Duran Duran was one of the bands from the early 80s that I really liked. They were in the right place at the right time in history. MTV was a new way to promote music. The band had a slick sound and an even slicker look. It was a perfect match. In the UK they were known as a New Romantic band, but it was not translating to the Americans so they rebranding them as a dance band. The album was remixed and released in North America. Rio is their second album. This is an album I am familiar with because I was a fan of their first album too.
I think every song is great on this album. My personal favourites are “Rio”, “My Own Way”, “Hungry Like the Wolf“, “Hold Back the Rain“, and the beautiful “Save a Prayer“.
This is a perfect album of 80s excess. It has stood the test of time and still sounds great over 30 years later. Simon Le Bon‘s vocals were a perfect match for the New Romantic sound that invade the US. I have not listened to their most recent album, but after hearing Rio again it made me want to visit the land of Duran Duran again. 10/10.
an ocean roars 