Duran Duran - Notorious
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Free Music Notes for Notorious
Free Music Review: 'The hidden gem in the series'
Hit: 4 Stars
If you've ever read any of my reviews,(Notably the recent 'Rio' review,) you've heard me compare Duran Duran's albums to the Star Wars series. I believe it was Episode 1 that I compared Notorious to. Now, by no means do I call Notorious a 'failing' album. It is one of the hidden gems in the series, but some of the tracks are very forgettable.
We start out with the title track, "Notorious". This 4:18 long track is quite possibly my second favorite on the album, beaten only by "Vertigo". As expected from Duran Duran, there's a nice dancing-like beat, but horns? Electric Piano? You know you're in for something different. Simon's vocals are polished, and Nick seems to be learning the magic of sampling.
Next comes "American Science". I'm not sure, but there's something about this song that makes me love it. It could be the lyrics, maybe the beat, but I'd rather not know what it is. It makes me like it more.
And now we have the second single, "Skin Trade". I wasn't too crazy with this song, besides the chorus. If the could have reworked the verses or something, it could be a lot better. Simon's falsetto seems out of place in the beginning. Eh.
"A Matter Of Feeling" is the one great though forgettable song on this album. You get lost in it, and then afterwards forget whatever happened. Amnesia is the only thing you'll get from this song...good beat, piano's okay, bass is great, it's just okay. Okay?
"Hold Me" is easier to remember than the previous track, but it's still kind of forgettable. As always, the beat is fine, and the bass seems to go along with it, but the "Na Na Nananana" around the 3:17 mark is kind of LAME.
"Vertigo" is a great, great song. In fact, it's my favorite on this album. The slow-like rock beat makes you want to clap along. The bassline reminds me of the "New Religion" days. The chorus is shining like always, and Nick Rhodes finds his way to fit in. Great job guys.
"So Misled" is the song I'm pondering on playing with my band. Pretty darn good with great harmonies, which is great because we've got 2 background singers. We all take turns playing. Funk guitars enhance this song.
"Meet El Presidente" is a pretty good song. Pretty repetitive in the beginning for about thirty seconds, then it starts to pick up. I wasn't too crazy about the woman vocals, though. Too soul-like for Duran Duran.
"Winter Marches On" was a B-Side for Notorious, or something. Slow and epic with great lyrics. A beautiful song, this one is. Talking like Yoda, I am. It actually gives off a cold-like feeling. Reminds me of...well, winter.
"Proposition" is the last song on the album, and a great finisher. Mid-tempo with keys, bass, horns, and guitars. Simon's here too.
All wrapped up together, Notorious does not disappoint. In fact, I would reccomend it to you. So buy it.
Free Music Review: And then there were 3
Hit: 4 Stars
After their first world tour, a one and only live album, two splinter groups (Arcadia/Powerstation), a James Bond theme and Live-Aid, the ragged tigers were suffering from their own success. One, Roger Taylor suffering from burn out and problems at home would retire, another; Andy Taylor would pursue a solo career so then there were 3- the two co-founders and the vocalist. So when Notorious was released I think all the Duran fans breathed a sigh of relief. For the most part, the core of the band was still present. Andy would play guitar on a few tracks including the title cut, while Warren Cuccurrullo stepped in to play on the other tracks. Notorious was a departure from the previous 3 albums, a little funky-horn with a little rougher sound. The 3 remaining members, dubbed The Guys With The Golden Grins, deserved the praise for their perseverance and an astounding 5th gold album. Track 1- NOTORIOUS, catchy funky and different. (although some would compare it to Wild Boys & The Reflex) Nile R has always been a favorite producer. #2 AMERICAN SCIENCE, With a laboratory feel, swanky groove, this song is a favorite especially the remix. #3 SKIN TRADE, the second single again proved Simon has an incredible vocal range. More into the groove than #2, the remixes are pure infectious. #4 A MATTER OF FEELING, actually the first ballad type song since Save A Prayer to appear on an album gave the fans a glimpse of the contemporary sound that would carry the band through the 90's. Really lovely tune. #5 HOLD ME, an addictive rock a little tune, the na-na-na-na-na-na contagion is fun. #6 VERTIGO, a true DD type song, it's the anthem for this album. #7 SO MISLED- my least favorite song ever. I dunno it just missed the mark. #8 MEET EL PRESIDENTE, quirky latin style tune. Very catchy with some remixes out there. #9 WINTER MARCHES ON, whenever one of these type songs appear on a DD album, you know your listening to Duran Duran. Very powerful lyrics, and loud IS the music the sky brings! #10 PROPOSITION, an argument type song, that works perfectly. A little more rock infused than track 5, it's a favorite on this album. Although many said this album was the end for the band, it merely marked a transition. A transition that would eventually go full circle (with the re-birth of the original 5 in 2001). No regrets, I believe the changing member line-up over the years to come would keep the music fresh and inviting- although not necessarily mainstream. Besides, wouldn't we be very tired of the same ole thing? Flex,Flex,flex?Free Music Review: Better than I remember
