ARTIST: Duran Duran
ALBUM: All You Need Is Now
LABEL: Tape Modern
RELEASE DATE: December 21, 2010
Lucky Number 13
Written by Katie J. Norris
The unique British pop sound that can only be attributed to this famously prolific band, has managed to find itself, once again, in the creation of yet another new album. With All You Need Is Now, their 13th studio album, co-produced by Mark Ronson, the “Fab Five” (or Four) have come back strong. They had made clear intentions of creating this new full- length album as their comeback project from “Rio.” This is, of course, a bold statement, and I don’t know if it lives up to those expectations exactly, but it definitely brings them back strong from Red Carpet Massacre. Collectively, the songs embody the spirit of the thirty-year-running-band while simultaneously feeling like it’s also part of “here and now.” Each song gives us a sense of the band members’ own journey through the course of their careers.
The album opens with “All We Need Is Now,” a subtle anthem that gives us the classic image of Simon’s dance moves as he sings, “and you sway in the moon, the way you did when you were younger.” We are taken out onto the autobahn of Germany in “Blame The Machines” – Duran’s familiar synthesizers and metaphors for a lost love takes us to a place no other band releasing albums in this era could possibly find. Duran’s classic 80’s style blends well with a catchy melody in “Being Followed.” “Leave A Light On” is almost completely modern except, for maybe, the incorporation of Nick’s familiar keyboard synthesizers. But then the album goes so retro in “Safe” that I feel like I’m wearing the wrong outfit. Some of the songs are very reminiscent of their earlier albums. “Girl Panic” reminds us a bit of Seven and the Ragged Tiger. “The Man Who Stole A Leopard,” which features a surprising, but well-executed guest performance by Kelis, opens with a keyboard line that brings us back to memories of “The Chauffer.” This songs’ usage of orchestral sounds with a great rock vibe makes it a Euro-dance mix beauty. And “Runaway, Runaway” is an energetic ditty about a girl finding her independence.
“Before The Rain,” the closing song on the 9 track digital album is by far my personal favorite. It is melancholy but moving, giving it an energy which I find is not always an easy combination to create. It begins with a flowing string section, pulling in our attention so that we are captivated when Simon starts singing his lyrics. The blend of the 80’s instruments Duran refuses to let go of, with modern beats of today, create its full effect. This song also builds and drops in all the best places making it feel like a natural crescendo. It is a hearty, moving piece of art in a world of simple, formulated pop tunes manufactured to enhance bank accounts. The arrangements of the instrumentation are clearly personal choices of experienced musicians and artists.
The digital release of All You Need Is Now contains 9 songs and is available on iTunes. A full album will also be released as an LP/Special Edition CD on March 21, 2011. With Duran’s unwavering appreciation for instrument arrangement, All You Need Is Now leads its listeners back to the glory days of vinyl, when radio was king. Though I am a fan of today’s rock/pop, this album is like taking a nice break from watching TV to read a good book.
It is refreshing to listen to an album created by a timeless band that have not been jaded by their success, but still evoke all the same passion and fire as when they got their start in the early 80’s.
Though this album may not appeal as easily to the newer generation of listeners, their tastes saturated by today’s pop, the album holds an unapologetic, mature confidence in their style that rewards older fans and invites new ones.