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Post by notoriou5 on Aug 16, 2010 13:41:26 GMT -5
What has happened to it all? Crazy some say. Where is the band that I recognise? Gone away. But I won't cry for yesterday (etc, etc.)
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Post by dejr26 on Aug 16, 2010 13:43:03 GMT -5
Well, it's true -- "You can't go home again" when it comes to recapturing former glories in the music industry. In their 50's, there's no way they can compete with themselves at 25. But, for me, I've tried to keep expectations manageable...actually, I think if one expects less sometimes they get more. ::keeping fingers crossed:: I agree with you there. I love Duran but realise their faults and that they are not perfect. I don't expect to be blown away by a new album although i always look forward to them. As you put it very well I think it is about keeping your 'expectations manageable' and inline with reality.
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Post by dejr26 on Aug 16, 2010 13:50:42 GMT -5
I wonder what Michael Patterson (Reportage producer) thought of the whole thing. And aren't the guys sick of following what the record companies say? Didn't they leave Capitol records for that reason? I thought part of their Sony deal was that they would get more creative freedom! Anyway, I still think Duran should evolve naturally like Peter Gabriel, Aimee Mann or Crowded House (some Duran 80s contemporaries). Sure, they're not selling platinum records, but they're still making GREAT music they can be proud of. I can't imagine part of the deal with Sony was that that the band were allowed more creative freedom. That normally happens if you go with an independent label of which there are fewer of these days. I'm sure they probably went with Sony for the money. Duran Duran were and will always be a pop band aimed at the mainstream so I really do not see them in the same light as Peter gabriel and Crowded House. I know a lot people hated what Timberland did but out of 12 tracks he only touched about 3 tracks on the album. he surely can't be blamed for the whole album if people feel that negatively towards it.
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Post by notoriou5 on Aug 16, 2010 13:54:27 GMT -5
Well, it's true -- "You can't go home again" when it comes to recapturing former glories in the music industry. In their 50's, there's no way they can compete with themselves at 25. But, for me, I've tried to keep expectations manageable...actually, I think if one expects less sometimes they get more. ::keeping fingers crossed:: I agree with you there. I love Duran but realise their faults and that they are not perfect. I don't expect to be blown away by a new album although i always look forward to them. As you put it very well I think it is about keeping your 'expectations manageable' and inline with reality. I agree and I think everyone needs a reality check to be honest. I mean, how many bands can anyone on this forum name that have been going for over 3 decades that have released exceptional album after exceptional album? There's not many, if any at all actually! Nothing will beat the first two Duran albums, forget that, seriously forget that everyone. I mean c'mon why do we love those albums so much? It is because they're the best Duran albums there will ever be, we all know this and should'nt expect them to be bettered - it's not possible!
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Post by thetange on Aug 16, 2010 17:46:25 GMT -5
Knowing what I know about the record business, I doubt the band had much of a choice. They were contracted employees of Sony and doing what their bosses asked them to do. They made the most of it (as far as they're concerned) and the aftermath speaks for itself. I'm looking forward to #13 in part b/c they aren't answering to anyone. And I see Mark Ronson as a passionate DD fan who has the fan's best interests in mind. I don't think we'll be disappointed... They had choices. Worst case scenerio: if they didn't do what the record label wanted they'd likely get dropped. In their case, that would have been the favorable outcome as RCM ended up damaging their career, credibility, AND they got dropped anyway. The problem is, they've been creatively bankrupt for some time. It's hard to have artistic integrity when no one, including yourself, believes the work you're doing is up to par. This is a business for them, with crew and personnel's livelyhoods on the line. Their management, having to keep everything together, likely added to the preasure (obviously just speculating, but that would be my guess). I agree with you about them not answering to anyone for #13. Even if I completely dislike the songs on the new one, at least it's them, making their own mistakes. I'm not really blown away by the snippets, but they're not terrible either. My guess is that it'll be an album I like but I'm not expecting any jump forward in terms of technical ability or songwriting.
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Post by thetange on Aug 16, 2010 17:56:57 GMT -5
I wonder what Michael Patterson (Reportage producer) thought of the whole thing. And aren't the guys sick of following what the record companies say? Didn't they leave Capitol records for that reason? I thought part of their Sony deal was that they would get more creative freedom! Anyway, I still think Duran should evolve naturally like Peter Gabriel, Aimee Mann or Crowded House (some Duran 80s contemporaries). Sure, they're not selling platinum records, but they're still making GREAT music they can be proud of. I can't imagine part of the deal with Sony was that that the band were allowed more creative freedom. That normally happens if you go with an independent label of which there are fewer of these days. I'm sure they probably went with Sony for the money. Duran Duran were and will always be a pop band aimed at the mainstream so I really do not see them in the same light as Peter gabriel and Crowded House. I know a lot people hated what Timberland did but out of 12 tracks he only touched about 3 tracks on the album. he surely can't be blamed for the whole album if people feel that negatively towards it. I'm sure you're right about the deal with Sony.....it was a money thing. Still, a band of their stature can put their foot down and can afford to take the consequences. I can't imagine them signing any contracts that gave Sony creative control over who they work with, etc. A label does have the option of dropping an artist, however (yes, even in those "it's a four album deal" contracts, which are always conditional). And true about Timbaland only touching a few of the tracks.....but they worked with Nate on much of the rest and collectively it was an obvious attempt at trying to fit into a market and appeal to a demographic. That's their choice.....but for folks that take music seriously? It's a pretty quick way of loosing a fanbase. They threw the album together after the rift with Andy, probably trying to meet some record label deadline (most record contracts define periods of when albums will be released, per all the conditional stuff....sales, etc.). Btw - how's the new Crowded House album? I wasn't crazy about their last one and haven't picked up their new one yet.
