Reviews (page 3 of 14)
another college throwback, classic 80s New Romantic synth/guitar album, great singles
At first going in I thought, I've heard this a 1000 times, easy 3. Then mebbe it's a 4? Hell is it a 5? Can't think of a more perfect example of 80's UK pop. I know every one of these songs backwards (Hi, Kylie), even though I was a Howard Jones / Spandau fan at the time. Not to mention the videos. (Small trivia - they recently found the girl from the cover. Great story - I always figured she was just a made up pic) Yeah - it's a damn 5.
From the album cover to the beats, a perfect time machine to a platonic ideal of the eighties
Cracking album, enjoyable back to front with some iconic songs among them.
Love it. Great for doing chores or hyping yourself for running errands in your local cyberpunk dystopia. Each song holds up independently, but a few stand out to me, like Rio, New Religion, and The Chauffeur.
Wow. I thought they we a one or two hit wonder totally irrelevant now. I was surprised. This needs to be added to my collection.
I want to hate this album. I hated Duran Duran from 1983 until whatever year it was that they covered "Ball of Confusion," and then only begrudgingly gave them cred because "Ball of Confusion" would be a banger even if Judy Collins and Gordon Lightfoot had turned it into a slow duet. What I'm saying is that the cool kids at my high school didn't like Duran Duran, only the posers and jocks and cheerleaders liked them. But now that I'm older and wiser and know it's all about the funk, punk, I have to give credit. This is an excellent pop album. John Taylor obviously worships at the altar of Bernard Edwards (Chic), and if you don't believe me, go look up the isolated bass track from "Rio" on YouTube. So tease up whatever hair you have left and dance around the room singing into your hairbrush and have fun with this album.
Easy 5 stars. Every song is unique, fresh and most are catchy. No artsy bull crap. Straight for the point, enjoyable.
Amazing. 80s perfection.
On the back of the recent Human League album I do find this much more enjoyable. Rio is great and Hungy Life The Wolf is awesome.
Banger album! 5/5
I am not ashamed by my love of 80s music, and because of that, I am ashamed I've never listened to Rio until now. I only knew Hungry Like the Wolf, but now I can't wait to listen to this album again and skip that song as I've heard it a million times (still a great one though). I'll join in the chorus of praise for the bass. What a good album.
Honestly, I could have listened to “Rio” over and over and been satisfied. But the album proceeds to bring banger after banger. What an icon band and album that defined the 80s. 10/10
"Rio" is an exciting synth-pop, new wave album by English pop rock band Duran Duran. Incorporating a broad assortment of musical elements, this is a legendary album with iconic cover art.
I forgot just how great they were at the time and how much fun this album is. I never owned the album and I knew the popular songs, but I didn’t know how good the rest of the album was. Should have paid closer attention at the time. I will listen to this again.
Such a good album omg first album done
WOOOO
Guay
Duran Duran are fucking awesome I could dance to this any day for any amount of time. This is to synth-based rock what Boston is to blues-based rock. The best possible version of the stereotypical sound
I love this album!!
Loveeee Duran Duran, 80s perfection.
The Chauffeur is one of the best album closers of all time.
A beautiful polished pop album - new wave/new romantic call it what you will - they put together a great album here. As great a bunch of songs that came from that era, a great sound with Andy Taylor bringing in rock sensibility, John Taylor is an astonishing bass player who should be mentioned in lists but is always overlooked. (First time for me hearing the US remixes - they sound terrible.)
One of my favorites
I like Duran Duran :) so thoroughly enjoyed
It's easy to discount Duran Duran as another 80s band, but the fearlessness they showed was something else. Excellent 👍
80s pop, wave-like album. While not my favorite style. This features banger after banger. I almost knew all of the songs from back of my childhood. Great!
I've become less eloquent in my reviews, but here I think it's fitting that I just say how I love Duran Duran.
Iconic tracks, iconic sleeve art. So many great tracks, and I sit here listening again to some of the most intricate and compelling basslines that almost just seem hidden. Remarkable.
this is the best Duran Duran album, has most of the hits on it. The Chauffeur is their most underrated song, it's a banger.
The sounds of my youth. Nobody was as cool as Simon Le Bon, as eclectic as Nick Rhodes, and everybody knew the videos. So what about the music? I think you have to put DD in the pioneer category for blending punk, new wave, post-disco, real musical chops (John Taylor and his base lines) and packaging it up virally before that was a thing. Many hits. New Religion is my hidden gem.
Wasn’t a big fan originally but their sound has grown on me over the years. This is a most excellent album.
It was really good. I recognize many of the songs.
Perfect pop
Her name is rio..
Love ❤️ this album and band!!
Favourite track: Rio/Lonely In Your Nightmare
That's a good album. 4+
Brilliant album. So many familiar songs on this. Loved the New Romantic genre of the early 80's. Bands like Duran Duran, Ultravox, Japan , Howard Jones. Fab decade for music. Then later on giving way for fantastic bands as The Smiths and The Cure. Rio probably Duran's best in my opinion. Love it. 👍
I never particularly loved the 80s sound, but Duran Duran is a great exception. The bass slaps throughout the whole album.
