More Than This

Roxy Music

AVALON is an album I never tire of. It’s been called one of the most romantic records ever made, and I also find it equally melancholy. I love this sublime analog recording and mix — thank God it was made before digital recordings became common place. You can hear and feel the warmth and depth in the tracks — and Ferry’s vocals are a perfect 10 across both sides. The result is this uplifting, endlessly playable work of art that belongs in a class of its own.

Roxy Music is mostly remembered for their sprawling ground-breaking work of the early seventies. But AVALAON is still the only Roxy record I reach for regularly. It’s the last one they made, record number eight. The entire band said they used everything they learned making records and applied it to this major work in the studio. This is obvious when you play it.

This is one of those albums that puts me in the present tense. Sure it can stir memories of the past. These songs bring to mind certain people I once knew… But mostly, it pulls me into the present tense — like great art does. I am here now listening to these songs and they’re landing with me anew, right here on December 30th 2022. I’m not sure how many records out there that can cast this kind of spell.

Choosing this track was tricky at first — because I love every song. But something about the way this one kicks off the experience of listening to Avalon. It’s a beauty and the lyrics tee up the magic of the seaside and that there’s nothing more than this right now.

I could feel at the time
There was no way of knowing
Fallen leaves in the night
Who can say where they're blowing?

As free as the wind
Hopefully learning
Why the sea on the tide
Has no way of turning

More than this
You know there's nothing
More than this
Tell me one thing
More than this
Ooh there's nothing

It was fun for a while
There was no way of knowing
Like a dream in the night
Who can say where we're going?

No care in the world
Maybe I'm learning
Why the sea on the tide
Has no way of turning

More than this
You know there's nothing
More than this
Tell me one thing
More than this
No there's nothing

More than this
Nothing
More than this
More than this
Nothing