1986-2000: Duran Duran's Lost Years

British pretty boys, MTV pin-ups, New Romantics, glam rockers. When it comes to British rock/pop outfit Duran Duran, these are only some of the things that could be uttered about this group. Simon Le Bon (lead vocals), Nick Rhodes (keyboards), and Taylors John (bass), Andy (guitars), and Roger (drums) were one of the leading acts of the 1980's during the advent of MTV. Beginning in 1981 through 1985, Duran Duran released three albums of original material, a live record, and countless singles that will forever be associated with that moment in time.

By 1985, the group was at its fever pitch and flamed out. With the group exhausted under the Duran Duran moniker, they ended up splitting into two factions to record. John and Andy Taylor formed with Robert Palmer and Tony Thompson (of Chic) as the funk-rock group Power Station. Rhodes and Le Bon moved further into electronic influences as Arcadia. Roger Taylor removed himself from the board completely until Duran Duran's 11th album, Astronaut (2004).

By the time Duran Duran gathered for Notorious
(1986), only three emerged: John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, and Simon Le Bon. Warren Cuccurullo would become a fixture in this period as the guitarist from Notorious onward, officially joining the group in 1990.

Moving bravely into the new musical landscapes ahead, Duran Duran met resistance. The popular music realm had changed quickly in the year they were gone and many wrote off anything the group did as bids for artistic credibility.

The "critics" were missing the point. Duran Duran's sound evolved throughout their active recording career, they were always about longevity from the start. Their sound morphed, but at the core their pop changeability and hunger for musical adventures never halted. This piece attempts to peek into the period that has become known as their "wilderness years," for others it was a golden age of creative spirit tempered by the flames of adversity.

Pop Trash
Released: 6/19/00 on Hollywood Records
Production: TV Mania*
Singles: "Someone Else Not Me," "Playing With Uranium," "Last Day on Earth"

Released after the stormy Medazzaland (1997), Pop Trash kept the emotional tempo the same as that recording. Duran Duran had coined their own brand of downtempo cool, as heard on the lead single "Someone Else Not Me." The handsome heartbreak wording was honest and handled with grace by Le Bon, the music itself bathed in acoustic and generous synth washes. The warm grooviness housed on The Wedding Album (1993) was gleefully resurrected on "Lava Lamp." Pop Trash did kick and rock occasionally with "Last Day on Earth" and "Playing With Uranium."  The album demonstrated Rhodes and Cuccurullo's knack for production better than any of the other albums from this arc. The tides of Pop Trash came and went without overstaying their welcome, making the LP easy to penetrate. Pop Trash would mark the end of an era, it was Cuccurullo's last recording as a member of Duran Duran. The "lost album" in their body of work, Pop Trash is home to many treasures.

Medazzaland
Released: 10/14/97 on Capitol/EMI
Production: TV Mania*
Singles: "Electric Barbarella," "Out of My Mind"

John Taylor departed Duran Duran during the creation of this project, leaving Le Bon, Rhodes, and Cuccurullo to finalize Medazzaland their final Capitol/EMI LP. The album was a black and blue beast, Duran Duran's difficult masterpiece. The title drew from a drug called midazolam, a medicinal chemical Simon Le Bon was subjected to during a dental surgery. A messy mixture of rock and pop was the primary blueprint. After the spooky title track start, vocals courtesy of Rhodes, the next three songs blew by. The rhythmic shift of "Big Bang Generation," the quicksilver "Electric Barbarella," and the Asian splendor of "Out of My Mind" all ranked as divine Duran Duran moments.

Elsewhere, fragments of electro-rock hybridization popped up on the bruising "Be My Icon." Thematically, despondency versus connection threaded throughout Medazzaland. The record also broke new ground, "Electric Barbarella" was the first single to be sold exclusively online at a time when the Internet was still a green avenue for music retail. Not an immediate winner as the melodies dwelled deep underneath Medazzaland, additional exploration was required.


