Reviews (page 9 of 15)
The bass lines on the first two DD are just insane. I mean, I can't stand the radio hits anymore, but this album still just kicks ass!
I just can't stand Duran Duran. I can't say if it's too cheesy or not enough cheesy? I can't get the hype, even for the hit songs. Sorry.
Man I love this album, The Chauffeur never gets old. Truly a Synthpop masterpiece.
jestem fanką, ciekawe, niby rock ale trochę szalone, pasowałoby na winyl, muzyka jednak nie uspokaja
Very 80s, good, not entirely my vibe. Reminds me of a John Hughes movie.
80er Vibe ist nice aber ansonsten empfand ich es eher als Background Musik
thought i would hate this for some reason. highlights include "Rio" "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "New Religion" A little cheesy at times.
Ohm yeah, jammin
Really good synth-pop album, good flow from the first song until the last. The Chauffeur was a "surprise" for me because I had only heard it from the Deftones cover album. The original Duran Duran version is a solid one as well.
Great album. I accidentally listened to an album that was basically just versions of Rio over and over...it didn't get annoying and I think that speaks to how great that song is. Hit after hit on this song. Simon LeBon has such a great voice. Duran Duran is like if The Cure wasn't so depressed all of the time.
Classic
Songs i knew:3 Songs i liked: most of em Maybe I'm just in an 80s phase rn but loved this, they really were a pretty solid band for their era. Will be back here again. Low 4.
So cheesy, so very early 80s with its synth and lame lyrics. But this album will always have a place in my heart — it was the first record I ever bought, at the tender age of 13, so it gets a much higher rating from me than it otherwise deserves.
Duran Duran= So So. Hungry Like The Wolf is a good song; Rio is a great song. The rest of the album sounds like background music at a club in the early '80's (which it was).
*Whispers into phone on train platform* “Please be loud.” Cut to: Hungry Like The Wolf crescendoing as the D cruises across the Manhattan Bridge. A jolt of musical adrenaline is all I ask for these wintry mornings. Put another way: “Darken the city, night is a wire/ Steam in the subway, earth is afire…”
I enjoyed this way more than I thought. Not a banger of an album I'll have on repeat, but into it.
Thought I would hate But thought it was great
Next
I have a couple of Duran Duran songs on my “Death Scene Music” playlist. I guess outside of that context I think this blows.
Kick ass album. Forgot about how fantastically they can meld harmonies and instrumentals (especially SAVE A PRAYER). Other highlights (aside from the timeless RIO and HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF) were LAST CHANCE ON THE SUBWAY, and the haunting intro to THE CHAUFFEUR
Generally a Duran Duran fan, but the backing beat of "the chauffeur" is not an acceptable thing to have playing for over 5 minutes straight
All the songs start to sound the same after a while. Rio and Hungry like the wolf are bangers, rest are just okay
So very 80s. Probably wouldn’t double back
Honestly very enjoyable and kind of corny music of the 80s. I liked.
never noticed how good the bass playing is on this until I read the album reviews pointing it out.
Solid
Kul album! Jag har svårt att inte bli glad av sån här 80-tals-pop. Det är glättigt på ett kul sätt. Det håller dock inte hela vägen riktigt baserat på låtskriveri och produktion. Lite väl långt album också med tanke på materialet. 3/5.
Verkligen ett album som jag förstår varför det är med på listan, men det gör verkligen inte för mig. En del bra låtar såklart, men i genomsnitt tråkiga låtar som jag inte alls blir sugen på att lyssna om.
нормалек.
Sigh. I really wanted to love this with my whole, nostalgic Gen X heart. I was prime middle-school age for this when it came out and adored Duran Duran at the time, tho now I can’t remember which one I was in love with. But now in just regular middle age, it all just sounds like serviceable pop, save for the standout “Rio.” And though when I was 13 “Save a Prayer” was the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard, it now…is not. 3 for nostalgia and “Rio.”
A lot of big hitters on this banging 80s album, who knew? Love me a bit of synth pop. Faves: Rio, Hungry Like The Wolf, Save A Prayer, Hold Back The Rain
24/01/25 I like this album, it's got some good funk to it.
One of my mom's favorite bands and records. Has big hits like Rio, hungry like the wolf and save a prayer. Upon listening to it now, it's enjoyable even though I usually don't gravitate towards 80s pop. Favorite track(s): Save a prayer, Rio, hungry like the wolf Will I revisit?: low priority Current rating: 7/10, 3.5 stars
2/5
As a kid of the 80s, it would be impossible for me not to rate this album while considering the iconic "Rio" and "Hungry Like the Wolf" music videos. This band defined the decade's musical landscape, both on the radio and television. While the album may have a few weaker tracks, the hit songs are absolute monsters that have stood the test of time.
I would not normally choose to listen to Duran Duran. So I was not looking forward to this record. However, I had forgotten that there are a few songs I actually (and secretly) like quite a lot. Yeah, this sounds dated but it is a decent listen for when you’re in the mood for 80’s MTV classics. Highlights: Rio, Save a Prayer, Last Chance on the Stairway
It was good to hear Rio and Wolf again. The rest of the album was fine.
I really enjoyed listening to this slice of 80s pop. It's exactly what you think it'd be if I told you that was the genre, but that's okay.
3 really good songs, the rest was not good
Ok hungry like the wolf is like one of the best songs ever. But the rest of this joint is a little hard to listen to. I do not like the singing.
Loved it, I can see why it was such a hit
Un viaje a mí infancia, muy buena producción
Lovely bit of album, and one of them is a Villa fan. Easy to listen to and I had fun with it
2 songs are good. Very good in fact. The others are ones i’d never skip but never put on. Similar to the last album except there’s less good songs. So have to mark it down. 2 stars
Rio is their big one on the album and I've always found it middle of the road. I like how the verses sound like a New Generation WWF wrestler's entrance music. But it's pretty throwaway. Same with Hungry Like The Wolf. The rest of the album is below average, with very few enjoyable moments. New Religion was intriguing, sounds somewhere between Wham! and Bauhaus, not a winning combination. The Chauffeur was the best bit, they should have gone with more of this. It at least had character. Overall, it's monotonous sounds lazily put together. Lyrics and music totally uninspiring.
A bit of fun
For some reason I thought I didn’t like Duran Duran but I actually really enjoyed this. It was dark and sexy and cool.
The poster boys for the New Wave movement. And this album is so classic even the cover is pop art. Nothing but hits here, universally recognizable and found everywhere. One of the best from the 80s.
Absolutely nothing against the band, the album was solid throughout, but if I ever get the urge to listen to them again, I’ll probably just listen to Hungry Like the Wolf and be fine.
Didn't realize there were so many hits on this album. Liked it more than I expected
You know it’s going to be a good day when the album is already in your music library. I love 80s pop obviously so today was indeed a good day.
Not my bag.
Rhythm section is outrageously good. Funk and disco inspired. And the drum production is bombastic. Toms sound like tuned garbage cans. And the band is phenomenally tight. I'd never listened to this full album before. I'm super glad I did. I will listen again.
