schmacko
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I had a long talk with myself about my egocentrism.
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Post by schmacko on Apr 21, 2008 17:09:11 GMT -5
Well. I had an interesting conversation the other day.
I mentioned that Red Carpet Massacre didn’t do nearly as well as I hoped (and I assumed not nearly as well as the band hoped).
And my friend (who is not a big music fan) said, “Well, I mean, it’s a great album, but it really does nothing to defy expectations, does it?”
Wow.
But then I thought about it, and I kinda agree. Flame away. I also concede that it’s a great pop album. But did it defy every expectation and blow my socks off? Was it at all experimental? It’s a good solid pop album, but it isn’t the Second Coming. Flame away; I honestly feel this way.
Simon said they were shooting for chart hits with this album. And then, recently, John Taylor mentions in Ask Katy that the charts don’t really have the interesting stuff happening in music. Those two statements seem to be in opposition of each other.
Thoughts? I kinda wish the band would quit worrying about re-conquering the world, and go the more experimental route – shoot on sonically surprising us and work on redefining every previous thought about them as a band. Take a huge artistic leap, ya know? I am not sure the record company would let them – I think DD is seen as a possible cash cow for the flailing record company and not as an artistic commodity - but it’d be nice if the band tried something brilliant and waaay out there.
Insult me for these thoughts if you want, but I’d rather have thoughts, dialogues, opposite views, etc.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2008 17:26:03 GMT -5
Simon said they were shooting for chart hits with this album. And then, recently, John Taylor mentions in Ask Katy that the charts don’t really have the interesting stuff happening in music. Those two statements seem to be in opposition of each other. I don't think this is that unusual that two members of the band are coming out with different expectations for the album. John (in my opinon) has always been about the music not the success. I like RCM. There's good and bad in it just like a couple of their other albums. Experimental? No not at all.
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schmacko
PAPER GOD
I had a long talk with myself about my egocentrism.
Posts: 2,887
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Post by schmacko on Apr 21, 2008 17:41:47 GMT -5
Simon said they were shooting for chart hits with this album. And then, recently, John Taylor mentions in Ask Katy that the charts don’t really have the interesting stuff happening in music. Those two statements seem to be in opposition of each other. I don't think this is that unusual that two members of the band are coming out with different expectations for the album. John (in my opinon) has always been about the music not the success. I like RCM. There's good and bad in it just like a couple of their other albums. Experimental? No not at all. Kel - I agree that 2 people can come from 2 POVs, and you know I love your musical tastes. So, what do you think it would take to get thm there? To take more chances and be experimental? Do you think the record company has hemmed them in?
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trevgreg
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[Mo0:17]
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Post by trevgreg on Apr 21, 2008 17:47:57 GMT -5
I think those statements can be a fair opinion... I could also see how that my apply to some of the expectations behind this album, especially after the Timbaland songs came into play. After all, wasn't it John that called Nite-Runner a "pounding techno dance anthem" before it came out? When I heard it the first time, it was really anything but... Doesn't mean I don't like the album of anything, but I'm just saying that I can see where you and your friend are coming from. No need to flame.
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Post by jaipie on Apr 21, 2008 19:18:22 GMT -5
I didn't expect to be blown away by this album. For the most part I really like it. There are a couple tracks I love and a few I think are just meh. I got the sense that their hearts weren't totally and completely into this album, and that they tried too hard to make a commercial success rather than dig deep inside themselves to create from deep within. Perhaps this was in large part due to pressure from Sony. So, no, I certainly don't think it was at all experimental. I'd love to see them do something completely different and unexpected, though I'm not sure if they are capable of that anymore.
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Post by sueb1863 on Apr 21, 2008 19:33:49 GMT -5
If what they've said is true, they *did* do something different and experimental, 'Reportage'. Sony asked them to 'pop' it up a bit and eventually they decided to abandon the darker, more political stuff for the great new sound they'd fallen in love with.
