Disco de Duran Duran: “Duran Duran”

This album, in my opinion, features some of the best work of their career. I own all of their albums and have seen them live many times. Two of the songs on this album, Anyone Out There and Sound of Thunder, are probably the two DD songs that I have listened to the most. The former has a very simple but nicely done lead guitar riff from Andy Taylor that blends very well with Simon LeBon's lead vocal. Sound of Thunder features one of my favourite John Taylor bass lines. JT and drummer Roger Taylor have the groove nailed down with spikes!! Like the rest of the album, the rythym tracks of this song were superbly composed and topped off with a flawless performance. The interplay between Nick Rhodes' keyboard and Andy's guitar on the verses of Planet Earth also screams "classic Duran Duran!!!!" The main thing that this album features, that is somewhat lacking on subsequent DD albums, is the fact that the musical influence of all five members is equally evident in the songwriting. The heavy side from Andy and John, heard later on the Power Station album and the moody atmospheric pop side of the remaining three members, heard later on the Arcadia album, is found superbly and equally blended together here, which , for me, is what made Duran Duran what it was: a truly entertaining, musically-inspiring and special rock group.

Here is the debut album by Duran Duran. Released in 1981, it spawned the UK hits "Planet Earth," "Careless Memories," and "Girls on Film." This album didn't quite break sales records in England, but it would pave the way for band's success in America, where it blasted into the Top Ten two years later. Chart success aside, this is one fine album from one of my favorite groups of the 1980s. Duran Duran always viewed themselves as a hybird of Chic and the New York Dolls (with shades of Bowie), and that shows. Even after all these years, "Girls on Film" has lost none of its luster as a stomping disco jam; the beautiful "Anyone out There" still shines and "Sound of Thunder" has also aged well. The American version has the 1983 single "Is There Something I Should Know," replacing "To the Shore," which appeared on the original UK edition. But no matter which version you buy, you will be pleased with this release.

Duran Duran's debut album was a landmark in British New Romantic music. Like other New Romantics, Duran Duran fused elements of funk, disco, and a healthy dose of David Bowie/Brian Eno into their music.

Unfortunately, the Capitol release in the U.S. featured the single "Is There Something I Should Know?" This song was NOT on the original UK release, or for that matter, on the first US vinyl release. It was recorded later, probably after "Rio," and most likely added to the debut album to attract more mainstream fans. Definitely not the high point of their abilities. Another disappointment was the deletion of the Night Version of "Planet Earth," which, instead of "Girls on Film," was the original first track. This longer, more funk-based version of "Planet Earth" is great, but apparently didn't make the cut with the American label. Later copies of the debut, including the CD, included the edited version you will remember from the video. Luckily, "Planet Earth" and other Night Versions are available on the "Essential Duran Duran" compilation.

Still, "Duran Duran" is up there with ABC's "The Lexicon of Love" and Ultravox's "Vienna" as one of the greatest New Romantic albums. It and "Rio" are probably the only Duran Duran albums the average fan needs in their collection. But the above-mentioned flak gets it four, instead of five stars.

I am currently listening to the disc that i have bought yesterday. Amazing! All the songs sound great, depicting the real freshness of those British youngsters. Being a gentleman without being taken soft, being good-looking without vanity, being educated without being broken-winded usher, being in love without shame. Pornography? Yes, maybe in the 90's. In the 80's it was a thing to be proud of. Especially in the beginning. I would especially point to "Anyone Out There" and "Sound of Thunder", both rarely played. They have the unique atmosphere of being young and energetic, without being shallow. "Tel Aviv" is a-journey-around-the-world-song, so Byronic an neoromantic in its instrumentalism. But what should anyone say about "Planet Earth", "Girls On Film", or "Is There Something I Should Know?". I dare not. That is too classical to be reviewed.

I've heard it said before that if Duran Duran had stopped making records after "Duran Duran" and "Rio", they would have secured a reputation in the minds of doubting critics as being a good little band. After listening to this first album, I can only agree. The arrangements are very simple; guitar, bass, vocals, drums, and some vintage synth. No heavy overproduction. And the songs were all golden, even if the mega-hits "Girls on Film" and "Planet Earth" are not included! (Everyone's heard those, why bother reviewing them). "Is there anyone out there?" is a somber, gorgeous melody paired with a great rhythm interplay of Andy Taylor's signature guitar stabs and John Taylor's funky bass. "Careless Memories" is, believe it or not, practically hard rock. Simon Le Bons vocals are ever unique, and this song uses them very well. "Sound of Thunder" has an extremely artsy feel and a memorable if esoteric vocal line. And "Friends of Mine" begins as a haunting, spooky chant and morphs into a characteristically catchy chorus. That being said, of course the two hits named above and "Is there something I should know" are Duran classics. Duran is known for the extremely poppy songs, but buy this record for the cool album tracks (I also highly recommend "Medazzaland" and "Pop Trash" for the same reason, the unique album tracks).