Classic ‘80s. I wasn’t into them then due to all my classmates being obsessed, but rediscovered this album in the mid ‘90s and have liked it ever since.
Bassist absolutely slaps, lots of bangers but a couple that also get lost in the mix
Innovative, some great tracks on it, but weighed down by a few stinkers as well.
Fun synth pop album. No complaints, but no outstanding love
Nú þarf ég að passa að nostalgían hafi ekki áhrif á dómgreindina. Það er samt mjög erfitt. Algjörar neglur á þessari plötu og massív stemmning. Ég held samt að mér finnist hún nægilega góð fyrir fjarka en með fyrirvara um nostalgíuáhrif
Takes me back to my youth. Some classics on this album.
Al escuchar esto la playlist me llevó a The Daring Ones - Space Probe. Bonus track, supongo, jajaja. Se nota que es música buena y está bien hecha pero a mi no me ha gustado demasiado el enfoque, hubiese preferido en este caso un enfoque con música más instrumental ya que lo que me llamaba más la atención del album es su instrumentación.
Not my favourite band from the 80s, but seemingly one of the most popular from the radio. The bass lines are not to be ignored, but some of the overly complex synth parts overcrowd the guitar, the drums seem a little shallow. Lots of repeated riffs which make each song seem "samey". Simon Lebon's voice doesn't leave much to be desired. I prefer The Cure, Tears for Fears and even Spandau Ballet from this genre.
Anemic 80s mega album. Whiney voice, tinny guitars. Some decent sings some filler. Not a massive fan.
Hungry Like the Wolf is one of the best songs ever, but the rest of this album is also really great 80s pop.
Good
Iconic 80s singles and videos. Duran Duran was such a club band. The occasionally forgettable filler material weights this otherwise excellent album down. There's just one or two too many tracks that contribute nothing but a feeling of tedium when listening to the record end-to-end. Unforgettable album cover though.
Nossa, achei que não ia gostar e achei muito bom. Muitas faixas boas e bem energéticas. My Own Way, Hungry Like the Wolf, Hold Back the Rain, New Religion e The Chauffer, e claro, Rio se destacaram para mim.
3,5
Mostly just okay. Don't remember much from it. 5/10
i'm usually a slut for 80s pop but this is unfortunately just pretty mid to me. not annoying, not bad, but not great. solidly mid
I think they were holding back a bit on this one. Better when they're being more outrageous
I was not very much into the synth pop of my youth and this album is very much part of that. Never got into DD. This record is fine, about what I remembered. What I have discovered is the rhythm section of the Taylors. I think it is remastering, plus not listening on 80s equipment, but the bass is much more forward than I recall and is stellar. "The Chauffeur" was a revelation on this album.
3.5 I didn’t listen to it very carefully but it felt like a nice album with upbeat songs
не мое
9.5/10. I can totally see why Duran Duran would be Princess Diana's favourite band! What a cool new wave album. Awesome!!! :)
Hungry Like a Wolf will always be a certified banger. Surprised how well I liked the rest of the album but nothing quite stood out. Not the biggest fan of the 80s vibe.
Duran Duran is such a singular band, they’re one of the most iconic groups of the 80s. This album is amazing front to back and is unmistakably Duran Duran.
Yeah, the 2 singles were enough.
This is a really nicely crafted album. I was previously familiar with Hungry Like the Wolf only, but even from the beginning, the whole album felt familiar. As a result, the album feels cohesive which I appreciate. Hungry Like the Wolf may be the biggest and best song, but the album is good the whole way through.
Rio as an Album is brilliant, full of great songs. The bass on this album as a whole is incredible and often is my favourite part in the songs, followed by the Unique vocals of Simon Le Bon.
This is some smooooooooth bass, man. I like the funk and the pure 80s-ness dripping from this album. Lyrics are interesting enough if a little creepy at times, but that's Duran Duran for ya.
1/3/25. Familiar with a few tracks from this one, feel like this album is an 80s staple. However, it still sounds great and the songs are a lot of fun.
Almost a 5. Two big hits, good sound.
6/10 Its not my kind of music I like but it has Really good songs and a Happy Rhythm.
Had this on vinyl in the 80s and enjoyed listening to the deep cuts that I haven’t heard in decades
Few bangers, too much filler
Takes me back
Poppy and fun 80s music, felt like I was in an 80s movie. Very nice and playful bass
All style, no substance. Quintessential 80s.
Je m’attendais à honnêtement un peu plus, Duran x2 est pas mal un gros nom et le monde dans les commentaires semblait bander dessus sur un gros temps. Dans mes oreilles par contre, ça sonne pas mal comme un autre album rock new-wavey des années 80 qui abuse un peu trop des synthés. Jme relis, pis j’ai l’impression de me répéter, à moins que ça soit le générateur qui soit plein d’albums similaires?
cool ig
Alright album. Not very emotional and I didn't feel much listening to it. Had a fine sound but was slightly boring and repetitive. However it was very easy to listen to.
It is exactly what I'd expect from the Duran Duran songs I know. But honestly, it's got a nice pace, the song are pretty fun and singable, and I do like 'Rio' and 'Hungry Like the Wolf'. Also not too long which I appreciate.
Spoko, rytmy elektro, znana radiowa piosenka, ale raczej zamułka. Na jedno pobieganie okej.
Tough to say at this point whether I can appreciate songs like "Rio", "Hungry Like the Wolf", and "The Chauffeur" due to hearing them periodically throughout my life or based on their own merits alone. I never really got into Duran Duran, preferring other artists and styles over them and theirs, but they're good at what they do. None of it hits me on an emotional level, but it's catchy and danceable which are essential qualities in pop music. And I know they've influenced other bands, some of which I even like. This is one of those bands though where you really only need to hear the hits, not necessarily the albums that surround them. I've sat through worse albums though.
Why was it so hard for bands to release good music in this decade? 2.5/5
A short album that would otherwise be a complete dud if not for the title track.
Absolute perfection! One of the best new wave albums in existence. I would not go as far to say that it is a pioneering record, but it certainly has set the bar for the records to come. Clean production, catchy rhythms, chord progressions and lyrics, experiments with instruments, electronic elements and sound effects - this one is a must-hear!
Great and really fun album. Incredibly rich sound. Surprisingly well mixed for the era.
Pure 80s pop. The hits are the obvious stand outs. Good driving music.
Goeie
3.4 Синти-поп не нра
One dimensional
Another School year memory album, this album was on high rotation when it came out. Lot of these songs are still in the rotation mix. Was great to listen to all the way through (a few times)
Rio Duran Duran Ballsy to start the album with this banger. I mainly remember the hook so it was fun to revisit this song. It’s always on the quintessential 80s mix, whether that be an album or a playlist. It’s a big song. Now onto the album. My own way is a bit cheesy. And the song after that you can definitely see an aesthetic they follow. And Hungry Like The Wolf SLAPS. Just it’s like when everything comes together. It is my absolute favorite from this group. New Religion and Last Chance on the Stairway are also great. This is a quick paced tight record. I’d buy this on vinyl, I am a sucker for 80s music as well. It fits very well into a soundtrack or a hectic day in a downtown city. Fast paced and the drums are killer. Oh wow Save A Prayer has one of my favorite riffs in electronic music. It switches up halfway thru but the delays on that synth really make it dreamy and calm. This album rocks. It’s a very influential sound they just immediately nail. Seems that most people followed along.
