New topic
Printable| Author | Message |
Awful Red Carpet Massacre review from Melodicrock.com a place that i totally respect and are usually right
on with their reviews Rating 20% Songs: 5% Sound: 25% This album will forever define pop icons Duran Duran. It will define them as a band unable to create anything remotely worthy of attention without star guitarist Andy Taylor and I believe it will ultimately prove to be their tombstone. This kind of a release is a career killer. I doubt anyone will care enough to see another studio album from the band after this. And if they do – it won't be for this record label. They will be dropped – guaranteed. Andy Taylor gave this band the edge they needed – and ultimately their best material is that which features his input. Duran's early days saw them create some timeless pop masterpieces. The band then floundered without him and now after one very credible comeback album Taylor departs again, leaving the band to falsely believe this programmed synth dance-pop is actually what fans want? Absolutely not. Even in terms of synth pop, these songs are utterly horrendous - forgettable and without a decent chorus or hook. Beyond disappointing - considering what could have been. And what's with that artwork?" " [Edited 12/5/07 4:07am] | |
- E-mail - orgNote -  Report post to moderator |
VikFoxx said: from Melodicrock.com a place that a i totally respect and are usually right
on with their reviews Rating 20% Songs: 5% Sound: 25% This album will forever define pop icons Duran Duran. It will define them as a band unable to create anything remotely worthy of attention without star guitarist Andy Taylor and I believe it will ultimately prove to be their tombstone. This kind of a release is a career killer. I doubt anyone will care enough to see another studio album from the band after this. And if they do – it won't be for this record label. They will be dropped – guaranteed. Andy Taylor gave this band the edge they needed – and ultimately their best material is that which features his input. Duran's early days saw them create some timeless pop masterpieces. The band then floundered without him and now after one very credible comeback album Taylor departs again, leaving the band to falsely believe this programmed synth dance-pop is actually what fans want? Absolutely not. Even in terms of synth pop, these songs are utterly horrendous - forgettable and without a decent chorus or hook. Beyond disappointing - considering what could have been. And what's with that artwork?" " Who has written that piece of junk? Andy?   | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Duran duran suck balls | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
JoeTyler said: VikFoxx said: from Melodicrock.com a place that a i totally respect and are usually right
on with their reviews Rating 20% Songs: 5% Sound: 25% This album will forever define pop icons Duran Duran. It will define them as a band unable to create anything remotely worthy of attention without star guitarist Andy Taylor and I believe it will ultimately prove to be their tombstone. This kind of a release is a career killer. I doubt anyone will care enough to see another studio album from the band after this. And if they do – it won't be for this record label. They will be dropped – guaranteed. Andy Taylor gave this band the edge they needed – and ultimately their best material is that which features his input. Duran's early days saw them create some timeless pop masterpieces. The band then floundered without him and now after one very credible comeback album Taylor departs again, leaving the band to falsely believe this programmed synth dance-pop is actually what fans want? Absolutely not. Even in terms of synth pop, these songs are utterly horrendous - forgettable and without a decent chorus or hook. Beyond disappointing - considering what could have been. And what's with that artwork?" " Who has written that piece of junk? Andy?  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
It does sound like someone on the "inside" wrote this review, to be honest i have never even heard Andy Taylor mentioned in any Duran Duran review while he was in the band praising him. I agree that this will be the last album for Sony mainly because Sony was a mistake to begin with, i was shocked when Duran Duran signed with such a big label at this point in their career, mainly because you knew that they would get lost in the shuffle of divas and kids at Sony. Its time for Duran and others to just go indie, it seemed like they were leaning that way when Warren was in the band towards the "Pop Trash" record, and i think Nick would embrace that kind of approach. "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
VikFoxx said: from Melodicrock.com a place that i totally respect and are usually right
on with their reviews Rating 20% Songs: 5% Sound: 25% This album will forever define pop icons Duran Duran. It will define them as a band unable to create anything remotely worthy of attention without star guitarist Andy Taylor and I believe it will ultimately prove to be their tombstone. This kind of a release is a career killer. I doubt anyone will care enough to see another studio album from the band after this. And if they do – it won't be for this record label. They will be dropped – guaranteed. Andy Taylor gave this band the edge they needed – and ultimately their best material is that which features his input. Duran's early days saw them create some timeless pop masterpieces. The band then floundered without him and now after one very credible comeback album Taylor departs again, leaving the band to falsely believe this programmed synth dance-pop is actually what fans want? Absolutely not. Even in terms of synth pop, these songs are utterly horrendous - forgettable and without a decent chorus or hook. Beyond disappointing - considering what could have been. And what's with that artwork?" " [Edited 12/5/07 4:07am] Sounds like this person has been bitter since Andy left waaay back when. And while I agree that his input was a definitive part of their sound, they DID move on. In fact a lot of their better material came with Warren IMO. Personally, I was so-so with Astronaut and happen to like the new album a lot better. It is an interesting record. While I don't feel the collaboration was entirely necessary, songs like Skin Divers and Tempted sound great with that production. And many of the songs are definitely growers as the album takes some time to get used to. I like The Valley, Nite Runner, Box of Honey, Last man Standing, Tempted, Skin Divers and She's too much. The artwork does leave a little to be desired, but their artwork has never really been that fab to begin with. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Pop Matters Review is pretty spot on!
