Duran Duran’s relentless desire to stay contemporary pays off on “Paper Gods,” the British pop group’s highest-charting album in more than two decades.
Still operating with the four core members — singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor — the group recruited a veritable army of hit-makers to help it regain its Top 10 status, including producer Mark Ronson, Chic’s Nile Rodgers, ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, singer Janelle Monae and actress Lindsay Lohan.
“The clouds cleared for us on this one,” John Taylor says. “We got these amazing guests that brought life to it.”
The project reflects the adventurous spirit of the band’s glory years, as evidenced by enduring live favorites “Hungry Like the Wolf,” “Notorious” and “Rio.”
Chic, an early band influence, supports.
— Aidin Vaziri
Duran Duran/Chic: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. $49.50-$149.50. Greek Theatre, UC Berkeley, 2001 Gayley Road, Berkeley. www.ticketmaster.com.
Courtesy SF Gate