Even better after not hearing it for 40 years.
I am a day on Simon Le Bon hater, but this is pretty good.
I love the 80s but just not for me!
Alright. If I’m gonna play damn ass 80’s rock this is the album for me. 4/5, actually enjoyed. Would put out for Duran Duran.
Yeah! Rio is solid. 4/5. Close to a 4.5 tho.
Just for the nostalgia.. other than that boring
Te 80s maar wel leuk voor een keer
I thought this was a solid album. I already knew and loved "Rio" and "Hungry Like The Wolf" but I enjoyed the album overall. I really wanted to shout out the bass parts throughout these songs. I really enjoyed them and thought they were catchy and creative! Actual rating is a 3.75 Liked Songs (Other than the 2 I mentioned above): "My Own Way" , "Lonely In Your Nightmare" , "Last Chance On The Stairway" , "Save A Prayer"
Liked songs: Rio, Hungry Like The Wolf, Hold Back The Rain liked songs: all the rest Great album. There's a very specific sound to it that carries throughout all the songs that I just like. 4.25
A wonderful album. Admittedly, it meant EVERYTHING to me at the time, as a Duranie who was in weekly correspondence with the fan club about when it was coming out. It really didn't disappoint back then: tears, hysteria, adoration. But, happily, it's also stood the test of time. Never mind the shiny suits and videos which led to people writing this off as belonging only in the 80s. These songs are absolute pop classics. DD particularly have a gift for writing strong choruses, in my view - almost every album track demonstrates this. To think that they put together an album of this calibre at an average age of approx 20 is truly amazing. Fantastic.
This sounds as good in my hormonal Winter as it did in its Spring.
Great start with the title track. So much energy.
A lot of the songs sounded the same but I liked the new wave 80s vibe
Timeless.
What’s good enough for the Queen is good enough for me. I’d like more like this.
No album better embodies New Romanticism. Rio feels like a 1980s mall fashion show, with big hair and couture dominating the catwalk. Flutes of complimentary cheap champagne and a whiff of hair spray lingering in the air. 4.5/5
is a three
Duran Duran has some bops, like its big hits, but overall, the electronic sound are a little too repetitive. I did not enjoy it as much on songs like Last Chance on the Stairway. Aside from that, overall a fun album to listen to. 3.5
Fun listen! Will happily re-play this entire album!
There are some interesting arrangements and instrumentation. And it’s all mixed very well. Sounds great. I just find it all really shallow for some reason. Not a fan.
Tämähän on ihan loistava poppilevy! Yksi lemppareistani. Tasapainoinen ja täynnä koukkuja. 5/5
voi duran duran. valtavasta suosiosta huolimatta kovin geneeristä kasarisynapoppia -- tällä listalla heikoimpien joukossa tämä. 2/5
Never really thought of myself as a big Duran Duran fan - but really enjoyed this. A bit silly - very 80's and a bit too much slap bass - but some quality tracks - esp Hungry Like a Wolf and The Chauffeur which is absolute banger. Strong 4.
blatant rem ripoff
Duran Duran - Rio Surprisingly consistent! This really captures that 80's vibe, in a very good and catchy way. Songs like "My Own Way" and "Save a Prayer" have that time capsule feeling, as if you were teleported back into that era, with full-on nostalgia coming in. This album is when you just feel down and want to dance and feel motivated, because this instantly improves your mood the moment you listen to it. This is great! 1.- Rio = 8/10 2.- My Own Way = 9/10 3.- Lonely in Your Nightmare = 7/10 4.- Hungry Like the Wolf = 8/10 5.- Hold Back the Rain = 9/10 6.- New Religion = 7/10 7.- Last Chance on the Stairway = 8/10 8.- Save a Prayer = 9/10 9.- The Chauffeur = 8/10 FINAL SCORE = 8.1/10
Very classic 80's!
6.5/10
Classic 80s sound
The Good: Classic ‘80s New Wave The Bad: being synonymous for an entire style of music is dangerous… The Ugly: like their stage name, the album is repetitive… I was not on the Duran Duran wagon during the ‘80s, though I knew several people who swore by them. They were, at the time, at least in Europe, the biggest act to follow. Good for them… Rio, as an album, isn’t bad, and even palatable seeing as it only lasts a modest 42 and some minutes which brought me back to a more youthful era, which is always nice. Yet, I can not dish out more than 3* as it is what it is...
not my fav, songs started blending into each other, but good beat
Muy buen trabajo instrumental y vocal. El ritmo está bien llevado y tiene buenos acompañamientos. Aunque no tiene tanto hits inmediatos y puede sentirse repetitivo.
Brilliant
Okay, this is the Duran Duran that I do actually love. Most 80s pop did not age well, but this is the exception (back in '82)!
Now THIS is the 80's!!!
Several much loved songs. Good overall sound. Evokes the time it was made.
An absolute iconic album and something that I probably have avoided as it brings to mind a load of yachts and pastel suits and synths. First time I have delved into the album. The singles are belters obviously. I was really drawn in my the musicianship. Those guys can really really play. John Taylor is a fantastic bassist. Did it stick? Apart from Rio, Hungry and Save A Prayer? Not really but not that it's bad - it's just not my genre. Stunning album cover Solid 3 and want to make it 4 but don't like it enough
I didn't enjoy this as an album. The singles were good, but frankly any individual song was pretty good by itself, but as a whole album I found it boring and tiresome.
I’ve never really gotten into Duran Duran. It’s fine, but nothing that really excites my ear holes.
Maybe I’d feel differently if this album wasn’t made in the middle of the synth “revolution”. It just sounds so dated. I just can’t get past the hideous keyboard production. The guitars and drums just scream early 80s too. To that end, the song New Religion wouldn’t sound out of place on a mid 80s Rush album (that’s not a good thing for either band by the way). Similar technical feel and sound. I’d be curious if it changes how we hear this dreck if there was an Iron Maiden cover of “Hungry Like the Wolf” just to hear the lyrics without the dated backing music. Won’t be one I revisit - it’s just too much of its time.
Definitely felt like a Duran Duran album. Beyond Rio and Hungry like the wolf I doubt that I had heard any of the other songs on the album. Didn’t really excite me or disgust me so Iguessit was ok.
This is the best 80s pop album I’ve gotten so far. I never realized how funky the bass all over this album is. I always dismissed it as generic synth music.
Awesome work
Duran Duran was ubiquitous in my teenage years. I had heard the hits from this record many times on the radio and remember seeing the videos. I enjoyed hearing the entire record for the first time.
This is better than I remember. Save A Prayer is worth the price of admission all by itself…
Muy bueno
Favorite Track: Rio
Very Glossy. Packed with sounds and flourishes which are Very 1982.
