The Thrill of It All cover

The Thrill of It All

Roxy Music · 1995

312 min · 67 tracks · new wave

A lush blend of art rock and glam, infused with theatricality and sophisticated melodies that define Roxy Music's signature sound.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Re‐Make/Re‐Model Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    Love Is the Drug — This track exemplifies Roxy Music's distinctive blend of glam rock with smooth disco elements, showcasing Bryan Ferry's seductive vocals amid vibrant instrumentation.
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    More Than This — A haunting ballad that captures the essence of yearning and introspection, featuring ethereal harmonies and lush production that highlight the band's artistic evolution.
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    Avalon — The title track resonates with themes of escapism and romantic idealism, characterized by its atmospheric soundscapes and poignant lyrics that linger long after listening.
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    Dance Away — This track combines infectious melodies with nostalgic lyrics, reflecting the band's ability to weave personal storytelling into danceable tunes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong craftsmanship and distinctive sound but lacks the cohesion and impact of earlier works.

What we noticed

  • The album features lush arrangements with a prominent use of strings and synthesizers, creating a rich sonic texture.
  • Vocals are layered with harmonies and often delivered in a theatrical style, enhancing the dramatic effect of the songs.
  • Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, shifting from slow ballads to upbeat sections, which adds to the dynamic range of the album.
  • The lyrics often explore themes of love and existential reflection, presented through abstract imagery.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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

  • dynamic journey with emotional peaks
  • lush soundscapes for deep listening
  • for late-night introspection
  • narrative arcs that unfold gradually
  • evocative melodies for reflective moments

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer straightforward, immediate gratification
  • seek short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Marks Roxy Music's return after a long hiatus, showing continued creativity.
Career context
Released in 1995, The Thrill of It All marked Roxy Music's return after a significant hiatus since their last studio album, Avalon, in 1982. At this point, the band was navigating a landscape significantly changed by the rise of new musical trends and technologies. This album is a reflection of their legacy while also showcasing a mature sound, bridging their past with contemporary influences.
Stylistic neighbors
David Bowie· Brian Eno· Talking Heads

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Re‐Make/Re‐Model Start here 5:13
  • 2 Ladytron 4:23
  • 3 If There Is Something 6:34
  • 4 2HB 4:29
  • 5 Chance Meeting 3:01
  • 6 Sea Breezes 7:00
  • 7 Do the Strand 4:01
  • 8 Beauty Queen 4:37
  • 9 Strictly Confidential 3:45
  • 10 Editions of You 3:47
  • 11 In Every Dream Home a Heartache 5:26
  • 12 The Bogus Man 9:22
  • 13 For Your Pleasure 6:48
  • 14 Street Life 3:26
  • 15 Just Like You 3:33
  • 16 Amazona 4:13

Disc 2

  • 1 A Song for Europe 5:44
  • 2 Mother of Pearl 6:51
  • 3 Sunset 6:06
  • 4 The Thrill of It All 6:25
  • 5 Three and Nine 4:04
  • 6 All I Want Is You 2:54
  • 7 Out of the Blue 4:47
  • 8 Bitter-Sweet 4:52
  • 9 Casanova 3:25
  • 10 A Really Good Time 3:46
  • 11 Prairie Rose 5:08
  • 12 Love Is the Drug 4:06
  • 13 Sentimental Fool 6:15
  • 14 Could It Happen to Me? 3:36
  • 15 Both Ends Burning 5:15
  • 16 Just Another High 6:07

Disc 3

  • 1 Manifesto 5:29
  • 2 Trash 2:11
  • 3 Angel Eyes 3:32
  • 4 Stronger Through the Years 6:12
  • 5 Ain't That So 5:37
  • 6 Dance Away 4:20
  • 7 Oh Yeah 4:50
  • 8 Same Old Scene 3:56
  • 9 Flesh and Blood 3:12
  • 10 My Only Love 5:18
  • 11 Over You 3:23
  • 12 No Strange Delight 4:44
  • 13 More Than This 4:29
  • 14 Avalon 4:14
  • 15 While My Heart Is Still Beating 3:26
  • 16 Take a Chance With Me 4:40
  • 17 To Turn You On 4:13
  • 18 Tara 1:34

Disc 4

  • 1 Virginia Plain 2:56
  • 2 The Numberer 3:40
  • 3 Pyjamarama 3:00
  • 4 The Pride and the Pain 4:14
  • 5 Manifesto (remake) 4:00
  • 6 Hula Kula 2:37
  • 7 Trash 2 3:09
  • 8 Your Application's Failed 4:45
  • 9 Lover 4:26
  • 10 Sultanesque 5:21
  • 11 Dance Away (extended remix) 6:29
  • 12 South Downs 5:10
  • 13 Angel Eyes (extended remix) 6:37
  • 14 Always Unknowing 5:21
  • 15 The Main Thing (extended remix) 7:41
  • 16 India 1:46
  • 17 Jealous Guy 6:11

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata