by bit, until all that was left was what his entire career had meant to hide: 'an average man', but one with enough emotion to record for Motown." Legacy Siren remains one of Roxy Music's most critically acclaimed albums. Critic Dave Marsh described Siren in 1983 as "Roxy's masterpiece, calling the listener back by virtue of its finely honed instrumental attack and compelling lyrical attitude". In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that Roxy Music's unabashed embrace of dance and pop music on Siren, while resulting in their distinctive "artier tendencies" being toned down, produces "a thematic consistency that works in [the album's] favor" and elevates it "into the realm of classics". Rob Sheffield refers to Siren as "the first Roxy Music album without any failed moments" in 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon Reynolds was less receptive in a 1999 article for Uncut. He acknowledged that Siren continued to be "universally" held in high regard, particularly by American critics, but considered it and its predecessor Country Life to be "conventional and tame" compared to the band's earlier output. Rolling Stone ranked Siren at number 371 on its 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, and at number 374 on a 2012 version of the list. Vibe included it in its list of the 100 essential albums of the 20th century, describing it as a fusion of "the esoteric murk of early Roxy" and "the aching, ardently romantic tone that defines their later work". Track listing On cassette tapes (e.g. Island ZC19344) "Whirlwind" and "Just Another High" (the last track of each side) are swapped, presumably for optimum tape length. Personnel Roxy Music Bryan Ferry – vocals, keyboards, harmonica Andy Mackay – oboe, saxophone Paul Thompson – drums Phil Manzanera – guitars Eddie Jobson – violin, synthesizers, keyboards John Gustafson – bass Production Steve Nye – recording engineer Ross Cullum – assistant engineer Michael Sellers – assistant engineer Bob Ludwig – remastering engineer (1999) Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts Certifications References Art rock albums by English artists Roxy Music albums 1975 albums E.G. Records albums Albums produced by Chris Thomas (record producer) Island Records albums Polydor Records albums Atco Records albums Reprise Records albums Virgin Records albums Albums recorded at AIR Studios