Duran Duran - Red Carpet Massacre (Snys)
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Free Music Notes for Red Carpet Massacre (Snys)
Free Music Review: 3.5 Stars... A valiant if failed attempt for commercial credibility
Hit: 4 Stars
It's been a long and strange trip since Duran Duran's last major commercial success, 1993's "Wedding Album". Indeed, in the 4 albums the band had released since then, things went from headscratching (the all-covers "Thank You" album), to the plain terrible (the "Medazzaland" album) etc. Following the very disappointing "Astronaut" album in 2004, the guys decided to call in the big guns, in the latest (desparate?) attempt to regain commercial credibility.
On "Red Carpet Massacre" (12 tracks, 41 min.), the now foursome (Andy Taylor having left the band) call in the help of Timbaland and Justin Timberlake for 4 tracks, and not surprisingly those tracks stand out and simply sound better than anything else on the album. "Nite-Runner" is as heavy a track as DD has ever recorded. "Falling Down" (1st single) feels like it's an outtake from Justin Timberlake's most recent album, not that it matters as it sounds terrific. "Skin Divers" and "Zoom In" are equally good and have that instatnly recognizable Timbaland touch to them. The rest of the album is a mixed bag, however (the best remaining tracks being the title track and "Tempted"), and even though the album runs only 41 min., there still are a number of filler tracks (such as the instrumental "Tricked Out" and the closer "Last Man Standing") that should've been left out.
"Red Carpet Massacre" is not a bad album, and it is easily Duran Duran's best album since the "Wedding Album". That said, the commercial success that the band so badly was seeking has not materialized, as the album fell quicky from the Billboard 200 chart, and the single went nowhere and hardly got any airplay (who knows what would have happened had it been marketed as "Duran Duran featuring Justin Timberlake"?). And what is the lesson from all this? That desparately seeking commercial success is no guarantee for success. A valiant effort that comes up short.
Free Music Review: catchy, but slips at the end
Hit: 4 Stars
I have always been impressed with how each DD album sounded unique, and this one is, well, no different. It takes a bit to get used to, especially if you are looking for a return to the "old" DD... or want to relive the 80s. This album does NOT do that. Rather, it moves along at a usually entertaining clip, but suffers from a weak finish and - to date - no killer track. Perhaps a Singles version of Nite Runner or Skin Divers will shoot up the charts, but I have my doubts. Nevertheless, I think the collaboration between DD and JT & Timbaland worked well. It is an experiment, and I think folks who diss the band for "selling out" kinda miss that point. It's not like they've made the partnership permanent (at least I don't think they have). But I digress...
If I harken back to the old LP days... the "A" side is much better than the "B" side here. Unlike Rio, which finished strong, this album fades. However, fans of the band will be very pleased, especially with the front 7. I guess I could break down each... but there's no point. If I have any complaint(s) regarding the first half+ of the album, it's that (a) the Falling Down single is better than the album version since it is shorter and more to-the-point and (b) Skin Divers and Tempted sound awfully similar - and therefore should not be back to back (or redo Tempted).
Of the final 5, Zoom In (#9) has a nice beat, and She's Too Much (#10) is a good ballad. But that's about where I usually stop.
In summary, I believe this album to be at least a step above Astronaut... and would put it in the same ballpark as Big Thing or perhaps Notorious. To folks reading who are not overly familiar with DD... it's catchy, but slips at the end. Overall, I thought it was very good album.
E
Free Music Review: Still Relevant and never Shying from Re-Invention
Hit: 4 Stars
Red Carpet Massacre is Duran Duran's 12th studio album (not counting live or Greatest Hits compilations) and marks the first time collaborating with Producers Nate Hills and Timbaland, as well as Justin Timberlake who lends writing and vocal contribution on their first single, "Falling Down".
