Clubhusband

Some contend Roxy Music peaked on their first two LPs, the ones with Brian Eno. Others contend they were best on their next two LPs, without Eno. Country Life is the second LP of the latter grouping, and it probably is the highpoint of the band's career (although its predecessor, Street Life, is stiff competition). The haunting, melancholic "The Thrill of It All," the art-rockin' "Out of the Blue," the almost-pure '50s rock of "If It Takes All Night," and the decadent Berlin-before-the-War affectations of "A Really Good Time" all lead to the concluding "Prairie Rose," Bryan Ferry's campy ode to Texas and amour Jerry Hall. This was "alternative" rock before the term existed. After this, Roxy Music became an entirely different band. --Bill Holdship