For one reason or another, whether they touched us personally or they simply blew our minds away, these are the individual tracks we could not stop listening to. (Just a note, all of the songs are in alphabetical order according to song title, but we decided for the first time to single out our top pick at the bottom of the list.) Enjoy!
The Chapman Family’s “Anxiety” (from thechapmanfamilytv YouTube Channel).
The Android Angel’s “Brooklyn Bridge” (from the The Android Angel Bandcamp page).
Those Dancing Days’ “Fuckarias” (from the wichitarecordings YouTube Channel).
Cut City’s “Ghost Pose – 1) Lover, 2) Drifter, 3) Floater” (from the Cut City Bandcamp Page)
The Japanese Popstars’ “Joshua,” featuring Tom Smith [of Editors] (from TheJapanesePopstVEVO YouTube Channel).
She Wants Revenge’s “Little Star” (streaming on their Facebook BandPage).
//orangenoise’s “Rabblerouser” (from //orangenoise Bandcamp page).
Stephen Vs. Stephen’s “The Void” (from the Stephen Vs. Stephen Bandcamp Page).
http://stephenvsstephen.bandcamp.com/
PJ Harvey’s “The Words That Maketh Murder” [Live] (from the PJHarveyVEVO YouTube Channel).
Track of the Year: Duran Duran’s “Before the Rain” (from the 07DuranDuran YouTube Channel).
Read more ...
Showing posts with label Duran Duran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Duran Duran. Show all posts
02 January 2012
01 January 2012
Top Videos of 2011
What follows are ten videos we could not stop viewing and pondering over again and again. (Just a note, all of the songs are in alphabetical order according to song title, but we decided for the first time to single out our top pick at the bottom of the list.) Enjoy!
The Chapman Family’s “Anxiety” from thechapmanfamilytv YouTube Channel.
IAMX’s “Bernadette” from the iamx YouTube Channel.
Villagers’ “Cecelia and Her Selfhood” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Mojo Fury’s “Colour of the Bear” from the mojoFURYvisual YouTube Channel.
Creep’s “Day” from the youngturksrecords YouTube Channel.
David’s Lyre’s “In Arms” from the ThisIsDavidsLyre YouTube Channel.
Thirteen Senses’ “The Loneliest Star” from the ThirteenSensesTV YouTube Channel.
Erland and the Carnival’s “Map of an English Man” from the FullTimeHobbyRecords YouTube Channel.
Those Dancing Days’ “Reaching Forward” from the UniversalMusicSweden YouTube Channel.
Video of the Year: Duran Duran’s “Girl Panic” from the DuranDuranVEVO YouTube Channel.
Read more ...
The Chapman Family’s “Anxiety” from thechapmanfamilytv YouTube Channel.
IAMX’s “Bernadette” from the iamx YouTube Channel.
Villagers’ “Cecelia and Her Selfhood” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Mojo Fury’s “Colour of the Bear” from the mojoFURYvisual YouTube Channel.
Creep’s “Day” from the youngturksrecords YouTube Channel.
David’s Lyre’s “In Arms” from the ThisIsDavidsLyre YouTube Channel.
Thirteen Senses’ “The Loneliest Star” from the ThirteenSensesTV YouTube Channel.
Erland and the Carnival’s “Map of an English Man” from the FullTimeHobbyRecords YouTube Channel.
Those Dancing Days’ “Reaching Forward” from the UniversalMusicSweden YouTube Channel.
Video of the Year: Duran Duran’s “Girl Panic” from the DuranDuranVEVO YouTube Channel.
Read more ...
15 December 2011
Last Batch of Videos for the Year
I am looking forward to the holidays, partially because I will finally be able to finish off this year – a few posts must go up (which have been written), and then we will argue amongst ourselves about our yearly rankings of albums, tracks, videos, and album cover art. But I wanted to put a few more videos before the close of the year.
