Summary
Plug in your turntable and dust off your dancing shoes: Roxy Music’s Stranded (Polydor 2302 050) is back in the groove! Released in 1973 and spun anew in 1977, this glam-art rock classic showcases the stylish swagger of Bryan Ferry and company at their most beguiling. Pick up this essential slab of wax and immerse yourself in lush soundscapes, dramatic storytelling, and the kind of sophisticated pop only Roxy could conjure. If you think you know classic rock, Stranded is here to reeducate your senses in style.

About the Artist
Roxy Music, fronted by the ever-dapper Bryan Ferry, materialized in the early ‘70s British art-rock scene with a vision equal parts glam and avant-garde. The band blurred musical and fashion boundaries, with members including sonic wizard Brian Eno (pre-Stranded), guitarist Phil Manzanera, and saxophonist Andy Mackay.

Leading up to Stranded, the band had already ruffled feathers and turned heads with their first two albums. Eno’s departure just before this record could’ve been a disaster; instead, Roxy doubled down on melody and narrative flair, cementing their place in the glam rock pantheon.

About the Record
Stranded marked a critical turning point for Roxy Music, both musically and thematically. No longer just provocateurs, the band here became consummate auteurs, marrying rich arrangements with Ferry’s cinematic lyricism. The genre? A seamless swirl of glam, art rock, and proto-new wave, pulsing with emotion and decadence.

The production, spearheaded by Chris Thomas (who would later work with the Sex Pistols and Paul McCartney), is warm and sophisticated. Manzanera’s guitar shines, and the addition of Eddie Jobson (taking over Eno’s synthesizers and violin duties) gave the band a new, polished edge.

About the Cover
Is a Roxy Music album ever just about the music? Stranded’s cover is a glamorous provocation, featuring Playboy Playmate Marilyn Cole sprawled in a surreal, enchanted woodland setting. Shot by Karl Stoecker and styled with lush, dreamlike colors, it’s both risqué and sophisticated—the perfect visual match for the band’s sound. Ferry, a former art student, was famously involved in the concept, proving once again that for Roxy, image was everything.

About the Lyrics & Music
If you’re yearning for lyricism and drama, Stranded delivers in spades. Ferry has described the album’s lyrical themes as “romantic escapism”—and what an escape route he draws! The album kicks off with the urgent rush of “Street Life,” an instant glam-pop banger with glossy hooks and sly social commentary.

Other standouts include:

“Mother of Pearl” – a masterwork of shifting tempos and moods.
“A Song for Europe” – a melancholic, chanson-infused ballad, complete with Ferry crooning in French and Latin. Moody, majestic, and unmistakably European.
“Serenade” and “Psalm” – these tracks push the art-rock envelope with sweeping arrangements and lush instrumentation.
The production is rich but never overbearing. Jobson’s violin and synth textures fill the spaces left by Eno, while Manzanera and Mackay’s interplay provides depth and sparkle throughout. Ferry’s vocals—alternately aching and arch—tie it all together.

Conclusion
Stranded is the sound of Roxy Music reaching artistic escape velocity. Balancing edge with elegance, this album confirmed the band’s status as art-rock royalty. For vinyl lovers, the 1977 Polydor repress offers all the sonic warmth and tactile nostalgia your shelf (and ears) crave. Whether you’re a Roxy aficionado or just glam-curious, this album is essential listening.

Other Recommendations
If Stranded got you hooked, don’t stop there! Spin these other gems:

Roxy Music – “For Your Pleasure” (1973): Moodier and stranger, with Eno doing his iconoclastic thing.
Roxy Music – “Country Life” (1974): Picks up where Stranded leaves off—glittery, grown-up, and packed with pop art brilliance.
Bryan Ferry – “These Foolish Things” (1973): Ferry’s solo covers album; a kaleidoscope of glam-era nostalgia.
David Bowie – “Aladdin Sane” (1973): For fans of style and substance, Bowie and Roxy were art rock’s twin stars.
Japan – “Tin Drum” (1981): Roxy’s art-pop legacy lives on in this atmospheric, synth-laden classic.
Ready to get stranded (in the best way)? Add this record to your collection and take your ears on an unforgettable journey through Roxy Music’s most enchanting soundscapes!