Duran Duran - Astronaut
Duran Duran's first studio album from the original lineup since 1983's 'Seven and the Ragged Tiger'. It entered the UK album charts at #3, their highest charting album since the 1983 album. The first single, Sunrise, entered the UK charts at #5, their highest chart entry since 1985's A View to a Kill (the last single from the original 5).
I can remember reading the news of spring 2001
that the original lineup of Duran Duran was getting back together. After two
decades it was finally happening. While mixed emotions prevailed - would it be
as good, would it be ridiculed as a blatant retro cash grab, it was all up in
the air.
Then, the waiting. First the album would be out in summer 2002, then spring 2003, then fall 2003 ... well, you get the picture. Bowing to pressure, the band started a reunion tour, first in Japan, to renergize themselves prior to the new album release. The tour turned out to be a resounding success. The Japanese dates were all sold out, a smaller US/Canadian club tour turned out to be one of the hottest tickets in 2003 and a triumphant UK tour in 2004 was their biggest in their history, culminating in 5 dates at Wembley, and over 200,000 tickets sold tourwide. After accepting a MTV and Brit Award for outstanding contribution, one thought they had never left. But, what about the new album??
Throwing away a lot of the sessions with Chic's Nile Rodgers (who the band worked with on The Reflex amongst others), the band and their spanking new record label Sony, hired up top guns Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Good Charlotte) and Dallas Austin (Pink, Gwen Stefani). The result is Astronaut, three years in the making and 21 years in the waiting ....
Listening to the album (over and over) I do have a lot of mixed feelings. First of all, it reminds me a lot of the Rio and Notorious albums - lots of slick pop, pretty unoffensive. Its perhaps that unoffensiveness that leaves me wanting more. There are no brilliant songs here (save for, perhaps, Still Breathing). Simon's lyrics seem to be fairly fluff like, although his voice certainly has improved with age. It is still the early going for my listening journey but I do have to give it an unqualified thumbs up as it is classic Duran. It makes you feel good and smile and at the end of the day, whats wrong with that?!
Tracklist:
(Reach up for the) Sunrise - a catchy dance number, perhaps a little tiresome now since I have been listening to it for 8 months. Still, a great kickoff to the album. 4/5
Want You More - I really like this song. Rock meets dance with changing grooves, i just keep singing along. Single material here. 5/5
What Happens Tomorrow - Supposedly the next single, very soft and dreamy. I like it, although I hope the single version adds the fab bridge that was in the demo version. 4.5/5
Astronaut - Title track and Nick's favorite. It may have been the last song written. I think its great and give it a 5/5.
Bedroom Toys - I really dont understand why Simon feels the need to dive into a soul funk song. Could have been rubbish if it were not for the changes in vocal sound and backup throughout. Gives me nasty flashbacks to 'Skin Trade' off the Notorious album. A lot of people like this one, im a bit perplexed. 3/5
Nice - Another great dance feel good tune, a la Astronaut and Want You More. Killer hooks and fun lyrics. Single potential. 5/5
Taste the Summer - I hate songs with 'do do do' in them and am thankful they took them out of Sunrise. Once again, a lot of people point to this as a stand out track. I find it moderately annoying but like bedroom toys, the changes throughout the song do make it bearable. I even caught myself singing along. 3.5/5
Finest Hour - Once again I have read reviews raving about this one. I like it, it sounds nice but doesnt stand out. 4/5
Chains - The latter part of the album (starting with the last track actually) puts the brakes on the cheery pop of the first 6 songs. Im still getting into this and the next two songs, but I do like the sound here. It reminds more of latter Duran a la Medazzaland. 4/5
One of Those Days - This reminds me of someone else, not Duran - but Brit Pop, not in the bubblegum sense. 3.5/5
Point Of No Return - A supposedly political song, its ok, not overwhelming. This, along with Chains and One of Those days, have to still grow on me. 3.5/5
Still Breathing - An instant classic that is aurally pleasing. Love the lyrics, love the song, love the feeling. Not a single but classic Duran and is by far their best on the album, and one of their best songs period. A great closer leaving the listener wanting more. 5.5/5.
