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At the time of the album's original release that May, it was an infectious shot of optimism needed in the band's native Britain during a recession and the Falklands War.
As keyboardist Nick Rhodes said on the "Classic Albums 'Rio'" DVD, the album was a "bright, colorful outburst."
As celebrated as the album was at the time, selling millions and yielding four singles, "Rio" has indeed become a timeless classic.
Producer Colin Thurston harnessed the band's talents: Rhodes' experimental synths, John Taylor's syncopated bass, Simon Le Bon's lush harmonies, Andy Taylor's edgy guitars, and Roger Taylor's ambient drums.
But Duran Duran was sound and vision, with Duran video director Russell Mulcahy's iconic travelogues changing the game for the fledgling art of the music video. The "Indiana Jones" pastiche "Hungry Like The Wolf" and the on-a-yacht adventure "Rio" introduced exotic locales such as Sri Lanka and Antigua to the young viewers of the even younger MTV.
From its glossy cover to the final note of "The Chauffeur," "Rio" proved that Duran Duran was the entire package.
The Nagel girl on the cover pulls the potential fan in with her inviting "cherry ice cream smile," and the title track hooks the listener instantly. "My Own Way," "Hungry Like The Wolf," and "Hold Back the Rain" keep up the feeling of Carnival.
Darker moments are interspersed: the sweetly melancholy "Lonely In Your Nightmare" and ego-and-alter ego dialogue "New Religion." Sure, Duran was fun, but deep, as well.
And the final third of the album is just as strong: the effervescent "Last Chance on the Stairway," the anthemic "Save a Prayer," and the pure Le Bon poetry of "The Chauffeur."
During the recording of "Rio," Le Bon has recounted, it became a ritual for him to copy into his blue book of lyrics the final lyric of each song as it was recorded.
"We were doing something new; something different to that which had gone before," Le Bon said. "Together we were about to tell an amazing story. We were poised to become one of our generation's most exciting bands."
"Rio" would be remixed for U.S. audiences, "Night Version"-ed and remastered. But that original album captured a moment in time when everything Duran Duran touched turned to gold.
(Originally written April 30, 2012)