Thought she'd get a hand on a member of Duran Duran
Some good songs. Catchy lyrics and some great choice of instrumentals and varied instruments
I’ve listened to a lot of Duran Duran’s music throughout my life, but I can’t remember if I’ve ever listened to Rio all the way through. If I have, I only did it once, and that’s a shame, because this album is fantastic from start to finish. Duran Duran is one of the first bands I think of when I think of eighties music, and for good reason. Their music and music videos received a lot of deserved airplay back when it came out, and it’s been popular and well received after the eighties as well. I was born in ’85, and I remember hearing their music frequently in the nineties on our local “Mix” radio station, and on a few other radio stations that would play eighties music. I think my favorite thing about Duran Duran is how unique their music is. Despite being popular in the early eighties, I don’t consider them new wave or post punk. Sure, they relied on synthesizers a lot, but the way they blended their synth parts with slick guitar riffs just doesn’t really sound like anything else from that era. I loved Rio for a host of reasons: the aforementioned meshing of synthesizers with great guitar riffs, Simon Le Bon’s vocals, and a slew of catchy songs that are really fun to sing along to. The singles on this album (the title track, “Hungry Like The Wolf,” and “Say A Prayer”) are all fantastic, but every song on this album is really good. Speaking of the singles on this album, I can’t believe that there were only three of them. I’m not saying every song on this album is worthy of being a single, but how was “Hold Back The Rain” not released as a single? The repeating synth line, the main guitar riff, the booming drum hits during the chorus, and the pleading backing vocals make this song one of the strongest on the album, and that’s saying something on an album with “Rio” and “Hungry Like The Wolf.” Speaking of those two songs, I’ve always enjoyed them, but I never realized how rich in sound they are, and how the details in each one’s sound really make them stand out. The synthesizer and keyboard parts in both of them are outstanding, and they both have great outro’s as well. Maybe I was never super into them because I only ever heard the US versions? And why did this album need to be remixed for American audiences? Did we not get good cocaine over here until ’84? Since I’ve been rambling on for a while here, I’ll wrap up by talking about how much I love “Save A Prayer.” The whole album does a great job of merging synth, keyboards, and guitars, but “Save A Prayer” does the best job of the whole lot. That wailing keyboard note that plays at the end of the chorus is just perfect, and I love the song’s dreamlike feel. Rio is fantastic from start to finish, and from now on, it will always be in my list of the best albums of the eighties.
80's New Wave/Synth-Pop/Disco Rock/Whatever this is is a guilty pleasure of mine, minus the \"guilty\" part. This album is RAD. Favorite Tracks: - All of them!
Great
Rio, Lonely in Your Nightmare, Hungry Like the Wolf
My first time close-listening to Duran Duran on headphones was a joy. This record is excitement distilled, bound by a beast of a bass player. One I expect to return to often. Simon, this isn’t the album with the familiar laughter, is it?
my favorite band as a kid, my Roxy Music! lots of bangers on here, live version of The Chauffeur pips it but otherwise pretty awesome for a "boy band" [edit: OK, that was a bit hyperbolic, and I originally intended to hit 4*, but when this is good it's great, and I love Duran Duran, no apologies. Mysterious and tantalizing, especially if you're 8 and catch an illicit viewing of The Chauffeur video]
Duran Duran does not get enough appreciation.
This is an awesome album.
Bryn's favorite album oat. Rio: 9.5/10 My Own Way: 6-7/10 Lonely in Your Nightmare: 8/10 Hungry Like the Wolf: 10/10 Hold back the Rain: 9.5/10 New Religion: 9/10 Last Chance on the Stairway: 7.5/10 Save a Prayer: 8/10 The Chauffer: ?/10 Like An Angel: 9/10 Top Three: Hungry Like the Wolf Rio Hold Back the Rain Album Score: 9/10 also really like the cover
BANGER ALL R BANGERS
Rio > Hungry Like The Wolf 5/5
Amazing 80s synthpop. What a great start to the 1001 albums.
Guay.
Finally some good fucking bass
Duran Duran I knew Rio and Hungry Like the Wolf. The strings are good throughout the album. Last chance on the stairway was cool. I like the marimba solo. The ocarina on chauffeur was cool too. Solid album and some interesting stuff in the music. John Taylor’s bass playing is cool. 4 or 5?
The entire sound is so 80s, but I've never heard a group do more with it. Rio and Hungry Like the Wolf are bangers, but I don't think there's a bad song on here.
Rio has Duran Duran exploring all kinds of interesting ideas in New Wave/New Romantic music, and the Patrick Nagel painted album cover was so iconic that it became a signpost that directed the look and feel for the rest of the 1980s. "Hungry Like the Wolf", "Rio", "Save the Last Prayer", yes, but don't forget "The Chauffeur".
The bassist is outta this world
This album is unreal. Like the arctic monkeys in the 80s
Great album.
This is Duran Duran. Every song on this album is great, fantastic vocals, great music. Contains one of the greatest songs of all time, Hungry Like the Wolf. Their are no complaints with this album, it's not incredibly long, not too short. Perfect length with 9 great songs that are all easy to listen to, and all different enough from each other.
Banger after banger after banger
Classic stuff. Forgot there are so many tunes on this. Tacky but brilliant
A perfect piece of 80s history.
One of their strongest albums, the beginning of a dynamic career in the 80s! I rank this as one of the best albums of the 80s!
I can’t not give this 5 stars because this was THE album of my formative years. John Taylor 😍. But the music is also cracking and they are good musicians too. The complete package. Made my day getting this
Great popalbum of the 80s, full of hits like Rio, Save a Prayer and Hungry Like the Wolf. And their best song: The Chauffeur. Maybe bit outdated (synthesizers) but classic!
I've been a fan since '81, even before their debut album "Duran Duran" was released, so this vote is easy. Duran Duran's 2nd album was a worthy successor to their first album. Nick Rhodes's synth work was outstanding. He created fantastic and unusual sounds. All members of the band are excellent musicians and have evolved since "Duran Duran". I like most of the tracks, but outstanding are "New Religion", "The Chauffeur" and "Save a Prayer", followed by "Lonely In Your Nightmare" and "Last Chance On the Stairway".
Favourite song - The Chauffeur
Hooo, sick bass lines!
this album slaps
New wave classic. Could listen to the hits on repeat, and even the deep cuts are synth funk ear worms.
I was not aware of this group nor their songs but it was such a great surprise ! I love the 80's feel and it was perfect !
One of the many things I have learned doing the 1001 Albums project is that 80s synth pop didn't just come out of nowhere. Duran Duran was not a result of spontaneous generation but is proof of intelligent design. Listening to these songs again with that context makes Rio that much more interesting. (Another 10/10 album art score for this masterpiece.)
Great pop record
Brilliant. Top 20 all time
Love it… babies were dancing to it
This albums slaps so hard
Good before. Still good!