Pop rock with some cool experimentation. Let me at it!! Loved it! I'll need to listen a few more times and get through both disks. Great new find. Would not have found it through my own listening recommendations
Lekker saxo solo in Rio als opener. Sowieso prettig dat het een 'ander' genre is met pop/disco achtige klanken! Duran Duran is natuurlijk een ontzettend bekende naam, maar ik kan niet zeggen dat ik heel veel van dit album ken op het eerste gezicht. Rio is ook een lekkere funky opener, maar lonely in your nightmare haalt al het momentum uit het album... Hungry like the wolf is de grote hit, gezien de streams, maar komt me eerlijk gezegd niet echt bekend voor? Wel echt een lekker nummer! Alleen het eerste nummer had ik best wel verwachtingen omdat het meer funky en disco klonk. Met wat poppy invloeden, maar dat hoor ik eigenlijk nauwelijks nog terug, Duran Duran is toch een vrij standaard rockband zo te horen... Ik neig sterk naar 3 sterren. Tot Save A Prayer, wat een bizar mooi nummer is dat eigenlijk, je hoort de wanhoop in de stem en de muziek. Met de synthstukken op de achtergrond is dit een absoluut hoogtepunt van het album, had alleen zo graag gezien dat er meer van het album in dezelfde stijl was gedaan. The Chauffeur is ook een goede laatste plaat, maar zo goed als Save a Prayer word het niet meer, prettig album! FAVO: Rio, Hungry Like the wolf, Save a prayer, The Chauffeur
Just because I acknowledge I can see the route this takes to make the list doesn't mean I have to like it.
4.5/5.0; I really like this album. I don’t feel like I’ve ever personally heard anything quite like it. It almost reminds me of Hall and Oates mixed with Oasis if I had to compare it to music I’m familiar with. Will look into more Duran Duran in the future.
This was a unique mix of prog experimentation with very catchy hooks that makes Duran Duran unique. While they didn't have too much success outside this record, their sound is distinct and stands up to this day in my opinion. Notable Tracks: - Rio (prog mixed with quintessential catchy 80s chorus) - Hungry Like The Wolf - one of the catchiest choruses of the 80s - Hold Back the Rain - bassline is sick - Last Chance on the Stairway - ROCK MUSIC NEEDS MORE MARIMBA SOLOS 7/10
full of hits. Love the classics, and the entire album has this great futuristic vibe while still feeling fresh and also like a product of its time. As music should be. will def be revisiting her - most of the tracks made the playlist.
This is about as 80s as it gets for me. Crooning over a synthesizer. I thought this album was fairly lost until the last track. “The Chauffeur” is compelling and I’ll be coming back to it.
Really good synthpop music. Standout tracks: Rio, Hungry Like the Wolf, Save a Prayer
man. the 80s were so fun and Duran Duran helped it so.
The hits are probably the worst songs on the album. It's quite samey but better than I expected. Reeks of 80s
Rio This makes me think of an early episode of Only Fools and Horses when Rodney tries to impress a girl by turning up with this album under his arm. It also feels like the band my older sister would have been into, had I actually had sister 8 or 9 years older than me. Rio is an undeniably fantastic bit of pop music, and Duran Duran in a nutshell: great chorus, great melody, brilliantly self-assured, with an irresistible 80s pop-funk-disco-rock-synth sheen and terrible, naff lyrics. Hungry Like the Wolf is similar, brilliantly catchy, a great chorus and ‘I smell like I sound’. I’ve always really liked Save a Prayer too, with its swaying rhythm and wistful melody. The rest of it is uniformly above average synth pop in that same vein, full of memorable hooks, riffs, synths and choruses, without, New Religion’s 80s cop thriller soundtrack atmosphere aside, quite reaching the heights of those singles. Lonely in Your Nightmare has a great little earworm of a chorus, Hold Back the Rain has a pleasingly thumpy rhythm, Last Chance on the Stairway has that excellently melodic bass, and The Chaffeur has a great woozy off kilter The Normal style experimental synth vibe. The rhythm section really is excellent, probably the thing that separates them from some of their contemporaries, there’s some great melodic bass and synth bass and that great 80s drum sound too. You can hear Bowie (again), Chic Roxy Music - if you are going for this type of synth-pop-funk sound and style you probably couldn’t choose better influences. Full of hooks and memorable melodies, where the choruses and style outweigh the substance, but it doesn’t matter, it’s such a fun listen that it’s an easy 4. 🐺🐺🐺🐺 Playlist submission: Rio
I’ve always loved the title track, Rio, so fun. And the. The album feels a bit one note for me. Nothing to write home about for me.
Pure 80s pop. Although not as many hits as I remembered.
Didn't love the album, love the spirit though and the bass playing adds a star.
Oddly surprised at how much I enjoyed this album. The ‘hits’ are fun but there’s a great musicality here and John Taylor’s bass is incredible.
MTV played “Hungry Like The Wolf”, what, a BILLION times per day? Still holds up, as does the titular track. But the album cuts were all new to me and….are straight up bangers,yo! GREAT basslines throughout
Non-singles were surprisingly catchy
Just a rock solid New Wave album. Is Duran Duran underrated?
En 1982, alors que la new wave britannique déferle sur le monde, Duran Duran ne se contente pas de surfer sur la vague : ils la transforment en un tsunami de style, de son et de couleur. Avec leur deuxième album, "Rio", le groupe de Birmingham ne publie pas simplement un disque, il définit l'esthétique d'une décennie. Sorti en 1982, l'album "Rio" a propulsé le groupe vers la célébrité mondiale, devenant bien plus qu'un succès commercial : un véritable couronnement et un phénomène culturel. La réussite de l'album repose sur un équilibre parfait. L'album est un mélange de pop et de new wave qui allie l'immédiateté des refrains à une sophistication sonore audacieuse. La production de Colin Thurston est un modèle du genre, polie comme du chrome et d'une clarté redoutable, offrant un écrin luxueux à la musicalité du groupe. Chaque membre y brille : la section rythmique est impériale, portée par la batterie précise de Roger Taylor et surtout les lignes de basse de John Taylor, dont le jeu funky et proéminent est la colonne vertébrale de l'album. Les guitares d'Andy Taylor apportent le tranchant rock, tandis que les synthétiseurs de Nick Rhodes tissent des nappes atmosphériques et des arpèges cristallins qui sont la signature sonore de Duran Duran. Le succès planétaire de "Rio" a été porté par une collection de singles devenus des classiques intemporels. Des titres emblématiques comme "Rio", "Hungry Like the Wolf" et "Save a Prayer" ont dominé les ondes et les écrans. Et au-delà de ces tubes, l'album révèle une profondeur et une diversité remarquables. Du funk-disco de "My Own Way" à la mélancolie onirique de "Lonely In Your Nightmare", Duran Duran explore différentes facettes de sa personnalité. Des morceaux plus expérimentaux comme "New Religion", avec sa structure complexe et ses passages parlés, ou le final cinématographique et électronique "The Chauffeur", prouvent que le groupe n'est pas qu'une simple machine à hits. Il est impossible d'évoquer "Rio" sans parler de son impact visuel. De la pochette iconique de Patrick Nagel aux clips novateurs de Russell Mulcahy tournés aux quatre coins du monde, Duran Duran a compris avant tout le monde le pouvoir de l'image à l'ère naissante de MTV. L'album était un produit total, une fusion de la musique, de la mode et de l'art qui vendait un fantasme d'évasion, de luxe et d'aventure. En définitive, "Rio" est un très bon disque et peut-être le meilleur album du groupe. C'est le moment où leur talent, leur ambition et leur vision ont fusionné à la perfection. Alors, pourquoi la note de 3/5 ? Cette évaluation n'est pas un jugement sur sa qualité, mais sur sa nature. "Rio" est un chef-d'oeuvre de son temps, une capsule temporelle si parfaite qu'elle est indissociable de son époque. Si on lui cherche la profondeur introspective ou l'universalité intemporelle d'autres grands classiques du rock, on peut le trouver superficiel. Mais ce serait passer à côté de son essence. "Rio" n'a pas pour but de sonder l'âme, mais de la faire danser et rêver. En cela, il est une réussite absolue et reste un disque à découvrir : non seulement pour comprendre Duran Duran, mais pour ressentir le pouls de toute une décennie. Un classique incontournable.
