Give CDs, DVDs a spin for gift-giving
BY GEORGE A. PAUL, MUSIC WRITER

With only a couple days left until Christmas, it's crunch time. There's no time to walk around stores aimlessly trying to figure out what to buy for the cousin you only see twice a year.
How about the gift of music? Here's my handy CD and DVD suggestion guide to help expedite the process. Most titles should be available at Best Buy, Target and Rhino Records (Claremont).

Duran Duran/"Red Carpet Massacre" (Epic) - Teaming up with such modern hitmaking producers as Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Nate "Danja" Hills has reinvigorated the veteran British quartet. Despite an emphasis on processed beat-driven material, drummer Roger Taylor still makes his presence known and singer Simon LeBon sounds better than ever (check out: "Falling Down," "Nite-Runner" and the punkified title track). The deluxe edition has a glossy photo booklet, "making of" DVD and press pass.

Courtesy Press Telegram Long Beach