Though I typically place the videos in alphabetical order according to the title (not band), I made an exception this time, placing Duran Duran’s “Girl Panic” first. Duran Duran, like artists such as David Bowie, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Annie Lennox, Madonna, and Nine Inch Nails, are not just simply musicians or entertainers, but musical institutions in their own right. They have left a legacy blazing behind them, but do not sit on their laurels trying to relive their glory days; instead, they continue to compose music, tour, film videos, and push the envelope in their own way. (Unfortunately, all of these artists are victims of a media world that favors young, cookie-cutter, easily marketable entertainers, and rarely give veterans the credit they deserve.) When I think of Duran Duran’s take on synthpop, tinged with smatterings of post-punk, new wave, classic pop, and a plethora of other styles throughout the years, it is impossible to deny that they were one of the bands that really were in the forefront of music videos, cementing the idea that the image of a band can at once transcend and be interwoven into the musical experience. The sleekness and sexually laden music was mirrored by the videos and the band’s look.
Some times enigmatic (can anyone please explain the chorus of “The Reflex” to me – “The reflex is an only child, who’s waiting by the park; the reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark and watching over lucky clover, isn’t that bizarre?”), sometimes downright confusing (Morrissey once said their videos could have been directed by a “drunken goat”), but one thing that always come to mind is their sense of fashion (that image thing again) and how they have always chosen to present themselves as bigger than life in their videos. That is what really got me about “Girl Panic” – it is essentially the biggest twist in their videography. That larger than life image is deconstructed and then re-imagined in the most bombastic way, while paying homage to their career, fashion, and other icons, who understand a thing or two about fashion. In a nutshell, this is a video that only Duran Duran could have made.
Enjoy the videos!
Duran Duran’s “Girl Panic” from the DuranDuarnVEVO YouTube Channel.
Paul Weller’s “Around The Lake” from the paulwellertv YouTube Channel.
Theme Park’s “Ghosts” from the thmprk YouTube Channel.
Frànçois & The Atlas Mountains’ “Les Plus Beaux” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Bombay Bicycle Club’s “Shuffle” from the BombayBicycleClubVEVO Channel.
Viva Stereo’s “We Set Sail” from the vivastereo YouTube Channel.
Read more ...
Though I typically place the videos in alphabetical order according to the title (not band), I made an exception this time, placing Duran Duran’s “Girl Panic” first. Duran Duran, like artists such as David Bowie, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Annie Lennox, Madonna, and Nine Inch Nails, are not just simply musicians or entertainers, but musical institutions in their own right. They have left a legacy blazing behind them, but do not sit on their laurels trying to relive their glory days; instead, they continue to compose music, tour, film videos, and push the envelope in their own way. (Unfortunately, all of these artists are victims of a media world that favors young, cookie-cutter, easily marketable entertainers, and rarely give veterans the credit they deserve.) When I think of Duran Duran’s take on synthpop, tinged with smatterings of post-punk, new wave, classic pop, and a plethora of other styles throughout the years, it is impossible to deny that they were one of the bands that really were in the forefront of music videos, cementing the idea that the image of a band can at once transcend and be interwoven into the musical experience. The sleekness and sexually laden music was mirrored by the videos and the band’s look.
Some times enigmatic (can anyone please explain the chorus of “The Reflex” to me – “The reflex is an only child, who’s waiting by the park; the reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark and watching over lucky clover, isn’t that bizarre?”), sometimes downright confusing (Morrissey once said their videos could have been directed by a “drunken goat”), but one thing that always come to mind is their sense of fashion (that image thing again) and how they have always chosen to present themselves as bigger than life in their videos. That is what really got me about “Girl Panic” – it is essentially the biggest twist in their videography. That larger than life image is deconstructed and then re-imagined in the most bombastic way, while paying homage to their career, fashion, and other icons, who understand a thing or two about fashion. In a nutshell, this is a video that only Duran Duran could have made.
Enjoy the videos!
Duran Duran’s “Girl Panic” from the DuranDuarnVEVO YouTube Channel.
Paul Weller’s “Around The Lake” from the paulwellertv YouTube Channel.
Theme Park’s “Ghosts” from the thmprk YouTube Channel.
