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Post by Tin on Jul 4, 2015 23:07:28 GMT -5
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Post by coolbarn on Jul 5, 2015 6:05:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the link Tin, I really enjoyed that article. It was a very good read Slightly confused by this paragraph in it though: Simon Le Bon has a theory as to why the band are still friends, and still making vital, compelling music, 37 years after Duran Duran first formed in Birmingham. “I think with some artists, as they get into extended careers, it’s like climbing up a rock-face – they start to look down. If you do that, musically, you’re pretty much dead in the water. You can hear it when someone’s thought about it just a little too much, or tried to write something that they think people will like, rather than something that turns them on. We’ve always written music that turns us on; we’ve never tried to tailor it to any kind of taste.”But look at this excerpt from an article from 2007 at www.spin.com/articles/inquisition-simon-le-bon : However, the band’s 12th studio album, Red Carpet Massacre (Epic) — featuring production by Timbaland and vocals and songwriting contributions from Justin Timberlake — aims to return Simon Le Bon and Co. to the top of the pops. “Yes, it’s calculated,” says the 48-year-old singer, sipping tea in the massive garden of his South London home. “We wanted to have a hit record.”Does Simon only have a 7 year memory? How can you say you never try to tailor your music on one hand, but then say you intentionally work with certain people purely to have a hit on the other? Which one is it Simon? By the way I don't care which one it is. If the band ALWAYS make music that turns them on, and aren't tailored to any kind of taste, THEN GREAT! (although I personally don't believe that for one second - I think if you had offered Duran Duran a hit single from any album of theirs which bombed, they would have taken it with two open, outstretched, desperate hands). On the other hand if they work with certain people and write certain music to have a hit record, then THAT'S GREAT TOO! Just be honest about it. That's what I love about that Spin interview from 2007. It's one of the few from that era where a Duran Duran band member was 100% honest. Simon came out and admitted it - they worked with Timbaland and Timberlake because they wanted a hit record. There was none of this "Timbaland brought the groove back to Duran Duran" or (my personal favourite) "covered us in chrome" bullshit. If Duran Duran only give honest, 100% true, heartfelt answers every interview I would be happy. Forget politically correct. Forget saying what they think we fans want to hear. Forget bandwagons. Unlike in A Few Good Men - we CAN handle the truth.
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Post by madoldlu on Jul 6, 2015 12:10:15 GMT -5
I remember Simon saying in an interview once that he had "a dog's mind" that he could only focus on what is in front of him!
That was a good read! I like what I'm reading that the songs have that darker progressive edge to them. But who knows if that's really true!
As a slight aside, what does the band do for live shows with their "featured" vocalist parts? Is it just one of the backup singers that does everything, i.e. sings the female vocals on Blame the Machines, Safe and TMWSAL?
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