Was 'Notorious' too 'Adult' for it's time?
Jul 1, 2020 19:17:42 GMT -5
taylorism, madoldlu, and 1 more like this
Post by aftertherain on Jul 1, 2020 19:17:42 GMT -5
Here's what I recollect and how the N LP lived within my habitat.
I suppose in 1986 Duran Duran were at a major turning point in their career, me too.
I myself was in year 12 and the LP was released during exam time, I remember being frustrated at the fact that when I took 40 minutes out of my study schedule to listen to it, It would be eating away at my study time. Yet the golden rule was when ya favourite band releases an LP you listen to it to death.
Therefore to absorb it guilt free, I had to wait for early December.
The year before, the group had broken up and IMO loosing two fifths plus the fact that there was a changing music scene eg shifting away from British synth-pop and towards American guitar rock could have meant the end of Duran Duran. You could say that it's remarkable that this 4th DD LP was made and I only say this coz how many other bands do we know of that loose two members (at the drop of a hat) with such a profile as the individual members in DD, yet still carry on? I doubt that there would be too many.
Thank god this wasn't the case for DD.
Regardless loosing two fifths was bound to result in a different flavour regarding the DD sound.
When taking all of that into account I think that DD had the additional focus being, now that we are three we're never going to be takin seriously if we don't shake off the pin up boy image, get more mature (or is that appeal to a mature fan base) and I guess to do this they had to become more classic or solid sounding. It was time for DD to change direction, build something new and hopefully take the fans with them. SLB has been known to say that many fans were like "get Rog & Andy back" or else were not interested".
Funny how some fans don't see beyond what they once knew n loved hey?
When I hear the LP I think it has more of an organic "live in the studio sound" I'm thinking Power Station like, and this was different from DDs previous LPs which were way more synth based. It also wouldn't surprise me if JT had a big say about bringing the horn section on board. The other thing that stands out is more musicianship on this LP and that's not to dismiss the earlier DD works, it's hard to explain. It could be that the session guys both WC and SF upped the game a little for NR, JT & SLB dunno. Obviously the dynamic changed or is it that there were now "new dynamics" in the mix?
I guess if they wanted to sound more mature the wild boy attire had to go and therefore elegant suits were in, together with a stylish black n white front cover photo to match the glossy funk sound and while ya there, why not have a supermodel and like talorism has stated wasn't Christy something. The cover actually looked quite cinematic IMO.
I was at a time in my life where I wanted to be taken more seriously too and began wearing suits eg job interviews, friends 18th birthdays etc. Back then ya kinda wore a suit to an evening party 18th/21st especially if it was a sit down dinner thing in a restaurant or hired hall. So the image worked for me.
One thing is for sure and that is rather than rehashing a formula, DD always do something different don't they, personally I don't think that there's a weak track on the record and even tho Winter Marches On was a B side I think this track in all its goth theme, matches up with the remaining DD catalogue. The other song to do this might be Hold Me whereas all others couldn't be on any another DD LP.
Lastly the only thing that disappointed me at the time was that DD never toured the LP down under. The SB tour was the first of many DD tours which Australia missed out on. Ohh and it was the first LP without the lyrics which made it hard at times coz I hate making up a lyric when it ain't clear to me what the lyric/word actually is. Eg megalomania, cling wrap plaything. I mean the DD lyrics were not as abstract as previous LPs but hey as bonafide DD faithfuls, we want every detail upon release.
When ya uncertain of a certain word or verse line? Ya just can't sing it loud n proudly !
I suppose in 1986 Duran Duran were at a major turning point in their career, me too.
I myself was in year 12 and the LP was released during exam time, I remember being frustrated at the fact that when I took 40 minutes out of my study schedule to listen to it, It would be eating away at my study time. Yet the golden rule was when ya favourite band releases an LP you listen to it to death.
Therefore to absorb it guilt free, I had to wait for early December.
The year before, the group had broken up and IMO loosing two fifths plus the fact that there was a changing music scene eg shifting away from British synth-pop and towards American guitar rock could have meant the end of Duran Duran. You could say that it's remarkable that this 4th DD LP was made and I only say this coz how many other bands do we know of that loose two members (at the drop of a hat) with such a profile as the individual members in DD, yet still carry on? I doubt that there would be too many.
Thank god this wasn't the case for DD.
Regardless loosing two fifths was bound to result in a different flavour regarding the DD sound.
When taking all of that into account I think that DD had the additional focus being, now that we are three we're never going to be takin seriously if we don't shake off the pin up boy image, get more mature (or is that appeal to a mature fan base) and I guess to do this they had to become more classic or solid sounding. It was time for DD to change direction, build something new and hopefully take the fans with them. SLB has been known to say that many fans were like "get Rog & Andy back" or else were not interested".
Funny how some fans don't see beyond what they once knew n loved hey?
When I hear the LP I think it has more of an organic "live in the studio sound" I'm thinking Power Station like, and this was different from DDs previous LPs which were way more synth based. It also wouldn't surprise me if JT had a big say about bringing the horn section on board. The other thing that stands out is more musicianship on this LP and that's not to dismiss the earlier DD works, it's hard to explain. It could be that the session guys both WC and SF upped the game a little for NR, JT & SLB dunno. Obviously the dynamic changed or is it that there were now "new dynamics" in the mix?
I guess if they wanted to sound more mature the wild boy attire had to go and therefore elegant suits were in, together with a stylish black n white front cover photo to match the glossy funk sound and while ya there, why not have a supermodel and like talorism has stated wasn't Christy something. The cover actually looked quite cinematic IMO.
I was at a time in my life where I wanted to be taken more seriously too and began wearing suits eg job interviews, friends 18th birthdays etc. Back then ya kinda wore a suit to an evening party 18th/21st especially if it was a sit down dinner thing in a restaurant or hired hall. So the image worked for me.
One thing is for sure and that is rather than rehashing a formula, DD always do something different don't they, personally I don't think that there's a weak track on the record and even tho Winter Marches On was a B side I think this track in all its goth theme, matches up with the remaining DD catalogue. The other song to do this might be Hold Me whereas all others couldn't be on any another DD LP.
Lastly the only thing that disappointed me at the time was that DD never toured the LP down under. The SB tour was the first of many DD tours which Australia missed out on. Ohh and it was the first LP without the lyrics which made it hard at times coz I hate making up a lyric when it ain't clear to me what the lyric/word actually is. Eg megalomania, cling wrap plaything. I mean the DD lyrics were not as abstract as previous LPs but hey as bonafide DD faithfuls, we want every detail upon release.
When ya uncertain of a certain word or verse line? Ya just can't sing it loud n proudly !