Frànçois & The Atlas Mountains’ “Les Plus Beaux” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Bombay Bicycle Club’s “Shuffle” from the BombayBicycleClubVEVO Channel.
Viva Stereo’s “We Set Sail” from the vivastereo YouTube Channel.
Read more ...
02 November 2011
Duran Duran Live
Through a rare October snowstorm, three friends and I crept towards Atlantic City, NJ to see Duran Duran live … and one of those friends, whom we shall call The Candyman (where do we get these nicknames from?), is one of those people I turn to often when it comes to questions about music. Furthermore, he is one of the people that I have the utmost respect for as a person, so it is no surprise that I have been trying to get him to write here on SlowdiveMusic Blog. So I would like to formally introduce The Candyman and share his debut review, Duran Duran Live.
Back in 1984, when Duran Duran was at the pinnacle of their pop status--when “Seven and the Ragged Tiger” topped the charts and “The Reflex” circulated heavily on radio stations and MTV -- ad nauseam, I might add -- I was a tacit fan, happily scooping up every album and 12-inch single the band had to offer. I watched and listened on the sidelines, but staunchly refused to see these boys in concert. I was determined to avoid the hordes of shrieking teenage girls that were the band’s primary fan base.
Fast forward to October 29, 2011, when I was in the audience as Duran Duran wrapped up their current North American tour, promoting their latest CD, “All You Need Is Now” at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The band opened with a beautiful ballad, “Before the Rain” -- from their new CD. This and other new songs sends a clear message: these Brits are neither retreads from a bygone era nor mutations of what they once were. Instead, Duran Duran is at the forefront of the revivalist movement, which is thankfully spreading across Europe like wildfire. After a few missteps in their 30-plus year career, Duran Duran have gone back to their roots with ”All You Need Is Now,” yet they remain fresh and relevant. In addition, the Fab Four, long considered a “boy band,” have a proven staying-power because their musical talents continue to mature and grow over the years. That being said, there is also no denying that Duran Duran also has a plethora of songs and chart-toppers from their discography, and they continued the concert by reminding us of that with the club hit that put them on the New Wave map: ”Planet Earth.” It was here that I was entrancingly whisked back to the early-80’s -- and, dare I say, transformed into a shrieking teenage girl, exactly of the ilk I escaped back in the day!
This was, in fact, my second Duran Duran outing: I saw them three years ago during their Red Carpet Massacre Tour and was quickly sold on them as a live act. This concert, not unlike the last, was a comfortable blend of greatest hits and cuts from their current CD. At 17 songs, it was also leaner than other dates of this tour, which boasted 19 or 20 songs in their set lists. At the Borgata, Ana Matronic of The Scissor Sisters and producer Mark Ronson were “special guests,” performing alongside lead singer Simon LeBon during “Safe” and “Leave a Light On ,” respectively -- for me, this was an unnecessary frill, but it may explain the trimming of songs. I would have preferred hearing ”Girls on Film,” “Union of the Snake” or ”Skin Trade” -- sadly omitted from this tour altogether -- to the guest players.
LeBon, who celebrated his 53rd birthday while on this tour, radiates a great charm and instantaneously connects with his audience. He offered minor bon mots throughout and joined the crowd on the floor for audience participation on two counts -- once to introduce ”The Reflex” and another to have a young lady introduce him. She was a brash woman, and so loud she was incomprehensible. (I made out the word “hot,” and LeBon was quite pleased with her blaring intro.)
The band retains three other original band members: bass guitarist John Taylor, drummer Roger Taylor, and on the keyboards, Nick Rhodes. The funky female percussionist with a tight, bright orange ponytail that bops to the beat, Dominic Brown on guitar and a soulful backup singer are pluses -- but these boys don’t need any enhancements or accoutrements -- they are in fine form musically. The concert was a pristine, slick production that consisted of graphics and lighting, none of which was distracting or excessive. The focus was the band performing, and they created an exciting energy. And despite a false start and a bit of cracking during ”Come Undone,” LeBon’s voice was as flawless as it was the first time he sang ”Wild Boys” and ”Rio,” which were the encore songs at this performance. I was more than fulfilled by this concert and can be counted in for their next tour.
