Duran Duran
Seven and the Ragged Tiger
Well this group and album are synonymous with the 80s. There really can be no argument with that statement as they embody the sound of the whole pop new wave...funky bass, synth washes, crazy hair, sexy lead singer. This was their sophomore record and it is knee deep in the elegance and decadence of the time with its lyrics of partying, and its expensive videos of exotic locales and girls girls girls. That�s what the 80s was about though: babes, sweet pastel suits, cocaine. The whole shebang.
Everyone knows �Rio� which is just a hookfest and has a percolating synth line that many bands would sell their soul for. The tempo change in the song is just well placed. A perfect slice of pop. �My Own Way� is just as energetic with its clipped guitar but is not as solid melody wise. Like most of the songs here, the chorus is the best part. Slower is �Lonely in Your Nightmare� which I think if I hear correctly has fretless bass during the verses which is a sound I go nuts over. Well if its not fretless it has the same aural effect. Towards the end there is some cool sustained guitar parts going on and the �do do do�s on the fade out are nice. �Hungry Like the Wolf� continues with those �do do do�s and another jumpy synth line. This is the massive hit from the album which is slightly different from the single version but pretty much just as good. The sounds of a woman moaning is a classy touch. �Hold Back the Rain� has an ascending then descending synth line and punchy bass lines. Another great chorus on this one. Really not much to say, just close your mind and dance.
For some reason the band gets serious with us on side two as the four songs here all seem to have a more mature subject matter to them. As mature as an 80s pop band can be I suppose. �New Religion� has another great bass line with a repeating echo riff, ominous synth washes, and verses that are almost a rap. Scary I know but somehow it works better that one would think. �Last Chance on the Stairway� has another one of those bubbly bass lines and a lighter mood. The move into the chorus with the syncopation in the rhythm section is a great hook, which makes up for the fact that the chorus isn�t up to the snuff of the rest of the album. Hey and xylophone makes an appearance! Hooray! �Save a Prayer� is really the only ballad on the album and what a ballad it is if a bit overlong. The chorus will be stuck in your head for days if my experience is worth anything. I love the eastern sounding synth in the verses lending the song an air of mystery. The guitar line in the middle of the song makes me think Depeche Mode listened to this album when writing �Home.� Ending the album is �The Chauffeur� which has impenetrable lyrics, but I�ve read its about a lesbian relationship. Ummm I guess? The music isn�t exactly cheery and has weird looping parts. It really isn�t a great song nor a great way to end the album. Does sound a bit Bowie like on the �Sing Blue Silver� line. Whatever that means. Of course the creepy voice samples added in the end of the song don't make sense either. Too much cocaine eh Simon LeBon?
Final Comment: It is what you think it is. If you like 80s pop you will like this, if not its your loss.
Score: ***
I would like to dance upon the sand, but sand is itchy and gets everywhere. Back to Homepage
