Customer Reviews

Duran Duran

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

To everyone out there who thinks this TRULY Duran's first album, you'd be wrong. This is the re-release of the first album that came out after RIO when IS THERE SOMETHING I SHOULD KNOW was released. Check the listing for the DURAN DURAN (Original recording remastered) - THAT'S the first album.
The re-released dropped the track TO THE SHORE, edited PLANET EARTH, which was originally a remix version, and rearanged the track listing adding IS THERE SOMETHING I SHOULD KNOW.
For those of you who desire to have the omitted track and the added one, get Duran Duran+1 which contains all the original tracks and it puts TO THE SHORE back where it belongs. I am really disappointed in the so-called Duran Fans out there who have the mistake in touting this as the first album.
Die hard Durans such as myself, will want all three as they each slightly different.

This album, in my opinion, features some of the best work of their career. I own all of their albums and have seen them live many times. Two of the songs on this album, Anyone Out There and Sound of Thunder, are probably the two DD songs that I have listened to the most. The former has a very simple but nicely done lead guitar riff from Andy Taylor that blends very well with Simon LeBon's lead vocal. Sound of Thunder features one of my favourite John Taylor bass lines. JT and drummer Roger Taylor have the groove nailed down with spikes!! Like the rest of the album, the rythym tracks of this song were superbly composed and topped off with a flawless performance. The interplay between Nick Rhodes' keyboard and Andy's guitar on the verses of Planet Earth also screams "classic Duran Duran!!!!" The main thing that this album features, that is somewhat lacking on subsequent DD albums, is the fact that the musical influence of all five members is equally evident in the songwriting. The heavy side from Andy and John, heard later on the Power Station album and the moody atmospheric pop side of the remaining three members, heard later on the Arcadia album, is found superbly and equally blended together here, which , for me, is what made Duran Duran what it was: a truly entertaining, musically-inspiring and special rock group.

The first Duran Duran album was released in 1981. In 1983 in the US, it was re-released minus the brilliant song "To The Shore" and with the substitution of "Is There Something I Should Know?"(ITSISK?) This version of Duran Duran features the boppy Planet Earth and Girls on Film, which is practically required material for all Durannies! However, "Sound of Thunder" (alledgedly the product of one of Simon's poems and an early jam session--some say it evolved out of Simon's audition), "Friends of Mine" and "Tel Aviv" are particulary scintillating and fascinating. I have been a Durannie since 1981,and can say without hesitation, this is *the* CD of choice. Whenever I entertain or seek to expose friend to Duran Duran, this is the first CD that gets played. The only pity is that the delicious "To The Shore" was deleted from the playlist and substituted with the overplayed "ISTISK?" The music is dark and rich, evolking an atmosphere which is somewhat upset by the pop track of "ITSISK?" I would encourage listeners to skip that track once or twice while absorbing the feel of the rest of the album, and see for yourself. The lyrics, on the other hand, are full of the witty and strange imagery characteristic of Simon Le Bon. Simon's voice is clear, Nick's handiwork on the keyboards is brilliant, and the Taylors show surprising twists. In short, this is a simply sublime first effort by a sensational band. This should be bought by everyone who loves Duran Duran or wants to deepen their appreciation of the Fab Five. Come and understand the phenomenon once known as Durandemonium!

April Garwin

Here is the debut album by Duran Duran. Released in 1981, it spawned the UK hits "Planet Earth," "Careless Memories," and "Girls on Film." This album didn't quite break sales records in England, but it would pave the way for band's success in America, where it blasted into the Top Ten two years later. Chart success aside, this is one fine album from one of my favorite groups of the 1980s. Duran Duran always viewed themselves as a hybird of Chic and the New York Dolls (with shades of Bowie), and that shows. Even after all these years, "Girls on Film" has lost none of its luster as a stomping disco jam; the beautiful "Anyone out There" still shines and "Sound of Thunder" has also aged well. The American version has the 1983 single "Is There Something I Should Know," replacing "To the Shore," which appeared on the original UK edition. But no matter which version you buy, you will be pleased with this release.

This is one of those albums that define a decade. Even listening to it now -- 20 years later -- the music is timeless. Unlike so many other acts of the 80's who, once you've forgotten their songs that didn't make the Top 40 originally, sound like every other 80's band, Duran Duran still stand out as innovative and unique musicians. Granted their later works fizzled and lacked the creativity, they are still one of the few bands who write, and sing, and produce their own work. This is quite an accomplishment for the amount of "polish" their songs have. The great thing about their lyrics is that they rarely make sense. Just think if you were trying to learn English listening to the first 3 Duran Duran albums!!

Till my dying day, my all time favorite band.

Duran Duran's debut album was a landmark in British New Romantic music. Like other New Romantics, Duran Duran fused elements of funk, disco, and a healthy dose of David Bowie/Brian Eno into their music.

Unfortunately, the Capitol release in the U.S. featured the single "Is There Something I Should Know?" This song was NOT on the original UK release, or for that matter, on the first US vinyl release. It was recorded later, probably after "Rio," and most likely added to the debut album to attract more mainstream fans. Definitely not the high point of their abilities. Another disappointment was the deletion of the Night Version of "Planet Earth," which, instead of "Girls on Film," was the original first track. This longer, more funk-based version of "Planet Earth" is great, but apparently didn't make the cut with the American label. Later copies of the debut, including the CD, included the edited version you will remember from the video. Luckily, "Planet Earth" and other Night Versions are available on the "Essential Duran Duran" compilation.

