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58 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed Book About Duran Duran, October 4, 2005
Duran Duran Notorious (Andre Deutsch, 2005) is the first new millennium Duran Duran hardcover unauthorized autobiography. The book was written by Steve Malin's who has penned works about Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, and Radiohead.
It will be very easy for die hard "Duranies" (the nickname given to Duran Duran fans) to pick apart this book into a million pieces. However, for the person who is only a casual Duran Duran fan who desires to know more about the group they may not be so hard on the book. The book details the musical history of the group known as Duran Duran providing small glimpses into the groups personal lives. Malins spoke with former girlfriends, former band members and former managers among many others in his research for the book.
In intricate detail Malin's describes the groups early days, their pop music domination of the early 80's and the groups side projects--Arcadia, Power Station, Neurotic Boy Outsiders, The Devil's and solo projects.
Most of the comments from the group incorporated in the book were taken from various interviews and magazine articles conducted over the years. Malins does state in his acknowledgements that he conducted an interview in Nick Rhode's back garden several years ago and that he spoke with over 30 people including former group member Warren Cuccurullo for the book.
When most people think about Duran Duran, they think about the Fab Five-Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Andy Taylor, and Roger Taylor. Warren was a member of Duran Duran from the late 80's until shortly after the year 2000. Obviously, he spoke with Malin's at great lengths because he provides somewhat "new" information. Thus meaning whereas a good portion of the information in the book is derived from past interviews which have been published or broadcast, Warren's thoughts printed in the book ring with freshness and make for interesting reading. The downside to all of this is the reader doesn't get this really exciting refreshing detail from other group members. So Warren receives a lot more shine in this book than he might have under different circumstances, like say all of the group sat down and talked to Malin's for the book. Warren details how he felt slighted that Duran Duran sent him a letter telling him about how he was out of the group. For some reason information about Warren meeting Larry Flynt and launching his line of adult toys made it in the book along with Warren bashing Duran Duran's first single off of their reunion album "Astronaut." Warren also laments a story about how he was slighted by the group when they came to L.A. in 2003 and how none of his former band members have come to visit his Santa Monica website.
The book does include some facts that were not as publicized in the media as one may have expected. Malin's discusses Simon Le Bon's close friendship with deceased INXS singer Michael Hutchence, the high cost of producing the Arcadia album "So Red The Rose," John Taylor's various battles with drugs, and a failed Power Station Reunion.
What's missing is more detail about the recent reunion. How did the Fab Five pull it together again in the studio and in their personal relationship to make a new album after twenty years? What were Roger and Andy Taylor doing during the 90s and what were their feelings about the other members going on with out them? There could be a million suggestions about "What's missing," but the truth is there is a lot here.
Reading wise "Duran Duran-Notorious" has the flow of a magazine article more so than a book. It's very detailed and at times the detail supersedes the narrative regarding the situation described. Important topics are given 2-3 sentences and then it's on to the next thing in certain instances.
Duran Duran "Notorious" features exclusive pictures from the band's official. The book is very interesting and something that a music lover or Duran Duran fan may enjoy.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wanted more......, November 14, 2005
I was anxious to get this book, so much so that I bought it off of amazon.uk to get it sooner. The book goes into extreme detail at the beginning of Duran. A lot of it has been written about. The stuff I really wanted to know about was from 1990 and up, which I felt was glossed over. I agree with the first reviewer,Dorrie, that important things were mentioned in 2 sentences. It was interesting to hear about the separation of Warren from Duran. The media made it sound amicable, which according to the book was not. There were other things that weren't mentioned such as John Taylor's stint in rehab. Malin's goes into great detail about drug use and then causually mentions that Taylor went into rehab along the way. I was a bit disappointed with the book. I really wanted more info. There has not been a lot written about them since the 80's and I was looking forward to catching up. I am still wanting to know more.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Typical..., May 10, 2006
This bio is typical of Malins' work. The Depeche Mode book he wrote a few years ago followed much the same formula : Many early ( read : unknown and/or long forgotten ) associates and collaborators are quoted, each members' background is thoroughly examined and the road to glory is meticulously detailed. The first five years of Duran Duran takes up about half the book. Then the closer we get to the present, the faster the facts fly by, and the slimmer the details become. Approximately twenty years is covered in the last half of the book. Events are glossed over, many which are definately worth more than the little mention they get. And most all the quotes from band members are taken from other, previously published sources. Don't get me wrong. I've been a big fan of this band since 1982 and I enjoyed this book. But, as others have noted, it very simply left me wanting more. I suppose an authorized bio will clear all that up. In the meantime, Notorious very nearly satisfies.
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