Will the Real Duran Duran... Oh, Never Mind Here’s the good news. Red Carpet Massacre is one of Duran Duran’s best collections of songs. Here’s the bad news. It’s not really a Duran Duran album at all. How so, you ask? The story is not an atypical one for a 30-year-old band trying to regain commercial momentum and cultural significance. Following the mediocre performance of the likable but largely undistinguished 2004 comeback album Astronaut, the band felt both internal and external pressure to produce a more successful follow-up. They recorded with producer Michael Patterson, who had worked with Beck and Notorious B.I.G. among others, readying an album for 2006 release. But the label rejected that album, tentatively called Reportage, allegedly due to too much political content and too few potential hits. AmazonDuran Duran quickly regrouped and entered the studio with super-producer Timbaland and his protégé Nate “Danja” Hills. Self-confessed Duran Duran fan and acquaintance Justin Timberlake also collaborated on a few tracks. Sensing a sellout in the works, guitarist Andy Taylor abruptly left the band, something he had also done in 1986 for similar reasons. The Reportage sessions were scrapped. Red Carpet Massacre was born. It’s not uncommon for artists, late in their careers; to hand the musical reins over to veteran producers with a knack for finding the charts and lending credibility. Most people didn’t have a problem with Cher turning to Todd Terry and Junior Vasquez, Madonna looking to William Orbit and Stuart Price, or Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond hooking up with Rick Rubin. So why chastise Duran Duran for working with a couple guys who could potentially update their sound and revitalize their career? Well, because Duran Duran are a band, not a solo artist. And, on Red Carpet Massacre they cease to be a band and instead turn into sidemen on their own album. Of course, the notable exception is singer Simon LeBon, whose voice will never be mistaken for anyone else’s. LeBon sounds better than ever, and thank God, because he’s about the only element that links Red Carpet Massacre to Duran Duran. Nick Rhodes lends some of his atmospheric, sometimes quirky synthesizers to the album, but Red Carpet Massacre suffers from a serious brevity of Taylors. Nominally, two are still left in the band. And Danja and Timbaland have no excuse for neutering what was the biggest musical strength of the classic Duran Duran lineup, the rhythm section. Yet, by their own admission, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor are often completely absent from the music. John Taylor is left to do some pop bass on opener “The Valley” and here’n’there stuff on several other tracks. Roger Taylor, though, tragically, is pretty much AWOL, replaced by Timbaland and Danja’s trademark hissing, stuttering, electronic hip-hop rhythms. The real Roger’s aggressive, syncopated kick drum is evident on only the otherwise mediocre “Dirty Great Monster”. On the “Save a Prayer"-type ballad “Box Full O’Honey”, you can almost hear him trying to escape from his electronic cage. The frustrating part is that Red Carpet Massacre is actually a pretty good album. Were the songs lousy, it would be easy cry “disaster” and dismiss it out of hand. But “The Valley” and the title track capture much of the grandeur and grime of Duran Duran’s best ‘80s work. Timberlake proves a respectful and respectable collaborator. His co-write/co-production “Nite-Runner” sleazes and slinks like Danja’s other clients Britney Spears and Nelly Furtado only wish they could. Single “Falling Down”, which Timberlake co-wrote and also produced, is an archetypically reflective, midtempo Duran Duran pop song. It’s also among the most effortlessly catchy songs you’ll hear in the next twelve months. Timbaland’s vocals on “Skin Divers” only enhance the song’s funky groove, while the relatively straightforward “She’s Too Much” and “Last Man Standing” dial down the sexuality in favor of earnestness. The strength of the songs only reinforces the knowledge that the heavy-handed, radio-friendly production isn’t necessary. If you’re a Duran Duran fan, the degree to which you enjoy Red Carpet Massacre might depend on the extent to which you’re able to accept it’s really more of a studio concoction than the sound of a band making an album. Curious Timberlake fans might well just start dancing. The irony is Duran Duran have never been shy about embracing the artifice within their art, even going so far as to call one album Pop Trash. The catch is that in the past that artifice was mostly of their creation. Despite its being hyped as a “return to their new wave roots”, Red Carpet Massacre sounds like a remix of a great Duran Duran album, and for that it’s merely good. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
superspaceboy said: Pop Matters Review is pretty spot on!
