Duran Duran - Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre
(4 stars)
Christian Helwig
The Boys From Birmingham return with their thirteenth studio album blazingly titled Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre. Some would say that the number thirteen is unlucky. This couldn't be farther from the truth.
Duran Duran (with the help of Timbaland, Nate Hills, and Justin Timberlake) put together an album that sees the band change it’s sound yet again, with the finished product being a classic sounding Duran Duran album.
Starting off with the Electro-Rock sounding “The Valley”, it is a perfect starting point for this album. The Synth Bass riff that John Taylor grooves with is mesmerizing. The fluidity and structure of the song pulls you in. And as Simon belts out “I’ve been walking through the Valley/ Through the tall grass and the shadows/ I can feel it/ I can see it/ Yes I need it/ I believe it”, the adventure begins. The elongated bridge with John’s slapping highlight brings an added dynamic to the song.
"Skin Divers" is a throbbing dance floor anthem for 2008. This no doubt was the sexiest song of 2007 and probably will be of 2008 as well. “Skin Divers” is slated for a European single release and hopefully will land on the shores of America.
An actual perfect instant for ending the album is a lush track called “Last Man Standing”. The mood and lyrics of this song actually paints the picture in your mind line-by-line the way Simon sings; “When the hanging dust is clearing from the air/ You can just make out a lonely figure there/ He’s the last man standing on the track/ He does not look down he does like look back”.
Other notable tracks are the electro-pop “She’s Too Much” and a dance club terror “Tempted” (This track can be remixed 8 ways till Sunday).
The great thing about this album is every member of the band is in top form. The cohesiveness of the album, the inventiveness, and performances are right on. There is no question why this album shouldn’t appear in the band’s Top 3 of their career or even Top 5 for that matter. It all depends on your taste.
Also, session guitarist Dom Brown (who has actually been lead guitarist since 2005) fits in great with the recent styles of Duran Duran. He brings a smart sensibility to this album and the sound of the band. Seeing him perform live with Duran Duran shows you immediately why he is a fan favorite.
There are only a couple complaints I have on the album. The track "Zoom In" is catchy to a certain extent, but it lacks in the energy and creativeness departments of the other songs on the album. There is actually a great mix of this track called “Zoom In (Rock Mix)” making the rounds which is more of what should have been on the album. You can find it at Klaus’ Duran Duran Website.
The mixing is another. Though I like the new approach and overall result to this album; the guitars have been rendered almost non-existent. Anyone who has witnessed this band live during the promotion of the album knows what I'm talking about. It dilutes some of the energy on the record that can only be captured live. And it's the way to hear this album.
If 2004’s Astronaut was a return to form, then Duran Duran’s Red Carpet Massacre molds the future nicely.
Standout tracks:
The Valley
Nite-Runner
Falling Down
Skin Divers
Last Man Standing
