Customer Reviews

Duran Duran (The Wedding Album)

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4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
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Duran Duran bombed quietly with 1990's "Liberty" and then disappeared for three years, leading many to think their careers ended with the Eighties. So everyone was shocked when in 1993 they stormed back to the top of the pop charts. Their comeback success was deserved: "The Wedding Album" is Duran Duran's most colourful, dynamic and diverse offering, and ranks with 1982's "Rio" as one of their best.

I can't quite describe my feelings upon hearing the dreamy, soaring ballad "Ordinary World" for the first time in early 1993. It was like an old friend had returned after an absence of many years. Over ten years later, this first single from "The Wedding Album" retains all its anthemic power.

And then a funny thing happened: the second single, "Come Undone," was just as good! For the first time in nearly ten years, Duran Duran had two hit singles from the same album. The comeback was complete.

Fortunately "The Wedding Album" is more than just a "singles" album. As they did with "Notorious" (1986) and "Big Thing" (1988), Duran Duran continues to break new musical ground. Standout tracks include the Latin-tinged Milton Nascimento collaboration, "Breath After Breath," the Prince-style funk of "U.M.F.," and the hip-hop/ambient fusion of "Come Undone" and "Love Voodoo." More than just experiments, these songs are thoughtful compositions that successfully synthesize diverse genres with Duran's inimitable melodic sensibilities.

A minor complaint about "The Wedding Album" is that the weakest tracks, "Drowning Man" and "Shotgun," appear early on, disrupting the record's consistency. But the album quickly recovers with "Come Undone" and never looks back. "The Wedding Album" ends with a bang: the incendiary "Sin of the City," an epic tune about the tragic Happyland dance club fire, is an angry and passionate statement about urban exploitation. It's a scathing social comment that dispels the notion of Duran Duran as self-absorbed pretty boys.

More than merely a commercial comeback, "The Wedding Album" reaffirms Duran Duran's place among the premier pop bands of their generation. The wait was worth it.

Warren Cuccurullo, formerly of Duran Duran once said the best thing about the band is that there are no Stylistic boundaries. This is true and I think this makes Duran Duran one hell of a great band. They don't try and stay on one kind of musical genre, which is why I resent anyone saying they are a pop group. There is just so much Guitar, so much drums, so much layering that the music is not just about Simon Lebon's voice, it's about the music. That was why Notorious was so refreshing. Not that I'm saying there was anything wrong with the first LP, Rio or SATRT, They were all INCREDIBLE albums, but change also brings something good too. The Wedding album is a huge difference from DD's 5 prior albums. The songs are so rock oriented and some are just funky and beautiful and some of them border on hip-hop. Ordinary world, the uncut version with two beautiful guitar solos stands out as one of DD's very best songs. I think Love Voodoo, Come Undone, Breath after breath share the same honor. They are all beautiful songs that are all 90's sound yet they are unmistakably Duran Duran. And on the mysterious and even aggressive but beautiful side is "Shelter" and the based on real events song "Sin of the city". All great stuff, even if you don't like it at first, I assure you, it'll grow on you in a good way after a while.

As the synth-pop sound began to fade in the 1980s, many artists either reinvented themselves or found the themselves falling into obscurity. Bands such as Tears For Fears were very successful at changing their style. Tears For Fears had incredible success with a synthesizer based sound, but as they entered the 1990s, they successfully produced a more "natural" sound. Duran Duran originally didn't make such a change. Duran Duran were the darlings of MTV and radio in the early and mid 1980s. However, the band began to undergo some lineup changes and they didn't readily make such a change to produce something new and exciting. Duran Duran started the decade like gang-busters but late 80s albums such as "Notorious" and "Big Thing" were mediocre. From a synth-pop angle they weren't nearly as strong as the early 80s work. By 1990 their next album "Liberty" was a flop. This put Duran Duran in an unlikely position in 1993 - having to make a comeback. And boy do they ever make a comeback with "Duran Duran (The Wedding Album)". This album might be one of the most underrated albums of all time and should have even gotten Album of the Year consideration.

What made "The Wedding Album" such a great album? I think you have to go back to the late 80s when Duran Duran was undergoing lineup changes. When drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor departed, musicians were needed to supplement them for the "Notorious" album. Enter Missing Persons alumni Warren Cuccurillo. Cuccurillo would take guitaring duties for Taylor. He would tour with the band, but played a studio musician role in the band for "Notorious" and "Big Thing". Cuccurillo had played with Frank Zappa and Missing Persons and had a different style - a more experimental and edgy style than the rest of Duran Duran. He became an full fledged member of the band for the "Liberty" album. Duran Duran was still very much out of focus due to business problems with the label, so "Liberty" bombed. The band then took three years to re-focus and put together what could be considered a radical departure from the synth pop days - "The Wedding Album".