Had I known back in ‘84 what I know now -- that Duran Duran puts on an enlivened stage show -- I would have seen them in concert back then over and over again and tolerated the screeching girls. Or better yet, I would have just joined in with them -- it’s more fun that way!
Set List:
1. Before the Rain
2. Planet Earth
3. A View to a Kill
4. All You Need Is Now
5. Leave a Light On
6. Come Undone
7. Reflex
8. Tiger Tiger
9. Is There Something?
10. Girl Panic
11. Ordinary World
12. Safe
13. Notorious
14. Hungry Like the Wolf
15. Sunrise
16. Wild Boys
17. Rio
Keep up with Duran Duran at their hompeage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. Read more ...
Back in 1984, when Duran Duran was at the pinnacle of their pop status--when “Seven and the Ragged Tiger” topped the charts and “The Reflex” circulated heavily on radio stations and MTV -- ad nauseam, I might add -- I was a tacit fan, happily scooping up every album and 12-inch single the band had to offer. I watched and listened on the sidelines, but staunchly refused to see these boys in concert. I was determined to avoid the hordes of shrieking teenage girls that were the band’s primary fan base.
Fast forward to October 29, 2011, when I was in the audience as Duran Duran wrapped up their current North American tour, promoting their latest CD, “All You Need Is Now” at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The band opened with a beautiful ballad, “Before the Rain” -- from their new CD. This and other new songs sends a clear message: these Brits are neither retreads from a bygone era nor mutations of what they once were. Instead, Duran Duran is at the forefront of the revivalist movement, which is thankfully spreading across Europe like wildfire. After a few missteps in their 30-plus year career, Duran Duran have gone back to their roots with ”All You Need Is Now,” yet they remain fresh and relevant. In addition, the Fab Four, long considered a “boy band,” have a proven staying-power because their musical talents continue to mature and grow over the years. That being said, there is also no denying that Duran Duran also has a plethora of songs and chart-toppers from their discography, and they continued the concert by reminding us of that with the club hit that put them on the New Wave map: ”Planet Earth.” It was here that I was entrancingly whisked back to the early-80’s -- and, dare I say, transformed into a shrieking teenage girl, exactly of the ilk I escaped back in the day!
This was, in fact, my second Duran Duran outing: I saw them three years ago during their Red Carpet Massacre Tour and was quickly sold on them as a live act. This concert, not unlike the last, was a comfortable blend of greatest hits and cuts from their current CD. At 17 songs, it was also leaner than other dates of this tour, which boasted 19 or 20 songs in their set lists. At the Borgata, Ana Matronic of The Scissor Sisters and producer Mark Ronson were “special guests,” performing alongside lead singer Simon LeBon during “Safe” and “Leave a Light On ,” respectively -- for me, this was an unnecessary frill, but it may explain the trimming of songs. I would have preferred hearing ”Girls on Film,” “Union of the Snake” or ”Skin Trade” -- sadly omitted from this tour altogether -- to the guest players.
LeBon, who celebrated his 53rd birthday while on this tour, radiates a great charm and instantaneously connects with his audience. He offered minor bon mots throughout and joined the crowd on the floor for audience participation on two counts -- once to introduce ”The Reflex” and another to have a young lady introduce him. She was a brash woman, and so loud she was incomprehensible. (I made out the word “hot,” and LeBon was quite pleased with her blaring intro.)
The band retains three other original band members: bass guitarist John Taylor, drummer Roger Taylor, and on the keyboards, Nick Rhodes. The funky female percussionist with a tight, bright orange ponytail that bops to the beat, Dominic Brown on guitar and a soulful backup singer are pluses -- but these boys don’t need any enhancements or accoutrements -- they are in fine form musically. The concert was a pristine, slick production that consisted of graphics and lighting, none of which was distracting or excessive. The focus was the band performing, and they created an exciting energy. And despite a false start and a bit of cracking during ”Come Undone,” LeBon’s voice was as flawless as it was the first time he sang ”Wild Boys” and ”Rio,” which were the encore songs at this performance. I was more than fulfilled by this concert and can be counted in for their next tour.