¿Te has preguntado que pasaría si The Cure en vez de ser góticos fueran los chicos más populares de la escuela? ¿Cómo si estuviéramos en una comedia romántica sumamente cursi? Eso es Rio de Duran Duran. Hay pocos LPs tan inspirados como este. Teniendo casi solo "bangers", los aproximadamente 40 minutos del trabajo de los británicos se "pasa volando", dejando tracks como el homónimo, "Hungry Like The Wolf" y "Save a prayer". Muy, muy entretenido. Muy muy muy influyente, sobretodo para el rock argentino (aunque les arda).
i wasn’t pulled in by this but! they’re not bad musicians
Groovin bass
A couple of bangers for sure. A bit of 80s schlock, also.
It’s not bad, it’s just that all of the elements have been better done before and since by artists I like more
Diggy
Cool
2*
Carried by hungry like the wolf
Definite ear worm material I this high energy dance album. 80’s all the way!
Buen álbum!
4.5
Good
I don't know what a duran is, but it sure does make good music
It okay. Sounds a bit more 90s that 80s, it's got that plastic, synthetic feeling that I get sometimes from Huey Lewis or Phil Collins
2936 - That bass is delicious. Wonderful new wave pop.
Not bad
Fun album, good hits, I really enjoyed the music and how catchy it is
By far the most striking thing about Rio is the fact that it's a 1980s synth pop album that somehow still sounds fresh today. The bass is obviously the stand out, but there's various interesting things going on from all the band members. Yes, there's some big hits here, but none of them have been overplayed to the point of being stale somehow. Near the end of the 80s I started dating a girl who was a big Duran Duran fan, and she tried to convince me that they were more art-rock than synth-pop. I still don't agree, but this is good stuff, and it brings back happy memories of listening to this album back then. I also remember the slightly dodgy videos that were hard to find, some of them passed around as VHS copies from late night airings on MTV. There's not a single bad track here, and I enjoyed it so much I'm giving it the full five stars.
Very shiny, but ultimately bland music. Showing off while saying nothing. It’s fun sure. Inoffensive. Wouldn’t listen to it again. Some songs by themselves maybe. It’s alright. 3/5
I respect it but at the same time I could NOT make myself listen to it.
Good album. Enjoyed it. Save the Prayer is one of the best songs from Duran Duran.
molto energico e coinvolgente. Musicalmente positivo e ottimistico. Apprezzato.
The bass parts here blew my mind
I really like "hungly like a wolf", but I also don't think this is an exceptional album. 🫠
I will admit, Rio isn't available in my country, and I didn't notice it at first, but I listened to the compilation of the different remixes. I got about 5 songs in before I noticed. I got kind of sick of it at that point. To be fair I did like it the first time. I only knew Duran Duran before this from 'Hungry Like the Wolf' and they played a somewhat illegal show in my country for our sinfully corrupt current president. All of these left a bad taste in my mouth and in my mind. Pretty good album though.
Some good stuff but fairly generic 80s pop.
For 80s music it was t awful
Great album with some great songs!
Nice album, but not special
Rather OK pop music of its time.
The singles still hold up pretty well but the other album tracks don’t quite hold the attention as well. Another one that was probably big at the time of release.
One of those bands where I had previously dismissed them as just a pop act. So I was pleasantly surprised and instantly hooked by this album. The sound is clearly early 80s and possibly dated, but it also a classic example of how an album should be. There is a mixture of hits and strong album tracks that explore their sound. In fact I don’t think there is a weak track there.
Massive nostalgia trip. This was the first vinyl album I ever owned when I was 7 or 8. I think it was an Xmas present from my older cousins as they were trying to get me into music. I guess it kinda worked as I liked it at the time. Do I like it now, well yeah. I think as ‘new romanticism’ goes this is well up there as a peak in the genre. The singles are great pop tunes, and I think because it was early 80s the lyrics weren’t overly ridiculous. The bass stood out as well, so well played one of the Taylors. Added to that I thought ‘The Chauffeur’ is an accidental undiscovered psychedelic masterpiece so let’s give thisI a 4*. Sminkipink-nethethethethe-nuevoromantico-chrissywaddle.
Better than expected.... but still think bonbon and co have a slightly inflated opinion of themselves. Love Barberella though
Love the synths on this album.
Truly detestable. Annoying synth patterns permeate at least half the songs here, ruining them. The vocalist is obnoxious on every song, the guitars sound thin, and the choruses tend to be more irritating than catchy. The second half is at least a step up from the first half, with the most tolerable songs being New Religion and Save a Prayer, but they're not enough to save this from a one star. I found this so bad that I may go back and bump Dexys Midnight Runners up a star because in comparison that was incredible
Typisch 80er. Synthie, Drummachine, immer gleicher Rhythmus, dünne Stimmchen, mehr Schein als Sein, kein Highlight!
I was feeling this way more than I thought I would - cool stuff!
Hungry Like The Wolf is epic, of course. Full album length it's a bit much for me.
Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand. 👍
Hungry Like the Wolf, Rio, and some other songs.
Great album fire
Good.
I was surprised how much I liked this, esp the first half. The second half was a bit less inspiring and a bit whiney and synth-y. For real though Rio and Hungry Like The Wolf are both killer singles and pushed this up to a 4 for me.
Rio, It's a classic album from my happy era.
80er Jahre Sound mit perfekten Stereo Spielchen am Ohr, die Spaß machen und anspruchsvoll produziert wurden. Duran Duran zeigt ihr perfektes Songwriting im new Wave gewand und schaffen Popperlen und Hits.
Solid music, unique at the time. Many, many hits.
John Taylor is such an underrated bass player. I’ve watched live videos of Duran Duran and I’m always captivated by John’s high energy and catchy bass playing. Really every musician on this album is top notch, the bass just really stands out for me. Simon Le Bon’s writing really encapsulates the trappings and excitement of a band on the rise and his voice sounds incredible. He really is the perfect front person for a band. Every song on this album is worth your time, there’s no skips. The singles are undeniable for sure but every time I listen to this album I’m amazed at how good the album cuts are. Easy 5 for me.