One of my favorite albums of all time
bangers front to back. deserves to be in the hof
Amazing piece of new wave I’ve always loved Duran Duran now I love the stinky tropical fruit guys more
Great album! Bassist is an absolute beast. Notable tracks: Rio New Religion The Chauffeur
Ok
Super fun and upbeat. Sing alongs and more brooding songs, some funky bass on occasion. Really good album.
very pleasant! i warmed up to it a lot after a couple listens, but even before i liked it from the very start.
Hungry like the Wolf very famous
I wasn’t expecting to give this 5 stars, but there’s really nothing wrong with this. Just classic 80s pop rock.
An album I know well. This was a part of the soundtrack of my youth. You weren't cool unless you listened to Simon and the crew. This was one of my favorites....and you can find this in regular rotation in all of my play lists. Wow what a great album.
Very much one of the soundtracks of the 80s (even if I only entered the world at the beginning of it). Big hair, big jackets, even bigger glossier shiny hair. I'm sure the 80s is the reason we're in the mess we are today, but when the tunes are this good (that bass, that sax) at least a good time was had whilst fucking us over.
I feel like I want to give this a 4.5 but since I cannot and because I have listened to The Chauffeur so many times in my life and I do thoroughly appreciate hungry like the wolf as well I think I will give it a 5.
I think everyone has heard the main released singles from the Rio album over the years, and they are great, catchy songs. So you hope that the rest of the album will be just as good. Pleasantly for myself, I can say that on this my first full listen to the Rio album, I’ve enjoyed it. Lonely in your Nightmare was the only track that I didn’t much care for but the rest of the album was a pleasant listen. Save a Prayer is one of my all time favourite Duran Duran songs so any chance to hear that I am totally fine with.
1982, what a year for music! The year two of my top ten albums of all time were from, which I discovered 5 years later, it must have been some sort of golden age of great music (well, all the 1980's were, there wasn't a fallow year). Back in '82, a very young me used to look at bands like Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet with disdain, pop pretty boys with no talent. Fast forward to 1990 and for some weird reason I bought 'Decade' their singles compilation, at the time (and still do) I thought this is really really good. Never listened to an album proper by them all the way through, so I had in my head the preconception, singles = bangers, rest = fillers. How wrong I was! No fillers, all bangers, any song off that album could have been a single. However I remember wearing a deep groove into 'decade' playing 'Save a Prayer' too many times than a male teenager should.The playing by all members is astounding, the bass player Taylor is truly exceptional (he had a lot of competition back then, with Hook, Forbes and Gallup, just to name a few). The weakest link has always been Mr Le Bon, but what he has lacked in the vocal department, he made up with charisma and sometimes that is all you need. A low 5. Will be listening to this again and for once the wife won't mind.
New Wave is inherently a 10/10 for me
This album has some of their most iconic songs.
I was massively into this band and this album when it came out — I think I discovered Duran Duran on their debut (this was their second album). I played a bunch of these songs in my high school band, I am vey familiar with this record. This weekend's listen reminded me how solid it is. Great production, obtuse (maybe pretentious) lyrics, unapologetic pop aspirations, interesting instrumentation (there's more guitar muscle here than you think), and a willingness to get a little creepy with tracks like "The Chauffeur." The musicianship is also a step better than a lot of people might give them credit for, and I can listen to John Taylor's bad-ass bass playing all day. He's a step above and probably my favorite part of the whole thing.
What a great disc. Probably the first Duran Duran I ever listened to. 5/5
I don’t even have to listen to this one. 6 stars if I could give it.
5/5
Super fun. Bops upon bops.
I first borrowed Duran Durans first album from my local library and was so impressed at the quality of this debut album. Rio continued this as a well produced album containing some fantastic tracks such as: Holding Back The Rain and a number of single releases which included the title track along with Hungry Like The Wolf and Save A Prayer. Great memories of all the accompanying videos
Great album Singles are fantastic, album tracks are great too Album closer is great. Going to go 5 again
Quintessential 80s album.
So so good. Grew up listening to this thanks to my Dad! Love the guitar in 'Save a Prayer' (my fave track).
Groovy as. Love the bass lines, some of the songs are a little bit slow but I like the variety. Hungry Like The Wolf is a classic of course. I learnt the bass line to Rio from this album, *very* groovy
Rio, Hungry like a wolf and lonely in your nightmare. Great album all the way through. No skips. Duran Duran!
The title track "Rio" was my introduction to Duran Duran and I immediately liked it. But you also have two of their massive hits "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Save a Prayer" on the same album - great album.
Iconic 80s band.
7.5 /10 🔺 Good for cleaning out your shoe closet bad for burning biscuits Listened To the 2001 remasted version
SUPER RADICOOL "elegant punk" and "disco rock" are fantastic ways of describing it. the performances are actually good, which is something ive kinda been taking for granted. also the ALBUM COVER OMG 10/10
Oh man this album has so many great hits! I would have loved to live through the 80s at an older age than I did. Lots of good music and culture from those times.
The classics never get old
I liked it a lot. 2 songs saved
One of their epic lps
It’s 1984. I step out of the club at 2 am and hand my ticket to the valet. He brings my Testarossa around, I make some 11’s on the pavement and head off to meet the cast of Miami Vice. As I pull away, I turn on the tape player and you better believe this is what’s playing at full volume. This album captures a sound and a moment in pop culture like few other albums do. So damn good.
Iconic. Only thing it struggles with is that all the songs sound pretty similar so if you’re not in the mood it’s a miss. But if you are it’s a banger
Duran Duran are the masters of new wave and this album is no different. Phenomenal.
good musicality. i like the way it flows
Pure 80s and great basslines
My name is Rio! It isn't but should be
Any songs known?: 2 - Rio & Hungry Like the Wolf Favourites?: - Rio - Hungry Like the Wolf - My Own Way - Hold Back the Rain Least Favourites: - Lonely in Your Nightmare - The Chauffeur Thoughts?: - CAMP!! - LOVE Duran Duran!! - Love 80s as a whole and this is such a great album - The whole album feels like an 80s summer, coming of age movie which I LOVEEE - I feel like this is close to a no-skip album, all the songs are bops Album art: 5/5 - ICONIC Overall score: 5/5
I was 14 when this came out, oh the memories
Hungry Like The Wolf is a special memory
Pop masterclass.
