Duran Duran - Greatest
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.81 You Save: $6.13 (51%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.84 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Greatest
Free Music Review: Now here's a pop band that ROCKED...in a pop kinda way...
Hit: 5 Stars
When Duran Duran hit the scene in the early 80's they were immediately dubbed 'the next Beatles...' and although that prediction was a bit premature--okay it was downright way off, these boys from across the pond DID manage to pump out a boatload of amazingly likeable hits. I'll never forget watching MTV while one of the VJ's interviewed a Duran groupie who was contemplating the mysteries behind the song, 'The Reflex' and they finally asked her exactly what the song meant...she stuttered like Mel Tillis 'cuz she had to admit that the song actually meant NOTHING lyrically--but it sure did SOUND good...as did virtually everything they recorded.There has been a lot of talk about the band's direction in the 90's and while they have obviously lost the 'can't go wrong' status they enjoyed in the 80's, much of what they have recorded has gone unnoticed, which is unfortunate for this talented group of musicians. Duran Duran's first 'Greatest Hits' package ('Decade') was certainly an impressive list of songs, but as the trend of the past 10 years continues (bands releasing several different versions of their 'greatest hits'--mostly to cash in on their appeal in their declining years of popularity) Duran2 has given us a vast improvement over their original 'hits' release. I would recommend you grab this even if you already OWN their original 'Decade' CD, due entirely to the inclusion of so many MORE songs. A Compact Disc can store about 69 minutes of audio, and most people would be a bit upset to know that the average album has less than 40 minutes (usually) of songs on it, and thank heavens Duran2 decided to give us what we pay for, and we get it in abundance here.
I met the band back in '88 on one of their tours when they were still able to pack the biggest arena's in America, and in one of my lucky interviews with the band afterwards, they were surprisingly cool about their incredible popularity, virtually shocked that a bunch of friends could cause such a stir and sell millions of albums. They were truly humbled at being compared to the Beatles, and felt that it was entirely unjustified (as do most folks, actually--but was nice to hear from THEM) and treated their fans with great respect...now whether or not that was because the press was covering the event or not, I have no idea, but all I know is they were nice guys--rich, but nice. This 'Greatest' CD deserves to be on YOUR shelf along with anything else you might own. Good stuff from a great band.
Free Music Review: New Wave MastersTwo names say so much
Hit: 5 Stars
Yes the disc does have some of their big hits from the 1990s as well, but is that what you're buying it for. You want to hear "Hungry Like the Wolf" again and I can't blame you. Duran Duran are the eighties of dance rock brilliance at a time when it just started becoming popular. While most of their sly sexy songs aren't much on the on intelligent factor, they prove they really can do it all by also getting into some real heartfelt material not to mention wise songs as well.The bands humble beginnings are nothing to sneeze at with a disco rock sound that would make Girgio Moorder blush. Their unique sound of keyboard mesh into slight guitar rock with "Girls On Film" and the commentary-like "Planet Earth". Two of not only the biggest hits of their career but of the first video age are found on the pop cross over new wave with the cute New Wave rock of "Rio" and "Hungry Like The Wolf". The latter is by fair the better with notable guitar sound and harmonizing that is brilliant. The New Wave sound would also bring them enjoyable his like "The Reflex" (ahead of time dance pop) and "Is There Something I Should Know". R&B experimentation is done greatly with the help of Nile Rodgers on the catchy horns of "Notorious", and even the pop fun "I Don't Want Your Love" has a dancy dun quality to it. After that tough, the wasteland of failure like "All She Wants Is" is an unneeded combo of Pet Shop Boys like lyrics with a monotonous rock quality. "Serious" is an OK melancholy rock tune, but not up to par for them. Comeback hits like sensitive electronica quality of "Come Undone" and "Ordinary Worlds" famous alternative rock feel are very welcome as is the excessive through back "Electronic Barbarella" and it's excellent sound.
You pretty much have ever shade of Duran Duran. Even when things weren't so bright. Not every track is a winner, but they prove they have something that made the eighties a great era in music. It was a great sound that just about all people could enjoy. The only thing missing is their homage to hip hop "White Lines". Although I'd hardly call it missing. You get an excellent over view in big new wave rock not to mention a great band.
Free Music Review: Lives Up To The Title In Every Way. Essential collection!!
Hit: 5 Stars
In 1998, Duran Duran has issued a greatest-hits collection to replace 1989's "Decade", which was was great but "only" had 14 hits, ommitting "New Moon On Monday" and did not take into account their rebirth with "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone", among others. I also like that the songs in "Greatest" are not presented chronologically but rather take the approach that best suits the flow of their hits.Now back to the band itself. Though '80s nostalgia is rampant, the truth is that Duran Duran grew from being a teeny bopper sensation to becoming one of the most profilic symbols of an era that in their case never went away. Only a few of their contemporaries managed to overcome and at the same time embrace their 80's roots. At the moment I can only think of one and that would be the band ABC.