Great album here! The bass stands out throughout the whole album. So many hits, Rio, Hungry Like the Wolf, Save a Prayer. Much nostalgia. Duran Duran just hits different than other groups from this time. They have the music you can cut a rug to, and the softer ballads. I really enjoy some of the deep cuts, like Hold Back the Rain and Last Chance on the Stairway. Not quite a 5 for me, but a solid 4.5
This album comes to me in a gray suit with the sleeves pushed up and seduces me away to frolic on its yacht in Saint-Tropez while paparazzi snap pics of us from a helicopter. Duran Duran captured all the glamour, energy and biggness of the 80’s right from the intro to the title track, with its syncopated synth, busy, funky bass line, and sultry saxophone overlaid with growling and roaring at the climax. What a rush! I was struck by “New Religion,” how much it reminded me of RHCP–that bass! The album is consistently strong, but the other two classics here are “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Save a Prayer.” I'll just take this moment to put it out in the universe somewhere how much I love “Save a Prayer.” I just can't get enough of this song; it thrills and mesmerizes me still, though I have heard it loads of times. This is one of those kinds of songs that, as I've learned over the years, is like catnip to me. Moody, minor keys, sort of mysterious, sensual, melodic but with a little dissonance, rhythmic and grounded with that bass. Sometimes I mention songs like these and Joel will say, “Oh yeah, Chino covered that.” So apparently Chino Moreno shares this specific taste. He should cover “Save a Prayer!”
What a great album. Not too much else to say. I've been into Duran Duran since I was really young. John Taylor put on a clinic for a lot of the album.
Not my bag
Back in the day!
Great to hear this album again after so many years. I forgot how much I enjoyed the less known tracks.
YAY!!! So happy to see this dear old friend. 5/5
Every time I hear Duran Duran I get this image of someone singing karaoke. The voice never fits with the music. That opening bass line is super funk.
I can see why most songs from this album haven’t stood the test of time. When I was a kid, I read that Duran Duran was the Princess Di’s favorite band, and I can see why now that I’ve listened to this album. This is a safe kind of fun music, that non-artists think is outside of the box. It does make me wish I was alive when it first released so I had a better context to compare it to. Maybe it was thought-provoking then. Maybe the dissonant instrumentals or the layering of the different-textured instrumental tracks would’ve astounded a 1980s audience. Listening to this album is very similar to looking at famous painting in an art museum, when you don’t have an emotional reaction or connection to it. You can appreciate that it’s great and well-liked, but it doesn’t provoke anything within you. The album starts off with one of my favorite 80s songs, and I thought the second track was a great continuation of that energy. The third track was where it all started to meld together. My second and third listen throughs did little to reveal any lasting impressions on me. It’s not a bad album; it’s just kinda mid. I’ll admit that halfway through my third listen, I started to enjoy the indiscernible 80s noise, the same way a person enjoys Lofi beats to chill/study to, so maybe this album is considered great because of its fans’ Stockholm Syndrome.
vibes! i love 80s new wave! and that is exactly what this is through and through! disappointed in myself for never having listened to this start to finish before wtf and only specific tracks from over the years but any album that brought hungry like the wolf into existence is pure gold to me
Really good album and fun when released. Doesn’t stand up to time.
Duran Duran was one of the first New Wave bands I got into during my late teens, and looking back, they’re a great starting point for the genre. They have that flashy, glamorous appeal combined with catchy rhythms and melodies that stick with you. While they are mostly a New Wave band, their rock influences make them more accessible to a wider audience. This album is especially a good place to start since it features many of their well known radio hits.
Buen synth pop ochentero
Meh, but at least now I know which Duran Duran songs are actually by them and not just generic 80s music
1 minute in…slay its a slay honestly this first song is giving tropical rock and roll or like the friends intro song lol the jazzy part in song 1 is giving full house 😂🤷♀️ halfway through. still a slay 🤷♀️ it’s very chill and great vibe also i absolutely adore the iconic 80s fade at the end it’s so funny
Classic 80s pop band with some solid hits, though in truth, not really my thing. I’m not sure what it is, but the sound of 80s pop music never appealed to me. Could be the heavy use of synthesizer and electronic sounds that dominated that era. Overall, no real complaints about this record though. Favorite track: Hungry Like the Wolf
# Album Name: Rio # Artist: Duran Duran # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Love the sax on rio. Great bassline slapping in the background throughout this album. Its a real standout. Its something i hadnt noticed before. The hits on this album are real crackers. Some great standout songs. The rest of the album takes a little bit more work imo. But theres some other good tunes IF you give them a chance. Check out new religion, hold back the rain and last chance. # Top Tunes: Rio / Hungry like the wolf / Save a prayer / New religion # Would I listen to it again? yes
Had to get used to the 80s again. This albums slaps tho. Good shit.
- Favs while listening: Rio, My Own way, New Religion - I think the awesome basslines need to be appreciated, absolutely amazing harmonic song writing - vocal harmonies are so beautiful - never listened to anything by Duran Duran but I love this album OVERALL: 5/5
Not great. Dated. The 3 hit songs are okay, but not really my cup of tea.
In 1977 and 1978, respectively, TALKING HEADS: '77 and Q: ARE WE NOT MEN? A: WE ARE DEVO! were released. They, to me, are the definitive sounds of early New Wave: this quirky or artsy punk music... Particularly DEVO's album. Songs like "Uncontrollable Urge", "Jocko Homo", "Mongoloid" — that kinda stuff, right there. Unlike post-punk, this wasn't music that was entirely adverse to being pop hits (Talking Heads had "Psycho Killer", and Blondie's PARALLEL LINES from '78 had quite a few), but I feel like a lot of it still made an attempt to have higher artistic intentions or follow punk's ethos more than any other pop songs at the time. Early New Wave, to my mind, was the domain of punks, nerds and arty folk. It's four years after ARE WE NOT MEN?. DEVO had been bringing synths more to the forefront of their work. MTV had launched just last year. And Duran Duran has released RIO. What does New Wave sound like now? Like, OK, lemme break from my essaying for a second to make it clear that I'm no musicologist/music historian. I can't tell you the exact evolution of New Wave and where RIO fits in — or if it's even actually that important at all. Besides, New Wave's a pretty arbitrary label, anyway, let's be real. But I'll tell you this: I really thought RIO had come out later on in the '80's than just '82, 'coz looking at this album, I'm thinking it's **the** sound of New Wave everyone recognizes. I mean, obviously, I don't think that early New Wave went away overnight. DEVO, Talking Heads and Blondie were still around and having their successes. Early MTV was filled with punks, geeks and art weirdos, and a number of them, even later in the decade, would get hits on the Hot 100 — as much as that's worth. Although, I think by that point, that's when the 80's truly became the "greatest decade for one hit wonders." Heck, this list might have an album or two from them; I haven't checked lately. Then we have RIO: slickly produced, very synth heavy and way more radio friendly. These are songs with hooks destined, maybe **designed**, to be pop hits. Just listen to "Hungry Like The Wolf" — you've **probably heard** "Hungry Like The Wolf". That song alone says it all. Like, I read on this album's Wikipedia page that it's supposed to be more experimental than Duran Duran's debut, but for the life of me I can't hear it. I suppose there's, like, the bridge of "Hungry Like The Wolf", though I'd hardly even consider that "experimental" if I wasn't actively looking for examples. And I don't keep bringing up MTV for nothing, by the way. Out of the nine songs on this album, six got music videos. This was the first album to really be marketed heavily on MTV, and from what I can tell I think it helped paved the way for how image-focused the channel would become later on in the 80's. I mean, the members of Duran Duran sure didn't **look** like geeks, lemme tell you that much. Now, pop isn't a bad word to me. I don't bring any of this, necessarily, to slam the band. Heck, I like "Hungry Like The Wolf" as much as everyone else does, and the title track "bops," as the kids say (I'm 26). I even really like this "synth-pop" style of New Wave — more than a lot of the earlier, artsier New Wave I've heard, actually, even. This album so specifically scratches any itch I'd have for it, and, honestly, I kind of love it for that. I just find the difference between late-70's New Wave and early-80's New Wave interesting, with how hard it got glammed up in the mainstream not even half a decade after DEVO's debut. Blame the record execs, I guess, I'unno. This album's a big 5 in my book. It's definitive 80's British synth cheese. I'm not terribly surprised it's what really kicked the second British Invasion into gear. Obviously, if you're not a fan of this sort of sound, or you just don't have the stomach for cheese, you should avoid this album at all costs. The synth flutes on the closer will probably do you in if the sax on the opener doesn't. Me, though, I love this kind of sound a lot.