Will the Real Duran Duran... Oh, Never Mind Here’s the good news. Red Carpet Massacre is one of Duran Duran’s best collections of songs. Here’s the bad news. It’s not really a Duran Duran album at all. How so, you ask? The story is not an atypical one for a 30-year-old band trying to regain commercial momentum and cultural significance. Following the mediocre performance of the likable but largely undistinguished 2004 comeback album Astronaut, the band felt both internal and external pressure to produce a more successful follow-up. They recorded with producer Michael Patterson, who had worked with Beck and Notorious B.I.G. among others, readying an album for 2006 release. But the label rejected that album, tentatively called Reportage, allegedly due to too much political content and too few potential hits. AmazonDuran Duran quickly regrouped and entered the studio with super-producer Timbaland and his protégé Nate “Danja” Hills. Self-confessed Duran Duran fan and acquaintance Justin Timberlake also collaborated on a few tracks. Sensing a sellout in the works, guitarist Andy Taylor abruptly left the band, something he had also done in 1986 for similar reasons. The Reportage sessions were scrapped. Red Carpet Massacre was born. It’s not uncommon for artists, late in their careers; to hand the musical reins over to veteran producers with a knack for finding the charts and lending credibility. Most people didn’t have a problem with Cher turning to Todd Terry and Junior Vasquez, Madonna looking to William Orbit and Stuart Price, or Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond hooking up with Rick Rubin. So why chastise Duran Duran for working with a couple guys who could potentially update their sound and revitalize their career? Well, because Duran Duran are a band, not a solo artist. And, on Red Carpet Massacre they cease to be a band and instead turn into sidemen on their own album. Of course, the notable exception is singer Simon LeBon, whose voice will never be mistaken for anyone else’s. LeBon sounds better than ever, and thank God, because he’s about the only element that links Red Carpet Massacre to Duran Duran. Nick Rhodes lends some of his atmospheric, sometimes quirky synthesizers to the album, but Red Carpet Massacre suffers from a serious brevity of Taylors. Nominally, two are still left in the band. And Danja and Timbaland have no excuse for neutering what was the biggest musical strength of the classic Duran Duran lineup, the rhythm section. Yet, by their own admission, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor are often completely absent from the music. John Taylor is left to do some pop bass on opener “The Valley” and here’n’there stuff on several other tracks. Roger Taylor, though, tragically, is pretty much AWOL, replaced by Timbaland and Danja’s trademark hissing, stuttering, electronic hip-hop rhythms. The real Roger’s aggressive, syncopated kick drum is evident on only the otherwise mediocre “Dirty Great Monster”. On the “Save a Prayer"-type ballad “Box Full O’Honey”, you can almost hear him trying to escape from his electronic cage. The frustrating part is that Red Carpet Massacre is actually a pretty good album. Were the songs lousy, it would be easy cry “disaster” and dismiss it out of hand. But “The Valley” and the title track capture much of the grandeur and grime of Duran Duran’s best ‘80s work. Timberlake proves a respectful and respectable collaborator. His co-write/co-production “Nite-Runner” sleazes and slinks like Danja’s other clients Britney Spears and Nelly Furtado only wish they could. Single “Falling Down”, which Timberlake co-wrote and also produced, is an archetypically reflective, midtempo Duran Duran pop song. It’s also among the most effortlessly catchy songs you’ll hear in the next twelve months. Timbaland’s vocals on “Skin Divers” only enhance the song’s funky groove, while the relatively straightforward “She’s Too Much” and “Last Man Standing” dial down the sexuality in favor of earnestness. The strength of the songs only reinforces the knowledge that the heavy-handed, radio-friendly production isn’t necessary. If you’re a Duran Duran fan, the degree to which you enjoy Red Carpet Massacre might depend on the extent to which you’re able to accept it’s really more of a studio concoction than the sound of