Odyssey
Avon (1982)

There isn't a whole lot here in terms of complexity, but Avon Odyssey (1982) does have some neat twists and facets about it, making it quite the unusual feminine-market scent from the storied mail-order brand. Getting to the bottom of things, this is a floral musk with some green facets to it, not quite definable as a fougère, but definitely near it. Whoever perfumed this knew they were doing something out of the ordinary, and the person in charge of the marketing probably knew too, as the whole mystique of the packaging and name of "Odyssey" really fits what the olfactive journey here is all about. For the most part, this is a clean and slightly green scent, although the gray cap and angular body of the bottle won't really reveal that, and neither does the lilac-colored box. Originally released as an ultra-cologne too, this has some potency that shouldn't be overlooked. Being as it is, Odyssey smells quite unisex, and I imagine it probably would have been if released in the 1960's or early 1970's, although by 1981 it would be somewhat dainty compared to the roaring chest hair of men's powerhouses. Sadly, I don't think conventional women's tastes in Western society will much enjoy something like this, which may be the cause for such disparate mixed reactions among reviews online.

The opening is muguet and aldehydes, not to dissimilar to something like the introduction of Kouros by Yves Saint Laurent (1981) but stripped nearly of all animalism. Some compare this opening to a bar of Ivory soap and I can totally see it, although some feminine-market floral selections like tuberose, tagetes, and mimosa do creep into the heart stages. Orris and a bit of rosewood follow and recall another soapy men's fougère in the form of Paco Rabanne pour Homme (1973), which is in all honesty the daddy of Kouros anyway. Patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, and copious amounts of fluffy white nitromusks round out the base in a way that feels a bit old-fashioned; these aren't the laundry-clean galaxolide notes or sheer modern polycyclics that suck all moisture out of a space like silica desiccating gel in a mailed package. Fragrances like Clinique Chemistry (1994), that would make such stark bar soap exercises en vogue for men were over a decade away, although I'm sure guys having this pitched to them then would not have been the wiser. Performance is outstanding, but not in the projection department. Best use is really anytime, anyplace, by anyone. For me personally, the only big complaint if one could be lodged is how inoffensive and easy this is to wear, almost like what people extol a modern office fragrance to be, which could read as boring even to guys who wander into trying this out.

This odd little minimalist avant-garde piece of work from Avon got surprisingly popular among women; this is likely because it was so simple, elegant, stripped-down, and versatile in an era when big shoulder pads and Aqua Net defined the loudness of women's fashion; with not every woman (especially the growing working-class woman who couldn't afford to stay at home with the kids anymore) wanting to announce their entrance with aldehydes like Michael Buffer announcing a wrestling match. Odyssey proved so peculiar in it's popularity, that Avon launched the much shorter-lived Avon Night Odyssey (1983) two years later, being a spicier evening-wear take even though the brand had already released a heavier evening-wear version of the primary musk accord in Odyssey a year earlier by putting out Night Magic Evening Musk (1981). I guess you never can have too much of a good thing when Avon is calling, right? In any case, Odyssey eventually fell out of existence only to be perennially brought back when Avon does rounds of nostalgia-aimed re-issues (but never for men anymore), if you're looking to try this pseudo-fougère floral musk thing. Thumbs up

As I recall, this was pleasant enough if I had nothing else handy, but I found it fairly boring. Softly nebulous without being mysterious, and with too much baby powder. It had one good use: As a young social worker, I used to wear it if one of my cases in Juvie promised to get more contentious than usual. It calmed the kids, the parents, the defense attorneys, one or two of the judges and, oh yeah, me. Olfactory Valium. :-)

It has only been a few minutes, but from the get go I liked this fragrance. The spouse used an entire powder canister to scent the sheets, so, obviously it was a favorite. I found the powder to be extremely musky, but not so the cologne. It is very clean and softly floral.
I have heard this likened to both Chanel 19 and Noa and Noa Fleur.
It is reminiscent of the Chanel in EDP and it is a crisp and slightly musky floral.
Truly enjoyable, particularly for the price and ease of availability.

This was one of my favourites throughout the nineties; a "clean, soft, musky floral" as vanillavanilla says. And l also loved the body cream, shower gel etc. l probably wouldn't wear it again now, but l have fond memories of this fragrance.

ivory soap.this is getting freecycled.i can't think of anything more banal.don't pay money for this.i got it for less than $6 and feel gypped.

Odyssey is one of the most TERRIBLE fragrances I have ever used. It smells like a rotted, gritty, sour men's cologne. It was almost painful to smell. A friend gave it to me for Christmas and I tried so hard to wear it. It was putrid from the moment I put it on and got worse with the day.