Reviews (page 8 of 15)
Was zum Tüüfel Tüüfel isch denn das gsi?? Duran Duran kennt mer ja vo Songs Songs wie Girls on Film oder Hungry Like the Wolf aber das ich noniiiie über das Album Album gstolperet gstolpered bin isch ja en Skandal Skandal !! Vom Ahfang Ahfang bis Schluss Schluss keis müsse skippe skippe und grad 3 mal hinderenand hinder d Ohre Gschmiert! "DAS SIND D 80ER DU WIXXER!!" und da bini absolut froh froh drum! 80er for the win win und duran duran for music music presidents presidents. Ich gsehne liechti ahzeiche dasi die Band Band ide negste Wuche Wuche ufe ufe und abe abe lose lose wird. Darum darum au au ganz ganz gern gern feuf feuf wohl wohl verdienti verdienti puentos puentos für für die die banger banger-maker maker duran duran! Let's let's go go!!!
jajaja isch biz verbigseglet, nöd mega guet und aber au nöd zu nervig. denkes da chani demit lebe und sie au wenns es 3 bechömed 3 janeiros a das
bi duran duran dänk ich wiedermal direkt an alte iPod classic vo mim papi wo ich ha döffe erbe – duran duran isch da au guet verträte gsi trotzdem han ich hüt es paar neui bangers döffe kännelerne hetti scho fast 5 sternli verdient, aber übertriebe wämmer scho nöd grad
3.5
A really good album, classic tunes and an early 80’s touchstone.
Poor, old pop rock All songs are the same
***An ok album
Fun, energetic, not super catch but super funky... 4 stars easy, but man the bass is a definite +1...
Good vibes, sounds very 80s. i like how similar it is to depeche mode while being more upbeat and fun.
The best of new wave. Funky bass, catchy vocals and dripping with style.
I dismissed Duran Duran because my sister loved them and I was a punk/metal kid. But this is fantastic, the bass work on this is phenomenal. Clearly the music snob child I used to be was an idiot
Do-do-do-do…An album for its time. Hits were perfect.
As a synth-pop album it sounds too messy to me. I do want to like it but it's somewhat convulted this way.
I LOVE NEW WAVE OH MY GOD I LOVE NEW WAVE ITS SO COOL OMGHUIUFDOHDOIHOHF loved save a prayer and rio 9/10
I was excited to listen to this one all the way through. It's not my personal favorite, but there are some real bangers on here. It's a 3.5 but I can't say it's middle of the road so a 4 it is
Such a fun album!
great album, will definitely revisit this one
surprisingly just okayyyy
This actually holds up against its contemporaries. Some of the other bands get lost in their state-of-the-art Casio but these guys kept on the guitar jams.
I liked the vibe
Glossy
This is a classic, but still a bit uneven in some tracks.
Singles are brilliant. The overall album is absolutely dull apart from those little flashes.
Really enjoyed this sound, save a prayer had me lifted
7/10.
Not only is there not a bad song on this entire album but most are absolute 80’s classics.
2.67
Ahhhh....the MTV days. Those first 30 seconds take me straight back there. Oversized suits, with sleeves rolled up, John Taylor's hair blowing backwards whilst perched at the front of a yacht and a super model or two in bikinis...oh, and there's some pretty decent songs in there as well. Enjoyed that (again)
Don't have to listen to it, but of course I will and imagine the videos that were constantly on MTV when I was lucky enough to hang out after school with a friend who had cable in the early 80s.
In contention for the most 80’s album ever. I don’t usually like this style of music, but something about Rio just works for me. The bass here is pretty good too. Favorite songs were Rio and Hungry Like The Wolf.
LISTEN ON MICAHS. DONT WANNA LISTEN AGAIN
This album bangs, short and sweet and catchy!
Rio is a cool song my first time listening to Duran Duran, as I've always had a light aversion to them for some reason (and I do like the 80s sound!). it's not bad, though it is far from timeless
Very synth heavy and in your face 80s.
Wull, Durant Durant, dude.
Interesting, experimental for sure. Not exactly for me but not awful either. 6.2/10
80's music at it's finest -Rio -Hungry Like the Wolf -Save a Prayer
very catchy, cool basslines. Lovely artwork, too. missed it at the time, glad to encounter it now.
Just don't get it...very pop
Bit dated now but Rio still stands the test of time
Another one in the pile of mediocre British Pop Rock. For some reason, this album reminds me of Summer. Favorite Track: "Hungry Like The Wolf".
I love this album, this sound. It is a "happy place" for me, and I often go back to similar music, because it is not only poppy, up-beat, and full of life, but it is also very well written, performed, has true depth, and does it's own challenging and experimental things in rock and pop music.
3/5
Solid 80's stuff. Maybe too pop-ish.
Fantastic
Uh-Oh! Hot Tub Time Machine - dropped me back to college days of 1982. For those who did not experience New Wave in the 80's it was pretty monumental shift in music (or at least rock music). A great album, one of the Best early MTV videos of the title cut!
At least 4 all time great songs, but the rest of the album drags this down to a 4
point0.
Good pop
92. This album is a masterpiece in synthpop. Every song has the potential of being a hit-single.
big boss
Music to liberate Afghanistan, vibe and cry to
For some reason I misread the band name as Devo and thought to myself "ahh shit I'm not looking forward to this." Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be Duran Duran.
7.5/10 Really nice pop rock album, obviously I knew the hits but the rest was good too. More synth = I liked it more. Pure 80s vibes Best: Hungry Like the Wolf
knew some songs from glee - but vibes are very interesting and fun
Pop savršenstvo, od početka do kraja.
4.1 Hands down one of the best New Wave albums I've heard. Recognised the first track but not the biggest fan so thought I was in for a tough time. But wow, the streak from track 2 onwards is phenomenal. I didn't think much of their debut but this blows it out the water. Melodic, interesting vocals, captivating. Can't believe I might now be a Duran Duran fan.
Some decent new wave actually, but a couple of dud songs still there. 7.5/10
Not my favourite new romantic album, songs are a little too similar to each other, but I do love my new romantics, and last 2 songs were just perfect.