a band making an album. Curious Timberlake fans might well just start dancing. The irony is Duran Duran have never been shy about embracing the artifice within their art, even going so far as to call one album Pop Trash. The catch is that in the past that artifice was mostly of their creation. Despite its being hyped as a “return to their new wave roots”, Red Carpet Massacre sounds like a remix of a great Duran Duran album, and for that it’s merely good. Well that was mainly my issue with this album, i knew early on that Andy was leaving because GUITARS were being driven out of Duran Duran, once i knew Timbaland and Timberlake were on board i just figured that was why Andy was out, i almost hope that the "rejected" album surfaces at some point. The bigger issue with this album is that is really just Simon's solo album for the most part and its the most un-band-like album i have ever heard. The irony of this was that a few months ago John Taylor very boldly said this would be their best selling record, and as of right now it might not eclipse the sales of POP TRASH (though that record was excellent) which was their least selling record. "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
lastdecember said: superspaceboy said: Pop Matters Review is pretty spot on!
Will the Real Duran Duran... Oh, Never Mind Here’s the good news. Red Carpet Massacre is one of Duran Duran’s best collections of songs. Here’s the bad news. It’s not really a Duran Duran album at all. How so, you ask? The story is not an atypical one for a 30-year-old band trying to regain commercial momentum and cultural significance. Following the mediocre performance of the likable but largely undistinguished 2004 comeback album Astronaut, the band felt both internal and external pressure to produce a more successful follow-up. They recorded with producer Michael Patterson, who had worked with Beck and Notorious B.I.G. among others, readying an album for 2006 release. But the label rejected that album, tentatively called Reportage, allegedly due to too much political content and too few potential hits. AmazonDuran Duran quickly regrouped and entered the studio with super-producer Timbaland and his protégé Nate “Danja” Hills. Self-confessed Duran Duran fan and acquaintance Justin Timberlake also collaborated on a few tracks. Sensing a sellout in the works, guitarist Andy Taylor abruptly left the band, something he had also done in 1986 for similar reasons. The Reportage sessions were scrapped. Red Carpet Massacre was born. It’s not uncommon for artists, late in their careers; to hand the musical reins over to veteran producers with a knack for finding the charts and lending credibility. Most people didn’t have a problem with Cher turning to Todd Terry and Junior Vasquez, Madonna looking to William Orbit and Stuart Price, or Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond hooking up with Rick Rubin. So why chastise Duran Duran for working with a couple guys who could potentially update their sound and revitalize their career? Well, because Duran Duran are a band, not a solo artist. And, on Red Carpet Massacre they cease to be a band and instead turn into sidemen on their own album. Of course, the notable exception is singer Simon LeBon, whose voice will never be mistaken for anyone else’s. LeBon sounds better than ever, and thank God, because he’s about the only element that links Red Carpet Massacre to Duran Duran. Nick Rhodes lends some of his atmospheric, sometimes quirky synthesizers to the album, but Red Carpet Massacre suffers from a serious brevity of Taylors. Nominally, two are still left in the band. And Danja and Timbaland have no excuse for neutering what was the biggest musical strength of the classic Duran Duran lineup, the rhythm section. Yet, by their own admission, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor are often completely absent from the music. John Taylor is left to do some pop bass on opener “The Valley” and here’n’there stuff on several other tracks. Roger Taylor, though, tragically, is pretty much AWOL, replaced by Timbaland and Danja’s trademark hissing, stuttering, electronic hip-hop rhythms. The real Roger’s aggressive, syncopated kick drum is evident on only the otherwise mediocre “Dirty Great Monster”. On the “Save a Prayer"-type ballad “Box Full