DURAN DURAN

Duran | All You Need Is Now (Tapemodern)

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 07 July 2011 19:58

Such a clever, classic approach; I appreciate it anew with every listen.


First, before giving you the review, I’m going to make two pronouncements:

1. All You Need Is Now is Duran Duran’s best effort since Rio.

2. All You Need Is Now may very well be the best release of 2011.

Before you decry my remarks, let me prove my point.

The self-released (!) All You Need Is Now was heralded as a “return to form” for the former teen heartthrobs; with it, the band was supposed to be revisiting its 1980s roots. And you know what? Both proclamations are true.

Lead single and title track “All You Need Is Now” is catchy from the get-go, a brilliant way to start an otherwise brilliant album. Singer Simon LeBon’s voice is in perhaps the best form of his career; he stretches and soars and moans better than anyone in the business. The song’s a classic, sounding old while simultaneously sounding new. (Believe me; it just works). With lyrics such as “Everybody’s gunning for the VIP section/ but you’re better off in running in another direction,” it recalls a similar sentiment set forth by the band on “Too Much Information” from 1993’s Duran Duran (the Wedding Album): “Destroyed by MTV/ you hate to bite the hand that feeds.”

Next up, “Blame the Machines” hearkens back to Rio’s “Hold Back the Rain.” Soaring “whoa”s and a strong synthesizer undertone draw a listener in almost immediately. Soaring vocals on the refrain coupled with “Hungry Like the Wolf”-style guitars fill the fast-moving “Being Followed” with all that is good about these Birmingham lads—er, gents. (Can you believe the band formed in 1978?)

With “Leave the Light On,” the band proves it can go mellow without going home. Think Rio’s “Save a Prayer”: it may be slow, but it’s nonetheless fully engaging and, well, awesome. “Safe (in the Heat of the Moment)” is a down-and-dirty dance tune. The female voice monotonously reciting lines (“Scratch my surface, dig in deep/ there’s always secrets that you keep”), amazingly, never gets old; rather, it’s fun to let loose with this one. Go ahead: sing, talk, dance, shake your head. This song was meant for you. Before you hang up those boogie shoes, give a listen to “Girl Panic!” The song kicks off with a drum beat before adding Duran Duran-styled guitars and LeBon’s rich vocals. One of the album’s interludes, “A Diamond in the Mind,” comes next. It’s a brief string reprisal of “All You Need Is Now,” similar to Thank You’s “Drive By,” which was a reimagining of Rio’s “The Chauffeur.”

The stark intro to “The Man Who Stole a Leopard” reminds me of the dark overtures of “Night Boat,” from the band’s self-titled 1981 debut. Lyrically, this one’s a classic double entendre, comparing an untamable woman to a leopard (“Hungry Like the Wolf,” anyone?). Again, we have a female voice, at first providing backing vocals, then reading a news report over the final minute and a half of the song. It should get old—but again, it doesn’t. Such a clever, classic approach; I appreciate it anew with every listen.

As you might expect, a song called “Runway Runaway” gets you moving again with its upbeat pop energy. Next up, the space-y and haunting “Before the Rain” is this album’s “The Chauffer.” It’s so aching and gorgeous: no aphids this time, just rain. Put on the headphones and dim the lights; you can lose yourself in this one. Also maintaining the mellow mood is “Mediterranea,” one of the “bonus” tracks on the physical release.

We’re back to the upbeat with “Other People’s Lives”; also new in 2011 is the galloping “Too Bad You’re so Beautiful.” There’s something refreshing about a song that defies its age: It could be the 1980s, it could be 30 years hence. Does it really matter? Good is good, no matter when it came out.

Fittingly, the album’s closer is yet another reflection of its opener. The strings-only “Return to Now” is lyricless, a perfectly understated cherry atop a truly satisfying treat.

In 2004, the original lineup of Duran Duran got back together for Astronaut; though by no means bad, Astronaut was a mellow pop album at its core, not a New Wave release. The dance-pop Red Carpet Massacre followed in 2007, and with it the departure of guitarist Andy Taylor (“creative differences,” or something like that; read Taylor’s autobiography if you want the dirt). These days, Duran Duran remain Simon LeBon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, and Roger Taylor—plus some unnamed guy on lead guitar. (Really, does it even matter who?)