Whips. So glad I got to hear "The Chauffeur" -- seems to be a bit of a cult classic. Who did the cover art? Why is it SO nail salon? How is it PEAK NAIL SALON
Pretty good, I don’t like when the hits are my favourites in an album but it was the case this time, I feel this is one of those albums which has really good hits surrounded with decent deep cuts, they were all consistently decent though although I personally took a liking to hold back the rain. That, Rio and probably hungry like the wolf (basic ahh take) were my favourites. Bass was really good throughout, definitely a standout, other instruments just really did their job other than the synths which were good but they kind of had to be based on how much the songs revolved around them. Overall a strong 3 (6/10).
Oh, the early 80s. And this band has it all. How can every chorus be so, so catchy, yet the lyrics are almost word salad? And the perfect 80s cover. I love Duran Duran.
🤩
Probably the best of this sort of thing, right,
before my time by a bit but not much, good stuff.
I've heard the title track so many times but I don't think I'd ever listened to it with headphones before, because I'd never noticed how great the bass playing is. The lesson is that I should have been paying more attention to Duran Duran - there are some serious bangers on here.
Why so many Rio remixes
gosto mto desse álbum me dá uma vontade absurda de estar numa praia em 1983 sob completo efeito de drogas sintéticas
CHUVA DE SINTETIZADOR NESSA PORRA eh o tipo de música que tem cheiro gosto e sabor de COCAÍNA DA BOA. esse eh bom demais hein.
Couple of good songs, not my favorite.
I've already heard this album before bruh
Not my favourite but once in while...
Classic album
Didn’t know what to expect out of this but loved fun, catchy just a great time all round
Not sure I had ever listened to this one beyond the singles. Great sound all the way through. Excellent album art too.
Sounds okay if you just let it wash over you. Listening to the lyrics isn’t very rewarding. A few decent songs there, but buried under 80s overproduction. I would dance to the hits at a bar.
Duran Duran’s Rio is a slick, shimmering time capsule of early-'80s pop excess, awash in glossy production and style-over-substance flair—yet there’s no denying its infectious charm. From the tropical bombast of the title track, which kicks things off with a neon-bright chorus, to the brooding shimmer of "Lonely in Your Nightmare," where chiming guitars and buoyant basslines meet lush vocal layers, the album offers moments of real sonic intrigue. “Hungry Like the Wolf” delivers its lusty hooks with undeniable swagger, though its breathy, orgasmic outro feels more like a gimmick than a climax. The moody ballad “Save a Prayer” leans into goth-lite atmospherics, giving the band a brief, darker edge, while “The Chauffeur,” with its eerie textures and what sounds like a ghostly calliope, closes things out on an artier note. Rio might be a product of its time, but in the best moments, it gleams like chrome in the sun.
Good album
I like Duran Duran, its pop music in the best of ways. I grew up with some of these song and hearing some of them again after many years were a thrill.
oh boy i love a short album - especially when its new wave lmao. starting off strong with rio was a big win on duran^2's part. it was also the first song i ever played on radio and i got so scared cuz the intro to the song is quiet as shit so i thought it wasnt playing but then it turned out that it was. anyways the rest of the album was #fire. hungry like the wolf is obviously a banger but id have to say that the chaffeur was my favourite outside of the aforementioned two. those flute thingos in the background are so cool. i give it a 4/5 because i dont think theres anything new wave that qualifies as 5/5 except for the early new order stuff. that being said, this stuff was still groundbreaking for early 80s and so that gives it the 4. if i could give it a .5 i probably would.
um the first thing i thought when i listened to save a prayer was omg its the og sample from the gacha life song absolutely love this album!!!! duran durans sound is so distinct and its especially noticeable within rio especially. so many bangers in here! hungry like the wolf is one of if not my favourite song from the entire 80s. i know nothing about the bass world but i hope that the duran duran bassist is dutifully accredited bc he is the goat. i never noticed how much of a gothic influence they can have, lonely in your nightmares gave me the cure vibes. overall a 4, just because a lot of songs were quite similar to each other and got a bit repetitive. dancing in my room regardless!🥉rio🥈lonely in your nightmares🥇hungry like the wolf
finally some good fucking food
She kinda stinks I'm afraid
80s synth rock in all the best ways. Cool electronic beats, great twanging bass, it’s awesome. Nothing super deep but love it anyways.
Classic new wave Rio hungry like the wolf My own way
Solid synth and bass. Top shelf production.
Is this their best album? I don’t think so. For the time? Perhaps. It’s predictable 80’s pop. The singles hit way harder than the lesser known track. Duran Duran had a target audience and if you’re in that target range and only in that target range would this then be a 5 star album. For now, it does it’s job. It’s not phoned in and it got the girls swooning. Well played. Choice cut: Hungry Like the Wolf
This was not a bad album per se, but I am so sick and tired of the dad rock I have been getting for the last couple days, that I might be harsher than I should be. Also the lyrics to Hungry like the Wolf gave me a visceral reaction. Not my jam, I guess, but at leadst nothing especially jarring
A start each for the three good songs on here. The rest is fine I guess. Just not my favorite
This is a great album to listen to!! All the songs that are on here make you feel good one way or another!! Two thumbs up!!
Classic album, especially for fans of 80s synths and excess (like me!) standouts - Hold Back the Rain and Save a Prayer for me, deeper cuts than the usual Rio and Hungry Like the Wolf.
Imagine going back in time and trying to explain to the people who loved this album that people do coke off of smartphones now. This is all very groovy, very Vice City and highly enjoyable - I don't think there's any song on the whole album that falls flat. It's almost comically shallow, but who cares? It's part of the charm. High 3*, could be a 4⛷️⛷️ ⛷️
God what a fun album. Full of excitement, soaring synths, and just plain cool songs. The spirit of the 80’s is on full display here and the highs are just so damn high. Duran Duran caught a bit of flack from their contemporaries for being a pop consumerist band (looking at you Robert Smith). But I don’t think that’s entirely fair. The song writing isn’t particularly deep, but I think that misses the point of a band like Duran Duran. Music should be fun, and make you want to sing and dance along. This isn’t fine art, but it’s damn good music. Surprise favourite for me is Save a Prayer. Something slightly haunting about the chorus in this one that resonates I love me some melancholy pop music. With decent pacing throughout Rio I feel good about low 4 stars for the album. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meh. 3 because of Hungry Like the Wolf.
