Rio - Duran Duran

[lbworshiper]

For Duran Duran's most solid studio album, devoid of any lousy production or unnecessary filling, look no further than 'Rio' (1983, Capitol). With fistful after fistful of bass and pumping rhythm, this is Pop music in it's purest form, free of criticism of any kind. All nine of these fresh beauties make for an incredible listening experience neither too long, nor too short. Truly, this was the most defining album not only for Duran Duran or all of 1983, but for popular music as we know it. Though, the record peaked just beneath the top, at number two, it certainly promised the group a stream of Top Ten singles for years to come.

Rio begins with a brief, twenty-second keyboard arrangement, slightly reminiscent to that of the eerie tones found in David Bowie's 'Diamond Dogs' (1974, RCA), haunting indeed. Quickly, the track jumps into the more recognizable title song, with the ever-confounding keyboard loops and universally singable chorus. The lyrics were written in homage to the band's appreciation for The United States, but it's quite difficult to tell. First hand, it sounds more like they got it bad for some chick named Rio. Not enough can be said about this song though, it truly is a classic in Pop history. It's quite safe to say that most people have already heard this song on the radio anyway. The most recently issued version of the CD however, contains the groundbreaking music video, complete with caption and trivia.

Track two, 'My Own Way' was made to listen to while speeding down the freeways. This one's an aggressive little number that thumps every second of the way, with soaring keyboards, crystal-clear bass lines. The lyrics may be lacking and at times, incomprehensible, but toward the end of the track you can here Simon shouting in the distance, 'I'm on Forty-fifth, between Sixth and Broadway!' and other random outbursts to the unexpected whaling of Nick Taylor's guitar solo. 'Own Way' totally lives up to the previous single, and will certainly reassure the listener that even the album tracks are worth the extra attention.

'Lonely In Your Nightmare' breaks from the craze, going from the dance floor over to the bar, so to speak. This is one the more lulling tracks on the record, but still stands well on it's own in terms of influence. The song is focused mainly around the light guitars, and that whale-call of a bass line that tends to engulf them from time to time. The chorus is quite stunning as well, with layer after layer of harmonic vocals and zoning keyboards. Although all of them prove to be quite interesting, some of the lyrics on 'Rio' don't seem to make very much sense. Still, there's quite a bit that does, and when they do, it's total genius. There's much to be read from this song.

What could possibly be said about 'Hungry Like The Wolf' that hasn't already been said for over two decades now? Love it or not, there's no avoiding this song, whatsoever. This one's another burst of testosterone (minus the eccentric do-do-do's after every couple lines), as the group makes the blood in the air all so believable. Most of it can be revealed in the playfully perverted lyrics. Most notable, of course, is the song's state-of-the-art video (also included in the enhanced cd version). On it, is an adventurous story of cat and mouse between Simon Le Bon and a line of presumably well-paid super-models. This is easily the most recognizable song in the entire Duran Duran library. Sadly, some even know it without knowing who plays it.

Though, 'Hold Back The Rain' was never released as a single, it may very well be the most infectious tune on the entire record. The lyrics are hardly worth making sense of (So what, if the words ain't rhyming / Did you think that it's just a game / I probably didn't even say that right / and I really don't give a damn...?), but all is forgiven by the end of the chorus when we find ourselves even more confused by the fact that we've just been banging our heads to Pop Music (wha-?). Indeed, the pumping rhythm of this song is anything but deniable, and more respectably, is achieved through an acceptable balance of genuine instruments and synthesizers, a lost landmark, indeed.

One of the of more extensive songs on 'Rio' is 'New Religion', which centers around a heavy dialog between the writer's 'Ego' and 'Alter-ego' as stated on the lyric sheet. The clashing vocals gradually gain momentum and by the time of the chorus, all has gone from singing to maniacal ranting. The chorus itself, however, seems to straighten everything out with a sobering melody. The process is then repeated all over again, only this time more intense than the first. The song, as a whole, is a complete trip, and serves well for a climax in the middle of the album. This is actually, one of the more successful experiments pulled off by the group.