O’Honey”, you can almost hear him trying to escape from his electronic cage. The frustrating part is that Red Carpet Massacre is actually a pretty good album. Were the songs lousy, it would be easy cry “disaster” and dismiss it out of hand. But “The Valley” and the title track capture much of the grandeur and grime of Duran Duran’s best ‘80s work. Timberlake proves a respectful and respectable collaborator. His co-write/co-production “Nite-Runner” sleazes and slinks like Danja’s other clients Britney Spears and Nelly Furtado only wish they could. Single “Falling Down”, which Timberlake co-wrote and also produced, is an archetypically reflective, midtempo Duran Duran pop song. It’s also among the most effortlessly catchy songs you’ll hear in the next twelve months. Timbaland’s vocals on “Skin Divers” only enhance the song’s funky groove, while the relatively straightforward “She’s Too Much” and “Last Man Standing” dial down the sexuality in favor of earnestness. The strength of the songs only reinforces the knowledge that the heavy-handed, radio-friendly production isn’t necessary. If you’re a Duran Duran fan, the degree to which you enjoy Red Carpet Massacre might depend on the extent to which you’re able to accept it’s really more of a studio concoction than the sound of a band making an album. Curious Timberlake fans might well just start dancing. The irony is Duran Duran have never been shy about embracing the artifice within their art, even going so far as to call one album Pop Trash. The catch is that in the past that artifice was mostly of their creation. Despite its being hyped as a “return to their new wave roots”, Red Carpet Massacre sounds like a remix of a great Duran Duran album, and for that it’s merely good. Well that was mainly my issue with this album, i knew early on that Andy was leaving because GUITARS were being driven out of Duran Duran, once i knew Timbaland and Timberlake were on board i just figured that was why Andy was out, i almost hope that the "rejected" album surfaces at some point. The bigger issue with this album is that is really just Simon's solo album for the most part and its the most un-band-like album i have ever heard. The irony of this was that a few months ago John Taylor very boldly said this would be their best selling record, and as of right now it might not eclipse the sales of POP TRASH (though that record was excellent) which was their least selling record. I thought it was doing ok. How was Pop Trash. I never really heard it. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
superspaceboy said: lastdecember said: Well that was mainly my issue with this album, i knew early on that Andy was leaving because GUITARS were being driven out of Duran Duran, once i knew Timbaland and Timberlake were on board i just figured that was why Andy was out, i almost hope that the "rejected" album surfaces at some point. The bigger issue with this album is that is really just Simon's solo album for the most part and its the most un-band-like album i have ever heard. The irony of this was that a few months ago John Taylor very boldly said this would be their best selling record, and as of right now it might not eclipse the sales of POP TRASH (though that record was excellent) which was their least selling record. I thought it was doing ok. How was Pop Trash. I never really heard it. The numbers i have seen so far havent been good, though i wasnt really surprised since Sony isnt really doing anything with them at this point, everything so far has been the bands doing, video and theater shows. As for POP TRASH to me i thought it was one of their best, song wise everything was very structured to be a single almost, it had a more Rock Guitar edge than previous albums and had some kick ass ballad-type songs like "Lady Xanax" "Someone Else Not me" and "Pop Trash Movie" some of the harder rock songs like "Playing with Uranium" and "Last day on Earth" were strong cuts too, but the label they were with "Hollywood" records were mostly an indie label though part of universal, so they didnt really do anything with the record, though Duran Duran toured quite a bit on this record, i got to see them at the Beacon for one of their best shows. "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
superspaceboy said: Pop Matters Review is pretty spot on!