7dnddn
Badass album
Rio kills it. That slap bass sound is just so commanding. My Own way carries the sound from Rio forward, making a nice opening one two. Hungry Like the Wolf is about as big a hit as anyone can manage. Hold Back The Rain is also thunderous. This album is hit after hit after hit.
Guay
Тыщтыщ пик пик. Один из первых прослушанных ню вав альбомов, всей душой лублу. Безусловно 10/10.
Fux
Once upon a time I owned this album on vinyl. I do love Duran Duran. Like a lot.
Awestruck
Rio (song) is great, hungry like the wolf is a classic but the chauffeur is excellent, really great synth pop rock album
Great album by the Durans
Great Album! 5 stars
Heel vet album, weinig matige nummers, veel knallers. Beklemmende en betoverende atmosfeer.
I’ll say this. If I were to make a list of 3 albums you must listen to before you die, this one would be on that list. In the synth-pop/new wave genre, there are very few albums that come close to this one. Instead of going in-depth into each track, I’ll keep it simple. They’re all fantastic. A great band in their prime. 5/5.
Save a Prayer for Duran Duran. Great album. This album is great for sponge washing your car outside. I find these guys rise above most 80s bands and that was confirmed with my three listens of this record. I love the layers they put on these tracks, there’s always something interesting to listen to, as examples by my favourite on the record, New Religion. I actually think the keys and other sounds they use give the songs great depth that wouldn’t otherwise be there. It’s like they had a band meeting one day and said “hey bassist, we’re thinking of doing a song with a regular bass line” and that guy said “fuck you. I groove every track”. The bass is wild in these songs, usually ending up being the loudest instrument driving each song. Which is sweet. This rating may get some flack but imma go My Own Way on this. Come @ me
There's a lot of good New Wave and there's a lot of bad New Wave. This is among the best of New Wave. "Rio", "Hungry Like the Wolf", and "Save A Prayer" are of course extreme classics, maybe a bit overplayed for the first two but still great. "Lonely in Your Nightmare" is a very underrated song on the album, "New Religion" has some fantastic bass playing on it, as does "Last Chance On The Stairway". All together I really like this album and it is deserving of the 5 stars it's getting from me.
After my lovely fiancée bought me a bass guitar for my 30th, Rio was one of the songs I learned because the bassist of Duran Duran is criminally underrated. I never looked into the full album, but if the rest is similar to this then I think today will be a good day. Songs I already knew: Rio, Hungry Like The Wolf Favourites: Rio, Hungry Like The Wolf, My Own Way I seem to have been rating lots of albums very highly recently, but there have genuinely been so many fantastic albums that I’ve been listening to! There are no bad songs whatsoever to be found here. I’d challenge any bass player to listen to this and try to remain unimpressed. Aside from the bass, there are so many catchy riffs and hooks and it’s very easy to see why this album is so loved. Overall, I can’t fault anything. This is as good as it gets.
Classic album!
Fantastic record from the 80’s. Such a monumental recording for Duran Duran and for pop music in general. The bass lines and guitar parts on this album are particularly amazing.
Slay I loved it
No funciona como conceptual el álbum pero si les da un contexto a los hitazos e incluso los envuelve en canciones menos conocidas. El talento musical de Duran Duran se nota mucho, la producción también suena perfecto
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this album 4.5/5
Great band great album
A masterpiece of new wave pop. Solid top to bottom - no filler. The album, and each song within it, is constructed so meticulously well. A perfect balance of electronics and the standard rock instrumentation. The lyrics are cryptic in an evocative, rather than a puzzling, way. It also has a surprising amount of soulfulness hidden in the grooves, which I think is what really sets it apart from the pack.
Partiamo subito con 'Rio', molto coinvolgente e pungente. è anche un classico. Non male nemmeno 'Lonely in your nightmare'. Urca c'è anche 'Save a prayer'...
Amazing
80’s classic
RAD
Atualmente, nesse calorzão brasileiro, só esse albúm para dar uma alegrada na alma...
One of those 'wow I know a lot of this' kind of albums. I guess I kinda really like DD?!
This album had an awesome upbeat pulse all the way through. Kept me bobbing my head the whole time. Each song was peak 80s pop, and now that I know Duran Duran's sound, I can tell it's them when the guy starts singing. Distinct in a good way.
I have always liked Duran Duran, but they always had the reputation of being a singles band. I'm not sure how they picked up that label, when this album is as shockingly stacked as it is. So there's Rio, which is a classic single with a classic video, Hungry Like the Wolf, which is an absolute monster of a classic, and Save a Prayer, another well-regarded single. If the rest of the album was straight filler, then I'd get the singles band label, but the album cuts are also bangers: Last Chance on the Stairway is a funky Roxy Music meets Chic track, Hold Back the Rain is infectiously danceable, My Own Way is another John Taylor funkbomb bass showcase, while The Chauffeur is icy, ocarina-laced, and more experimental (compared to everything else on the record) while still sounding like Duran Duran. Honestly, the biggest challenge I had listening to this was not hitting repeat as soon as I get to Hungry Like the Wolf. This might be the most surprising 5 star rating for me up to this point.
R The lyrics are pretty stupid but all the songs are undeniably fun and catchy without a single bad song really cool electronic music
Супер мега охуенный поп звук. Басс и электроника очень драйовые и хочется зажигать. Че послушать: Rio, My Own Way, New Religion(последнее must-have)
Alla fyra singlar är väldigt bra. Dessutom så sticker flera av låtarna ut. Jag ser inget annat alternativ än att ge högsta betyg.
80s glitz at its best
One of the best new wave albums ever created, full of brilliant songs and also really popular and influential: a masterpiece in every aspect.