Had I known back in ‘84 what I know now -- that Duran Duran puts on an enlivened stage show -- I would have seen them in concert back then over and over again and tolerated the screeching girls. Or better yet, I would have just joined in with them -- it’s more fun that way!
Set List:
1. Before the Rain
2. Planet Earth
3. A View to a Kill
4. All You Need Is Now
5. Leave a Light On
6. Come Undone
7. Reflex
8. Tiger Tiger
9. Is There Something?
10. Girl Panic
11. Ordinary World
12. Safe
13. Notorious
14. Hungry Like the Wolf
15. Sunrise
16. Wild Boys
17. Rio
Keep up with Duran Duran at their hompeage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. Read more ...
10 October 2011
Videos
Going to spend the next two weeks catching up on some reviews that I have not gotten too, but two veterans acts have or will be releasing new material over the next few days: Erasure and Brett Anderson [of (The London) Suede fame]. In the meantime, enjoy the videos!
Junior Boys’ “Banana Ripple” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Villagers’ “Cecelia & Her Selfhood” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Fucked Up’s “The Other Shoe” from the matadorrecs YouTube Channel.
Duran Duran’s “Runaway Runaway” from the 07DuranDuran YouTube Channel.
The Big Pink’s “Stay Gold” from the 4ADRecords YouTube Channel.
The New Pornographers’ “Up In The Dark” from the matadorrecs YouTube Channel.
Cold Cave’s “Villians of the Moon” from the ColdCaveVEVO YouTube Channel.
Read more ...
Junior Boys’ “Banana Ripple” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Villagers’ “Cecelia & Her Selfhood” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Fucked Up’s “The Other Shoe” from the matadorrecs YouTube Channel.
Duran Duran’s “Runaway Runaway” from the 07DuranDuran YouTube Channel.
The Big Pink’s “Stay Gold” from the 4ADRecords YouTube Channel.
The New Pornographers’ “Up In The Dark” from the matadorrecs YouTube Channel.
Cold Cave’s “Villians of the Moon” from the ColdCaveVEVO YouTube Channel.
Read more ...
08 April 2011
Video Time ... Part 2
As promised, here is the second installment of videos for the half of the month. Enjoy the videos and the weekend!
Wild Beasts’ “Albatros” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Matt and Kim’s “Camera” from their YouTube Channel: mattandkim.
The Salmon Fishers’ “From Ocean To Land” from the imetrages YouTube Channel.
Thirteen Senses’ “Home” from their YouTube Channel: ThirteenSensesTV.
Metronomy’s “The Look” from their YouTube Channel: metronomyofficial.
Gang Gang Dance’s “MindKilla” from the 4ADRecords YouTube Channel.
Duran Duran’s “Syon House” ["Before the Rain"] from their YouTube Channel: 07DuranDuran.
Read more ...
Wild Beasts’ “Albatros” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Matt and Kim’s “Camera” from their YouTube Channel: mattandkim.
The Salmon Fishers’ “From Ocean To Land” from the imetrages YouTube Channel.
Thirteen Senses’ “Home” from their YouTube Channel: ThirteenSensesTV.
Metronomy’s “The Look” from their YouTube Channel: metronomyofficial.
Gang Gang Dance’s “MindKilla” from the 4ADRecords YouTube Channel.
Duran Duran’s “Syon House” ["Before the Rain"] from their YouTube Channel: 07DuranDuran.
Read more ...
23 December 2010
Duran Duran: "All You Need Is Now"
My apologies for having been away, but I have a few more posts before the close of the year. This post here goes out to two of my friends: Dizzy (I miss you!) and TheCandyMan.