Truly timeless. Good times.
Man, I was nine years old sitting outside my sister’s room on cleaning day again listening to this album again. I always wonder how it took her two hours to clean a 8x10 room with her door closed, but I realize it was probably this album. Simon LeBon and John Taylor were household names growing up, and reasonably so. Double-D had a style that was New Wave but had an rock edge. I think part of it was John Taylor’s aggressive walking bass line and Roger Taylor’s not-drum machine that made the difference. There are so many good songs here: Rio (a fav), Hungry (a fav), and Save A Prayer. This time, I really appreciated New Religion, with Nick Rhodes (not a Taylor) odd synth opener and driving guitar (Andy Taylor) and bass (…again, a Taylor), I don’t know if I can say this album defines the time because their music was unlike anyone else in the genre. I can say this defines MY time, and I’m thankful for it!
Random thoughts: * I never even considered listening to a Duran Duran album before. But there's a first time for everything. * I played this through several times and was quite enjoyable. But I won't be adding it to my desert island lists anytime soon. * The hits were enjoyable, Rio and Hungry Like the Wolf. The rest was fine but nothing worth noting. * There is a little Depeche Mode and other 80s electronic music which is kind of my jam too, so I did like it overall.
New wave just isn’t my favorite. The singles are objectively good songs but I hate that this normalized non-guitar-driven rock. A few of the songs don’t have the structure or variety to sustain their length. Dislike the piecemeal production that sounds the opposite of live. It’s like the vocals exist totally separately from the music sonically.
This was fun. I especially enjoyed “Last Chance on the Stairway,” which was refreshing to hear another bop I haven’t heard 1000 times.
Perfect, this makes my heart fill up with hope and turns me into an idealist. 5/5
Hungry Like a Wolf bring me great joy… the rest, not so much.
I like: Rio, Last Chance on the Stairway
Best DD album by far. Bass work is on this album is so underrated. I like every song on it and that's rare. If you want an album that defines 80s New Wave Pop, this is it. 4.5/5
ehhhh
Synthy and dancey. HLAW is a certified banger for me and always will be. The album artwork is also sick as hell -- would kinda make a cool tattoo.
Good 80s Brit pop rock, easy to listen and overall it is enjoyable. "Save a Prayer" is the crown jewel of the album. Pleasant discovery of the intro song "Rio" but "Hungry Like a Wolf" despite very popular aged very poorly and sounds cheesy. Underrated songs for me for a first listen are "Lonely in Your Nightmare" and "New Religion". The other songs deserve a second change but might be skip worthy depending on the disposition
now i understand how they made a name for themselves. was really fun listening to it.
I was surprised to learn that Duran Duran’s fun-loving, vibe defining, feather-headed hedonism – an attitude since tousled by time’s limitless libido into a sort of archetype of a version of masculinity – wasn’t well received by critics in the early 80s. And then I thought about the sort of person offering a published opinion on new music in the early 80s … and it clicked into place. (Strikes me the Duran Duran boys might have been doubly confused by their critical panning – it’s unlikely they’ve ever had cause to experience envy themselves.) Not to worry, the casting vote on this occasion was the public’s – and thank the saucy gods it was so. To have risked losing this album to history’s unkindness would have been a crime, really. “Rio”, “Hungry like the wolf”, “Save a prayer”; not so much “songs” as cultural quilting points, moments where music, art and general horniness meet to, erm, snog? Anyway… Duran Duran looked the part, acted the part, and sounded the part. The songs here feel remarkably fresh – surely a function of the largely live feel of the recording – and there’s plenty of strong playing and solid compositional chops. At the edges of Simon Le Bon’s debonair delivery there’s even a suitably post-punk angularity, too. Never do we go full synthy-slick. Duran Duran is always definitely a band. (With the exception of “Chauffeur”, a charming song that, pleasingly, reminded me of where Arctic Monkeys went with The Car.) Given how poorly they were reviewed in 1982, it’s almost poetic that Duran Duran’s impact on pop and 20th century music is still under-celebrated, especially compared with some of their contemporaries (and even those they blazed a trail for…). While the historical revisionism applied to this album may be unanimously flattering in tone, it might still be Duran Duran’s fate to forever be jealously held off to one side a bit. And what a legacy that would be.
6.5
only knew Hungry Like The Wolf going in. pleasantly surprised, bass guitar in particular sounded great throughout.
I can hear the appeal on more than just the hits. I may not reach to put it on, but I can leave it on if it's already spinning.
My first album for this long journey. It's a well produced album but not necessarily something I would listen to regularly unless I was in a very specific headspace. I'm not even sure that may ever occur. Still, there could have been worse albums to start with.
7 out of 10 good but not my cup of. tea
7.5
Ok
More of a Spandau man
I don't hate any of this but you're getting pretty close to annoying/cheesy 80s British pop nonsense. Rio and Hungry Like the Wolf are huge hits (and probably the only reason this album is relevant). Not bad, but no need to listen to any of it again. 5.25/10 (2.625/5)
"Rio" is a very solid new wave album, with some great tracks, however it doesn't really do anything amazing or special in any way, it's a pretty enjoyable album, for what it is, but for the most part, it's just standard 80s new wave affair.
Reminds me of my parents, which made listening complicated lol. Fun if imperfect!
So I obviously love all "the hits" but I was super stoked about how busy the bass player was. Those baselines really stood out. Especially on New Religion.
Although not my cup of tea I respect these guys. Can't believe this album was released over 40 years ago though. I am old as shit.
THE BASSSS HOLY FUCK
Rio and Hungry Like the Wolf are classics but the rest of the album is just okay. Not good, not bad, just fine. I'd give it a 3.5 if I could but I don't think it deserves a 4
An excellent introduction to the new wave phenomenon that is Duran Duran
I love this album and own it on vinyl. The Chauffeur is one of my favorite songs.
Yeah I don't know it was something.
Yeah, 80s new wave, its ok
Couple of classics in here, def would give another listen if I was cleaning the house or something
Interesting sound, still, not my favorite genre of music.
My dad absolutely hates Duran Duran, I think they're ok tho
Bunch of hits I've heard a thousand times plus a few tracks I've never heard that were equally as good.
