Album Description
Deluxe CD/DVD edition includes one bonus track over the standard CD pressing plus a bonus DVD. 2011 release, the 13th album from the British Pop vets. Starting out in the late Spring of 2009, at Sphere Studios in London, this much-anticipated Duran/Mark Ronson union flourished, as writing and recording began on an exciting new body of work, which Ronson has boldly stated is the imaginary follow up to Rio that never was. With this newfound partnership, the band was energized and excited by the music they were creating. The result is nothing short of pure Duran Duran brilliance. The album features guest vocals/Rap from longtime Duran Duran pal/collaborator Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters and R&B/neo-soul superstar Kelis, while Owen Pallett of Arcade Fire contributes the album’s string arrangements.

All You Need Is Now

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An introductory drum roll drops out and is replaced by a single suspended electric guitar, which is then paralleled by a snare, filled in with the bass, and–crash!–”Cherub Rock,” the opening track, is enveloped in an explosion of metal guitar. So the journey begins. This album is pre-experimentation vintage Pumpkins. Produced by Butch Vig (Garbage, Sonic Youth, Nirvana’s Nevermind), Siamese Dream is first about guitars. Lots and lots of guitars. A very close second is Jimmy Chamberlain’s unquestionably excellent power drumming. Throughout each song, Billy Corgan delivers angsty lyrics in his signature breathy whine. “Disarm” is a nice intermission halfway though the album. As the title of the song suggests, it throws the listener into a different mood with its full string arrangements and radiant orchestral chimes. But then it is back to the aural masochism–a pain that rarely sounds so sweet. –Beth Bessmer

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