To be honest, I wasn't really sure what Duran Duran I was going to get on this new release, or even recognize it as Duran Duran at all. I remember how dissapointed I was about a year ago when guitarist Andy Taylor's departure was announced and wondered what effect it would have(this time around)on the band and the musical style that their fans have come to know. My initial listenings of the Timbaland produced tracks "Nite-Runner" and "Skin Divers" a few months back produced a luke-warm reaction but I promised to reserve judgement until hearing the complete work.
I can now say that Red Carpet Massacre is one of their strongest and boldest recordings to date. Anyone who has followed Duran Duran over their career knows that they do not like to produce the same sound twice; so those who are expecting to hear another 'Rio' may be a bit dissappointed. The Timbaland tracks 'Nite-Runner' and 'Skin Divers' have since grown on me, but come up a little short in capturing the essence of Duran Duran as do some of the other tracks on the album.
The album really does have something for everyone, from the heavy club-inspired 'Tempted' (at the moment, my favorite track on the album), to ballads such as 'Box Full O'Honey' and 'Falling Down' reminiscent of some of DD's earlier melodic hits. A great release in Duran Duran's ever broadening repetoire. To quote the boys from Birmingham, "Styles change....style doesn't." Red Carpet Massacre is a testament to that.
Free Music Review: Addictive "Ear Candy"
Hit: 4 Stars
I'm not really into the whole Timberlake/Timbaland scene personally, and today's new "pop" just doesn't reach out and grab me. Hence my delay in snagging this album. I grew up with "Rio" & "A View to a Kill" being popular, and was afraid that this album would be a disappointment since it ventured so far from the older Duran sounds. I had batted the idea of purchase around since Dec. 07 - about when it came out. I didn't really get to hear much of the album until I saw them in concert last week (by the way, great show!) Actually seeing the band in motion as they performed the tracks from this album changed my perception of the whole thing. They had so much energy and had so much fun during the concert with the songs they performed from RCM. I guess they needed a musical "break" from the standard Duran Duran sound.
This album is getting extremely addictive. I like most of the tracks, but Falling Down is becoming a favorite because it is a very well done song both lyrically and musically. Kudos to Duran Duran to try something new, and for carrying it off with their trademark fashion and grace. The album as a whole is very well organized and brimming with energy from beginning to end. I think more guitars and a more distinct "rock" sound would have made it more Duran-esque, but I really do enjoy this album as a whole just because it's very well put together and down at the heart of it, it's still Duran Duran. Every now and then, we all need a break from the same old thing, and I think that's what prompted them to produce this album in a new format. Overall, I'm very happy with the album.
Free Music Review: Google Dirty Fingers Indeed!
Hit: 4 Stars
How many icons from the 1980s are still producing anything close to innovative music today with an ear for anything current?
You have to give the Durans a nod for going in this direction at all. Yes, some of the tracks have a heavy Timbaland influence ("Nite Runner" especially) but they still retain that Duran sound. No where in tracks like "Nite Runner" or "Skin Divers" do I ever lose track of the fact that I am listening to Duran Duran.
And then there are the other tracks here. "Box Full o'Honey" is absolutely beautiful and different for either Duran Duran or Timbaland. "The Valley" is a great track as well as "Tempted" and "Last Man Standing." There's plenty of really good tunes on this CD. Really good DURAN DURAN tunes. Then of course there is "Falling Down" which is a very good ballad. Justin Timberlake co-wrote the song but damned if I could tell that. Sounds like a great Duran Duran track, period.
I've been an avid fan of Duran Duran since 1981 and RCM is one of their better releases. Up there with "Duran Duran 1981," "Rio," "Notorious" and whatever else you'd like to put up there. Certainly not as lackluster as "Liberty" or "Thank You."
The bottom line is that this band is really trying to make a good record here. Something new and of a very high quality. Are they looking for a hit? This is Duran Duran, of course they are looking for a hit! They certainly don't sell their artistic souls for it here. RCM is a very good CD for the Duran Duran fan and the newcomer alike. Check it out!