Thank You
Released: 4/4/95 on Capitol/EMI
Production: Duran Duran, John Jones
Singles: "Perfect Day," "White Lines," "Lay Lady Lay"

A collection of cover songs from a cacophony of music influences: Sly & the Family Stone, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, The Temptations, Public Enemy, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, and Iggy Pop. Duran Duran funneled these unlikely musical bedfellows through their own kaleidoscopic sound tunnel with solid results. Joined by the originators Grandmasters Melle Mel and Flash on "White Lines," Duran Duran infused it with rock and pop likability while retaining its social hip-hop edge. Dreamy and abstract characterized the lone Duran Duran penned "Drive By" and plush tug of "Lay Lady Lay." Thank You's rhythmic and masculine appeal swung easily on their frisky funk cover of "I Wanna Take You Higher." Roger Taylor, of the original "Fab Five," graciously drummed on "Watching the Detectives" and "Perfect Day" appearing in the video for the latter.

Despite the obvious enthusiasm that went into Thank You, the project underperformed in critical and commercial corners. The record later received the unceremonious title of "Worst Album Ever" by the ever snobbish British music magazine Q in 2006. Interestingly, every artist covered here enjoyed what Duran Duran did with their work. Groovy and fun, Thank You may have been an exercise of indulgence, but it was still well crafted.


Duran Duran (The Wedding Album)
Released: 2/23/93 on Capitol/EMI
Production: John Jones
Singles: "Ordinary World," "Come Undone," "Too Much Information," "None of the Above," "Breath After Breath," "Femme Fatale"

The album that shook off their '80's curse and bravely placed them in the '90's, their second self-titled effort (often called The Wedding Album) was cool and cunning. Still inspired to write about social issues and love, Duran Duran wrote two of their strongest here: "Come Undone" and "Too Much Information." The former a murky, sensual trip, the latter a glorious surge of energy with jabs at their own history and place in it: "Destroyed by MTV, I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information!" Taylor's trench deep basslines, guided by John Jones, made "Love Voodoo" and "Drowning Man" sumptuously play off of Le Bon's versatility. Le Bon himself beamed on the melancholia ache in "Ordinary World." Winning back the sales that evaded them with each release in the late '80's, The Wedding Album is respected by the casual and devout.



Liberty
Released: 8/20/90 on Capitol/EMI
Production: Duran Duran, Chris Kimsey
Singles: "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over)," "Serious"

Duran Duran's first offering of the 1990's was an insecure and transitory piece called Liberty. At this epoch in the group's history Warren Cuccurullo officially joined Duran Duran as their guitarist. Drummer Sterling Campbell had a brief stay for this effort as well. Stung by the frosty reception of Big Thing (1988), Duran Duran threw themselves into the pop pot. At its best, Liberty presented Duran Duran in a holding pattern that generated the spiky "Along the Water" and the understated "Serious." The New Jack flat liner "Hothead" and the erroneous retro feel of "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over)" muted the few triumphs on the record. Liberty acted as a bridge to The Wedding Album, an uncomfortable hiccup in Duran Duran's pristine discography.


Big Thing
Released: 10/18/88 on Capitol/EMI
Production: Duran Duran, Jonathan Elias, Daniel Abraham
Singles: "I Don't Want Your Love," "All She Wants Is," "Do You Believe in Shame?," "Big Thing," "Too Late Marlene"

A winning sound switch paired with Duran's Duran's established phonics described Big Thing. Big Thing operated partly in glossy dancers ("I Don't Want Your Love") and glacial wonders ("Palomino"). The layout of Big Thing was beautifully paced, one song never out of place and featured several inventive interludes. This type of blueprint had the group flexing their conceptual muscles, comfortable in their new skin. Duran Duran was aware of exactly what they needed to convey musically, unfortunately the public didn't "get it" and Big Thing had a decent, if limited stay on the charts.



Notorious
Released: 11/18/86 on Capitol/EMI
Production: Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers
Singles: "Notorious," "Skin Trade," "Meet El Presidente"

Duran Duran's first effort as a trio (with a then ghosting Warren Cuccurullo on guitar) partnered them with Nile Rodgers, one of their self-confessed idols. The former Chic member brought an urban taste to the songs of Notorious. Duran Duran continued to dabble with black music throughout their career from this point forward. Notorious was home to the glistening sex of "American Science" (one of Le Bon's finest hours) and the ingenious "Skin Trade." The title song became immortalized in hip-hop culture forever in Notorious B.I.G.'s hit single "Notorious B.I.G.," Le Bon's clipped vocal stutter is instantly recognizable. The heavier tones of "Vertigo (Do the Demolition)" showed Duran Duran were definitely not content to repeat themselves in any way.