I may not have been writing lately, but I have been listening to tons music. Around my birthday I got the perfect gift, the new Duran Duran single, “All You Need Is Now.” An early Christmas gift came about this week, when the band released their thirteenth studio album, also titled “All You Need Is Now” (21 December 2010 as download, physical copies set for February 2011). With the lackluster reception of “Red Carpet Massacre” (13 November 2007), I think many people, like myself, were a bit weary about this release. In my second post on this blog (link), I made reference to “Red Carpet Massacre,” but also got into the idea of veterans in music: “When musicians become established and household names, the misconception that their name alone will carry them becomes prevalent. Musicians have no choice but to be whores if they want to sustain a career of descent record sales and relevance to the music scene. This includes playing festivals, doing appearances on talk shows, and radio interviews. This includes humility and remembering that the music scene is fickle (at best) and constantly changing. Last year's hot track is a fading memory, and depending on past monuments as a model for future albums is a mistake. Music needs to continue to be new and fresh…” And in that continuation, the two most important factors to keep in mind is the ability of musicians to be strong songwriters and amazing performers. And it is almost funny to say that one must keep “new and fresh” in the midst of an 80s revival, but what better time is there for Duran Duran to use something old to make something new and prove that they are not just sitting on their laurels?
Like all the other veterans that are like religion to me (The Cure, Depeche Mode, Annie Lennox, etc…), the other obstacle that veterans have to surmount is their history. Old time fans want “Rio,” “Hungry Like the Wolf,” and “The Reflex” (Can anyone please explain what they meant by, “The reflex is an only child, he’s waiting in the park. The reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark and watching over lucky clover isn’t that bizarre”?). But unlike countless of late 70s and early 80s veterans that continue to make music, Duran Duran refuses to become complacent. Sure, past experimentations may have failed, but “All You Need Is Now” sways clear of frivolous experiments and obtuse musical references. Actually, they go back to the one reference that they know better than anyone else: themselves!
You cannot listen to this album not think of Duran Duran’s 80s catalogue. No, they are not rehashing the same melodies or hooks, sounds or arrangements, but they are obviously intent on showing everyone crazed in the 80s revival just how music in the 80s was put together, without sounding dated. Furthermore, the sense of urgency has returned to their music. “Girl Panic!” is the perfect example of this. With its near Caribbean-beats, big keyboard arrangement, and the perfect matter-of-fact posturing in Simon Le Bon’s voice, it is that archetypical Duran Duran song that has you on the edge of your seat. Though you may think “Ordinary World” when you listen to “Leave a Light On,” go listen to “Save a Prayer” again. Much more sophisticated than its mold, “Leave a Light On” has the same formula: ambient keyboards carrying the melody with a subtle acoustic guitar in the background. Of course, the lead single can throw anyone off. On the surface, it is close to “Red Carpet Massacre” than anything else, but scratch the surface. That savvy switch from verse to chorus is very “New Moon on Monday.” That odd rhythm / keyboard interplay is “Union of the Snake.” “Being Followed” has that great Duran Duran ostinato like “Rio” and “Hungry Like The Wolf” (no one does ostinato better than them!). And of course, any Duran Duran album must have the I’m-Nick-Rhodes-the-keyboard-king moment, and that comes in the final track, “Before the Rain.” Not as obviously steeped in the 80s mentality of Duran Duran, but it is time for some reflection. More so than their American contemporaries, the Brits of the post-punk, new wave, and New Romanticism(!) were continuously reminded of one thing: the Cold War. And perhaps this near Russian waltz, this chilling ending, is a subtle reminder of those days.
Add a few guest appearances (Kelis and Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters) and an amazing assortment of backing musicians (including Mancunian Dominic Brown) you get an album that proves that Duran Duran still has it in them. Urgent and relevant and stylish as they are, “All You Need Is Now” easily flutters through each track with ease, inspiring foot tapping and dancing. This is the archetypical Duran Duran album: fun, innovative, and memorable – and the first album in a while that I am looking forward to seeing the new music live, though they best play “New Moon on Monday”! Check this one out.
