Post by Dew on Oct 25, 2019 7:25:16 GMT -5
I give DD music more attention because I like them. I feel empathy for their efforts, and sincere interest in a change of direction. If the result falls flat, then that song (or album) gets a pass. They do still impress me, so I'm hopeful for what comes next. Paper Gods impressed me the most among their post-reunion work (with AYNIN 2nd), and several songs gave me great happiness.
Understood about them being a band that operates as a corporation. It seems they could afford to take some risks, like playing live where it may not be profitable. The goodwill might make it worthwhile. However, I don't know what goes down when DD try to book venues for Europe (or elsewhere) that might be considered a waning market.
Regardless, I"m glad you care, and it"s fun to discuss these things :-)
(Well maybe I owe them a happy life because they have certainly made mine more enjoyable over the years )
I'm really saying that Duran Duran have to impress me by the music they make, not simply for being Duran Duran. Some fans here listen and listen to Duran Duran and almost "force" themselves to love every new song because they don't feel like a true fan if they don't love most of what the band produces. Those people are extremists, and no extremist (be it positive or negative) can be taken seriously.
By all means Duran Duran can make ANY style of music that makes them happy. They can make a death-metal/country music/acapella hybrid album if it floats their boat. And I WILL buy it because it's Duran Duran, but I won't necessarily love it because it's Duran Duran. They don't get any "get out of jail free" cards with their latest album purely because their my favourite band.
As for them being "artists, not a corporation" I really wish that were so. Simon has said that they have enough money now and it's about making fans happy, which is a lovely sentiment and something I couldn't agree more with. However considering last album they got in Mark Ronson complete with mix tapes of what the young kids are listening to, and they made a very current sounding album designed to sound better to teenagers than 40-somethings, and they will play any private gig under the sun but no mainstream concerts outside the US or UK, then sometimes it does still appear that it's more about the money and recording contracts than the art
Understood about them being a band that operates as a corporation. It seems they could afford to take some risks, like playing live where it may not be profitable. The goodwill might make it worthwhile. However, I don't know what goes down when DD try to book venues for Europe (or elsewhere) that might be considered a waning market.
Regardless, I"m glad you care, and it"s fun to discuss these things :-)
I think you may have misunderstood me. I would never say Duran Duran owe me anything. They are just a pop band. If they ever borrow fifty bucks off me - then they'll owe me something. But until that time they don't owe me anything and I don't owe them anything.
(Well maybe I owe them a happy life because they have certainly made mine more enjoyable over the years )
I'm really saying that Duran Duran have to impress me by the music they make, not simply for being Duran Duran. Some fans here listen and listen to Duran Duran and almost "force" themselves to love every new song because they don't feel like a true fan if they don't love most of what the band produces. Those people are extremists, and no extremist (be it positive or negative) can be taken seriously.
By all means Duran Duran can make ANY style of music that makes them happy. They can make a death-metal/country music/acapella hybrid album if it floats their boat. And I WILL buy it because it's Duran Duran, but I won't necessarily love it because it's Duran Duran. They don't get any "get out of jail free" cards with their latest album purely because their my favourite band.
As for them being "artists, not a corporation" I really wish that were so. Simon has said that they have enough money now and it's about making fans happy, which is a lovely sentiment and something I couldn't agree more with. However considering last album they got in Mark Ronson complete with mix tapes of what the young kids are listening to, and they made a very current sounding album designed to sound better to teenagers than 40-somethings, and they will play any private gig under the sun but no mainstream concerts outside the US or UK, then sometimes it does still appear that it's more about the money and recording contracts than the art