Decent.
A classic.
Listening to this felt like I was laying on a beach in mars, watching three suns set over a rising moon. Standouts: Rio, Hungry like a wolf and New Religion
Rio is glossy, vibrant, and packed with big hooks—but it’s also very much a product of its time, and not always in the best way. There’s no denying the charm of tracks like Hungry Like the Wolf and the title track Rio—they’re punchy, catchy, and made for MTV. The band knew how to craft pop with a slick, fashionable edge, and the production is polished to a mirror shine. But dig beyond the hits and the album starts to feel a bit thin. The over-reliance on style sometimes leaves substance behind, and a few of the deeper cuts feel like filler dressed in shoulder pads and eyeliner. It’s fun, sure, and there's a playful energy throughout—but it doesn’t quite hold up as a front-to-back classic. Enjoyable in small bursts, but not essential.
Sometimes, you just want a pop.
This is their best album in my opinion. It has catchy riffs and hooks throughout, with some deep cut surprises (Hold Back the Rain, New Religion, The Chauffeur). And, of course, the singles are solid. And GAWD. The bass. John Taylor does not get enough credit for his bass playing. It’s really good, but not great. Solid 4⭐️ for me.
At the beginning I was pretty blown away and ready to consider 5 stars, but the middle started to sound pretty samey so it gets a very solid 4 stars from me. I did enjoy the last couple tracks a lot as well. So clean, so fresh, a great culmination of what came before while pushing into the future and becoming a phenomenon.
Good listen.
I do like new wave/synth pop, and this wasn’t bad; maybe it was just the particular day, but I didn’t feel anything stronger than “it’s alright.” Favorite: Hungry Like the Wolf
Duran Duran is only talented synth pop and this album still just ok.
Actually not bad. Was pretty disappointed to see this as my first choice. But there's more musically than I was expecting. Still a lot of generic 80s pop flare, but not quite bottom of the barrel like I was suspecting. Maybe a 2.5/5
-bubblegum new wave -give the bass player a cookie -clever use of synths (arps and pads used tactfully) -hungry like the wolf guitar tone *chefs kiss* -hooks everywhere, not a good album for fish -all about that chorus -the arrangements are playing nice -happy tears for fears (songs from the happy chair) -middle 8 in hold back the rain is fun (arpeggios for their supper) -new religion... bit cheesy but ultimately cool. that vocal overdub bit is great. -highly digestible -the power of the song kinda lost in the funk and shine -wobble in intro for save a prayer is nice, impactful Vox ham -can't decide if I love or hate or hate the album cover, cool girl but looks like how it feels to hear your nan call a club a disco (kinda sums up the album but in a good way) -well sequenced, flows well -the chauffeur, its like dyslexic Kraftwerk on sherbet. like it but that flute can fuck off Lonely in your nightmare is my favourite, like if the smiths where actually the ghostbusters
Very 80s pinnacle pop
It was okay. Knew a few songs.
Love it.
This is what you get If you want 80s synthie pop
Eh
6/10
This album is so good! Every track feels necessary, what a banger start to finish
Love this, 5 stars, makes this and Purple Rain are the only albums I've never heard in full before that I've given 5 stars to so far. I especially love the bass - the bass tone and playing on Rio really reminds to Barbarism Begins At Home by The Smiths, of all songs
I enjoyed it but I can't see myself going back to it much (if at all) as I'm not too fussed about the songs that aren't singles.
I really enjoyed this, will definitely be revisiting.
3.5
Not bad
My wife bought this album for our record player sort of on a whim and it did not disappoint. It's interesting to hear this after Bon Jovi, a band that does not use synthesizer well, and get the max effect from intricate synth/keyboard. Some really good late tracks here--Last Chance on the Stairway is pretty cool. On this listen I was also surprised how good and crafted the lyrics are. When I was younger 7 and the Ragged Tiger was my jam, but this is solid. Almost a 4.5 for me.
Perfect
曲风很新
Very very 80s sound didn’t know I knew two of the songs already (rio and hungry like a wolf) the album sounded like songs I would hear at a retail store. I was surprised when I ended up really liking save a prayer. Overall not bad at all just not my cup of tea but appreciate the 80s synth pop.
Eeh mid
3,5 sterne eher. als ganzes album irgendwie suess, aber keine einzelnen banger
Banger basslines
Cool Album!
Disco / New Wave Pop with very talented John Taylor on bass Rio Lonely in Your Nightmare Hungry Like The Wolf Save A Prayer The Chauffeur
Surprisingly good. Great guitar work
I HAVE TJIS SAVED AHHHH
So very upbeat 80's. Relentless almost forced
it was okay
Fave song: The Chauffeur Sounds commercial, like shopping music. I’m undecided on this album, it needs more spins.
Dated for sure, but not hard to listen to. “Rio” and “Hungry Like the Wolf” are unsurprising standouts.
As is often true with New Wave, I love the bass and guitar. Hungry Like The Wolf is a classic, but this album has more to offer than just that. My Own Way is great fun, and Hold Back the Rain has a very catchy hook. Not a huge fan of The Chauffeur, but love the flute solo.
I'm a sucker for Duran Duran. The non hits are a bit blah but man you know when a single hits. They really hit.