Track Listing:
1. All You Need Is Now
2. Blame the Machines
3. Being Followed
4. Leave A Light On
5. Safe (In the Heat of the Moment)
6. Girl Panic!
7. The Man Who Stole a Leopard
8. Runaway Runway
9. Before the Rain
Keep up with Duran Duran at their homepage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.
Here is the video for “All You Need Is Now” from their YouTube Channel: 07DuranDuran.
Read more ...
I may not have been writing lately, but I have been listening to tons music. Around my birthday I got the perfect gift, the new Duran Duran single, “All You Need Is Now.” An early Christmas gift came about this week, when the band released their thirteenth studio album, also titled “All You Need Is Now” (21 December 2010 as download, physical copies set for February 2011). With the lackluster reception of “Red Carpet Massacre” (13 November 2007), I think many people, like myself, were a bit weary about this release. In my second post on this blog (link), I made reference to “Red Carpet Massacre,” but also got into the idea of veterans in music: “When musicians become established and household names, the misconception that their name alone will carry them becomes prevalent. Musicians have no choice but to be whores if they want to sustain a career of descent record sales and relevance to the music scene. This includes playing festivals, doing appearances on talk shows, and radio interviews. This includes humility and remembering that the music scene is fickle (at best) and constantly changing. Last year's hot track is a fading memory, and depending on past monuments as a model for future albums is a mistake. Music needs to continue to be new and fresh…” And in that continuation, the two most important factors to keep in mind is the ability of musicians to be strong songwriters and amazing performers. And it is almost funny to say that one must keep “new and fresh” in the midst of an 80s revival, but what better time is there for Duran Duran to use something old to make something new and prove that they are not just sitting on their laurels?
Like all the other veterans that are like religion to me (The Cure, Depeche Mode, Annie Lennox, etc…), the other obstacle that veterans have to surmount is their history. Old time fans want “Rio,” “Hungry Like the Wolf,” and “The Reflex” (Can anyone please explain what they meant by, “The reflex is an only child, he’s waiting in the park. The reflex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark and watching over lucky clover isn’t that bizarre”?). But unlike countless of late 70s and early 80s veterans that continue to make music, Duran Duran refuses to become complacent. Sure, past experimentations may have failed, but “All You Need Is Now” sways clear of frivolous experiments and obtuse musical references. Actually, they go back to the one reference that they know better than anyone else: themselves!
You cannot listen to this album not think of Duran Duran’s 80s catalogue. No, they are not rehashing the same melodies or hooks, sounds or arrangements, but they are obviously intent on showing everyone crazed in the 80s revival just how music in the 80s was put together, without sounding dated. Furthermore, the sense of urgency has returned to their music. “Girl Panic!” is the perfect example of this. With its near Caribbean-beats, big keyboard arrangement, and the perfect matter-of-fact posturing in Simon Le Bon’s voice, it is that archetypical Duran Duran song that has you on the edge of your seat. Though you may think “Ordinary World” when you listen to “Leave a Light On,” go listen to “Save a Prayer” again. Much more sophisticated than its mold, “Leave a Light On” has the same formula: ambient keyboards carrying the melody with a subtle acoustic guitar in the background. Of course, the lead single can throw anyone off. On the surface, it is close to “Red Carpet Massacre” than anything else, but scratch the surface. That savvy switch from verse to chorus is very “New Moon on Monday.” That odd rhythm / keyboard interplay is “Union of the Snake.” “Being Followed” has that great Duran Duran ostinato like “Rio” and “Hungry Like The Wolf” (no one does ostinato better than them!). And of course, any Duran Duran album must have the I’m-Nick-Rhodes-the-keyboard-king moment, and that comes in the final track, “Before the Rain.” Not as obviously steeped in the 80s mentality of Duran Duran, but it is time for some reflection. More so than their American contemporaries, the Brits of the post-punk, new wave, and New Romanticism(!) were continuously reminded of one thing: the Cold War. And perhaps this near Russian waltz, this chilling ending, is a subtle reminder of those days.
