Duran Duran Red Carpet Massacre CD

New Romantic/'80s-pop standard bearers Duran Duran were so perfectly representative of the musical zeitgeist of the '80s that few would have predicted they'd remain a viable entity in the 21st century, but as 2007's RED CARPET MASSACRE proves, the former teen idols have beaten the odds. The band manages to keep things contemporary without abandoning their classic sound; there are dance beats and touches of contemporary R&B and even hip-hop ("Skin Divers" features a guest rap from Timbaland), but the '80s Duranisms are always within reach. Singer Simon Le Bon is as much the Brian Ferry-gone-clubbing frontman as ever, by turns seductive and commanding, and Nick Rhodes's keyboards still retain that frothy, new wave sparkle that put the sugar coating on the group's many hits.

In September 2006, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and John & Roger Taylor flew to New York for a super stellar week-long collaboration with studio sound genius and producer Timbaland, Nate 'Danja' Hills, and Justin Timberlake. The sessions produced 3 to-die-for new tracks. The rest of this CD was completed and mixed with Danja back in the U.K. Also included is a bonus DVD.

Duran Duran: John Taylor , Nick Rhodes, Roger Taylor , Simon LeBon.

Additional personnel: Jim Beanz, Justin Timberlake, Terri Walker, Timbaland (vocals); Dom Brown (guitars); Simon Willescroft (saxophone); Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica (programming).

Rolling Stone (p.194) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[Timbaland] gives the Fab Five a sleek funk track on 'Nite-Runner'..."
Spin (p.118) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "'Nite Runner' throbs with future-sex love pop..."
Entertainment Weekly (p.76) - "The preening New Romantic melodies of 'Box Full o' Honey and lead single 'Falling Down' are vintage Duran." -- Grade: B+
Uncut (p.90) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "RUNOUT GROOVE finds Duffy ploughing a mellow, mediative furrow, delivering thoughtful psych-pop..."
Vibe (p.108) - "'Nite Runner' is a sleek vamp....'Falling Down' opens with a slick acoustic guitar that quickly swells to orchestral bombast..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.98) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[A] dramatic, contemporary pop concoction....Duran can wrap dark operatics in a glistening pop sheen."
Blender (Magazine) (p.144) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "With Simon LeBon sharpening his typically abstract lyrics and everyone bolstering the contrasting, constant hooks....They've never sounded this pretty and severe."