The album was released first in 2010 as digital-only; this year saw its physical release, complete with four additional tracks. (And yes, the wait was worth it; though two are reprises/instrumentals, none of the four is a throwaway.) Truly, with All You Need Is Now, Duran Duran has obliterated any talk about “has-beens.” There’s no other way to say it: Duran Duran is back, and they’re on fire. A+ | Laura Hamlett

DURAN DURAN FORCED TO RESCHEDULE EUROPEAN SUMMER TOUR ------ THREE MUSKETEERS OPENING DATE CHANGED

http://www.duranduran.com/wordpress/2011/duran-duran-forced-to-reschedule-european-summer-tour-due-to-singer-simon-le-bons-vocal-problems/

July 1st, 2011

British rock band, Duran Duran have today announced that they are being forced to cancel their upcoming European summer tour, that was due to start on Thursday 14 July in Dublin, Ireland and run through mid September, due to lead singer Simon Le Bon’s ongoing vocal problems. Doctor’s believe that Le Bon damaged the muscles controlling his vocal chords during a show in Cannes in early May of this year, causing him to temporarily lose the top part of his range. With continued physiotherapy and a rigorous treatment plan, the singer’s medical team are certain that he will return to full health in the near future, but as the exact timing of this cannot be predicted, they are recommending moving the European dates so as to avoid disappointing fans at the last minute.

The band members are devastated at the news that the shows will not go ahead as planned and are keen to try to reschedule as many dates as possible for later in the year or early 2012. While they wait for Simon’s full recovery, they are working together in the studio, rehearsing, to assist with the rehabilitation process.
The postponement of the ‘All You Need Is Now World Tour’, in support of the band’s thirteen studio album, which was scheduled to kick off in the UK in May, marks only the second time in the band’s 30 year career that they have had to move a number of shows for any medical reason. Today’s announcement has been a particularly hard one to make, as Simon has improved dramatically since the incident in France a few weeks ago, and he feels that he’ll be back at 100% capacity shortly. What the band members do not want to continue doing, however, is moving or canceling shows at the last moment as they recognize how difficult this is for both their fans and the teams promoting the dates. With this in mind, they have agreed to move the entire European summer run and will not be putting anything back in the calendar until Le Bon is in full voice.
The full run of upcoming European concerts is listed below. The hope is to reschedule as many of these as possible, so fans should hold on to their tickets that will be valid for the new dates. Details will be available as soon as the band are able to secure venues on www.duranduran.com, together with the local promoters’ websites.

July
Thursday 14 Dublin, Ireland
Saturday 16 London, UK – iTunes Festival
Monday 18 Leipzig, Germany
Tuesday 19 Munich, Germany
Friday 22 Brenta, Italy
Saturday 23 Milan, Italy
Saturday 24 Savoia, Italy
Tuesday 26 Thessaloniki, Greece
Thursday 28 Istanbul, Turkey
Saturday 30 Tel Aviv, Israel

August
Monday 1 Ayia Napa, Cyprus
Thursday 4 Vienna, Austria
Saturday 6 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Monday 8 Mallorca, Spain
Wednesday 10 Estepona, Spain
Friday 12 Ibiza, Spain
Saturday 13 Hamburg, Germany
Tuesday 16 Abufeira, Portugal
Saturday 20 V Festival, Stafford, UK
Sunday 21 V Festival, Chelmsford, UK
Wednesday 24 Warsaw, Poland
Friday 26 Langesund, Norway
Saturday 27 Oslo, Norway
Sunday 28 Bergen, Norway

September
Friday 2 Den Haag, Holland
Thursday 8 Copenhagen, Denmark
Saturday 10 Brussels, Belgium
Monday 12 Paris, France

Speaking from the UK today, where all of the band members met to discuss the fate of the tour, singer Simon Le Bon said “This has been an extremely difficult decision to make as the injury I seem to have sustained is an internal one and so no-one can tell me exactly how long it’s going to take to mend completely. Every day I can see an improvement and each week I recover a part of my upper range. What the doctor’s don’t want me to do, however, is risk any further damage, so they are saying I need to take some more time away from shows to get back to full strength. If we knew exactly when that might be, we wouldn’t have to let this entire run of dates go, but what we feel we can’t keep doing is moving shows piecemeal – as it’s just not fair on the fans. I am lucky that this has never happened to me before, in thirty years, and that the injury, whilst extremely frustrating is nothing more serious. I am doing everything I can to work through this and get back on track as soon as possible. We have an incredible production we’ve been working on for this tour – and the new songs are sounding great. This couldn’t have come at a worse time – but I am trying to be philosophical about my recovery as there’s nothing else I can do.”

Summit Pushes 'Three Musketeers' Back a Week to Oct. 21

Published: June 29, 2011 @ 10:59 am

By Joshua L. Weinstein

Summit Entertainment announced Wednesday that it's pushing the release of Paul W.S. Anderson's "The Three Musketeers" back one week to Oct. 21 from Oct. 14.
On Oct. 14, the adaptation would have had to face off against Fox comedy "The Big Year," as well as remakes of "Footloose" and "The Thing," from Paramount and Universal, respectively.
On Oct. 21, it will serve as counter-programming to Paramount's third "Paranormal Activity" film.
"Three Musketeers" stars Mila Jovovich, Logan Lerman, Orlando Bloom, Juno Temple, Luke Evans and Christoph Waltz.
The film was shot in Germany and is now in post-production.

