Customer Reviews

Seven & The Ragged Tiger

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The members of Duran Duran were likely feeling their oates by 1983. Chorus heavy with Simon LeBon's voice double-tracked during the most urgent moments, these perky tracks are the summit of prolific creativity within a three-year period by Duran Duran. "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" could be viewed as the third record in a trilogy of Duran Duran's first three nine-song albums. Although "Ragged" might not match "Rio's" classic tunes, it boasts some premium pop songs with real earnestness in the vocals and lyrics. Even the non-hits on this album come off as completely radio-ready. As for the songs that did make it to the masses via radio, "The Reflex," "New Moon on Monday" and "Union of the Snake" are all well-known and were some of the last string of mega-hits by Duran Duran during this great era for the band.

Perhaps the biggest surprise about Duran Duran is how their lively songs often contain morose lyrics despite the band's outwardly gregarious image; within the songs are weighty personal issues. Take, for instance, "Shadows on Your Side," where LeBon sings, "Scandal in white on a tangled vine/With everybody to say you're having the/Time of your life, when your life is on the slide." LeBon shows his vocal range, too, on such great tunes as "New Moon on Monday" and "Of Crime and Passion," from a classy-sounding baritone to high-pitched but nicely controlled levels.

The last two tracks on this record break up the lively vibe of the previous seven ones. "Tiger Tiger" is a leisurely, exotic-sounding instrumental, while "The Seventh Stranger," with its morose, longing lyrics and beautiful sound, comes of as a genuine tearjerker. Overall, there's just lots of tangents and bridges within these songs that make them very memorable, even after the first listen.

If "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" has any faults, it might be that the songs come off as too tightly formulated and aiming to please. Still, this was a great release by Duran Duran before the classic five-member lineup disintegrated and everyone went their own way.

This album rocks. Plain and simple. From the catchy "New Moon on Monday" to the mysterious "Seventh Stranger" to the original version of "The Reflex", this album shows Duran Duran's style slightly more matured than the first two albums. By the time this album was released they were riding a wave of global popularity. I wish "Seventh Stranger" had been released as a single, but they chose to go with the more radio-friendly, upbeat songs. I also would have liked to hear "Cracks in the Pavement" as a single, just for the line "Now I'm saying this in private/If I had a car I'd drive it (insane)"!

This album also gets bonus points with me for the eye-candy cover photo, they were certainly looking their finest (and hottest) on this one! :)

This is another must-have for any fan of 80's music!

I remember buying the cassette of this years ago around the time that it was released in 1983. I admit that it's not one of my favorite albums, but I still respect and listen to it here and there. I don't have a favorite album from Duran Duran--I like a few songs off each release (mostly the earlier material). Seven and the Ragged Tiger has an interesting overall sound to it though. It's a different listening journey than the first and second albums. I like the way Nick Rhodes utilizes the keyboards on this album. The songs that stand apart from the others are "Tiger Tiger," "The Seventh Stranger," and "The Reflex." The instrumental "Tiger Tiger" is very good indeed and well put together. I think that Duran Duran did a pretty good job putting Seven and the Ragged Tiger together. Give this album a listen.

Back in the days when Duran Duran's music and videos told stories -- how I miss those days. This is an amazing album because the stories are all creepy and intense, examining the struggle to fame, fortune, and connectiveness. Once more, I think the non-singles on the album are better than those you could hear on the radio in the 1980s.

I might go so far as to say the synthesizer might need to be turned down a bit, or there are to many horns, but these small complaints are overshadowed by the excellent songwriting! "The Reflex" is perfect for the exact reason that the critics hated it--the words make absolutely no sense and yet you will be singing them by the second verse whether or not you've ever heard the song. "New Moon on Monday", although even the band has said they are a bit shaky on their feelings about that one in hindsight, is hands down the most elated and uplifting song I've ever heard! The echoing guitar arpeggios in the background of prechorus could be a song in themselves. And the "Seventh Stranger" seems to exude genuine heartbreak. There are a few songs of note in between these songs, all of which are undeniably catchy as well (but then again so is strep throat). But the bottom line is that the album is worth buying even if only for the three songs I've mentioned.

I first bought this album at the age of 14, and I wore it out. I attended their concert, and had the time of my life. I bought the T-shirt; my mom thought the symbols had some hidden satanic meaning and secretly tossed my T in the trash. I sang the lyrics at the top of my lungs, not knowing what the hell they meant, and frankly, I still don't! I majored in literature and am great at discovering the deeper meanings in poetry. This stuff has no deeper meaning. It makes no sense at all. But Simon's squeals and sighs makes it all right. And it's still one of my favorite albums, ever!

I saw Duran Duran live at the Roxy this week, and though they didn't play any songs off this album, they still ROCKED!! "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" is everything you want in a pop album: great vocals, smart lyrics, awesome guitars. This album is even better than the overrated "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen, who isn't anywhere near as talented as Simon LeBon and Nick Rhodes. Duran Duran are awesome and I really love this album!!

If you followed Duran Duran in the 80's and 90's, you'd be hard pressed to find anything more energetically charged than "The Reflex". That song, in my opinion, put Duran Duran on the map. The entire album, 7, is the best work they did to date, and it would be hard for even Duran Duran themselves to top. Union of the Snake, and New Moon on Monday also carried great beats as well as really well put together videos. The Reflex's video made you run right to the ticket window and buy a ticket to their show when they came to your town to play. If you like 80's music, this CD is a MUST for your collection.

I don't get why most other reviewers bust on this album. Okay, granted that this isn't as awesome as "Rio", and has a very forgettable song, "I Take the Dice", everything else is fine. "The Reflex" is classic, "New Moon on Monday" may have slight reminders of David Bowie, but not enough to sound alike, and is danceable/catchy. "(I'm Looking for) Cracks in the Pavement" is a nice song. I can't figure out why everyone else hates it. Hey, look at it this way: it ain't as bad as "I Take the Dice". "Of Crime and Passion" is faster, and then comes "Union of the Snake". "Shadows on Your Side" is catchy. "Tiger Tiger" is an adventurous instrumental piece. Last, but certainly not least, is "The Seventh Stranger". It induces tears at times, it's that sad. Again, a good buy, except for "I Take the Dice."

What an amazing album by the boys. I have so many careless memories with this album that I don't know where to begin. Nick Rhodes really shines on this one. John's bass lines are amazing and should've been more up in the mix. I've been listening to this album for 17 years and it always puts a smile on my face. Excellent work!!