"White Lines" circa 1995
Directed By: Nick Egan


Of all these albums, praise falls squarely on the shoulders of 1993's The Wedding Album due to its  commercial fortunes before they were halted by Thank You in 1995. Notorious and Big Thing are only recognized for the clutch of hit singles they house, while Liberty, Medazzaland, and Pop Trash remain unexamined. This period shouldn't be forgotten and is in need of being revisited. Evidenced by these selections, Duran Duran dared to dare and beat their own hype. More than mere MTV thralls or '80's nostalgia, Duran Duran is about progress, a progression still running today.-QH

[Editor's Note: *TV Mania refers to the brief production unit/side project of Nick Rhodes and Warren Cuccurullo who paired together. An album of their own material was due to materialize but never did after his departure from Duran Duran. Only Notorious, Big Thing, and The Wedding Album are readily in print, the former two due to be reissued on 9/27/10. The other albums featured are out of print, but easily found in indie, used, or online music retailers for affordable prices. For more current information on Duran Duran, visit http://www.duranduran.com/-QH]

The QH Blend's Ten Dance LPs

What is a dance record? Is it molded and refined by an ambitious DJ or an assemblage of shrewd music industry insiders? Are its origins drawn from pre-disco Motown? Or has it transformed into something else? The answer is an amalgam of yes and no when it comes to what a dance record is or isn't. The inspiration for this piece came from being someone who enjoys music that makes me move. This motley crew of artists and their albums are what I'd want to be tripping the light fantastic to if out for a night on the town.

The choices were difficult to make as many records easily deserved to make this list. I based my selections on my requirements of what makes a dance long player for me. Requirements include a relentless energy that propels one section of the album and a necessary "cool down" area for refreshment. Additionally, albums like these cross genres because dance is not just an electronic medium. I hope you enjoy what I have picked.



#10 Emerald City
Circa 1986, as performed by Teena Marie

Hot off the win of 1984's Starchild, that record was rendered tame next to the dark, steamy brew Marie served on Emerald City. Still bearing all of Marie's hallmarks, a shift toward guitar and heavier beats lined the first half of the album. The caustic pull of "Lips to Find You" and the explicit grind of "Shangri-La" had Teena Marie in full effect.





#9 Secrets
Circa 2001, as performed by The Human League

The nucleic trio of Phillip Oakey, Susan Sulley, and Joanne Catherall behind the era definer "Don't You Want Me?" have had trouble escaping the reach of that song. A look at their last effort of original material, Secrets proved as ingenious as any Human League '80's effort. With delectable instrumental vignettes tying together the other nine vocal tracks, Secrets was cool, British musical art.





#8 I Feel For You
Circa 1984, as performed by Chaka Khan

One of the records to highlight the oncoming onslaught of hip-hop's influence on overall popular music, I Feel For You was a pre-New Jack Swing collision of hip-hop & R&B production techniques. Bold, exciting, sometimes jarring, I Feel For You had Khan steering her unmistakable voice through the interesting curves and bends on the album.





#7 Bring Ya to the Brink
Circa 2008, as performed by Cyndi Lauper

Lauper's first journey into the glitterati realm of dance music wasn't an exercise in creative contentment. Enlisting a group of reputable collaborators in the fields of electronica and dance, Lauper built shimmering sonic structures. Dense and daring, Brink remains a staunch strike of genius for Lauper.






#6 A Funk Odyssey
Circa 2001, as performed by Jamiroquai

Resisting the notion of disco's bastardization at the hands of crueler critics, Jay Kay & Co. pulled out all the tricks that made groups like Tavares and Earth, Wind & Fire great. Equally symphonic ("Corner of the World") and electronic ("Twenty Zero One"), Jay Kay pumped vocal vitality into A Funk Odyssey.





#5 Gloria!
Circa 1998, as performed by Gloria Estefan

Estefan's first two major international crossover hits "Dr. Beat" (1984) and "Conga" (1985) professed Estefan's love of dancefloor phonics despite her later Spanish language and adult contemporary forays. Marketed as her official return to dance music, Gloria! brilliantly embraced classic disco, nu-disco, and Latin styles.