Track seven, 'Last Chance On The Stairway' is yet another bass guitar oriented number, especially toward the chorus, when the mood is suddenly shifted from soothing to frantic. The keyboards are slightly similar to those found on 'Hold Back The Rain', aside from that, this song really gives the rest of the band a moment to express their skills on an even grander level as Andy and Roger give a flawless performance in timing and execution, regardless of the frequently altering tempos. The song fades out with the band repeatedly shouting the title of the song, a fine display of cooperation indeed.

The slowest, most dramatic song on here has got to be 'Save A Prayer', the third and final single on the album. This song drowns in synthesizers the entire way. Simon and Nick are the true geniuses behind this one. Of course, the other players stay present, they're just overshadowed a bit, as every layer of Simon's voice is echoed after each line. Although, Nick Rhodes may have written the lyrics here, the singer does an excellent job interpreting them. The song closes with an even more dramatic setting as Le Bon's voice rings out over the ever-so noticeable keyboards letting loose for a stunning finale. When given the chance, check out the Video for this one too, it's sure to double the experience.

My personal favorite, 'The Chauffeur' is an excellent closing track. Though it may be one of the simpler arranged songs on 'Rio' it certainly is the most brilliant as well. Some of the best lyrics are found here; (The sun slips down, bedding heavy behind / The front of your dress, so shadowy lined / and the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart). Never have I heard a song about a limousine driver that actually lets me picture myself in a limousine. incredible! Perhaps it requires a little bit of imagination, but the mood of the song is so dark and mysterious, it's virtually open to any setting. To me, this song was what defined the record for me. The last portion of the song even contains a flute arrangement, as every other nameable instrument has already come into play. Listen closely and you'll even catch a few extra lyrics in the background. Rio...a mandatory for any avid listener of Eighties Pop Music, period.

[2Nu]

Um, Great Review..as usual Lbw
But ya left out one leetle (albeit non Musical) detail..

THE COVER ART!!
<img src="http://www.kulichki.com/cddisk/durandur/rio.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

This is THE iconic image of the 80's music genre (NW and otherwise)

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[obs]

Yeah, Nagel was big in the 80s.

Rio is a CD that needs a Criterion edition, with all the mixes of the tracks.

While Rio is undoubtably the best Duran album, I have to say that I quite like the first, Seven, and Notorious too, along with Arcadia.

[fortyfives]

I've always thought "Rio" was perfect in it's own way.

[Berserker]

Who is Nick Taylor (paragraph three)? [;)]

And I believe that's an ocarina in "The Chauffeur", not a flute.

[jetboy]

Nice review of a superb album. Definitely DD's purple patch. I have to admit though, that my least favorite track here is Hold Back The Rain. My faves??...........probably Save A Prayer and Lonely In Your Nightmare, but the whole damn album reeks of class.
I have the Australian Rio Radio Special LP that promoted this album. The guys talk about each track and comment in between them.

Thanx for the review.[:D]

[KYYX4ever]

thanks for the review!
great album, start to finish. I've always loved "Hold Back the Rain" and "New Religion" and "The Chauffer", and each time I listen to the album, I hear different things. Even after 22 years!

My fave DD album, tho, is their 1st. Mmm.

[Spectre General]

HOLY CRAP!


I had TOTALLY been trying to find out the name of the artist who did that artwork, thanks 2Nu.

Nagel's art says 80's like virtually nothing else, and I love it.

Oh yeah, Duran Duran are awesome also.

[2Nu]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Spectre General[/i]
<br>HOLY CRAP!

I had TOTALLY been trying to find out the name of the artist who did that artwork, thanks 2Nu.

Nagel's art says 80's like virtually nothing else, and I love it.

Oh yeah, Duran Duran are awesome also.


[/quote][;)]
Ahhh,<a href="http://www.patricknagel.com/" target="blank">'Patrick Nagel..'</a>
It's a real shame he passed away back in '84 (@age 38 no less!)[V] Massive Talent.
I still have a (30th) anniversary copy of PB magazine that has a tribute section devoted to his art.


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