DURAN DURAN

Released nearly a decade after their commercial breakthrough, Duran Duran’s second self-titled album (known commonly as The Wedding Album) found the band shedding much of their throwaway, teen idol past by embracing the then-modern pop and dance sounds of adult contemporary and alternative rock.

With Missing Persons guitarist Warren Cuccurullo having completely replaced original axe-man Andy Taylor, Duran found themselves with their first hit album in years thanks to the chart success of singles “Ordinary World” and “Come Undone”. It would not be the band’s first commercial resurgence following their ‘80s heyday, but The Wedding Album proved definitively that unlike their Where Are They Now? peers, Duran Duran were here to stay.


“Too Much Information”

A bold indictment of their music video-friendly past (“Destroyed by MTV | I hate to bite the hand that feeds…”), this snarling opening cut announces loud and clear that this isn’t your older sister’s Duran Duran. Warren Cuccurullo’s guitars interweave with Nick Rhodes’s subtle keyboard shading and Simon Le Bon’s railing lead vocal.

“Ordinary World”

One of the band’s favorite tunes to this day, this soaring power ballad sounds just as endearing almost two decades later—Nick’s lush, gorgeous keyboard chords and Warren’s acoustic guitar lines set the stage for one of Simon’s most emotionally devastating vocals to date. “I won’t cry for yesterday,” he promises, yearning for an end to his real or imagined heartbreak. Favorite moments: Cuccurullo’s balls to the wall guitar solo and Simon’s wailing outro vocals.

“Love Voodoo”

A steamy, sensual groove piece lead by Mr. John Taylor’s liquid bass lines and some dated but fun ‘90s pop drum loops. Duran would try this type of thing again on future albums (I’m looking at you, “Bedroom Toys”), but ranks pretty high on a list of the group’s bedroom ready jams.

“Drowning Man”

The early ‘90s house piano chords and mock-choral keyboard tones anchor this tune very firmly in its era, but the Big Thing-esque samples and quick on its feet Simon Le Bon vocals save it from laughability.

“Shotgun”

Short, sound collage-ish interlude with a light spattering of Simon’s vocals. Warren’s harmonic-heavy guitar riff shows up later in “Sin Of The City”.

“Come Undone”

The album’s second hit single, this slithery R&B/pop ballad is a driving at night mix of Warren’s dripping wet electric guitar chords, Tessa Niles’s memorable vocal, and Simon’s shivering falsetto. “Chill-- is it something real?” Simon wonders, “Or the magic I’m feeding off your fingers.”

“Breath After Breath”

This luscious Brazilian pop style gem features a memorable duet between Simon and native singer Milton Nascimento. One of the more criminally underrated tracks in Duran’s history, Nick’s cascading piano lines and percussion by guests Bosco and Vinnie Colaiuta make for one of the band’s most unique, wonderful album tracks to date.

“UMF”

Punchy and slick, here’s another piece of dated but fun ‘90s alternative pop. Simon’s lyrics border on cheese, but the band’s loose arrangement keeps the track bouncing.

“Femme Fatale”

A warm and faithful cover of The Velvet Underground’s signature ballad. Simon is no Nico (thank goodness), but Nick’s heaven bound keyboard textures make this a better cover version than anything on Thank You. Extra points for Le Bon’s “She’s a femme fataaaaaale!” over the outro.

“None Of The Above”

This anti-dogmatic, club ready dance rocker is the first of two punchy four on the floor numbers demonstrating the band’s new embrace of modern pop sounds while maintaining their early art pop roots. Warren’s guitar solo seals the deal around the 3:40 mark.

“Shelter”

Another pulsating, crushing dance track that screamed to be released a single. Simon’s vocals tip-toe seductively during the verses before exploding on the wham-bam choruses. Nick’s larger than life keyboard banging and John’s funk as all hell bass lines make this another overlooked Duran favorite.

“To Whom It May Concern”

Simon goes a little off the deep end lyrically (“You can try to pull us down with your pinstripe weasel stuff, but word travels in this town”), but this is a swaggering, fun dance rock stomp that provides the perfect segue into the album’s epic finale…

“Sin Of The City”

A sprawling array of urban violence and dense paranoia pervades through the album’s soaring albeit self-serious final track. Warren’s guitar lines smash and grind over John’s punchy walking bass lines, while Simon paints an evocative portrait of death of and confusion. A long ways from “Rio” or “All She Wants Is”, here Duran Duran set out to shed their teeny-bopping chains once and for all. While perhaps not as timeless as their 1983 breakthrough, The Wedding Album represents Duran Duran at a crucial creative crossroads and is rightly remembered as one of their best records to date.