I was seventeen when I saw American Beauty in the theater, and it blew my mind. Having grown up in a fairly typical middle class, suburban neighborhood, I guess the film's message of alienation  and redemption just kind of resonated with my teenage self.

I was seventeen when I saw American Beauty in the theater, and it blew my mind. Having grown up in a fairly typical middle class, suburban neighborhood, I guess the film's message of alienation  and redemption just kind of resonated with my teenage self.

"Virginia Plain" was only on the U.S pressing, and then subsequent pressings of the first album in other regions. It hadn't been recorded when the album was first released in the UK. I guess the idea was to be faithful to the origininal album track lists, which is fine. I like the fidelity to the original vision, as…

"Virginia Plain" was only on the U.S pressing, and then subsequent pressings of the first album in other regions. It hadn't been recorded when the album was first released in the UK. I guess the idea was to be faithful to the origininal album track lists, which is fine. I like the fidelity to the original vision, as…

The previous remasters had a pretty claustrophibic and condensed sound to them. In particular, I remember listening to 'The Bogus Man' on headphones and thinking how everything just sounded smooshed together… These new discs give the music room to breathe that just wasn't there before.

The previous remasters had a pretty claustrophibic and condensed sound to them. In particular, I remember listening to 'The Bogus Man' on headphones and thinking how everything just sounded smooshed together… These new discs give the music room to breathe that just wasn't there before.

He blinks about 45 seconds in…

He blinks about 45 seconds in…

Yeah- the sound quality is definitely worth a mention here. The previous CD releases (from around 1999/2000) sounded awful, so these remasters were much-needed. I'd say that this set is up there with The Beatles in Mono for improvements over the previous offerings.

Yeah- the sound quality is definitely worth a mention here. The previous CD releases (from around 1999/2000) sounded awful, so these remasters were much-needed. I'd say that this set is up there with The Beatles in Mono for improvements over the previous offerings.

'Manifesto' and 'Flesh + Blood' are probably the most similar to 'Avalon.' If you listen to those three chronologically, you can definitely hear how the band lead up to releasing that as their final album.

'Manifesto' and 'Flesh + Blood' are probably the most similar to 'Avalon.' If you listen to those three chronologically, you can definitely hear how the band lead up to releasing that as their final album.

I streamed this a few times last week. I thought it was pretty good, but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as 'Merriweather Post Pavilion.' I just figured I'd need to hear it a few more times for it to completely sink in. I'll still pick it up this week. I've been listening to nothing but Roxy Music since that box came…

I streamed this a few times last week. I thought it was pretty good, but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as 'Merriweather Post Pavilion.' I just figured I'd need to hear it a few more times for it to completely sink in. I'll still pick it up this week. I've been listening to nothing but Roxy Music since that box came…

It was a wall. Hence the 'Humpty Dumpty' jokes, and the newspaper that refers to Simon as a Walrus. ("I'm not fat… I haven't even got a mustache!")

It was a wall. Hence the 'Humpty Dumpty' jokes, and the newspaper that refers to Simon as a Walrus. ("I'm not fat… I haven't even got a mustache!")

One day in my career, I genuinely hope I get to threaten someone with, "…and I will marshal all the media forces of DARKNESS to hound you to an assisted suicide."

One day in my career, I genuinely hope I get to threaten someone with, "…and I will marshal all the media forces of DARKNESS to hound you to an assisted suicide."

I never heard 'Wrong Way Up,' but I LOVE 'Paris 1919.' Will check out.

I never heard 'Wrong Way Up,' but I LOVE 'Paris 1919.' Will check out.