Will the Real Duran Duran... Oh, Never Mind Here’s the good news. Red Carpet Massacre is one of Duran Duran’s best collections of songs. Here’s the bad news. It’s not really a Duran Duran album at all. How so, you ask? The story is not an atypical one for a 30-year-old band trying to regain commercial momentum and cultural significance. Following the mediocre performance of the likable but largely undistinguished 2004 comeback album Astronaut, the band felt both internal and external pressure to produce a more successful follow-up. They recorded with producer Michael Patterson, who had worked with Beck and Notorious B.I.G. among others, readying an album for 2006 release. But the label rejected that album, tentatively called Reportage, allegedly due to too much political content and too few potential hits. AmazonDuran Duran quickly regrouped and entered the studio with super-producer Timbaland and his protégé Nate “Danja” Hills. Self-confessed Duran Duran fan and acquaintance Justin Timberlake also collaborated on a few tracks. Sensing a sellout in the works, guitarist Andy Taylor abruptly left the band, something he had also done in 1986 for similar reasons. The Reportage sessions were scrapped. Red Carpet Massacre was born. It’s not uncommon for artists, late in their careers; to hand the musical reins over to veteran producers with a knack for finding the charts and lending credibility. Most people didn’t have a problem with Cher turning to Todd Terry and Junior Vasquez, Madonna looking to William Orbit and Stuart Price, or Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond hooking up with Rick Rubin. So why chastise Duran Duran for working with a couple guys who could potentially update their sound and revitalize their career? Well, because Duran Duran are a band, not a solo artist. And, on Red Carpet Massacre they cease to be a band and instead turn into sidemen on their own album. Of course, the notable exception is singer Simon LeBon, whose voice will never be mistaken for anyone else’s. LeBon sounds better than ever, and thank God, because he’s about the only element that links Red Carpet Massacre to Duran Duran. Nick Rhodes lends some of his atmospheric, sometimes quirky synthesizers to the album, but Red Carpet Massacre suffers from a serious brevity of Taylors. Nominally, two are still left in the band. And Danja and Timbaland have no excuse for neutering what was the biggest musical strength of the classic Duran Duran lineup, the rhythm section. Yet, by their own admission, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor are often completely absent from the music. John Taylor is left to do some pop bass on opener “The Valley” and here’n’there stuff on several other tracks. Roger Taylor, though, tragically, is pretty much AWOL, replaced by Timbaland and Danja’s trademark hissing, stuttering, electronic hip-hop rhythms. The real Roger’s aggressive, syncopated kick drum is evident on only the otherwise mediocre “Dirty Great Monster”. On the “Save a Prayer"-type ballad “Box Full O’Honey”, you can almost hear him trying to escape from his electronic cage. The frustrating part is that Red Carpet Massacre is actually a pretty good album. Were the songs lousy, it would be easy cry “disaster” and dismiss it out of hand. But “The Valley” and the title track capture much of the grandeur and grime of Duran Duran’s best ‘80s work. Timberlake proves a respectful and respectable collaborator. His co-write/co-production “Nite-Runner” sleazes and slinks like Danja’s other clients Britney Spears and Nelly Furtado only wish they could. Single “Falling Down”, which Timberlake co-wrote and also produced, is an archetypically reflective, midtempo Duran Duran pop song. It’s also among the most effortlessly catchy songs you’ll hear in the next twelve months. Timbaland’s vocals on “Skin Divers” only enhance the song’s funky groove, while the relatively straightforward “She’s Too Much” and “Last Man Standing” dial down the sexuality in favor of earnestness. The strength of the songs only reinforces the knowledge that the heavy-handed, radio-friendly production isn’t necessary. If you’re a Duran Duran fan, the degree to which you enjoy Red Carpet Massacre might depend on the extent to which you’re able to accept it’s really more of a studio concoction than the sound of a band making an album. Curious Timberlake fans might well just start dancing. The irony is Duran Duran have never been shy about embracing the artifice within their art, even going so far as to call one album Pop Trash. The catch is that in the past that artifice was mostly of their creation. Despite its being hyped as a “return to their new wave roots”, Red Carpet Massacre sounds like a remix of a great Duran Duran album, and for that it’s merely good. Big thing received the same kind of reviews in 1988; now, is considered as a lost classic by many fans (not me, though ) | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
JoeTyler said: superspaceboy said: Pop Matters Review is pretty spot on!
