On its ambitious new album "Paper Gods," Duran Duran adds a modern electronic sheen to its trademark new wave pop – a sound the band refers to as "Brand Duran" in an interview in Rolling Stone magazine Aug. 6.
After riding New Romanticism into a wave of hit albums in the early to mid-1980s, Duran has embraced everything from funk to electronica in its three-decade-plus career. The Birmingham, England, band isn't easily categorized, and neither is "Paper Gods." Duran's 14th studio album, due out Sept. 11 on Warner Bros., is its most keyboard-driven effort in years and has an eclectic energy reminiscent of the band's 1993 hit "The Wedding Album."
Duran comes out swinging on the lead-off title track with some rare social commentary, proclaiming "the fools in town / are ruling now." The song features background vocals from Mr. Hudson, who also capably handles much of the album's production. It's the first of many guest spots on "Paper Gods." Mew's Jonas Bjerre sings on "Change The Skyline," and three of the album's tracks boast guitarist and former Red Hot Chili Pepper John Frusciante, who at times seems to be channeling ex-Duran guitarist Warren Cuccurullo.
In 2013, Duran pledged that the new album would be "likely to move you closer to the dance floor." The band delivers on that promise with songs such as "Last Night in the City" (featuring Kiesza) and "Face for Today," one of the standout tracks. Duran displays its funky side on lead single "Pressure Off" (featuring Janelle Monae and Nile Rodgers) and "Butterfly Girl," with its Daft Punk-esque refrain.
While Duran aims for clubland with the album's first half, the band also brings the ballads. "What Are the Chances?" has been likened to "Save A Prayer" and also reminds the listener of "Ordinary World" – and, yes, it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. "Paper Gods" draws to a close with the hypnotic "Only In Dreams" (the album's other Mark Ronson/Rodgers collaboration) and "The Universe Alone," a fitting ballad for the apocalypse.
Much has been made in the media of Lindsay Lohan's spoken word contribution on "Danceophobia," but it's a mostly forgettable moment. Fans also might notice a lack of standout bass lines and noticeable guitar on certain tracks.
It's clear that "Paper Gods" is keyboardist Nick Rhodes' domain. Singer Simon Le Bon, having suffered vocal problems during Duran's last world tour, also is at his strongest. On "Only in Dreams," he sings, "There's a vampire in the limousine / The sun's going down like a symphony / She keeps her guard up while her nails are wet / I don't wanna wake up." It's a piece of new wave poetry.
"Paper Gods" manages to capture plenty of those "Brand Duran" moments, and that's what will appeal to longtime fans, pushing Duran Duran into its fourth decade and perhaps beyond.
After riding New Romanticism into a wave of hit albums in the early to mid-1980s, Duran has embraced everything from funk to electronica in its three-decade-plus career. The Birmingham, England, band isn't easily categorized, and neither is "Paper Gods." Duran's 14th studio album, due out Sept. 11 on Warner Bros., is its most keyboard-driven effort in years and has an eclectic energy reminiscent of the band's 1993 hit "The Wedding Album."
Duran comes out swinging on the lead-off title track with some rare social commentary, proclaiming "the fools in town / are ruling now." The song features background vocals from Mr. Hudson, who also capably handles much of the album's production. It's the first of many guest spots on "Paper Gods." Mew's Jonas Bjerre sings on "Change The Skyline," and three of the album's tracks boast guitarist and former Red Hot Chili Pepper John Frusciante, who at times seems to be channeling ex-Duran guitarist Warren Cuccurullo.
In 2013, Duran pledged that the new album would be "likely to move you closer to the dance floor." The band delivers on that promise with songs such as "Last Night in the City" (featuring Kiesza) and "Face for Today," one of the standout tracks. Duran displays its funky side on lead single "Pressure Off" (featuring Janelle Monae and Nile Rodgers) and "Butterfly Girl," with its Daft Punk-esque refrain.
While Duran aims for clubland with the album's first half, the band also brings the ballads. "What Are the Chances?" has been likened to "Save A Prayer" and also reminds the listener of "Ordinary World" – and, yes, it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. "Paper Gods" draws to a close with the hypnotic "Only In Dreams" (the album's other Mark Ronson/Rodgers collaboration) and "The Universe Alone," a fitting ballad for the apocalypse.
Much has been made in the media of Lindsay Lohan's spoken word contribution on "Danceophobia," but it's a mostly forgettable moment. Fans also might notice a lack of standout bass lines and noticeable guitar on certain tracks.
It's clear that "Paper Gods" is keyboardist Nick Rhodes' domain. Singer Simon Le Bon, having suffered vocal problems during Duran's last world tour, also is at his strongest. On "Only in Dreams," he sings, "There's a vampire in the limousine / The sun's going down like a symphony / She keeps her guard up while her nails are wet / I don't wanna wake up." It's a piece of new wave poetry.
"Paper Gods" manages to capture plenty of those "Brand Duran" moments, and that's what will appeal to longtime fans, pushing Duran Duran into its fourth decade and perhaps beyond.
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