Classic 80s
First impression is the striking album cover, what a masterpiece of a cover, I'd pick this off the shelf instantly even if I didn't know Duran Duran. Honestly they're one of those bands who have been so ubiquitously quoted over my life that I never actually bothered to go in and give them a listen. Damn, this is 80s synth-pop at its absolute peak - literally every song has a killer bassline, and the synth manages to be uniquely interesting in each song. I'm a suck for their backing vocals in Hold Back the Rain and sax riffs in Rio and others. I love Eagles of Death Metal but their cover of Save a Prayer isn't as good as the original. that being said rating it 4 stars because this doesn't feel like "I'm about to die and I'm so glad I heard this"
This was a great album for the weekend. No complaints here. Charistmatic Brit Pop. Don't know why, but the name "Duran Duran" has always given me the ick, as the girlies would say. I'm not kidding. It is for that exact reason I abstained from exploring their discography besides Girls on Film. What a pleasant surprise! This is an album I'd happily chuck on for a drive. Really nicely produced. Adequate big-room drums that Patrick Bateman would boogie to off his Harman/Kardon multi-CD system. It's just too short, and Save a Prayer/New Religion just don't do it for me, especially the latter. They just sound like worse repackages of other songs on here. I wish there was a bit more punch packed into this album. I wish the lyrics pierced through the wall of reverb a bit more - not with volume, but with substance. Enjoyed: Lonely In Your Nightmare, Hungry Like the Wolf, Last Chance on the Stairway. 6.5/10
This album is very very good. Although top-heavy. I can't believe I enjoyed Rio so much that I in fact preferred it over Hungry Like the Wolf (a 97.3fm staple growing up). I fucking love this kind of 80's new wave. Really surprising that Rio didn't end up being as big as Hungry Like the Wolf, since I'd argue it's even more of an earworm. Part 2 (in the single of Rio) is also real good, though not relevant to this album. I think what holds me off from a 5 is the repetitiveness of the songs. Once you get just before the halfway mark through this thing you've really listened to everything it has to throw at you. The singing in one tone the entire album and it all sounded relatively the same didn't gel with me. Absolutely sick album art though, love it. Great listen and great vibes all through.
I think the Nagel artwork on the front should be considered a warning for how bombastically 80's synth this album is gonna be. I previously was not a big fan of the title track but it won me over on this listen (I think it's because it partially sounds like a news bulletin that keeps trying to start). The Saxophone on Rio really popped off for me this time. I have similarly positive thoughts for the rest of the album. Given some of the new wavey similarities here and there you could maybe find some of the stronger tracks make others obsolete but I think there's more than enough standouts on here to make this album a standout regardless
A seminal entry in the genre of music your uncle gets drunk to. Truly baffled that Duran Duran is still together/alive in the year of our lord 2025, let alone still releasing new music - which unsurprisingly sounds borderline identical to what they put out in the 80s. They know what they’re doing and they do it well. Album cover is sorta unnerving.
Unfortunately the most notable thing about this album is the cover and it's significance and impact on art history. The last two tracks on the album are easily the best and its nice to end on a high note but the journey to get there isn't particularly riveting. 6/10
I wish that this review also encompassed music videos because I'd certainly like to give this album extra points for the video for Hungry Like the Wolf This album received lukewarm reviews on release for being formulaic, but when your biggest critics are people like Rober Antichristgau and the consent manufacturing machine of the New York times who massively ragged on this album then you know you've done something right. This album is danceable, but it's also full of great arrangements and lyricism. Its influence on the New Wave genre immediately following its release and on synth pop and dance rock in the future can't be understated. Yes, Side A is a bit better than Side B being bookended with two massive hits. Side B does a good job of slowly turning down the dance-y energy and flowing into the peak of the album (imo) with Save A Prayer. The album doesn't overstay its welcome, there is no wasted time on this album. Each song does something a little different while maintaining the cohesive, slick synth sound. Honestly any album that can make you bust a move as hard as Hungry Like the Wolf and make you feel a little sentimental during Save A Prayer just gets an automatic 5. Highlights: Rio, My Own Way, Hungry Like the Wolf, New Religion, Save A Prayer, The Chauffeur
That's not my taste in music - But ok
Shoulder pads, white Testarossas, Knight Riders, Lasers, Aerobic! Liked this much better now than then. 4 stars!
I never really loved the hits and the rest doesn't stand out to me either.
Love Duran Duran anyway, this album has classics on it. If you don't like Rio you are dead inside.
01) Rio - 10,0 02) My Own Way - 9,0 03) Lonely in Your Nightmare - 8,0 04) Hungry Like the Wolf - 10,0 05) Hold Back the Rain - 8,5 06) New Religion - 8,0 07) Last Chance on the Stairway - 8,0 08) Save a Prayer - 10,0 09) The Chauffeur - 9,5 TOTAL: 9,00 (90/100) Current ranking: 52/492
3 Bona fide synth pop classics and some decent lp tracks too.
Very fun! Alive, colorful, and different. I was a big fan of this one. 8/10
Really fun and energetic pop rock from the 80s. Kinda fuses themes from new wave and the darkness of early gothic but still captures disco back beats and really foward and great sounding vocals with some sweet harmonies. Honestly gotta add a nod here, tasteful use of the gated snare. The 80s abused that snare. Those brits make great music time and time again. Double bonus for writing a great goth pop song the Chaffeur that would later be covered by one of my favorite bands Deftones.
I typically am not a huge fan of 80's pop and some of the sounds on this album are overplayed to me (but haven't aged like a ton of 80's pop), but this album is pristine and basically perfect. The songs are all so cohesive together. Extremely consistent sound through the whole thing. Shocking that this reviewed poorly when it came out. Last Chance on the Stairway and Save a Prayer are fantastic cuts, along with the two songs I've heard before, Rio and Hungry Like A Wolf.
Catchy
Not a lot of heart, soul, or variation to be found here - and I don’t think they intended for that in a cool way. You know it’s tough when the singles that I remember from my childhood dont really invoke a sense of nostalgia. “Save A Prayer” is a slight stand out, but it, as well as “The Chauffer” show up too little too late. Maybe there was a visual component I’m missing out on since this was around MTV times, but other artists dug so much more out of this sound and took it in so many more interesting directions. Just skip this album / 5
What a great album. It's fun, classic, full of hits. The deeper cuts take one back into the MTV 80's era.
Possibly fresh at the time but it a lot of this sounds such a cliche now. Still some great songs
Many great songs and one I remember
Pretty good, I liked it more than I thought I would, but it wasn't much special. Album art is sick as hell though
I liked this album a lot! Duran brings the vibe. The flute and the xilaphone hit well for me. And exceptional sound design and pacing through the album
My all time favorite Duran Duran album, and my favorite new wave album. This is 80s pop perfection.
Excellent 80's pop with a few classic songs in there
There are 3 songs on this album. Rio's nice enough but they were reaaaallllllyy proud of it huh
Overall: 7/10 Duran Duran is just a fun time, man. I used to get roasted in high school for that opinion all the time, but once we graduated everyone I knew all of a sudden loved these guys! That's why my friends always trust my music opinions now. Anywho, there's some bangers on here. The title track alone is not only a fantastic song, but it has one of my all time favourite music videos. Hungry Like the Wolf is a classic, Last Chance On the Stairway is super underrated and overall I had a great time with this one. It isn't Tchaikovsky or anything but it makes me happy. Fav Song: Rio Least Fav Song: Save a Prayer
Bop after bop
So many hits on this album. I've never listened to it in full before. Good one for singing at the top of your lungs at 80s night or in the shower.