#4 Off the Wall
Circa 1979, as performed by Michael Jackson

Seminal black dance record of all time or appetizer to the all-conquering Thriller (1982)? Most would say, I'd hope, the former over the latter. Off the Wall was Michael Jackson at the peak and joy of his power. Split into two movements, footloose funk ("Rock With You," "Get on the Floor") and handsome chill ("I Can't Help It," "Burn This Disco Out"), Jackson's Off the Wall remains his definitive statement.



#3 Night Work
Circa 2010, as performed by Scissor Sisters

These New York pop hedonists and culprits returned with glam fists swinging on Night Work. Through a wealth of influences, Night Work is a glowing, smutty mess that had the group dividing between current European and vintage American dance music.






#2 Four Seasons of Love
Circa 1976, as performed by Donna Summer

One of many masterpieces in Donna Summer's vast discography, Four Seasons of Love is a special record due to its sheer scope. Based on the idea of the four seasons, the songs glide by in various moods. Summer occupied desire ("Spring Affair," "Summer Fever") alongside regret ("Autumn Changes," "Winter Melody") believably on all four sides of the record.




#1 Neon Nights
Circa 2003, as performed by Dannii Minogue

No record in the last 10 years dealt in early '80's dance music mixed with all the now European and American toppings. Dannii Minogue, Kylie Minogue's sister, did just that with Neon Nights. It carried the boundless energy of dance music without effort.

Kylie Minogue: A Study in Pop Perfection

The heir apparent to Madonna's throne, Kylie Minogue has unleashed her 11th affair Aphrodite to applause since its July release. The year of 2010 is an important milestone for Minogue in other ways. It marks two anniversaries in her discography: 1990's Rhythm of Love and 2000's Light Years. Minogue's power has been her pop purity, the full on froth that springs her that musical exhibitionism. Three records, three decades, one woman, each connected by the need to keep pop  changeable and creatively charged.

Rhythm of Love
Minogue's first big step, Rhythm of Love held a defined sonic that acknowledged an edgy, dance tone. With clubby pulses moving underneath them, Rhythm produced four staples: "Better the Devil You Know," "Step Back in Time," "Shocked," & "What Do I Have to Do." The album tracks also boasted gold on the bouncy "Secrets" and flirty title track. A marked vocal improvement made Minogue an unmistakable presence on Rhythm and she tried her hand at songwriting here as well. Not bad for the Stock-Aitken-Waterman doll many were writing off three years prior to Rhythm's release.



Light Years
Emerging from the exploratory deConstruction epoch, Light Years was Minogue's debut for her new home Parlophone Records. Decked out in mainstream and underground disco motifs, Light Years was equally credible and camp. The surging rushes of "Disco Down" and "Butterfly" were daises for the savant Minogue became during her deConstruction years. Minogue occupied boogie down brilliance on "Spinning Around"  and "Under the Influence," the latter a cover of the Love Unlimited classic. The pool party of the millennium started here.




Aphrodite
Partnering with Stuart Price who led projects for Madonna (Confessions on a Dance Floor, 2005), Seal (System, 2007), and the Scissor Sisters (Night Work, 2010), Aphrodite is Minogue at her most European. At first listen, one dismisses the high gloss as perfunctory, but by the second listen "Get Outta My Way," "Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)," and "Cupid Boy" are beyond enjoyable, they're euphoric. There are surprises in the baroque  "Closer" and the saucy switch of "Better Than Today." Within the lead single "All the Lovers" and "Aphrodite," we find thematic spirit of the album.


Eleven albums deep into a career that has seen Minogue dominate the globe, barring America which houses a loyal, cult following, Kylie Minogue is more than a mere "princess" to Madonna's "Queen Mother" stature. In reality, as the new album proclaims, she is above such human monikers, she is one of the few goddesses of the pop realm.-QH

[Editor's Note: Like majority of Kylie Minogue's pre-Fever work, both Rhythm of Love & Light Years are available as affordable imports, or within larger, music specialty shops. Visit http://www.kylie.com for more information.-QH]