It's clear that Cuccurillo's had a big influence on the band with this album. He helped to introduce many different elements that haven't been seen before. This includes a more natural guitar sound, rap and funk elements, and stronger lyrics - all not seen on a Duran Duran album ever. This is also the first where we hear of the very unlikely Duran Duran - Lou Reed connection (again thanks to Cuccurillo via his Frank Zappa Days). There is a terrific cover of Velvet Underground (Lou Reed's band) "Femme Fatale" and Duran Duran would later cover Reed's "Perfect Day" on their "Thank You" collection.

The first two songs "Too Much Information" and "Ordinary World" bring a more natural guitar sound. You wouldn't think this was the synth-pop band from the 1980s. "Too Much Information" starts out with the appropriate words "Destroyed by MTV..." (which seems appropriate by 1993 when they were making a comeback). There are some terrific lyrics that deal with advertising blitz in our society. "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone" show that Simon Le Bon can still belt out a great tune. "Come Undone" features background vocals by one of the best studio vocalists in the business - Tessa Niles.

The fourth track "Drowning Man" has a bit of a fused jazz-rock introduction. The song then progresses into a rap - and it works terrific. The song then has a heavy dance beat. Duran Duran had started out as an underground dance band and now it seems they have come full circle, but now do it with an updated sound. The fifth track has a major funk influnce - "Shotgun". It is less than a minute long, but it sounds almost like a Prince tune. Again, the band pulls this off perfectly. The eighth track is "UMF" is a combination of funk and rock. Again Duran Duran seems to come full circle with their roots - but 90s style.

There are signs of the old Duran Duran. "Love VooDoo" kind of reminds me of the "Notorious" days - not a bad song, but not great. "The song "None of the Above" might be a dark song of despair, but a catchy one. The interesting part is how it opens with some of the classic vocals you've heard from Simon Le Bon - "I am myself Alone.."

Duran Duran does something really different in the song "Breath Under Breath". This song opens with some keyboards and Le Bon's ballady lyrics. The song then has a segue into a Spanish-like guitar sound that is eventually followed by some vocals in Spanish. This is terrific stuff - and again a far cry from the "Hungry Like the Wolf" days.

The last two songs on the collection have a loose segue between them. "To Whom It May Concern" has a sound that easily fits in with the alternative rock trends that were starting during this time. However it is the catchy last song "Sin of the City" which is by far the best track in the album. It wraps the album up beautifully as it incorporates the rock, funk, darker lyrics, and even some of the old Duran Duran sounds into one package. This song could have easily burned up the dance floor in the clubs.

Finally the liner notes are very original. They are arranged to look like a scrapbook and each page is a work of art. It does production credits and some of the lyrics difficult to read, but it is by far one of the most original liner notes I have ever seen. This is one terrific collection. I think the deep Duran Duran fan will appreciate it and I also think Duran Duran gained a new fan base with this new direction. Highly recommended.

Okay, so Michael Jackson is the king of pop, but if there was a king's court, it would be this band. For some reason the previous album "Liberty", which was touted as a break-through album by the guys, was quickly forgotten in 1990. Oddly, 3 years later the guys would release an album which quickly was accepted in the main stream of things again. I can't say I remember now why this album was released without a clear title. It was coined the wedding album after it climbed to the top of the charts. Anyway, the contemporary tracks featured on the album marked the first time the band's focus came clear to the public. This album is fine tuned, which "Liberty" seemed to lack, but again it is really hard to compare any of their albums to one another. Track 1- TOO MUCH INFORMATION, to this day this is still one of my favorite rock out songs by the band. Loved the video as well. the lyrics are so clever and the remixes available on the single cd are cool. #2 ORDINARY WORLD, another in the long line of songs lyrically created by Simon for a deceased friend, is a true classic. Warren wrote the music, forever tying him to the legacy of Duran Duran. Written in D minor, the saddest of all the keys according to Simon, the song instantly makes us all a little more humble. #3 LOVE VOODOO, here again is what I love about the way this band writes music. It's not just a song you hear... you feel it. As the title suggests you'll never know the little spell the song casts on you, clever clever clever. #4 DROWNING MAN, With a rap like beat and a few remixes available the song will grow on you. #5 SHOTGUN, one of the little ditties often found on their LP's, it would be hard to say if theis song led to "Sin of the City" or vice-versa, neat nonetheless. #6 COME UNDONE, yet another reason I like this band. Take an uncommon saying and infuse it with a catchy beat, add a female voice and well you have the second single release. Beautiful. #7 BREATH AFTER BREATH, Teaming up with Milton Nascimento the guys created a true international flavor for the song. Although you may not understand the lyrics, the song itself needs no translation. #8 U.M.F. a true little pop song with a little sexual overtones. Catchy and infectious, I will let you figure out what the abbreviation stands for. #9 NONE OF THE ABOVE- I fell in love with this one, especially after the remix was released. Great lyrics and a wonderful beat. #10 FEMME FATALE, getting to work with one of their idols, Lou Reed, the band again has created another different type feel song. Very contemporary. #11 SHELTER, another one I fell in love with from the start. I have an extended version of this song I created and next to the actual single releases, this is the most played song on my playlist. #12 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, we've all wanted to do this, to whom it may concern this is what I have to say. The band does a beautiful job telling whomever this is about... to well, kiss off! #13 SIN OF THE CITY, Usually the last song on a Duran Duran album is the longest track. No exception here. Simon is a wonderful story teller. Oddly what's discussed apparently fell on death ears, club fires have gotten more numerous since this time. THE WEDDING ALBUM delivers. Whens the reception?

