Roxy Music's 1979 album "Manifesto" arrived at a pivotal time in the band's career and within popular music as a whole. Coming after a multi-year hiatus, it marked a crossroads where the band's earlier art-rock experimentation began to merge with a more pop-oriented, danceable sound.
A Changing Landscape
The late 1970s saw disco fever still raging, while punk and new wave movements were challenging the dominance of established rock acts. Roxy Music found themselves navigating this changed landscape. "Manifesto", while undeniably a Roxy Music album, demonstrated their willingness to evolve amidst the era's shifting musical sands.
Musical Shifts
The album's lead single, “Dance Away,” became a surprise disco hit for the band. It signaled a clear departure from the knotty progressive sounds of earlier albums like "For Your Pleasure" and "Stranded". "Manifesto" wasn't simply a disco record, however. Tracks like the title cut and "Trash" retained the band's unique blend of rock, soul, and sophisticated pop. The inclusion of ballads like "Still Falls The Rain" added further breadth.
Band Dynamics
"Manifesto" also stands out as the last Roxy Music album to feature their classic lineup with the enigmatic Bryan Ferry as frontman, Phil Manzanera on guitar, Andy Mackay on saxophone, and the rhythmic backbone of Paul Thompson on drums. While the album displayed cohesion, tensions within the group were evident. Brian Eno, a key figure in early Roxy Music albums, was absent.
Controversy and Stage Presence
In a time known for visual excess, Roxy Music's image remained a point of interest. The "Manifesto" era's live shows saw the band don slick suits for a more streamlined presentation. While they retained an air of glamour and sophistication, controversy still followed them – Ferry's lyrics often bordered on the provocative, and their willingness to incorporate diverse styles kept some critics guessing.