Lots of bangers on here. Best way to listen - convertible top down at twilight driving back from the beach in the 80s.
I can see that it’s fun but it’s not my cup of tea.
Maybe my fave ever pop album.
That smile
not my vibe
Nice album.
Classic 80s
I wanted to like this album considering it's popularity and longevity. But I dont. It largely all sounds the same and is just wal to wall 80s synth. Hasn't aged thay well. Very sterile and surface level
When I think of 80’s synth-pop, Duran Duran is definitely one of the top names to come up.
I wasn't a huge fan of the 80s bass on this. Hard to articulate what it is, but there was this clean bass sound that was super common in the 80s that I'm not wild about. I did like Hungry Like the Wolf because I'm not a complete monster.
disco rock fun. Favorite track: Rio other picks: my own way, hungry like a wolf, new religion
Nostalgic because I had heard a few songs before. You know an album is good when you put it on in the background and lose track of what you were working on.
Great band from the 80’s. And still recording today. Great album.
Love that album
Pretty good songs here. Hungry like the wolf is my fav.
Good album! A good lesson to keep listening until the last song because I think that was my favorite
Classic 80s vibe....so I dig it
Interesting Pop Rock album, featuring the Most well known song of Duran Duran "Hungry Like a wolve". Still didn't convince me to relisten to the whole album.
The 3 best songs were selected as singles for sure. Rest of the album was still good though. Aggressive bass playing!
Truly 2 songs and then a bunch of filler. I want to fuck the bass though.
Rio is an alright album. Since this is an 80s new wave album, it is of course gonna have a lot of cheesiness in virtually every aspect but that isn't always a bad thing. A majority of the instruments all sounded alright and fit the songs pretty well and all had good melodies which was the main thing that was initially praised about this album back in 1982. The thing it was most heavily criticized for, The lyrics, weren't something i paid all too much attention to but from what i remember, they were not all that bad. I'd say the main issue with this album is how overly similar the songs sound to each other. I still will say that it is an alright album, just nothing all too great. Best Song: New Religion Worst Song: Rio
Admittedly, closer to 3.5 but Hungry Like the Wolf pushes it over. The album is super 80s, perhaps even more so than Tears for Fears, and most of the songs can feel like they're just different verses of the same song. A lot of it can feel predictable and repetitive. However, Duran Duran is still legendary and Hungry Like the Wolf is so good.
A fun album, I enjoyed it more than expected
Some bangers
Duran Duran was in that group of the first bands that really got the full MTV effect. I've probably seen the videos for Rio and Hungry Like the Wolf hundreds of times, but I have never listened to an entire Duran Duran album unless a greatest hits album counts. Other than those two tracks, nothing else really stood out. I find whenever I listen to Duran Duran I come away a little disappointed. I don't know, this album is not bad, just unsatisfying.
Ah, the beauty of 80s synth and sax, blown out hair, and day glow clothing. And Duran Duran captured all of that in their music. But they’re not just all style and no substance by any means, the album totally holds up. And the album art and music videos are iconic for a reason. Give me my hair gel and Duran Duran and I’ll be happy jamming away.
Great synth/dance pop. Listen if your in that kind of mood.
Infectious choruses and driving instrumentation. You can take this record anywhere. Some songs put me by the beach while others put me on a night’s drive. I’m a big fan of New Wave/Synth Pop/80s Alt and this is right up my alley. Of course I’m familiar with Duran Duran - however, I’ve never played a record of theirs in its entirety. Truly a legacy band of the 80s and onward. Favorites: Rio, My Own Way, Save a Prayer
It’s that one Duran Duran album that has most of their hits and more or less defined one of the key sounds (and looks) of the 80s. It’s a pretty decent album, but it’s almost impossible to approach it with fresh ears.
Decent enough, but it’s just too poppy in a repetive and not particularly fun way.
I never did care for 80s synth pop 😑
41/1089 - I thought I'd get filtered by 80's music (especially the reverb snares and absolutely everything having some sort of chorus effect) but I'm warming up to it/reevaluating my idea of what 80's music is. This has a lot of cool basslines, lots of syncopation and call and response between instruments. Side note: Save a Prayer has a really cool minor-third substitution (F# minor to B minor then F# minor to D minor). Rio gets a bit same-y sometimes but the ones that stand out really do stand out (got better on side two).
i used to like duran duran but i think it’s kinda corny, decent record tho
Apart from 3 very good songs (The Chauffeur, Save a Prayer, Rio) the rest of the album didn’t catch my ear.
This is just a fun album, and it's earlier in the 80s than I always thought of Duran Duran being. It's easy to see why this album was such a success. It's such a perfect blend of synth pop and rock, and there's all these other fun elements that come together to make it work so well. If only pop music could always have been this good 4/5
A classic
Sem graça. Tem uma musica boa mas já esqueci qual é, 5/10. A capa ao menos é bonita!
Although I am biased... Who among you supposed human beings can deny the affect of the pervasive New Romantic bassline? The production is supernatural and primordial. Simon Le Bon's Bonisms be damned. I'll not be lonely in my nightmare; I've got my own way; Ain't no game when playing with fire... If I may suggest, Rio has not aged.
Fabulous album with fantastic songs. I owned this on cassette in the 80’s
The best Duran Duran song is the cover of Hungry Like the Wolf by Reel Big Fish. The second best is New Moon on Monday, but that's not on this record. Rio is probably 3rd. Save a Prayer is pretty good, and that melody has always stuck in me from childhood. Last track is alright and quite interesting. Everything else on the album is merely ok.
Really tight uptempo new-wave pop. Mostly nonsensical lyrics, a state which adds to the entertainment. Some interesting deep cuts. Mostly fun and spontaneous, and I kinda hate to say it, but I think "Save a Prayer" is a good song. If I were teaching a class about this era, I would use this song as an example.
Good, 6/10 probably isn't good enough for this type of list.
