Dance
David Bowie
Blends polished dance-rock with romantic longing and a sleek, cinematic sheen.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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