Then, the waiting. First the album would be out in summer 2002, then spring 2003, then fall 2003 ... well, you get the picture. Bowing to pressure, the band started a reunion tour, first in Japan, to renergize themselves prior to the new album release. The tour turned out to be a resounding success. The Japanese dates were all sold out, a smaller US/Canadian club tour turned out to be one of the hottest tickets in 2003 and a triumphant UK tour in 2004 was their biggest in their history, culminating in 5 dates at Wembley, and over 200,000 tickets sold tourwide. After accepting a MTV and Brit Award for outstanding contribution, one thought they had never left. But, what about the new album??
Throwing away a lot of the sessions with Chic's Nile Rodgers (who the band worked with on The Reflex amongst others), the band and their spanking new record label Sony, hired up top guns Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Good Charlotte) and Dallas Austin (Pink, Gwen Stefani). The result is Astronaut, three years in the making and 21 years in the waiting ....
Listening to the album (over and over) I do have a lot of mixed feelings. First of all, it reminds me a lot of the Rio and Notorious albums - lots of slick pop, pretty unoffensive. Its perhaps that unoffensiveness that leaves me wanting more. There are no brilliant songs here (save for, perhaps, Still Breathing). Simon's lyrics seem to be fairly fluff like, although his voice certainly has improved with age. It is still the early going for my listening journey but I do have to give it an unqualified thumbs up as it is classic Duran. It makes you feel good and smile and at the end of the day, whats wrong with that?!
Tracklist:
(Reach up for the) Sunrise - a catchy dance number, perhaps a little tiresome now since I have been listening to it for 8 months. Still, a great kickoff to the album. 4/5
Want You More - I really like this song. Rock meets dance with changing grooves, i just keep singing along. Single material here. 5/5
What Happens Tomorrow - Supposedly the next single, very soft and dreamy. I like it, although I hope the single version adds the fab bridge that was in the demo version. 4.5/5
Astronaut - Title track and Nick's favorite. It may have been the last song written. I think its great and give it a 5/5.
Bedroom Toys - I really dont understand why Simon feels the need to dive into a soul funk song. Could have been rubbish if it were not for the changes in vocal sound and backup throughout. Gives me nasty flashbacks to 'Skin Trade' off the Notorious album. A lot of people like this one, im a bit perplexed. 3/5
Nice - Another great dance feel good tune, a la Astronaut and Want You More. Killer hooks and fun lyrics. Single potential. 5/5
Taste the Summer - I hate songs with 'do do do' in them and am thankful they took them out of Sunrise. Once again, a lot of people point to this as a stand out track. I find it moderately annoying but like bedroom toys, the changes throughout the song do make it bearable. I even caught myself singing along. 3.5/5
Finest Hour - Once again I have read reviews raving about this one. I like it, it sounds nice but doesnt stand out. 4/5
Chains - The latter part of the album (starting with the last track actually) puts the brakes on the cheery pop of the first 6 songs. Im still getting into this and the next two songs, but I do like the sound here. It reminds more of latter Duran a la Medazzaland. 4/5
One of Those Days - This reminds me of someone else, not Duran - but Brit Pop, not in the bubblegum sense. 3.5/5
Point Of No Return - A supposedly political song, its ok, not overwhelming. This, along with Chains and One of Those days, have to still grow on me. 3.5/5
Still Breathing - An instant classic that is aurally pleasing. Love the lyrics, love the song, love the feeling. Not a single but classic Duran and is by far their best on the album, and one of their best songs period. A great closer leaving the listener wanting more. 5.5/5.
Posted: Fri - October 15, 2004 at 12:05 PM
Quick Links
Calendar
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
Categories
Archives
XML/RSS Feed
Statistics
Total entries in this blog:
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Oct 17, 2004 01:31 PM
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Oct 17, 2004 01:31 PM