Fuck, I knew these guys were good, but I didn't know they were THIS killer with their non-single tracks. 5.5 stars if I could give one.
That’s a pretty easy 5. I’ve always meant to dig a little deeper into Duran Duran – Hungry Like the Wolf is one of those all-timer 80s hits, instantly recognizable by the laugh in the intro and the immediate guitar riff, but I figured there was more beyond that. A View to a Kill, for example, is a deeply, deeply underrated Bond theme. I’m very glad I was proven right – this is a deep album. Even past the singles on here, this is full of bangers across the board, and it’s incredibly layered and well produced for 1982. I get it, same year as Thriller, but at the same time, like… same year as Thriller, you know? Two totally tonally different albums in substance and style, both existing within the same space and genre (well, if you consider synthpop as pop, anyway). I mean, even from the opening of Rio, this thing never really stops going – it’s a constantly captivating soundscape, whether it’s the synth work, the punchy drums, Simon Le Bon’s vocals, or the basslines (which are KILLER throughout this album), and even with each track being at least 4 minutes on average, the whole thing flies by without ever really hitting a lull point or a repetitive spot. It’s just damn good synthpop, and I do wonder how much of a catalyst this was for bands like Tears for Fears or Eurythmics or Depeche Mode, or even solo artists like Cyndi Lauper to really go balls to the wall with this style and unlock everything further. I enjoyed it a lot – not a single skip here, and just a really fun listen. Very easy 5.
This is #day69 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... s-i-i-i-n-n-n-g bl-u-u-e silv-e-e-e-r! It's a straight 5 out of 5, and, honestly, the seminal artwork alone deserves it. Fun fact: back in June, the band finally revealed the identity of the woman on the cover, a story worth looking up. As an '80s music fan at heart, I can't stress enough how Rio is an absolute must-listen before you die. A bona fide new-wave classic. From the very first track (that sax from Andy Hamilton, though!), the synergy of guitars, bass (!), drums, synths, and vocals creates something truly majestic, seamlessly flowing from one song to another. The album is innovative, experimental, and daring, precisely what I love about young bands with the world as their oyster. It also has The Chauffeur, not only one of the most avant-garde songs of the '80s, but also one of the greatest '80s album closers. Have you heard Deftones' or Sneaker Pimps' covers of that song? Rio is one of Duran’s three pivotal albums over the decades. Think about it: the next decade gave us The Wedding Album and then... Astronaut in the following one. But for tonight, it's all Rio... Did I mention it's a 5? Looking forward to #day70.
The hits are the hits. No doubt, great songs. I saw Duran Duran in 2004 and they were terrific. All that aside, the rest of the album is forgettable, too much same same in the other tracks.
Felt repetitive at times
Pretty cool new wave album with iconic bass lines
Växte på mig
Duran Duran's prime came before my time—I wasn’t born or was barely in nappies when they released their iconic albums. Still, thanks to heavy rotation of "Rio" and "Hungry Like the Wolf" on MTV and VH1, I thought I was familiar with the band and their brand. Somehow I had them pegged as a pop act like Wham!, all about boyish looks, chiselled cheekbones and catchy hooks. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Despite the synth-heavy sound, Rio rocks. The pacing is tight, with barely a dull moment, and the songwriting is consistently strong. The band sounds incredibly cohesive from start to finish. John Taylor’s bass work is the album’s true star. His blend of melody and rhythm, infused with funk and disco influences, gives Rio its infectious groove. The bass lines drive the album as much as the vocals or synths, adding depth and punch to every track. Simon Le Bon’s vocals are dramatic and expressive, perfectly complementing the band’s glamorous image. He’s not overly technical, but his charisma brings both elegance and emotional weight to the music. Andy Taylor’s guitar work keeps the album grounded, preventing it from becoming too electronic. Whether pulling back on "The Chauffeur" or laying down a funky groove on "My Own Way," he adds a rock edge that balances the synths. Drummer Roger Taylor’s tight, precise playing is crucial to the album’s danceable, energetic feel. He doesn’t show off, but his disciplined drumming provides the perfect rhythm foundation. Of all the ‘80s New Wave albums, I didn’t expect Rio to win me over so easily. But with a back half that’s arguably stronger than the start, it’s an album that rewards listening all the way through. Did/Do I own this release? My mother may have owned it on cassette. Does this release belong on the list? Absolutely. Would this release make my personal list? If you’d asked me before today, I’d have said no, but I’ve had it on loop and I’m not getting bored. Will I be listening again? Definitely.
3 - Annoyingly enjoyed some of it. But I think it lacks something. Hard to put my finger on it.
My goodness those basslines. Rio (the song) was more fun than I expected - another one of those songs I have heard a million times but never chosen to listen to, actually a real good anthem. The rest of the album doesn't do as much for me. Hungry Like the Wolf has a great chorus progression and I like some elements of Save a Prayer, but overall its all a bit too 80s for me. 3.2/5
Not for me, hate the title track
good old new wave
Duran Duran was one of the first New Wave bands I got into during my late teens, and looking back, they’re a great starting point for the genre. They have that flashy, glamorous appeal combined with catchy rhythms and melodies that stick with you. While they are mostly a New Wave band, their rock influences make them more accessible to a wider audience. This album is especially a good place to start since it features many of their well known radio hits.
