Duran Duran my

Duran Duran personified new wave for much of the mainstream audience. And for good reason. Duran Duran's reputation was built through music videos, which accentuated their fashion-model looks and glamorous sense of style. Without music videos, it's likely that their pop-funk – described by the group as the Sex Pistols-meet-Chic – would never have made them international pop stars…

From its Nagel cover to the haircuts and overall design – and first and foremost the music – Rio is as representative of the '80s at its best as it gets. The original Duran Duran's high point, and just as likely the band's as a whole, its fusion of style and substance ensures that even two decades after its release it remains as listenable and danceable as ever. The quintet integrates its sound near-perfectly throughout, the John and Roger Taylor rhythm section providing both driving propulsion and subtle pacing.

Duran Duran - Rio (1982) [2CD] {Collector's Edition 2009}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 978 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 305 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 93 Mb
© 2009 EMI Records Ltd. | EMCX 3411
Pop / New Wave / New Romantic / Synth Pop

The artistic progression from the band's self-titled debut to the following year's RIO was the greatest aesthetic leap of Duran Duran's career. The group moved from catchy but somewhat rudimentary New Romantic synth-funk to elegantly arranged, sophisticated pop-rock, concentrating more on song structure than dance beats. For their efforts, they were rewarded with superstar status, due chiefly to "Hungry Like the Wolf," a lascivious tune that injects a welcome dose of rock & roll guitar. The most impressive tracks on RIO, though, are the more contemplative, balladic offerings, like "Lonely in Your Nightmare," "Save a Prayer," and especially "The Chauffer," with its stream-of-consciousness lyrics and unconventional structure, arty without seeming pretentious. If you only have one Duran Duran album, it should be RIO.

Duran Duran's eponymous debut artfully coalesced the sonic and stylistic elements of the burgeoning new romantic movement they were soon to spearhead: pumping synths, glossy production, and seemingly impossible haircuts. Ultra-smart singles like "Girls on Film" and "Planet Earth" became instant smash hits both in the U.K. and America, and other fine pop gems such as "Anyone Out There" and "Careless Memories" rounded out the album's stellar first side…