Bryan Ferry - Olympia

Redefining the sub-genre of suave-rock, the always debonair Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry returns with Olympia (October 26, Astralwerks), his first solo album of original material since 2002's Frantic. Produced by veteran Ferry/Roxy producer Rhett Davies, Olympia boasts an eclectic guest list -- Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood, Flea, Marcus Miller, Scissor Sisters, Nile Rodgers and Brian Eno -- but Davies and Ferry don't really move into unexplored territories as much as they update and embellish the patented style of slinky, atmospheric, beat-driven pop. With a cushioned padding of electronica and dense rock shadings reinforcing Ferry's thankfully unmannered, urbane croon, if this were a cocktail it would be top-shelf liquor, shaken gently and served ultra-chilled on ice.

Much of Olympia follows the "post Roxy/Avalon" Ferry playbook down to the GQ open collar tuxedo shirt and the bevy of writhing models populating the first video for lead single "You Can Dance", a track originally written for a never-released 1996 album that's half gyrating 2am dance floor chic, half stormy drama. We even get the glamourpuss album cover featuring the dolled up Kate Moss. Like the sleek secret agent he resembles, Ferry pulls it off without a bead of sweat in sight, a wink to contemporary edge but mostly burnishing his elegant legacy. In addition to the eight originals, there's also covers of Tim Buckley’s "Song to the Siren" and Traffic’s "No Face, No Name, No Number". Videos after the jump.

Artist Site  Myspace

Bryan Ferry - "Shameless" (from Olympia)

Bryan Ferry - "You Can Dance" (from Olympia)