Camp, cheesy, a tad samey but I loved it
I have this one on vinyl, I feel like Duran Duran gets a bad rap for being poppy 80s music but they were absolute masters at getting songs stuck in your head. I love 80s music so I'm biased but this is a great one. Obviously Rio and Hungry Like The Wolf are the most well-known songs here, but Lonely in your Nightmare and Save a Prayer are severely underrated.
good
This was my gateway drug to the wonders of the New Wave movement. Upon further reflection, this thing is about as New Wave as Lil Nas X is country. The sheer disco-funk of this album is shining though. So much on this album to love and I think Rio is the most balanced musical composition for quintet that I’ve ever heard, bar none. Come fight me about it. Lastly, The Chauffeur is a criminally-underrated track that almost bridges the gap between pop New Wave and alternative goth artists of the era. I adore this album. It’s in my desert island collection, and if I’m allowed one album, then it is my desert island music selection.
The overwhelming feeling that this album brought to me was how much I loved watching MTV in the early 80s. Now, I had to go to friend's house to watch, but watch I did and it all came back to me. Because of MTV, many of these songs came with visual memories as well. It was so much fun to listen to this whole album! I know that part of my joy at listening to his was feeling like I'm 14 again, but I'm okay with that. It's still great pop music.
I never jumped on the Duran Duran fan-wagon. Not that I had any issues with them…I just never caught the wave. As such, I have never listened to a Duran Duran album in its entirety…at least not that I can recall. This was a blast!!! No track disappointed.
Yesterday when reviewing the 80s album from The Go-Betweens I wrote “there are many other albums in this style I’d rather be listening to.” The band I had in mind when I wrote that was Duran Duran. Rio is their masterpiece. I don’t think I’ve listened to this album in its entirety since the 80s. The musical talent on display is incredible. “Rio” is such an absolutely brilliant opening to the album. It leaves no doubt that this is going to be an exciting ride! “Hungry Like the Wolf” is my all-time favorite Duran Duran song. I clearly remember the first time I heard this song. My mom and I were in the car and it played on the radio and I instantly became a huge Duran Duran fan. The song is exhilarating from the incredible opening giggle to the closing moans. It still gives me goosebumps! “Save a Prayer” deserves a place as one of the greatest songs of the 80s. It’s quite unique, haunting and beautiful! On this listen the consistent quality of the rest of the album really struck me: “My Own Way”, “Hold Back The Rain”, “New Religion”, “Last Change on the Staircase” (hooray for a marimba solo!). While we’re at it, I've got no good reason to overlook “Lonely in Your Nightmare” and “The Chauffeur”… every song on this album is worthy of Rio’s perfect, iconic cover art! I love this album!
Jeez I love it Right up my alley, forgot how many hits they have in one album Madness
Si no te da ganas de bailar Durán Durán no entendés nada. Alto disco
Amazing album. Still as current as it was then.every song a winner
10/10
this album astonished me. it definitely exceeded my expectations. i had heard some tracks before, but those that i hadn’t blew me away!
Badass, cool, energetic, awesome riffs and power chords, rhythmic supporting drums, a sexy obligatory 80s sax part, over-the-top sci-fi synths, and plenty of hits to sing and dance to. This has it all. This album justifies New Wave's existence and prevalence as the pop music of the early 80s, being super accessible and consistent (no obligator ballads or other bullshit), maintaining a momentum to the very two last introspective chill tracks. It's engaging and interesting, with plenty of interesting sounds and painted atmospheres to focus on yet never repeating used tricks (thank god they abused what synths were capable of). They really nail down pop song structures, full of hooks with plenty of exciting changes to look forward to, and always leaving me satisfied, which is incredible considering the songs have an average runtime of 4.5 minutes. The greatest strength of this album is it having 9 tracks... you can tell they really roughed out the edges on each one. None of them were forgettable. Why it got negative reviews when it first released, my only clue is the hatred of the over-saturation of New Wave. But I wouldn't dismiss this one. All fantastic tracks, accessible for anyone, and fun from start to finish every time.
Great album! Delicious 80s pop
Solid pop rock record. No skips.
Ya gotta love it
Absolutely love this and will listen to it so much more now!!
such a fun and cohesive production, instant favourite
Lmao I love this album. Title song’s whatever, but Hungry Like the Wolf makes me smile so fucking much
One of my absolute favorite albums. The memories this brings back are priceless, but some of these songs that were not overplayed on the radio in the 80s are now also some of my favorites. I especially love “The Chauffeur.” 10/10
Brilliant, classic slice of 80s new wave
Rio is one of the greatest album openers of the 80’s. The energy, the composition…. THE SAXOPHONE…. Jesus! The songwriting is beyond great, Le Bon sounds amazing and the band plays their hearts out. I almost cried due to the sheer emotions on display in Save a Prayer. It’s worth noting that ⅗ of the band is surnamed Taylor. Without being related. A British band if there ever was one!
Perfect album.
My mate Alan Eaglecock and I used to piss on eachother whilst miming along to Duran Duran. HIS NAME IS ALAN AND HE PISSES ON MY FACE. Those hot summer nights and delicious golden showers, what an innocent time it was.
Inch perfect pop music.
The perfect 80s synth-pop-funk album. Not enough credit is given to bassist, John Taylor, whose funky bass lines make this album & much of DD's catalog more than lip gloss pop. Rio sits on my top 20, and is the perfect listen start to finish. The Chauffeur is haunting & sultry, and the video is film noir erotica. I adore this album. 5/5.
Very briefly: Duran Duran popped up and I thought to myself: Ah yes, a nice 3* album, just the standard 80s. I was so terribly wrong, I think this is an incredible album. I really had no idea anymore. How did I dismiss this all these years as 'just another 80's band' The bass, the melodies, everything on this album is just right. I'm not skipping a song. Personal Favorites: My Own Way and New Religion 4.5*
my favorite band as a kid, my Roxy Music! lots of bangers on here, live version of The Chauffeur pips it but otherwise pretty awesome for a "boy band"
Released just after my 18th birthday - FOURTY YEARS AGO. But it feels like yesterday to me. A solid album, with great melodies and - as always - solid bass lines. Already part of my collection.