Hit: 4 Stars
This isn't an album that grabbed me immediately upon original release. In fact I wrote it off in whole because I couldn't stand the opening title track. While I have warmed to it somewhat, the lyrics still grate ( "don't monkey with my business" in particular is cringe inducing ). The few tracks I did like ( "American Science" "Skin Trade" and "Winter Marches On" ) didn't make up for the remainder, what I saw as studied and quite clumsy attempts at white funk. But time has been kind to "Notorious." As a long time DD fan I now see it as the Chic/Sex Pistols hybrid they themselves said they set out to create when they first formed. No mistake, this is miles away from the dance/pop sound of their first three albums. It is produced and engineered to sound nothing at all like them. The drums are quite loud and brass arrangements feature prominately on most all the cuts. The guitars are also cranked up higher than ever - power chords galore being the obvious influence of the Power Station album the Taylors made the year before. "Skin Trade" still thrills. The chorus is a grabber, and its failure on the pop charts is still a bewilderment to me - I think it's one of their finest moments. "Vertigo" is sly and slinky, and quite groovy for a mid-tempo cut. "Hold Me" has one of those choruses that can only be called "soaring" and it's a very passionate performance - another highlight. The only song I don't care for is "So Misled" - it just doesn't get me there - but it is redeamed by the three closing cuts. Honestly, for years, I slagged this album off. But after dusting it off and giving it a listen with fresh ears, I find it more mature and more accomplished than "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" in particular, which was a terribly disappointing follow-up to the grand "Rio." Ignore the fact that this album wasn't commercially as big as earlier efforts ( Duran mania was by 1987 a distant memory for most people ) and let it stand on its own merit.Free Music Review: Duran Duran get dark, funky & moody...
Hit: 4 Stars
Duran Duran, whilst responsible for most of the soundtrack to the 1980's have sadly recently fallen from their previously monumental world-beating status. That aside, this is a deceptively good album - the tracks share a high quality throughout which was not always a DD trait. "A Matter Of Feeling" shines out as a particular highlight - and is DD's best-ever ballad, much better than the over-played "Save A Prayer".This is the 1987 reduced line-up of LeBon, Taylor (John) and Nick Rhodes, with great support from Warren Cuccurillo (later to become a full member) and superb drumming from one of the best session-drummers in the world, Steve Ferrone (see the credits on albums by Eric Clapton, Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, Madonna....). The feel is dark, funky, and moody.
What really makes the album shine though, is the production by Nile Rodgers - there is a clarity (especially to the bass and drums), crispness, and yet sinister reverb to the album, lending it a feeling of depth, and weight.
Not as up-beat or life-changing as "Rio" (their best) but a worthy addition to any Duran Duran fan's collection. Their live shows are definitely still worth it you get the chance....
Free Music Review: This Album Recaptured My Ears After The Awful Ragged Tiger
Hit: 4 Stars
The most unified and thematic DD album. It hangs together so well, it almost sounds like a soundtrack to a stylish film. And this is Nile Rogers only album production that sounds really great [almost as good as former partner Bernard Edwards work] to my ears. I typically dislike his production style. Having gained Warren Cuccorullo on lead guitar for some of these cuts makes a big improvement over Andy Taylor's more ham-fisted playing. They couldn't have attained this level of sophistication without Mr. C. I must point out that "American Science" is one of their best tunes and should have been a single. The net result is a smooth, evocative album that sounds far more sophisticated than their previous work. Great arrangements (The Borneo Horns do fantastic work here) and pacing throughout. This one made me a fan again. Though they would still come up with awful albums throughout their career, this is definitely not one of them. They sound grown up here and fully in control. To me, it's a high water mark along with Rio, (half of) Big Thing and The Wedding Album. But you do have to approach each DD album with open ears for a listen before judging. Their quality varies quite a bit.