The group first exploded into the music world with the advent of a little channel that used to play videos called MTV. They were camera ready and although they owe much of their success of their sexy videos, the music holds up much after the images of "Rio" leave your mind. They were not the most masculine of groups, wore make-up, and had that British thing that puts off a lot of the male audience, but somehow they made believers out of both girls and boys.
Duran Duran started they music journey with glam rock décor, progressed to new romanticism, and miraculously moved on to showcase a surprising sophistication as the 1980's turned into the '90s. They also toyed with electronica as exemplified by "Electric Barbarella".
All the chart-topping singles from the 1980's made them a force to be reckoned with are here and as I am listening to the CD right now the songs have aged very well and remind me that just because teenage girls loved them does not automatically make the band a flash in the pan.
I highly recommend this release to anyone who likes Duran Duran and to those who may not know them but love pop music. These guys have what it takes and this release gives one a solid overview of must-have songs. More hard core fans may want to try and find Duran Duran's hard to find 2 CD set titled "Strange Behaviour" as it has taken these songs and turned them inside out by remixing them into different versions, mostly so-called "night visions" Whatever you call them, you may find yourself liking that release too, but it all starts here. Enjoy!
Free Music Review: Slick sounds by guys in white suits
Hit: 5 Stars
Few bands during the 1980s churned out as many recognizable pop hits as Duran Duran, and this "Greatest" CD captures them all. The guys in Duran Duran (no matter the band lineup) always had an ear for melody, great vocals and exotic sounds. Plus, they carried on as a true band, with everybody writing and contributing. If you like the band's radio hits, then this CD is a must-have; songs one through 13 have been played on the radio for eons. What drew me to this disc, however, was the tunes that aren't as well known.
Besides just catchy, synth-laden pop, Duran Duran were capable of adding soul to their sound ("I Don't Want Your Love"), a cold but sexy club-music vibe ("All She Wants Is") and real emotion and exoticism ("Come Undone"). Songs from the first three Duran Duran records are well represented here, and nice offerings from the same era such as "A View to a Kill" and "Wild Boys" are also present.
Duran Duran also had a nice, somewhat reinvented run in the 1990s, especially the early `90s. The songs "Serious," "Ordinary World," "Come Undone" and "Electric Barbarella" (from Medazzaland) prove that. "Serious," from 1990, sounds like a wonderful `80s leftover, updated in an organic fashion for the new decade, while "Skin Trade," a tune released in 1986, has a slick, catchy sound, but also displays some real soul and great vocal work by Simon LeBon. Though they barely received any radio airplay, each of these tunes could lay claim to being two of the strongest tracks on "Greatest," a CD that is chock full of classics. My only complaint is that "Too Much Information" from Duran Duran 2 (The Wedding Album) was left off, but beggars can't be choosers. Many non-hits by the band have been great, but if you're looking for your fix of the most popular Duran Duran music over the years, this CD is the way to go.
Free Music Review: The Fab Five Enter Again!
Hit: 5 Stars
What a fab album! I've been into Duran Duran since 84 and my love for them is still going strong. Their mixture of different genres of music is exceptional! Of course their greatest hits features only the greatest but I believe the CD lacks some songs. I was blown away by the catchy tunes " Is There Something I Should Know?" and " The Reflex." " A View To A Kill" was heavy with brass and mystery. I fell in love with " Ordinary World" which just so happens to be my favorite song of theirs. It's such a slow, romantic kinda sad ballad showing Le Bon's amazing vocal range. " Save A Prayer" and " Rio" of course showed their pop side and " Hungry Like The Wolf" and " Girls On Film" had me dancing. "Planet Earth" is rather mysterious and heavenly. " Union Of The Snake" and " New Moon On Monday" truly show an amazing classic band who woo people with melodies and soulful lyrics. " Wild Boys" was definetely what the song says, a wild infectious tune. " Notorious", " I Don't Want Your Love", and " All She Wants Is" sparked something in my brain that made me love them even more. The haunting lyrical lines just give you the chills ( they certainly did for me). " Electric Barberella" is a get your groove on, dance till you drop kinda song. From the moment you hear the first strings of notes you feel the beat in your body. " Serious" is a serious song showing yet another side to Duran Duran. And finally " Skin Trade" is a rather wierd song while " Come Undone" is the sweetest song I've ever heard from them. It's soulful, romantic, and the melodies sooth you. This album can't get all my praise but this is definetely a must have! The musical melodies of the band and the soulful vocals of Simon Le Bon will just make you fall for the band hard because I know I did. To me the Duran Duran fever rages on still burning bright in my heart." We'll try to stay blind to the hope and fear outside. Hey child stay wilder than the wind and blow me in to cry."