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Post by lesolace on Feb 11, 2015 13:47:08 GMT -5
In fact, I would say that Thank You is the best covers album I've heard. An album of cover songs is a good way to raise awareness of your band, but a risky project career-wise, as you need to graft your distinctive sound onto the music while approaching the songs in the same way the original artists approached them. For the most part Duran Duran have achieved this, barring 911 and Ball of Confusion (both of which sound too far removed from the originals), and to me that is testament to their abilities.
Other covers albums I've heard simply pale in comparison. Simple Minds' "Neon Lights", for example, is dreary from start to finish with very few standout tracks. Erasure's aptly-titled "Other Peoples' Songs" is even worse... their version of Video Killed the Radio Star says it all.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2015 16:34:08 GMT -5
In my opinion "Thank You" (like a lot the DD albums of the Warren era) was a mixed bag really beautiful moments and some real head scratchers but overall the failure was it's lack of consistancy (and as most point out the inability to capture the new found momentum).
My favorite moments are: White Lines Perfect Day Watching the Detectives Lay Lady Lay Crystal Ship Thank You Needle and the Damage Done (no idea why this didn't make the album) Diamond Dogs (although I never heard a real hi-quality version)
and for the record, I really loved Instant Kharma and Boys Keep Swinging too.
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Post by StigRunar on Feb 11, 2015 16:55:27 GMT -5
One of my fave albums. Listen to it frequently. Never gave a damn what knobs think. It doesn't change my opinion.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2015 17:36:46 GMT -5
Well, I am a strange one. I didn't care for The Wedding album, I was happy they scored two massive hits. I was disappointed with Thank You but I didn't take it too seriously. However, I f___ing loved Medazzaland and still do. I thought it was their first solid album since Big Thing. I guess I prefer their more experimental side. A covers album was a strange direction the band went in, I agree the worst thing they could possibly do. They were performing covers on the 93 tour, but a covers album two years later? I wonder if a lot of it had to do with members of the band(I.E. Johnny) losing interest in the band. I think he was really surprised at the success of the Wedding Album and tour. He probably enjoyed the money more than Duran at the time. It was obviously Warren's band now and John's lack of interest finally caved in. P.S. I know I sound like Princess Obvious on this post, I think I type out loud, but I really do love Medazzaland, I agree the mixing is muddy, but I love the songs!
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Post by coolbarn on Feb 11, 2015 22:17:57 GMT -5
Quite simply a bad decision does not equate to the worst album of all time.
Had U2 done it they would have been lauded as 'pioneers' for their "fresh new takes" on songs such as 911 and Ball Of Confusion. They would have been seen to be brave, not foolish.
But Duran have always been favourite whipping boys for the press; bet they couldn't wait for a Duran Duran covers album to come out so they could lambast everything about it.
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Post by Xxxxxx on Feb 11, 2015 22:29:34 GMT -5
There are several strong songs on Thank You , and a couple of misfires. Is it a great album? No Is it the worst album ever? Not by a long shot. I agree with these being the srtongest White Lines,Perfect Day,Watching the Detectives,Lay Lady Lay,Crystal Ship and Thank You
I am also a big fan of the underrated Madazzaland
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errbt
PAPER GOD
"untalented guitarist"
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Post by errbt on Feb 11, 2015 23:03:23 GMT -5
I just submitted this comment...we'll see if they publish it or not:
"Lou Reed allegedly declared the band’s version of Perfect Day as “possibly the best rerecording of a song of mine.”
Allegedly? Quite a lack of journalistic diligence, considering that video of Reed saying exactly that (and more, below) was included in the electronic press kit for the album as well as being later featured in Duran's VH1 Behind the Music special. The full, glorious quote:
"I think Duran Duran's version of 'Perfect Day' is possibly the best rerecording of a song of mine. I'm not sure that I sang it as well as Simon sang it. I think he sings it better than I. If I could've sung it the way he did, I would've. It wasn't from lack of trying. They recorded it the way I meant it, which is a real big thrill for me, so thank you, Duran Duran."
ps Iggy Pop, Jimmy Page, and Flavor Flav of Public Enemy all gave the thumbs up on their respective songs as covered by Duran, and Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel were featured on the cover of their White Lines, so call me silly, but I'm assuming it had their approval as well. Just another case of the musicians being far ahead of the curve compared to the critics when it comes to what good music is.
I planned to add this, but ran out of characters, so I might add it if they publish my first comment:
The idiotic hyperbole of declaring Thank You to be the worst album of all time when it's nowhere near even being the worst COVERS album of all time is typical of what I'd expect from embittered music critics, most of whom probably tried and failed miserably at being successful musicians.
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Post by medazzaboy1997 on Feb 12, 2015 15:35:54 GMT -5
This article is just the opinion of one editor. O.K., it's his attitude. The fact remains that that Warren on Thank You did a great job and there are some great standards. I have heard a few worse cover, for example in contemporary popular music, but also some older by Red Hot Chili Peppers and R.E.M.. I like the creation of Duran Duran in the nineties. They looked at it more of an artistic than a commercial point of view.
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Post by relapse on Feb 20, 2015 19:28:11 GMT -5
I still believe to this day that Thank You killed all the momentum that DD gained with the Wedding Album. The album wasn't a train wreck, but the impact that it had on DD commercially was. I would go so far as saying that Thank You was one of the biggest mistakes the band ever made.
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Post by andre005 on Feb 20, 2015 21:10:55 GMT -5
I don't think it was a bad album..911 worst duran song--yes should have had another cover song.
I think they got pressure from the Record company..we all know how well the Wedding Album did and I think Duran panicked for a next follow-up album and they got lazy and did covers...cause we all know how long they take to make a record....lol
Maybe at least Rebel Rebel or re released Fame instead of 9-11 is a joke...lol
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