Two words. THE. CHAUFFEUR
Classic 80s synth pop. Catchy tunes. Not the best vocals but a unique sound.
I FUCKING LOVE THIS ALBUM OML I JUST DID A GRAPHIC DESIGN PROJECT WITH IT I LOVE YOU JOHN TALOR I LIVE THIS BAND
Rio's good, but otherwise the album was a bit meh.
Хороший альбом, качественный поп, песня рио понравилась
Pop bien 80s comercial. Cansador.
Really liked this album
По мнению А: 4/5 По мнению С: 4/5 ИТОГОВАЯ ОЦЕНКА: 4/5 (20.02.2025)
An enjoyable listen, but the deeper album cuts weren't quite as quality as the big hits. High 3, might edit/revisit later.
rio- 6 my own way- 5 lonely in your nightmare- 5 hungry like the wolf- 5 hold back the rain- 4 new religion- 4 or 5 last chance on the stairway- 5 save a prayer- 4 the chauffeur- 5 or 6 yall hyped this up and for what
Canción favorita: New religion
Classic, great album
Not bad!
This album is a bass player's dream. Really liked it!
Solid album. Would listen to this album again. Slamming Bass lines for days! Knew the hits. Never listened to this album before. Did add the album to my library after listening to it. Definitely like some deep cuts that would add to playlists in the future. Love New Religion, My Own Way, Last Chance on the Stairway. Didn’t really care for Chauffer and Hold Back the Rain. Possible 4 rating
I have heard this album numerous times before it was randomly (right?) assigned as my first listen. I was barely an adult when this came out in 1982. I was drawn to some of the music of the early 80s New Romantic period including early Duran Duran, but, ultimately, it was a few degrees from what I enjoy about melody/harmony/sound/performance (too synthy, a bit overwrought, stylishness over substance). DD were/are decent tunesmiths but I just never connected with their output.
Perfectly listenable but unfortunately they all kinda sound the same. Rio is a banger though
Not much to not really a good album that I've enjoyed but lets me down at times probably wouldn't be in a rush to listen to it again
Muy interesante. Música simple pero efectiva
Good album, lots of nice tracks
hungry like the woooooolf
You know, I really didn't hate it.
low 4
I don't know how to explain what exactly it is and how I could even call it, but this 80s vocal style or vocal mix with all this reverb is not anywhere near my favorite thing sonically - it sounds incredibly dated these days. But on this album, it somehow sounded pretty nice and refreshing. But probably not due to the actual vocals, but the songs. Some great variety in here! Ballads, more aggressive stuff, dancing. Intriguing bag of songs for sure.
Duran Duran sort of embodies the 80's for me. I wasn't alive then, but just listening to Duran Duran and synth-pop/new wave by association transports me to that decade. The fact that the group was pretty much a mainstay on MTV in its early days gives that feeling a lot of credence too. (2/3rds of this album had associated music videos, which is kind of wild to me) This was probably their seminal album too, with singles such as "Rio" and "Hungry Like the Wolf" present here. Largely upbeat and fast, supported by guitars and various synth sounds among others. The pace slows down a bit near the end of the album, where the synth shines a bit more (as well as the ocarina!). Overall, a good representative of the vision of 80's synth-pop (with a little more).
Out on the tar plains The glides are moving All looking for a new place to drive You sit beside me So newly charming Sweating dew drops glisten fresh in your side And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind The front of your dress all shadowy lined And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart Way down the lane away Living for another day The aphids swarm up in the drifting haze Swim seagull in the sky Towards that hollow western Isle My envied lady holds you fast in her gaze And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind The front of your dress all shadowy lined And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind The front of your dress all shadowy lined And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart Sing Blue Silver I never gave duran duran enough credit when I was younger. This is a fantastic album. 5/5
not bad, just kind of generic pop. rio wasn't bad and lonely in your nightmare is pretty catchy. for what it is, it's pretty good. it's just not somethig i need. 2.5/5 stars.
This feels more about sound than songs and the sound sounds dated. Still a fun listen and there are some cool things going on once you get past the schmaltzy 80s sheen.
i can't stand new wave, i'm sorry.
8/10
Enjoyable, enjoyable to her the singles, the rest is a bit same-y.
pretty boring
Album with some good songs.
-one of my mom’s favorite albums… a definite highlight of 80s English new wave imo. Hungry Like The Wolf is probably one of the best -I’d definitely heard a few of these songs before but hadn’t been able to name them or the artist, so it’s fun to recognize them now -Favorites are Rio and Hungry Like The Wolf
Meni je album vrh, volim ih 😊 baš fini 80s zvukovi i vajb, po mom ukusu 👌🏻 Visokih 4/5, 8/10.
In part, good sound. Generally solid Pop but yet musically interesting. 3. (Listened to the 2001 Remaster)
Ah yet another UK group from the 80s, really showing the bias of the makers of this list. That said, this was actually a welcome album to listen to, one of the best to come out of the Fueled by Cocaine era. Songs like Rio and Hungry like the Wolf, while not songs I've actively listened to before, have appeared in numerous classic rock / 80s playlists, and have found their way into my subconcious. Other standouts include My Own Way and Save a Prayer. Solid 4/5 Album for me
Music for early adopters of those lasers that remove pubic hair permanently.
I'm sorry what? I love this?! I assumed I would absolutely hate it based off of the fact that I hate 80's pop but every song on here absolutely rips Best Song: Hungry Like the Wolf Rating: 9/10 5 Stars
fav songs were probably rio and hungry like the wolf
4 Оч много посредственных треков, звучащих одинаково, из-за чего начинает быстро приедаться. Жаль не выпал действительно их хороший альбом
Оценка 4 из 5 для альбома Rio группы Duran Duran основана на том, что он содержит как запоминающиеся треки, так и те, которые оставляют более мягкое и мелодичное впечатление.
Typical 80s style music, I enjoyed the listen
Super fun album with great songwriting and instrumentation (especially the bass).
enjoyed this one
No private session used for Spotify. I listened to the album a few days ago on my own. I like it a lot, sure it's 80's cheese, but the bass lines are awesome, enough guitar to keep my interest and I don't mind the keyboards.