It is so sad that Duran Duran is being overlooked by popular culture. Any mention of their name brings to mind the flash-in-the-pan excesses of their early 80's singles and video hits. But Duran Duran has moved on to far greater territory than teeny-bop sensationalism, as evidenced by their three releases in the 90's. This, Duran Duran 2, or "The Wedding Album" as it has been dubbed, is their finest moment. Combining lush melodies with shimmery guitars, low-key synths, and thumping rhythms, "The Wedding Album" is a testament to pop music. A statement of intelligence, depth, and beauty. Just listen to the four hit singles from this album to get a feel for just how much this band had grown since the early 80's. There has not been a ballad released within the last 7 years that comes close to surpassing the fragile beauty of "Ordinary World." The guitar lick and steady beat of "Come Undone" perfectly accentuate LeBon's seductive lyric and melody... one of the moodiest songs to hit radio in years. "Too Much Information" is an engaging socio-political statement wrapped in pop music that seems to be the new Duran flag waving anthem (they have held true to the sentiments expressed in this song ever since - destroyed by MTV indeed)... it opens the album with a funkiness and swagger rarely seen in the band before or since. And finally, "UMF" comes in with a sexy yelp and stutter from LeBon and a slinkier-than-slinky bass and guitar riff courtesy of Warren Cucurrillo and John Taylor. This is just the surface. Peer farther into the album to peel away the layers of song... the world-influenced beauty of "Breath After Breath." The self-affirming upbeat charm of "None Of The Above." The mysteriously haunting "Love Voodoo." In all the years I have owned "The Wedding Album," it has never failed to be a continuing source of musical entertainment. This is the finest album "Duran Duran" has ever produced. And that is saying quite a bit, given classics like "Rio" and "Seven and The Ragged Tiger" and overlooked gems such as "Medazzland" and this year's own wonderful "Pop Trash." Duran Duran may be overlooked within the overall scheme of music, but with "The Wedding Album" they have indelibly left the world a perfect testament as to the value of their career.

I have been a fan of this group since 1983. This has to be their best effort. Nick Rhodes is absolutely a GENIUS with the keyboards. It seems he is the only artist that really knows how to use his talent to compliment the song as a whole. If you listen to past albums, there is a definite progression to this album. Their earlier stuff sounds hollow compared to this. Their sound now is much more rich and mature (not that the early stuff wasn't good... it was!) EXCELLENT JOB FELLOWS! Rhodes is really showing off his abilities on this one. Simon Le Bon's voice and lyrics are absolutely hypnotic . . . as usual. Warren continues to prove his talent as a guitarist. EVERY song on this CD is very solid and well done. If you've ever had any doubts about the talent of Duran Duran, buy this CD. It will change your mind. I don't think any band is capable of pulling off such a broad range of styles like this one. Too bad the critics are so slow to get this concept.

This cd for me falls into the catagory of "I would never want to lose this cd, and if I do, it will be replaced ASAP!"

This Duran Duran album is a classic IMO. Ranks only second to my beloved Notorious album, but Wedding Album contains some rocking rocking tracks!
The way Duran Duran fused some new electronica sounds (like Come Undone, and Love Voodoo) with more acoustic-sounding tracks (like Ordinary World) is just a testament to their genius and cool music sense!

My track favorites are-Too Much Information (heavy on drums and guitar, very cool "harder" Duran!) Very fun driving song!
-Ordinary World..needs no explanation..just a real hot track..very somber, but also uplifting at the same time! Classic
-Love Voodoo-actually is one of the top 2 non single tracks for me. Very powerful and slinky..."Night after night I try to prove..that I can resist you"...very sexy! Very 'Come Undone' ish in production ... LOVE THIS SONG!
-Come Undone-classic DD! Great performed live in concert too
-None of the Above-Definitely a great Duran track..one of my favorite songs of all time! Cool fusing of electronica sounds and kind of acoustic guitar sounds! GREAT gem on this cd!