Still, "Duran Duran" is up there with ABC's "The Lexicon of Love" and Ultravox's "Vienna" as one of the greatest New Romantic albums. It and "Rio" are probably the only Duran Duran albums the average fan needs in their collection. But the above-mentioned flak gets it four, instead of five stars.

What can I say? The best group of the '80's, with the most different album of their '80's career. (Don't forget, after this followed "Rio", and "Seven & the Ragged Tiger".) "Girls on Film" starts off, which is still as classic as ever. "Planet Earth", with that undeniably familiar 80's phrase, "new romantic...". "Anyone Out There" follows, which totally should've become a single. Catchy, sweet, danceable...wait, that describes almost all of Duran Duran's 80's hits. But it really is different. "Careless Memories" is sometimes hated, but it's probably their angriest song of their early years. Still, great. "Is There Something I Should Know?" HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE THIS SONG?! "Night Boat" is very different, and if you're impatient, (which I'm not,) than you'll be kinda bothered by the fact that it takes a little over two minutes for the vocals to come in. But once it gets going, it's awesome. "Sound of Thunder", which is very danceable, and cool. (*I've heard that they finished the final cut of this song at Simon LeBon's AUDITION!) "Friends of Mine" is another hard rocker, which is really great. To round out this epic album, "Tel Aviv", an instrumental, which truly differs from "Tiger Tiger", the instrumental on "Seven & the Ragged Tiger". In fact, it'd be a pretty good rock song, if they added vocals. ALL TOGETHER, A MUST BUY FOR ANY DURAN DURAN FAN, OR NEW ROMANTIC LOVER!!

I am currently listening to the disc that i have bought yesterday. Amazing! All the songs sound great, depicting the real freshness of those British youngsters. Being a gentleman without being taken soft, being good-looking without vanity, being educated without being broken-winded usher, being in love without shame. Pornography? Yes, maybe in the 90's. In the 80's it was a thing to be proud of. Especially in the beginning. I would especially point to "Anyone Out There" and "Sound of Thunder", both rarely played. They have the unique atmosphere of being young and energetic, without being shallow. "Tel Aviv" is a-journey-around-the-world-song, so Byronic an neoromantic in its instrumentalism. But what should anyone say about "Planet Earth", "Girls On Film", or "Is There Something I Should Know?". I dare not. That is too classical to be reviewed.

First let's get a few things straight. The original UK release featured tracks Girls On Film/Planet Earth(single version)/Anyone Out There/To the Shore/Careless Memories/Night Boat/Sound of Thunder/Friends of Mine/Tel Aviv.

The original US Harvest release contained Planet Earth(Night Mix)/Girls On Film/Anyone Out There/Careless Memories/Night Boat/Sound of Thunder/Friends of Mine/Tel Aviv.

The 1983 Capitol rerelease had Girls On Film/Planet Earth(single version)/Anyone Out There/Careless Memories/Is There Something I Should Know?/Night Boat/Sound of Thunder/Friends of Mine/Tel Aviv.

Then there's this import from Holland which you are viewing which contains the 1983 rerelease plus the deleted 'To The Shore.'

Any way you cut it, this is a fabulous album. My personal choice for track listing would be the US Harvest release plus 'To The Shore' but you can't get this album that way, so oh well...

Duran Duran's debut was a post-Disco/New Romantic tour-de-force. Simon LeBon's space meets the water's edge lyrics backed by the thumping rhythms and melodies and dissonant sonic effects created a mesh that was danceable, moody and glamorous. This would have been a strong album if it was their third or fourth, and claimed as a come uppance for most bands. As a debut it was almost written off as a one-off. But here we are twenty-two years later and the album is very strong and still loads of fun.

One of the greatest qualities of the first album is it's true lack of any filler tracks. No matter what version you buy, every track is wonderful. The debut album is probably my favorite Duran Duran album, if not sharing that honor with Rio. The thing that sets the debut apart from Rio style-wise is the overall mood of the debut.

Whereas Rio is mostly warm in tone, Duran Duran [album title] is mostly cold. It creates a bit darker collection and that's something that really makes it standout. However, the first album was released not long after the death of disco and remnants of that can be heard to a degree; Rio does not have that quality.

I've heard it said before that if Duran Duran had stopped making records after "Duran Duran" and "Rio", they would have secured a reputation in the minds of doubting critics as being a good little band. After listening to this first album, I can only agree. The arrangements are very simple; guitar, bass, vocals, drums, and some vintage synth. No heavy overproduction. And the songs were all golden, even if the mega-hits "Girls on Film" and "Planet Earth" are not included! (Everyone's heard those, why bother reviewing them). "Is there anyone out there?" is a somber, gorgeous melody paired with a great rhythm interplay of Andy Taylor's signature guitar stabs and John Taylor's funky bass. "Careless Memories" is, believe it or not, practically hard rock. Simon Le Bons vocals are ever unique, and this song uses them very well. "Sound of Thunder" has an extremely artsy feel and a memorable if esoteric vocal line. And "Friends of Mine" begins as a haunting, spooky chant and morphs into a characteristically catchy chorus. That being said, of course the two hits named above and "Is there something I should know" are Duran classics. Duran is known for the extremely poppy songs, but buy this record for the cool album tracks (I also highly recommend "Medazzaland" and "Pop Trash" for the same reason, the unique album tracks).