Amazing as always
Without proper knowledge on the band you’d believe that Duran Duran were just a singles band. I used to think they were a boy band, probably because of all the flashy music videos. But rio proves that Duran Duran is not just a band to be shrugged at. This is a MUST LISTEN even if this list was merely 100 albums in my opinion. Obviously you have the amazing singles, not many songs are as iconic as hungry like the wolf! Rio and my own way is one of those 1,2 opening punches on albums that leaves you in awe that the same band was able to make two songs this good. Then the wistful save a prayer, the album’s ‘anchor’, its centrepiece (though it’s the penultimate track), most people will know it and everyone should love it. New religion should’ve been a single as well, honestly I don’t get why it wasn’t, LOVE that bass line and that chorus. But none of these songs are actually close to my favourite, the chauffeur, Rio’s off putting last moments putting you on edge until Simon le Bon screams ‘sing blue silver’ offering a euphoric sensation as you complete this masterpiece. There are so many covers of this song including the iconic deaftones one but none have put me on edge as the original or the acoustic demo of this track. The only three tracks I haven’t mentioned (Lonely in your nightmare, hold back the rain and last chance on the stairway) are admittedly slightly weaker but they fit in perfectly. If the other songs didn’t exist and it was these three songs released as singles and a bunch of filler it could still skim being a 3/5 and likely score 3 hits. Critically this was panned on release honestly I’m not surprised, this will always happen with pop music. As soon as the frustration with their commercial acclaim goes honest opinions form. For me early Duran Duran are something really special, ignore all that ordinary world crap, this album is where it’s at 5/5.
05/25/2022 Super fun from start-to-finish. An absolute blast to listen to!
I love this album and I listened to the band playing live many of the songs in here. Big fan.
Weirdly, I kinda like this one. I am hearing a kind of Yes-like vocal and it just feels kind of right. I feel like I will come back to it as much as I have Magazine's Self-Titled. Highlights: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9.
Quintessential British new-wave
After a respectable first album, Rio is when Duran Duran really got going. Everything fits well together here; lead singer Simon Le Bon doesn't always hit the correct notes, but what he lacks in intonation he makes up with tone that is uniquely suited for this kind of music. John and Roger Taylor (no relation) are a tightly locked, always grooving rhythm section - the title track's bassline is especially iconic, and John Taylor's playing is on a whole new level. Meanwhile Andy Taylor's (still no relation) very tasteful and restrained guitar playing adds some welcome rock overtones. And Nick Rhodes' keyboard parts are not only embellishment, but are totally integrated into these songs. This album more than any other defined the new romantic sound of the early 80s, and set an antithesis to the then-prevalent punk movement. Every single track here is worth a listen, but the standouts are Rio, Save A Prayer, and Hungry Like the Wolf. It's truly iconic for its era. 5/5
I remember buying this when I was 10 and now here I am at 52 and it still sounds astonishing. The production has been ignored on this but chapeau to Colin Thurston, this is sensational production. And I have never even heard of him. He would be worshipped nowadays full of sprinkles and sparkles and whooshes so much going on here. To me the Duran sound is right up there with New Order & The Cure, I remember wishing they would release an instrumental of this LP - nothing wrong with Simon Le Bon’s vocals, they fit perfectly, and I love the New Romantic lyrics, just that it would be fascinating to listen to the band & production. This is way beyond a boy band, John Taylor’s funky surfing bass high up in the mix, Andy Taylor’s brilliant inventive drumming, Nick Rhodes’unique mysterious way ahead of the time synths. It’s cool it’s upbeat it’s fun it takes you up a level, it’s the sound of holidays in blue skies & sunshine when you’re on top of the world or maybe that’s down to the amazing videos. I love the artwork, it invites you in to this exotic dreamworld music. I have got drunk and danced and laughed and sung with friends to this many many times, this is the LP that inevitably is played late on. It still sounds fresh not dated but I’d love to know what I’d make of this if I heard it first time at my age - will never know. But for me still at my age this is a perfect album.
Nostalgico, mas alto astral.
definitivamente dançande e muuuito anos 80
John Taylor - a god amongst men.
Legendary 80s album. Still holds up.
I usually think that the 80s didn't add much to the music discourse, but albums like this prove me wrong.
Classic album with multiple favorites already on my list. The lyrics on the favorites make less sense when you read them. Seems to be more about the catchy / familiar rhythm. Hungry like the wolf is fun on Rock Band (drums). The main tracks will stay in regular rotation.
не ну прям очень хорошо, приятно и красиво
I love this album man. It's the 80's in a bottle.
Super nice 80s album. Felt at home right away
Bangers all the way 10/10
I thoroughly enjoyed this album. My favourites are My Own Way, Hungry Like The Wolf, New Religion and Last Chance On The Stairway.
One of the best pop albums from the 1980s - with great album tracks such as The Chauffeur that are just as good as the hit singles.
One of if not the best pop album of the 80’s. It’s slick and stylish without being overdramatic and becoming a parody of itself.
Hi ha discos que s'han de valorar per sobre d'imatges, actituds i èpoques. 'Rio' és la cúspide del génere new romantics i un dels millors treballs de pop comercial dels 80. No es cansa un mai d'escoltar-lo i sempre és font de sol, platja i bons moments. Podrien ser nou singles junts en un sol disc, i algun d'ells, com 'Save a Prayer', 'The Chauffeur', 'Lonely in Your Nightmare' o 'Hungry Like a Wolf', destaquen entre els millors temes pop de la década
Dynamic sounds, absolute bops
Elsk. Allt er gott.
A classic
Truly a sensation album, not just for the music, but for the video generation it created. Certainly their best.
I want my MTV. This is truly a pop gem that definitely transcends the synth era. Enjoyable from start to finish.
Surprisingly delightful. I had mentally filed Duran Duran as "that ur-80s band" and never sat down to really listen to them. This album is excellent - it's fun, and sentimental, and has some real bops.
Ha, expected to hate this but it's a riot
Loved it. I have been spoken derisively about synth heavy 80s albums in the past, but I'm growing to enjoy quite a bit of that style of music. Rio is well paced, and features interesting lyrics, amazing bass lines, and intriguing synth/keyboard work. I will definitely be returning to this album.
love this album, so captures that those of the polished new wave 80s pop.
Classic
Es uno de mis álbumes favoritos
Guay
Got some classics and all around a pretty good album
I like it - I was already familiar with a lot of the songs but it's nice as a whole. 4.5 - I like it and would listen to it again, but don't know that it's a favorite of all time. I wrote that halfway through, still listening, pushing it to a 5, I really like it and some of these I wasn't familiar with are really good. It also feels like they go together as an album.
Really love this album!
It's impressive when I already know most of the songs on an album. Odd that there are so many repeats made of different versions of songs on two discs, but also lots of other odd choices that made it stand out.
I listen to this album a couple times a year. Great album to start with! Upbeat and classic.
Äärimmäisen positiivinen yllätys. Duran Duran oli ennestään tuttu pääosin hittiensä kautta, mutta tämä levyhän oli todella tasavahva kokonaisuus. Hitit (Rio, Hungry Like a Wolf, Save a Prayer, My Own Way) ovat klassikoita, joskaan ei puhkikuunneltuja sellaisia. Lisäksi levyltä löytyi aivan uusia kiinnostavia tuttavuuksia josta tykkäsin kovasti (Lonely In Your Nightmare, The Chauffeur). Lähes virheetön levy omassa genressään, joka ansaitsee listauksen tähän mennessä ensimmäinen yllätysvitosen.
Fantastic. Classic. So Good.
Last song was a little underwhelming, but the rest of the album is fantastic. Banger after banger.
Pretty solid. You can see the influence on Radiohead they had.
Classic 80’s album with some hits that still hold up to this day
Take me back to the concert! This will forever be unique and haunting pop with a flair of fantasy. I love this collection and the throwback of random instrumentals thrown in.
Listened to one song because I didn't have time, but I like the vibe. I should listen to all of it
They were big in the 80's, but let's face it, they were primarily a band listened to by girls. Sure, we dudes might have secretly thought Hungry Like The Wolf had a cool sound, and the synth in Save a Prayer with the note bending sounds really neat, but we would never have been caught dead owning a Duran Duran album. Fast forward a few decades and I've begun playing the bass and you know what? John Taylor absolutely shreds on bass. Just listen to the bass lines on these songs. Raw talent. Amazing. But I'll still never understand what "I smell like I sound" means.
Quintessential 80s new wave. Really like the album. Certainly a 4.5, but can’t give it a 5. First time I have not rounded up.
Very much enjoyed the unashamed 80's throw back. Very much of its genre and I think very much holds its own in today's musical world. Definitely a keeper on the playlist
actually surprised at how many deep cuts i hadn't heard, i thought every song on here was a single. unfortunately they were all pretty mid this album was such a huge deal at the time, perfect for MTV at a time when it *really fucking mattered*
All the feels! Duran Duran feels exotic!
So many standouts in one record
I also remember that time in my life I thought the flanger was the coolest effect on my mixer. Video killed the radio star. I hated Duran Duran on principle – Style over Substance. These productions were *slick* and the band was *beautiful*. The production on this record is flawless. The studio musicians are perfect. This is an historic artifact – a time capsule of the 80s music aesthetic. Approaching this 44 years after the fact, the same things I bristled at when I was younger are still there, but the value of hindsight helps me to understand that the image projected by this album simply doesn't reflect my values. Its insight to the intersection of commerce and culture that it represents is an interesting snapshot. Also, some killer, mostly filler.
Absoluter Klassiker.
This is good but it’s not a full experience without the added visuals from David Lynch of random objects flying in front of the band playing
4.4/5
this! was! fun! and I am hungry like the wolf!!!
Chock full of hits didn’t realize I knew a lot of them.
4-
Super fun and awesome! I loved Rio, my own way, and save a prayer
Knew a few cool to hear the rest. 4 stars
Great album. I'm glad to hear more songs than the famous/overplayed hits. Solid album all the way through
The overlapping beats are so full of energy, life. Perfect mix of that classic 80’s voice/sound with some funky instrumentals. Based on the first song, I can already hear a number of different genres combined to create an intriguing sound. It’s extremely unique and sounds like what I imagine a cool underground club in NYC to be like in the 80s. The cherry on top is the brilliant vocals, which have so much emotion and depth. Very ABBA meets Bowie - but at the same time extremely unique in sound. The album comes with many emotions - from upbeat to deeply emotional. Some vocals sound like they're from the deepest depths of Simon Le Bon's soul. My top three songs on the album are: Hungry Like the Wolf, Rio, Save a Prayer. Honourable mention: The Chauffeur.
My younger self would hate me for rating this so high, but dang it's good.
Optimistic and fun
Quintessential 80s synth/pop with an iconic album cover, what's not to love?
it was a fun listen, the songs are catchy and i loved the bassline
Two great new wave hits (“Rio” and “Hungry Like a Wolf”), but still not sure about those deep tracks. Pretty good Bowie-lite 80’s pop?
Great sound
Quite a pleasant surprise! I had only heard Hungry Like the Wolf but the album is full of great and more importantly interesting songs. Loved the title track, New Religion, Save a Prayer, and Last Chance on the Stairway.
I can easily say I've never listened to a Duran Duran album from beginning to end till today. I was a kid when this came out and the singles remain great. Some of the other songs are pretty good too - it's more fun/experimental than a lot of the pop music from the early 80s
Quite enjoyed this. Good example of early 80s synth pop.
I was certain this was going to be a 5 when I started it as I used to listen to it so much when I was younger It's not as good as I remember, but the singles still slap as hard as they always have The rest is fine too
This is getting to me at a perfect time. I’ve been leaning more into the new wave/80s sound, so listening to this in full was great.
Me sorprendió gratamente
fun, catchy, driving beats and storytelling. full of life. love the sax. favorite song: i mean its gotta be 'hungry like the wolf', right? & last chance on the stairway is p cool & i like that sound in save a prayer.
Iconic 80s, and more focus on actual instruments rather than synth. The bass playing in particular is fantastic on this album. An enjoyable listen, even though the vocals aren't always my favourite. Definitely cheesy, but not painfully so. Solid 4.
The first song has such a cool ending I've never heard before?? I hate the radio 3-4 iconic songs that still hold up. Rest are good but nothing special. Low 4
omot mi se baš i ne dopada, za razliku od albuma koji mi je jako dobar! tipične osamdesete, ali na jako dobar način. pola pjesama u stvari sam već znao otprije kao one dobre hitčine koje katkad vrte na radiju. dobre bas dionice. sve u svemu, sviđa mi se
Really good songwriting and instrumentation.
good
Amazing album, this album gives you a feeling that instantly makes you wanna dance and the instruments especially the guitar on every track just gives you tingling feeling. Lead singer voice is so beautiful syncing with instruments. Instrument on The Chauffeur was probably my favorite. Highly recommend if you like dance rock
Lots of recognizable classics. Lots of tracks used in movies/tv
One of the first bands I think of when I think 80s pop, and a super fun album. Brings back memories of playing DDR in high school- hungry like the wolf has always been a banger.
Classic 80s. The bass absolutely slaps. This is just a fun time. 4/5
Yeah, this fucks.
Duran Duran is on my shortlist of bands from the 80s that I think still hold up today (although as I listen to the saxophone solo on Rio I may question this stance. Saxophone solos will always be quintessentially 80s). Anyway, I always liked this album.
Decent 4
I was a Duran-y back in the day :D
The great thing about doing this is that it makes you listen to albums that you would otherwise just dismiss. Sometimes you find the dismissive attitude was justified, other times you are pleasantly surprised. 'Rio' by Duran Duran is an example of the latter. Their incredible popularity in the early 1980s meant they were deemed uncool and worthy of derision by much of the music press who regarded their material as throwaway pop music. This probably fed into my own perception of the band's material. Yet the songs on this album speak for themselves. 9 melodic, well produced tracks which hold real emotional depth, and seamlessly blend the kind of new wave music they started out making with catchy pop hooks. Very enjoyable.
This was one of the biggest (and most pleasant) surprises I’ve had with this website so far. I’d always assumed Duran Duran were an archetypal 80s insipid pop dross act, but this album was actually really rather good. It’s an extremely catchy synth-driven pop-rock album, with some genuinely brilliant bass playing in particular. While the lyrics were often pretty bad (occasionally to the point of being distracting), the melodies and hooks were very strong, and there was enough energy and stylistic variety to keep me engaged right through to the end. Good enough for 4 stars, despite the horrendous cover.
I don’t like much music released in the 1980s. Most of it is far too cheesy. This was a rare gem. A gentle mix of overdriven guitar, poppy synth and new age vocals. And of course that one super catchy song
5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Very strong tent poles in Rio and Hungry Like a Wolf. Rest of the tracks are ok to good in general tailing off in quality towards the end of the album.
Honestly hell yeah
Really solid 80s pop. Obviously a ton of hits on this album, but even the lesser-known tracks I found to be lots of fun. No real low points.
Really enjoyed this one, I had heard Duran Duran before, and apparently knew some of their songs, but have never clocked them or sought them out. I thought this album was really enjoyable.
A band I’ve heard mentioned alot, especially around here. This is really fun 80’s stuff, even if it’s not what I’d typically gravitate towards. Creative blends and ideas that are welcome and easy to appreciate. Some of the prettiest moments appear near the end, closing the record on an excellent note. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Save a Prayer, Title Track, The Chauffeur
Muito bom, me transporta pros anos 80 na hora. Hungry Like the Wolf dá uma alegria diferenciada, parece que tô andando de bike pelo quarteirão, só esperando passar o tempo pra depois ir na casa de um amigo pedir pizza e jogar algo. Álbum muito bom, trouxe sentimentos alegres e nostálgicos.
Banger
This is a great album. Duran Duran is enduring and the sound here is the soundtrack of the 80s.
Rio - Duran Duran 1982 4/5 This is an 80s pop rock album which is a genre in which I feel a lot of albums try to copy one another and just feel the same but this one felt stronger (if that makes sense), like each song has a decent amount of character. I do feel that these songs get kinda repetitive from the length and not adding much more, but it was overall a great album. Onto the songs (scores out of 10) Rio: 8 My Own Way: 7 Lonely In Your Nightmare: 7 Hungry Like the Wolf: 8 Hold Back the Rain: 7 New Religion: 6 Last Chance on the Stairway: 7 Save a Prayer: 8 The Chauffeur: 7
Enjoyable but pretty samey
This was a fun and upbeat album. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did!
Album 204. Rio (https://open.spotify.com/album/0vndiSM8xxlb8CQFOMMO9h?si=GsPljVM8QyOIjrHQvtW8Eg) — Duran Duran (1982) Great choice for today, great synth pop. Duran Duran feels like summer to me, vacation or weekends or something easy and upbeat like that. 4/5 Liked: — My Own Way — Hungry Like The Wolf — Save A Prayer
It was pretty good. I was surprised that my first album would be from an artist I've already heard of and that one of the tracks in the album is already in one of my playlists. Sadly I wasn't mind-blown by this album, but it was pretty good, so I'd give it a 3.75/5
Oh wow the bass lines on this record are really fantastic.
I really enjoyed this album - this was my first time ever listening to a Duran Duran album in full, and before this, I think I only knew two of their songs... Both of which were on this album. 'Rio' was a perfect track to kick off the album, and a great choice to be the title of the album. It is fun, eccentric, and a great listen. The vibe throughout the album kind of feels a bit too similar between songs, but at least there is some variation throughout, especially within the choice of instrumentation in a few of the tracks... for example, the use of the marimba in 'Last Chance on the Stairway'. I think something that disappoints me is that the first half of the album is so much stronger than the second half, making it less enjoyable as the album carries on, but still some good tracks mixed in. Favourite lyric: 'Don't say a prayer for me now, save it 'til the morning after.' ('Save a Prayer'). Favourites: Save a Prayer Rio Hungry Like the Wolf
This album helped to deliver a new era for Rock/New Wave music. The hit single Hungry Like the Wolf is a great tune. Hold Back the Rain is a great example of the band’s willingness to experiment with different sounds. I enjoyed this album back when it released and I still enjoy it today. This era of music also helped marshal in a new era for music…videos…and MTV!
Rio My Own Way Lonely In Your Nightmare Hungry Like The Wolf Save A Prayer The Chauffeur