Add a few guest appearances (Kelis and Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters) and an amazing assortment of backing musicians (including Mancunian Dominic Brown) you get an album that proves that Duran Duran still has it in them. Urgent and relevant and stylish as they are, “All You Need Is Now” easily flutters through each track with ease, inspiring foot tapping and dancing. This is the archetypical Duran Duran album: fun, innovative, and memorable – and the first album in a while that I am looking forward to seeing the new music live, though they best play “New Moon on Monday”! Check this one out.
Track Listing:
1. All You Need Is Now
2. Blame the Machines
3. Being Followed
4. Leave A Light On
5. Safe (In the Heat of the Moment)
6. Girl Panic!
7. The Man Who Stole a Leopard
8. Runaway Runway
9. Before the Rain
Keep up with Duran Duran at their homepage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.
Here is the video for “All You Need Is Now” from their YouTube Channel: 07DuranDuran.
Read more ...
28 July 2010
New Wave Videos
So… I was cleaning out some boxes the other day and came across a few mix-tapes that pushed me back twenty years in an instant. This one particular one, 120 minute TDK – my brand of choice back then – really brought back some funny memories. In a nutshell, I made the tape for a friend’s party, who when requesting that I bring music told me, “None of that depressing shit you listen to… bring some of your happy songs.” Well, I can’t say my friend got all those “happy songs,” but she did get an assortment of new wave. I wish I could get some of the other stuff that was on the tape, like Pekinska Patka, but I did manage to find most of the “popular” stuff of its day. Keeping true to my promise of coming on once in a while with some older videos, here are ten great songs: some are still breath-taking, others are even cheesier now than before, but you got to love them anyway. Enjoy!
Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life” from their MySpace Video page.
It's My Life (UK Version)
Talk Talk | MySpace Music Videos
Eurythmics’ “Love Is a Stranger” from the EurythmicsVEVO YouTube Channel.
Duran Duran’s “New Moon on Monday” from their MySpace Video page.
New Moon On Monday
DURAN DURAN | MySpace Music Videos
Men Without Hats’ “Pop Goes the World” from the MenWithoutHatsVEVO YouTube Channel.
Depeche Mode’s “A Question of Time” from their MySpace Video page.
A Question Of Time
Depeche Mode | MySpace Music Videos
Kajagoogoo’s “Too Shy” from their YouTube Channel: Kajagoogoomusic.
‘Til Tuesday’s “Voices Carry” from the TilTuesdayVEVO YouTube Channel.
New Order’s “True Faith” from their MySpace Videos page.
True Faith by New Order
new order | MySpace Music Videos
The Vapor’s “Turning Japanese” from their MySpace Videos page.
Turning Japanese
THE VAPORS | MySpace Music Videos
Information Society’s “What’s On Your Mind” from their MySpace Video page.
What's On Your Mind
Information Society | MySpace Music Videos Read more ...
Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life” from their MySpace Video page.
It's My Life (UK Version)
Talk Talk | MySpace Music Videos
Eurythmics’ “Love Is a Stranger” from the EurythmicsVEVO YouTube Channel.
Duran Duran’s “New Moon on Monday” from their MySpace Video page.
New Moon On Monday
DURAN DURAN | MySpace Music Videos
Men Without Hats’ “Pop Goes the World” from the MenWithoutHatsVEVO YouTube Channel.
Depeche Mode’s “A Question of Time” from their MySpace Video page.
A Question Of Time
Depeche Mode | MySpace Music Videos
Kajagoogoo’s “Too Shy” from their YouTube Channel: Kajagoogoomusic.
‘Til Tuesday’s “Voices Carry” from the TilTuesdayVEVO YouTube Channel.
New Order’s “True Faith” from their MySpace Videos page.
True Faith by New Order
new order | MySpace Music Videos
The Vapor’s “Turning Japanese” from their MySpace Videos page.
Turning Japanese
THE VAPORS | MySpace Music Videos
Information Society’s “What’s On Your Mind” from their MySpace Video page.
What's On Your Mind
Information Society | MySpace Music Videos Read more ...
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