Still no a fan
I remember this at its release. It’s one of those that I heard a lot on radio and also owned. Back then I didn’t listen to the layers of music as I do today. Upon revisit I appreciate the bass lines much more, particularly on the title track. Great musicianship/songwriting throughout and this really broke through the new wave/pop era well, and with staying power. “Hungry like a wolf” is still quite the banger (no pun intended and the opening hottie giggle is genius). 4.25/5
Quintessential 80s right here. While I was never really a huge Duran fan, it was hard to ignore the impact of this record, let alone how much the songs were played. It skyrocketed them to fame and made them an early beacon in the MTV movement. The first four tracks alone merit its high rating, and even learning after reading the role keyboardist Nick Rhodes had in the writing and production, to me it was always bassist John Taylor who was the driver of many of their songs.
I was really expecting to like this more than I did. Certainly some iconic songs on here but for a lot of it I was just an unenthusiastic “cool.” 3.25
Rio and Hungry Like the Wolf are great, but it's the tasty bass licks that take this from a 3* to a 4*. 3.5/5
Pretty enjoyable, definitly a vibe. Its difficult to find something more 80s than this. Best song: Rio Worst song: My own way
So enjoyable, it's fun, poppy and very atmospheric. The bass work is crazy, and the whole vibe captures the charm of the 80s while simultaneously feeling modern, it has aged very well. Best song: Save A Prayer Worst song: Hold Back The Rain
80s new wave pop shite. Sorry.
4/5
3 stars might be harsh the hits are fantastic but there ain't a lot else.
Had the low expectations, but really opened my mind on pop music that’s not just the singles.
ultimate 80s sound
Pretty good!
The music of Goodwill, sometimes good but sometimes I don’t have the will to absorb all the sounds that come with one song. But I can appreciate that some of these songs are absolute bangerz
Good, catchy pop music! 4.1
There isn’t much more praise that can be heaped on this album that hasn’t already been inked by music critics for the last 40+ years. Everything about it - from the seductively iconic artwork, to the singles which are emblazoned in the public repertoire of 80s standards - has become emblematic of its era. So revisiting this record, you might expect it to have dated somewhat since its release back in 1982. But it’s one of these albums which perfected its formula so well that it taps it captures its cultural zeitgeist while utterly transcending it. The washes of 80s synths and drums cloaked in gated reverb are products of their time, but it is never intrusive. The songwriting is just so strong from track to track, it could easily be a Greatest Hits collection on its own - “Lonely in Your Nightmare” in particular sees Jon Taylor’s rhythmic thumps transposed onto the feetless bass to immaculate effect. This is the album format in its purest form - a deliberate artistic statement with no padding or weak cuts. Of course, it is also synonymous with the Thatcherite gluttony which was on full display in the video to the title track. Considering Heaven 17’s Penthouse and Pavement is so derided on this site, the latter record completely deconstructed the stereotypes that Duran Duran regurgitate unproblematically on this album. Leaving that to one side, it’s a phenomenal album that I love dearly.
Synth sounds so awesome for the first five minutes you hear it
Great new romantic.
Sick
Grew on me
this thing bangs from start to end.
Great album. So much better than other 80s synth pop. These guys are just a little weirder and cooler than their peers.
Not too bad of an album but not that great either. I have always heard the name Duran Duran from my dad but it has always been a part of the joke about why it's repeated twice - well, so that we can remember it easier. I have never actually heard their music on purpose but I have heard of Hunry Like The Wolf on the radio, which is not a bad track. I would say that it is a pretty decent album and it would have been nice back when it came out.
They were a great pop band with decent hooks and not too idiotic lyrics. This album has some of their greatest work on it, basically the sound of the early 80s. It amazes me that the production sounds clean, fresh and bursts with energy, even today.
Great bit of early 80's new wave
So 80s, definitely danced to some of these songs at Barberella. Other than hungry like the wolf, these are some obscure 80s songs. Little to 80s for me.
Catchy, for the time revolutionary, striking synth pop. It’s a fun album with a few great hits, but it feels a bit undeveloped and samey at times. Most likely suffers from Seinfeld effect, but pales in comparison to OMD. Favs: Hungry like the wolf, New Religion, Last chance on the stairway 6/10
Legendary slammers carrying a good album.
Day266 - there isn’t a bad song on this album good job duran duran
it is a very happy album and i don´t like happy sorry but if you like happy music you're gonna love it c:
-sax solo in rio hits -okay yeah rio is quite nice -I do not think 80s disco is my preferred genre of music though LOL. Thought this during “my own way” -okay so middle part of my own way ain’t half bad -lonely in your night has potential -hungry like the wolf is how I remember it yes -transition from wolf song to hold back the rain is nice -
I dont really get the appeal of Duran Duran. I guess they have some decent songs but overall it's just kind of boring to listen to. I'm completely over Hungry Like The Wolf and I don't even think it's particularly good in the first place.
Great 80s album. I would have dug it if I were alive then.
Fun 80s album, not super memorable but some good songs
Better than I remember it
Some fucking bangers but some bores
Mostly different versions of eponymous song that I particularly dislike
An awfully fun time.
Jury is out on which way those guys'll go. They're a lot of fun, and James Taylor is one of the most proficient bass players in the UK at the moment, giving them a funky edge. Classic.
It's ok.
This was fine. It’s dumb pop music for when you don’t want to really pay attention and you’re just looking to dance. There’s a place for that kind of music, and there are much worse things to listen to. But I’m never going to be a huge Duran Duran fan. Duran Duran are the hair metal equivalents of post punk and new wave music. It bothers me that they were so much bigger than bands like The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, New Order, and Oingo Boingo. Everything about them seems like it was purposely crafted to be easily digestible to MTV audiences. There are some really catchy, funky guitar and bass riffs on this album, I’ll give them that. And it is kind of a fun album when all you want to do is clean the house or have some danceable music on in the background. But the lyrics are either vapid or make no sense. And while Simon’s a competent singer, he sounds like a million other new wave guys. The songs end up kind of running together after a while because of the similar synth pieces in every song. It’s disposable popcorn music made by guys who never hid the fact that they wanted to be famous and get girls. I guess I have to respect them for being up front about it. And I know it’s cool to dunk on them for that and act above it, but really, what else is there to say about them? The last two tracks on the album are also just really annoying. The Western showdown-style whistle riff thing of the synth on “Save a Prayer” is weird and distracting. And the “The Chauffeur” is one of the most annoying things I’ve ever heard. The flute flourish reminds me of the White Lotus theme song every time I hear it, and I always end up skipping the song if it comes on my streaming playlists. 3/5 — It’s not terrible, but if I never heard this album again I’d be just fine.
At the time this came out in the 80s I didn't much care for it, I was busy with blues and rock and considered this as culturally questionable fodder for the masses. As the years rolled by I became more acclimated to it, then comfortable, then quite liking it. This old dance album has paid its dues and earned its props.
Early 80s new wave synth-pop is just not my jam, but I liked this one better than I expected. I knew some of the bigger hits from it, but I think the standout track for me was The Chauffeur.
Doesn’t let up off the gas, front to back.
3.5
Very good album with some excellent songs.
I live in a yuppie high rise apartment overlooking Manhattan and have a Nagel on the wall. Obviously this is my shit right here.