Will the Real Duran Duran... Oh, Never Mind Here’s the good news. Red Carpet Massacre is one of Duran Duran’s best collections of songs. Here’s the bad news. It’s not really a Duran Duran album at all. How so, you ask? The story is not an atypical one for a 30-year-old band trying to regain commercial momentum and cultural significance. Following the mediocre performance of the likable but largely undistinguished 2004 comeback album Astronaut, the band felt both internal and external pressure to produce a more successful follow-up. They recorded with producer Michael Patterson, who had worked with Beck and Notorious B.I.G. among others, readying an album for 2006 release. But the label rejected that album, tentatively called Reportage, allegedly due to too much political content and too few potential hits. AmazonDuran Duran quickly regrouped and entered the studio with super-producer Timbaland and his protégé Nate “Danja” Hills. Self-confessed Duran Duran fan and acquaintance Justin Timberlake also collaborated on a few tracks. Sensing a sellout in the works, guitarist Andy Taylor abruptly left the band, something he had also done in 1986 for similar reasons. The Reportage sessions were scrapped. Red Carpet Massacre was born. It’s not uncommon for artists, late in their careers; to hand the musical reins over to veteran producers with a knack for finding the charts and lending credibility. Most people didn’t have a problem with Cher turning to Todd Terry and Junior Vasquez, Madonna looking to William Orbit and Stuart Price, or Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond hooking up with Rick Rubin. So why chastise Duran Duran for working with a couple guys who could potentially update their sound and revitalize their career? Well, because Duran Duran are a band, not a solo artist. And, on Red Carpet Massacre they cease to be a band and instead turn into sidemen on their own album. Of course, the notable exception is singer Simon LeBon, whose voice will never be mistaken for anyone else’s. LeBon sounds better than ever, and thank God, because he’s about the only element that links Red Carpet Massacre to Duran Duran. Nick Rhodes lends some of his atmospheric, sometimes quirky synthesizers to the album, but Red Carpet Massacre suffers from a serious brevity of Taylors. Nominally, two are still left in the band. And Danja and Timbaland have no excuse for neutering what was the biggest musical strength of the classic Duran Duran lineup, the rhythm section. Yet, by their own admission, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor are often completely absent from the music. John Taylor is left to do some pop bass on opener “The Valley” and here’n’there stuff on several other tracks. Roger Taylor, though, tragically, is pretty much AWOL, replaced by Timbaland and Danja’s trademark hissing, stuttering, electronic hip-hop rhythms. The real Roger’s aggressive, syncopated kick drum is evident on only the otherwise mediocre “Dirty Great Monster”. On the “Save a Prayer"-type ballad “Box Full O’Honey”, you can almost hear him trying to escape from his electronic cage. The frustrating part is that Red Carpet Massacre is actually a pretty good album. Were the songs lousy, it would be easy cry “disaster” and dismiss it out of hand. But “The Valley” and the title track capture much of the grandeur and grime of Duran Duran’s best ‘80s work. Timberlake proves a respectful and respectable collaborator. His co-write/co-production “Nite-Runner” sleazes and slinks like Danja’s other clients Britney Spears and Nelly Furtado only wish they could. Single “Falling Down”, which Timberlake co-wrote and also produced, is an archetypically reflective, midtempo Duran Duran pop song. It’s also among the most effortlessly catchy songs you’ll hear in the next twelve months. Timbaland’s vocals on “Skin Divers” only enhance the song’s funky groove, while the relatively straightforward “She’s Too Much” and “Last Man Standing” dial down the sexuality in favor of earnestness. The strength of the songs only reinforces the knowledge that the heavy-handed, radio-friendly production isn’t necessary. If you’re a Duran Duran fan, the degree to which you enjoy Red Carpet Massacre might depend on the extent to which you’re able to accept it’s really more of a studio concoction than the sound of a band making an album. Curious Timberlake fans might well just start dancing. The irony is Duran Duran have never been shy about embracing the artifice within their art, even going so far as to call one album Pop Trash. The catch is that in the past that artifice was mostly of their creation. Despite its being hyped as a “return to their new wave roots”, Red Carpet Massacre sounds like a remix of a great Duran Duran album, and for that it’s merely good. Big thing received the same kind of reviews in 1988; now, is considered as a lost classic by many fans (not me, though )Big thing was what got me really into them. This new record sounds like That one mushed together with the wedding album with an electronic sheen. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
well the fact is, i agree with the first review
