Rio [Collector's Edition]

Performer: Duran Duran
Engineer: Colin Thurston
Producer: Colin Thurston
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: This is an Enhanced CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files, including the videos for "Rio," "Hungry Like The Wolf" and "Save A Prayer." Duran Duran: Simon Le Bon (vocals); Andy Taylor (guitar); Nick Rhodes (keyboards); John Taylor (bass); Roger Taylor (drums). Additional personnel: Andy Hamilton (saxophone). Recorded at Air, London, England in 1982. Includes liner notes by Simon LeBon and Nick Rhodes. Digitally remastered by Tony Cousins. Photographer: Andy Earl. 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. For the latter, consider the lush, semi-tropical sway of "Save a Prayer," or the closing paranoid creep of "The Chauffeur," a descendant of Roxy Music's equally affecting dark groover "The Bogus Man." Andy Taylor's muscular riffs provide fine rock crunch throughout, Rhodes' synth wash adds perfect sheen, and Le Bon tops it off with sometimes overly cryptic lyrics that still always sound just fine in context, courtesy of his strong delivery. Rio's two biggest smashes burst open the door in America for the New Romantic/synth rock crossover. "Hungry Like the Wolf" blended a tight, guitar-heavy groove with electronic production and a series of instant hooks, while the title track was even more anthemic, with a great sax break from guest Andy Hamilton adding to the soaring atmosphere. Lesser known cuts like "Lonely in Your Nightmare" and "Last Chance on the Stairway" still have pop thrills a-plenty, while "Hold Back the Rain" is the sleeper hit on Rio, an invigorating blast of feedback, keyboards and beat that doesn't let up. From start to finish, a great album that has outlasted its era. ~ Ned Raggett 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.

Spin (p.104) - "[T]he Durannies take new-romantic pop to the masses with lush, synth-driven choruses and lavish videos..." Q (6/00, p.61) - Ranked #98 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" - "...Defined early '80s aspirational glamour, comprising 9 trashily addictive tunes..." Magnet (p.114) - "[T]he Taylors, drummer Roger and guitarist Andy, laid down an aggressively grooving foundation over which vocalist Simon LeBon and keyboardist Nick Rhodes dropped candy-coated bits of melody and insouciant jet-set attitude." CMJ (1/5/04, p.10) - Ranked #13 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1982". CMJ (1/5/04, p.10) - Ranked #1 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1982". Q (Magazine) (p.125) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Originally released in 1982, today both the Chic-inspired basslines and aspirational lyrics of RIO seem utterly contemporary..." Pitchfork (Website) - "RIO isn't just front-loaded with some of the era's most bulldozing hits, it's still Duran's best shot at an artistic legacy." Record Collector (magazine) (p.85) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "1982's RIO was and remains one of the 80s' finest pop statements..." Record Collector (magazine) (p.84) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Duran Duran gave some thought to their 12" singles...[and] -- the biggest achievement of all -- laying down mixes which don't sound embarrassing two decades later."

At the dawn of the 1980s, Duran Duran was part of Britain's "futurist" or "new romantic" scene, which merged glam-rock attitude with disco beats and synthesizers to form an intensely fashion-conscious variant on new wave. With their good looks and pop hooks, the group ruled the music world for the first half of the decade. After that, there were numerous side projects (Arcadia, Power Station) and personnel changes, but the original band reunited to much ado in 2003.

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