This is the 27th album I’m rating. I’ve heard the name Duran Duran but like many of the musicians so far I have never heard of them. So I’m going to this blind not knowing what to expect. Rio - Adding to my Playlist. This list is too good. All of the albums are great. My Own Way - Adding to my Playlist. Synth-pop is pretty cool. Lonely in Your Nightmare - Not Adding to my Playlist. This is ok and on a different day I might add it. Hungry Like the Wolf - Adding to my Playlist. I feel like I’ve heard this song before but I don’t know where. Is it Old School? Hold Back the Rain - Adding to my Playlist. Pretty good song. New Religion - Adding to my Playlist. These songs are getting a bit boring. Last Chance on the Stairway - Adding to my Playlist. This entire album feels so familiar. Save a Prayer - Adding to my Playlist. I’m probably insane but this feels like Heaven or Las Vegas. The Chauffeur - Adding to my Playlist. Feels like Halloween theme but rock and really really good. All in all I liked 8/9 of the songs. Lonely in Your Nightmare is ruining what would’ve been a perfect album. Still great though. This next album better be Fiona Apple.
It's alright. Some good tracks but it's a bit . . . whiny isn't quite the right word but the tone is a bit off or something.
This was a pretty great album overall. I think I enjoyed every single track, but they did all blend together a bit. I imagine I'll be listening to Duran Duran more in the future. Favorite track: probably "Hungry Like the Wolf"
I think there are some good sounds on this record but alot of it comes across as bland in 2025. I would agree that it is fun and dancey, but there is not much substance behind the lyrics. I wish it was a better combination, but alas it still makes me want to dance.
Rio by Duran Duran is pretty much the 80’s distilled in an album. From the cover to the use of synth in everything, it encapsulates the whole ten years. But Rio has many things that make it stand out from the other 80’s albums that had a mandate to use synth. Rio is the perfect bastard love child of new wave, pop, and rock. It takes all the elements from the genres and mixes them very well. Simon Le Bon sounds like he is the living definition of “supersonic” and his fellow band members know how to accompany him. But the biggest praise has to go to the bass. It’s that meaty bass that just slaps. I don’t know the exact term for it, I kind want to call it Seinfeld-like. Whatever it is, it literally escalates songs like New Religion to classic status. My only gripe is that a couple of the songs on side one sound a little similar to Hungry Like the Wolf. They come off as a little samey. But outside of that, this is as peak as new wave-pop can get. Awesome album. Favorite track: Hungry Like the Wolf Other hits: Rio, New Religion, Save A Prayer, The Chauffeur, My Own Way
Listened to this while playing The Loop. I lost. This album was pretty great! You can't go wrong with the wolf song...and i also really enjoyed the closing track. Rio is also a great opener. All around solid!
February 2nd, 2025 ~ #1 7/10 went in with low expectations since this was a new genre for me, was pleasantly surprised to find how ahead of its time this album was. i appreciate how polished and modern the sounds are, even more than 40 years after its release; i think that alone speaks volumes about its production. but it's clear that some tracks feel a bit dragged out (personally new religion, last chance on the stairway) overall though, not a bad listen. notable tracks: rio, my own way, hungry like the wolf, save a prayer
It's the best 80s pop album I've heard so far. That particular era had some awful tunes. Not as bad as some songs today though. I always thought Duran Duran were the kings of cheesy. The title track alone debunks that misconception. 4 stars for "Rio".
The band so nice they named them twice. Or the band that was so forgettable, they had to throw the name at you twice so you’d remember. That’s the query we will endeavour to answer in the next 45 minutes or so. A few hits on here but a legacy of mixed reviews make this an interesting prospect to start with. Love that instrumental to start. Super weird and it’s kind of shocked me. The chorus stinks and so do the lyrics, but I’m surprised by the underlying musicality here. It gets better as it gets away from that pop chorus. Not a great song, but not a terrible start. Does Duran want a new drug?? Huey Lewis and Rio. Well. As much as I hate myself right now, this song is fun as hell. It’s so incredibly catchy and the musicality has remained from the first track. We dwindle into repetition a little bit, but I can see this one being listened to again. The bass tone on this is fantastic as it has been so far, but I absolutely hate this song. The Mexican Death Match between Hugh Morris and Big Boss Man at Souled Out ‘97 was once described as “A thousand asses.” “Lonely in Your Nightmare” might be 1001. Here it is. The riff is fun. I liked it as a young fella as it’s playful and silly but a little bubblegum for my post 8 year old brain. The odd chanting section was actually kind of great. There are some futuristic ideas here that still sound fairly modern. Even in this jukebox favourite that has been worn down to the nub. Oh no. Oh no no no no. This was a complete snoozer. I have put on my Uncle O’ Grimacey branded sleepwear, blown out my candle on the holder and rolled into a blissful slumber awaiting a New Religion. Oh here we go. Much better. I am rubbing my eyes in an exaggerated fashion. A slightly morose tone?? Mentions of death and electric chairs. This is pretty cool. 3:45 kills. Back to the gutter? Nah it’s not horrible. The marimba section is pretty fun. The rest is very bleh. Doesn’t quite warrant the “Stairway to Hell” joke, but we might be in 80’s pop purgatory. Was this covered or interpolated or something? I don’t know, but that chorus is fairly haunting. I hate the rest of it, but yeah the chorus is quite nice. Man what a cool, eerie intro. Fades into a decent song, but when it first hits, it’s quite good. I have a serious question that I suppose I could google or god forbid, post on a forum. That question is, why did every English band have the same vocal tone? They all sound like this. Anyway. I’ll tweet Morrissey. This is one of the tougher reviews I’ve had to cobble together as far as score. There were insanely cool moments and two really decent songs, and there were stretches of irritation and boredom that are extremely hard to ignore. I beg for half stars, but this one sits right in the middle for me. Good moments, terrible moments, and while she dances on the sun or whatever, I ride into the sunset after delivering another lacklustre review. 2.5 HIGHLIGHTS: My Own Way, New Religion
I wasn't really familiar with Duran Duran outside their overplayed hit Hungry Like the Wolf. Title track and Save a Prayer are fantastic pieces of synthpop, the rest of the albums ranges from good to okay. I wouldn't listen to the album again, but I'll keep those two songs for my playlists.