this is duran duran selling out. they decide to use talentless fuckers like timbaland and ninja or whatever the fuck he is called. a bunch of shitty studio drum programmers with less talent than my shit. on top of that, they use Justin "penis nose" timberfuck. what the fuck has Timberfuck got that Duran duran needed?? timberfuck can't write a good song, can't play any instruments very well, has a fucking shitty voice with a falsetto that sounds like he is sucking timbalands and pharrels cock combined, and the fact he is a slimy arrogant fucker piece of white trash who thinks he is black. timberfuck is another white boy trying to show he is somehow talented. fuck him and fuck timbaland. im glad andy taylor told the band to fuck off. i'd rather listen to some Power station classics than any Timberfuck and Timberlandcock infused garbage. these 2 cock sucking wankers are a disgrace to music. especially cock nose timberfuck. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
dirtyman2005 said: well the fact is, i agree with the first review
this is duran duran selling out. they decide to use talentless fuckers like timbaland and ninja or whatever the fuck he is called. a bunch of shitty studio drum programmers with less talent than my shit. on top of that, they use Justin "penis nose" timberfuck. what the fuck has Timberfuck got that Duran duran needed?? timberfuck can't write a good song, can't play any instruments very well, has a fucking shitty voice with a falsetto that sounds like he is sucking timbalands and pharrels cock combined, and the fact he is a slimy arrogant fucker piece of white trash who thinks he is black. timberfuck is another white boy trying to show he is somehow talented. fuck him and fuck timbaland. im glad andy taylor told the band to fuck off. i'd rather listen to some Power station classics than any Timberfuck and Timberlandcock infused garbage. these 2 cock sucking wankers are a disgrace to music. especially cock nose timberfuck.  was that really necessary?Christian Zombie Vampires | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
dirtyman2005 said: well the fact is, i agree with the first review
this is duran duran selling out. they decide to use talentless fuckers like timbaland and ninja or whatever the fuck he is called. a bunch of shitty studio drum programmers with less talent than my shit. on top of that, they use Justin "penis nose" timberfuck. what the fuck has Timberfuck got that Duran duran needed?? timberfuck can't write a good song, can't play any instruments very well, has a fucking shitty voice with a falsetto that sounds like he is sucking timbalands and pharrels cock combined, and the fact he is a slimy arrogant fucker piece of white trash who thinks he is black. timberfuck is another white boy trying to show he is somehow talented. fuck him and fuck timbaland. im glad andy taylor told the band to fuck off. i'd rather listen to some Power station classics than any Timberfuck and Timberlandcock infused garbage. these 2 cock sucking wankers are a disgrace to music. especially cock nose timberfuck. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
dirtyman2005 said: well the fact is, i agree with the first review
this is duran duran selling out. they decide to use talentless fuckers like timbaland and ninja or whatever the fuck he is called. a bunch of shitty studio drum programmers with less talent than my shit. on top of that, they use Justin "penis nose" timberfuck. what the fuck has Timberfuck got that Duran duran needed?? timberfuck can't write a good song, can't play any instruments very well, has a fucking shitty voice with a falsetto that sounds like he is sucking timbalands and pharrels cock combined, and the fact he is a slimy arrogant fucker piece of white trash who thinks he is black. timberfuck is another white boy trying to show he is somehow talented. fuck him and fuck timbaland. im glad andy taylor told the band to fuck off. i'd rather listen to some Power station classics than any Timberfuck and Timberlandcock infused garbage. these 2 cock sucking wankers are a disgrace to music. especially cock nose timberfuck. you are very sad. JT by all accounts is a nice guy; the same can't be said about a certian small man. Are you mad becuase Jt made a joke about your messiah and hero? Get a life. Futurelove/sexsounds>>>>>3121, PE; FACT! | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
dirtyman2005 said: well the fact is, i agree with the first review
this is duran duran selling out. they decide to use talentless fuckers like timbaland and ninja or whatever the fuck he is called. a bunch of shitty studio drum programmers with less talent than my shit. on top of that, they use Justin "penis nose" timberfuck. what the fuck has Timberfuck got that Duran duran needed?? timberfuck can't write a good song, can't play any instruments very well, has a fucking shitty voice with a falsetto that sounds like he is sucking timbalands and pharrels cock combined, and the fact he is a slimy arrogant fucker piece of white trash who thinks he is black. timberfuck is another white boy trying to show he is somehow talented. fuck him and fuck timbaland. im glad andy taylor told the band to fuck off. i'd rather listen to some Power station classics than any Timberfuck and Timberlandcock infused garbage. these 2 cock sucking wankers are a disgrace to music. especially cock nose timberfuck. Loser... | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |