One of the originators of glam rock in the early '70s, in a time of experimentation, long hair and beards, disco, and the birth of punk and hip hop, Roxy Music were doing something a little bit different. One of the most influential bands to anyone who started a band, is in one, or who just loves music, Roxy Music created songs that were way ahead of their time. Yeah, that’s been said before about many bands, but Roxy have definitely earned a right to be in that caliber of artists. Here, The Thrill of it All highlights various performances of the band in their prime (1972-1982) on two discs.
But, like most live DVDs out there, there are a few issues that need to be mentioned. First, The Thrill of it All lacks the vibe of a live concert. This is obviously a greatest hits of sorts, hitting on the many phases of their music and looks, which run the gamut of costumes and stage sets to Members Only jackets, mullets, and thinning hair. One other issue I have with this DVD is that some of the song performances cut off midway through. Who knows if it has to do with bad footage or time constraints, but there’s nothing worse than watching “Love is the Drug” or “Both Ends Burning” and having them cut off and go to the next song halfway through the performances. But who knows, that may be the goal of the DVD, to give you a taste of the brilliance that Bryan Ferry, Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, and the many others who made up Roxy Music, created from 1972-1982 and beyond. While it’s not perfect, it offers an excellent look at every stage of the band’s existence during its most important years and is worth picking up for the casual fan, newbies, and those in bands who want to geek out.
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