Duran Duran proves ‘All You Need is Now’
By Julie Bartoli

Campus Correspondent

Published: Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Updated: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 23:03

It's impossible to understand the allure of Duran Duran. Renowned rock critic Rob Sheffield wrote an entire book on the phenomenon, and even he came to an empty conclusion. Regardless, the fact remains that these peculiarly dressed, sexually charged, England-bred New Romantics have sold over 100 million records.

And counting.

"All You Need is Now," officially offered as a complete album since midnight on Tuesday is following suit.

Already named Duran Duran's greatest record in 20 years, there is no doubt that stores are flooded with nostalgic 40-year-old women hoping to relive their Simon Le Bon via his 1981 white jumpsuit and sweat band memories. The album's 14 songs will offer that, and more.

Opening with a flashback, the title track is vintage Duran Duran and could have easily slipped into "Rio" or "Liberty" as a bonus number. "Blame the Machines" follows close behind, with synth cuts and squeals that a 20-year-old Rhodes would have enjoyed playing just as much as he does at 48-year-old.

Track 4, "Leave a Light On," slows things down significantly. Le Bon sounds dangerously like Morrissey, and the song moves like a Smiths piece. "Safe" is the band's chance to shamelessly flirt with contemporary pop, the result being four minutes that don't fit right on the album.

"A Diamond in the Mind" is a hazy Sergeant Pepper-like mid-record break with swelling synth that carries into the next piece. "Other People's Lives" is a bit too theatrical for Duran squared, but it's immediately redeemed by the album's crowning single, "Runway Runaway," which is just generic enough to score a smile. It lacks innovation, but is worth a relisten.

"All You Need is Now" isn't anything new. Every part of it has been done before, half of it by Duran Duran themselves. The fact of the matter is, as a critic I'm rolling my eyes, but as a female I can't help pressing the repeat button.

Courtesy The Daily Campus, UConn