Hopefully someday we'll get to hear the more daring music they were originally inspired to make...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2008 20:02:58 GMT -5
IF we are only talking about RCM and not 'Reportage' the only thing that might be considered experimental is the fact that they worked with a couple of different producers and a different style of producer.
I would say the record company hemmed them in but then so did the producers and co-writers for this album.
This whole Justin Timberlake thing about the album needing an 'Ordinary World' track annoys me...it's sort of put the band in the same box they are always put in....oh they are an 80's band......oh they should only be doing slow pop songs.
If he was such a big fan he would realized that there is more to the band's history (and musical abilities) then re-hashing a Top 10 single from 1993.
To me Nite Runner sounds very dated and alot of that has to do with how much Timbaland has out on the radio at the moment (or has had out in the last 6 months).
But then I love Skin Divers *shrug*
What is different and experimental anymore? Maybe they should put out a country album.......that would be different.
Well not really Bon Jovi and the Eagles have gone down that road already.
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Post by sueb1863 on Apr 21, 2008 20:22:28 GMT -5
Just wanted to add, I think Reportage by its very nature would have defied expectations; at the very least I'm sure some people would have said, "I can't believe Duran Duran is singing about politics!"
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Post by prncspeach on Apr 21, 2008 21:07:54 GMT -5
Poor Duran Duran - damned if they do and damned if they don't. Fans were having such a hissy fit to get an album out - so they did.
Personally I love RCM. It's fun. It sounds very different than anything they've done, and it was a good way to turn the Astonaut chapter. Being Andyless created a void, so what were they left to do?
RCM, BFOH, FD, SD = all great! great!!!
It doesn't matter to me what the record company wanted them to do, how everyone involved thought it was going to go down, or how it actually did. What matters is they put something out and they are touring to support it. Why speculate about the other things that don't really matter? Yes, it matters to the band - not the fans though....really - it doesn't.
What is wrong with Simon saying they wanted to chart? What should he say? "we just want to put this out and we don't care how it's received"
One of my friends told me the other day how impressed she was with DD's career. She noted the Astronaut era and how they were all over the place after she hadn't heard about them in so long. People who aren't fans of Duran Duran, and who like music, usually have affectionate things to say.
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Post by roisinmurphy on Apr 21, 2008 22:13:47 GMT -5
RCM has never really been given a chance to chart IMO as the most sellable tracks from the album have never been released as singles, being NiteRunner and SkinDivers. The only song that has been released is Falling Down and was an incongruous track that was at odds with the rest of the album and by it's very sound and style never really had a chance at TOP40 chart success. Ift is interesting to think about Duran Duran going the alt rock route but they are a standard pop band and thats what they always will be - a band thats members are nearing 50 years old as well. Some in the band love the music, some loved the celebrity. If there is no 2nd single and RCM globals sales stay at about 150,000 then SONY will cut their contract. Then we will see who is in it for the music and who just loves being a celeb. My guess is that if there is no longer potential for chart success, as they have lost their label deal and there are no more music videos, marketing, big tours then one or two of the members may start to waver. The members of Duran Duran have never been happy being thought of as has-beens and releasing Internet only downloads over my space for a few thousand fans may be way too much of a come down for certain members. Working with timbaland one minute to no label, no music videos, no celeb status and selling a few songs over the net to a few hardcore fans - thats a real kick in the guts and hammer down on the ego. If they can get another label once they are dropped (indie or major) then i think the band will stick it out - as there will always be a chance to hit it big again, no matter how slim. If they can't get a label deal they should just call it day as I don't want to see Duran Duran being as relevant as Tears for Fears, or Wang Chung or Flock of Seagulls and selling lame my space downloads. This whole Justin Timberlake thing about the album needing an 'Ordinary World' track annoys me...it's sort of put the band in the same box they are always put in....oh they are an 80's band......oh they should only be doing slow pop songs" I agree. It was the MOST calculated move they have made, even moreso than working with Timbaland to get a hit. It was obviously trying to be another Ordinary World and that's a major reason why it was met with such a "meh, havent we heard this before" attitude from radio. SkinDivers & NiteRunner are at least something new sounding.
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