I also agree that this cd is an underrated gem from the '90's and an unbelievable DD cd!

Duran Duran 1993 (aka The Wedding Album-not to be confused with their 1981 and 1983 releases of the same name) is a stunning achievement. The opening track "Too Much Information" bites the hand of the media which has historically both blessed and cursed Duran Duran. "Ordinary World" in not an ordinary ballad, and Simon is simply excellent. Although Simon has been harshly bashed by critics who have called his voice "whiny," this ballad should prove once and for all time that Simon *can* sing (I'd love to see even one critic hit those stunning notes at the end of the song!). "Come Undone" had me totally undone! Simon's lyrics, Nick's haunting keyboards, and a golden-throated back-up singer make this an unforgettable song. "Breath After Breath" is captivating and exquisite and makes me want to learn Portuguese! When Simon sings "you are my kind, you are my tribe" I understand what it means to be a Durannie. "None of the Above" is simply shattering, and remains one of the best Duran songs ever. On the other hand,and quite contrary to other reviewers, I found "Shelter" and "To Whom It May Concern" to be boring, forced, and insipid (face it, the lyric line containing the words "a dickey bird" is laughable and damages this song beyond repair or redemption). Still, this CD remains one of the all-time best album of the 1990s. I strongly encourage fans, old and new, to obtain this CD through any means necessary!!

April Garwin

"The Wedding Album" signifies a listenable return for Duran Duran, with the ensemble being (at that point, 1993) Simon, Nick, John, and Warren. "Too Much Information" begins the album, which is fast, and begins to show the senior DD members' political side, i.e. "Destroyed by MTV, I hate to bite the hand that feeds me." Next up is the romantic ballad (but not too slow) "Ordinary World". Then "Love Voodoo", a mysterious song. "Drowning Man" isn't very good, to me at least. Ditto with "Shotgun". "Come Undone" is up next, a moody song, but is addictive. "Breath After Breath" is interesting, in that some of the song is sung in Portugese. Next, my personal favorite, "UMF", which is the sexiest thing I've ever heard! Fellow female Simon LeBon fans, this is worth the album alone. Lyrics like "Put it to me baby, you can feel love tumblin' down," and "I just wanna wrap myself in ya baby, we can tell the world we're foolin' around" really prove that Simon is totally irresistible. A cover of "Femme Fatale" follows up next, which is pretty good. "None of the Above" is all right, and "Shelter" is good, another sweet wanting song. "To Whom it May Concern" and "Sin of the City" are strange, the former being almost completely awful. The latter is alright, but I don't particularly prefer listening to it. Another political song, about a New York nightclub going up in flames. BUY THIS ALBUM, if you're a long-time DD fan, or even if you aren't. Even if you just got into them, as I did, this album is a MUST! *By the way, to set you straight (DD haters) Duran Duran were the second most popular "Teeny bop" group (besides the Beatles). And besides, "Teeny bop" is an okay phrase to use with them, though not accurate. It better describes a singer/group who COULDN'T play an instrument, a.k.a. Debbie Gibson, Menudo (Ricky Martin when he was a teen; awful, just like he is now), and of course, the unforgiveable Osmonds in the '70's. At least most of DD could play an instrument. And the "Boy Band" title for them makes a bit more sense, mostly attributed to their looks. (Come on, would YOU say that Justin Timberlake is hotter than Simon LeBon?!)...Not to mention that Simon can sing one hell of a lot better. But I don't know why people call N'Sync and BSB "Boy Bands" when none of them can play an instrument. Sure they can sing...just not that well, and like girls. Simon has a sexy, MASCULINE voice. Unlike Justin...but I'll stop comparing now, though I've gone on a rant. Anyway, just keep in mind that Duran Duran set the stage for classic music videos on MTV, and awesome fast pop songs.

I can't think of a band that's more '80s than Duran Duran, so it's ironic that the band released its most consistent record in 1993.

The song that brought me onboard was "Ordinary World", a sweeping, dramatic orchestral ballad that features an unforgettable acoustic-guitar riff, a great, confident Simon Le Bon lead vocal, and Warren Cuccurullo's fiercest guitar work. The album version on here is far superior to the truncated, remixed single version. "Come Undone" had one of the most morbid yet memorable hooks of that year ("Can't ever keep from falling apart"), and "Too Much Information" features unusually self-aware lyrics and opens the album on a strong note.

Duran Duran may be best known as a singles band, but I think it made a great record on this one. The band's output since then has been spotty, at best, but this disc is still a regular on my player.