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Post by Rabbit Dog on Mar 30, 2020 13:27:50 GMT -5
A-ha are great: they have an incredibly talented songwriter in Pål Waaktaar, and Morten Harket is one hell of a brilliant singer, and they are far from being a one hit wonder in most markets with an extensive quality back catalogue which generally attracts favourable critical review throughout their career.
I think Duran's strength over them is that DD are more inclined to push boundaries and experiment with their sound, and have more of an arty bent than the Norwegians have.
I love both bands though, but DD always have the edge for me.
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Post by riomar on Mar 30, 2020 18:23:36 GMT -5
I really like A-ha too, but nowhere near as much as Duran. I've been fortunate to have been following Duran right from the beginning. (Well, from Planet earth anyway, February 1981)
I love A-ha's first 2 albums. Hunting high and Low & Scoundrel Days are fantastic albums.
I have often wondered though if A-ha would have made it as 'big'(which they undoubtedly were in the UK & Europe) if Duran had still been 'around' more at that time?
And similarly, would interest in Duran have waned as much, on their 'return' with Notorious, if A-ha had not burst onto the scene, in their absence?
When 'Take on me' was released (for a 3rd time in the UK) in September 1985, Duran were on a 'sabbatical'. AVTAK had been released in May, The Power Station and Arcadia projects were underway, but there was certainly a void left (particularly for the pop magazines & the screaming girls) for a 'good looking' pop band. A-ha fitted that description, and had great success in the UK with the singles Take on Me, Sun always shines on TV, Train of thought and Hunting high and low. By the time their next album was released in October 1986 (with still no new Duran Duran music) they were truly established, and well cemented in the hearts (and the walls) of the teenagers!
When Duran released both the single, but more markedly, the album Notorious, a lot of fans had either moved on as a result of their absence, or didn't like the new 'mature' sound of Duran. It was a massive change of sound, and one that the fans, I would suggest didn't want. Let's not forget that at the end of 1984, coming of The Reflex, the Arena tour, The Wild Boys, followed by AVTAK in early 1985, Duran could do no wrong. They were the biggest pop band in the world. The fans had got used to the more Rock/Pop, loud, fast Arena 'sound' coupled with the mini film videos to accompany the Tracks. Duran were exiting, they were everything that a young person would want in a pop band.
Then they literally turned 'black and white' overnight (videos and clothes) and played slower paced music (I have discussed before about the fact that I think the notorious album would sound significantly better if it was played at a slightly faster pace! 😂)
Anyway, I have digressed too much. Maybe it's just pure coincidence that A-ha's rise came at the same time as Duran's absence and demise. Maybe if Duran had been more productive in 1985/86 there still may have been room for them both (like Spandau ballet in earlier years) We'll never know.
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