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Post by thetange on Aug 16, 2010 18:04:08 GMT -5
I agree with you there. I love Duran but realise their faults and that they are not perfect. I don't expect to be blown away by a new album although i always look forward to them. As you put it very well I think it is about keeping your 'expectations manageable' and inline with reality. I agree and I think everyone needs a reality check to be honest. I mean, how many bands can anyone on this forum name that have been going for over 3 decades that have released exceptional album after exceptional album? There's not many, if any at all actually! Nothing will beat the first two Duran albums, forget that, seriously forget that everyone. I mean c'mon why do we love those albums so much? It is because they're the best Duran albums there will ever be, we all know this and should'nt expect them to be bettered - it's not possible! Without actually naming folks.....I can think of quite a few artists who were always excellent and who grow and evolve with each album. That's the thing.......many of the artists I listened to when I was a teenager have raised the bar with each album and rewarded their listeners with more and more challenging music. Anyone exposed to music that requires real songwriting craft and musicianship......they're going to have a hard time listening to subpar stuff.
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Post by thetange on Aug 16, 2010 18:14:40 GMT -5
I wonder what Michael Patterson (Reportage producer) thought of the whole thing. And aren't the guys sick of following what the record companies say? Didn't they leave Capitol records for that reason? I thought part of their Sony deal was that they would get more creative freedom! Anyway, I still think Duran should evolve naturally like Peter Gabriel, Aimee Mann or Crowded House (some Duran 80s contemporaries). Sure, they're not selling platinum records, but they're still making GREAT music they can be proud of. For me, Aimee Mann is the best example out there of someone who, since Welcome Home, has written excellent songs for the SAKE of writing excellent songs vs. trying to be famous. Her albums going all the way back to 1986 are all *excellent* albums.....no filler on the albums whatsoever, and she challenges herself by switching things up (instead of writing on bass or guitar, she'll switch to learning how to play piano and force herself to write on piano). She doesn't just talk about creative freedom or integrity.....she's lived by it for decades, turning down bigger paychecks for her own independence. You can hear her growth as an artist from album to album - and her songs are so well written and complete that she sounds incredible live with just a 3 piece band (including herself). I've seen her live many times and she's like a lightening bolt of talent without having to conjure it up. I remember John being a big fan of her album "I'm With Stupid" (a great album that is primarily about her struggle with her then record company.......anyone who hasn't heard it, you owe it to yourself to hear "It's Not Safe" (awesome lyrics, musicj - everything). (Peter Gabriel and Crowded House are great too.....)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2010 19:29:01 GMT -5
I wonder what Michael Patterson (Reportage producer) thought of the whole thing. And aren't the guys sick of following what the record companies say? Didn't they leave Capitol records for that reason? I thought part of their Sony deal was that they would get more creative freedom! Anyway, I still think Duran should evolve naturally like Peter Gabriel, Aimee Mann or Crowded House (some Duran 80s contemporaries). Sure, they're not selling platinum records, but they're still making GREAT music they can be proud of. I can't imagine part of the deal with Sony was that that the band were allowed more creative freedom. That normally happens if you go with an independent label of which there are fewer of these days. I'm sure they probably went with Sony for the money. Duran Duran were and will always be a pop band aimed at the mainstream so I really do not see them in the same light as Peter gabriel and Crowded House. I know a lot people hated what Timberland did but out of 12 tracks he only touched about 3 tracks on the album. he surely can't be blamed for the whole album if people feel that negatively towards it. sorry, I beg to differ. Keane was a baby band when they signed with Island/Interscope they negotiated creative freedom and have it. Duran screwed up by going with Sony, they could have gotten the freedom they wanted by negotiating.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2010 19:39:41 GMT -5
I agree with you there. I love Duran but realise their faults and that they are not perfect. I don't expect to be blown away by a new album although i always look forward to them. As you put it very well I think it is about keeping your 'expectations manageable' and inline with reality. I agree and I think everyone needs a reality check to be honest. I mean, how many bands can anyone on this forum name that have been going for over 3 decades that have released exceptional album after exceptional album? There's not many, if any at all actually! Nothing will beat the first two Duran albums, forget that, seriously forget that everyone. I mean c'mon why do we love those albums so much? It is because they're the best Duran albums there will ever be, we all know this and should'nt expect them to be bettered - it's not possible! well I don't completely agree. To myself and many others, The Wedding Album and Astronaut were very pleasing and definitely breathed new life into the band....definitely were on par with their best material. I don't care if they weren't as popular as the first 3 albums, but both of those albums were perfect for their timing and the radio airplay and concert attendence definitely confirmed that. In reality, they still have some more great music in them, but won't ever be nearly as popular as they were in their heyday. However, it is still amazing what a hit song can do.... take Ordinary World for example!
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