The wild boys of the 1980s, Duran Duran, may have turned to men after all… but this did not stop them from keeping the youthful drive and vibes of their music aflame over the years. Since their astronautical resurgence in 2001 with their classic lineup of John Taylor (bass), Roger Taylor (drums), and Andy Taylor (guitars), rejoining Nick Rhodes (keyboards), along with Simon Le Bon (vocals), the English band just keeps on unleashing one solid studio record after another. Still fresh from the energy of 2021’s Future Past, here they are still, with another interesting and brilliant opus, Danse Macabre.
Released on October 27, 2003 on Tape Modern via BMG, Danse Macabre – Duran Duran’s sweet sixteenth – is rather dark and moody yet fun, neon-lit and dancefloor-worthy. Produced by the band themselves along with Josh Blair, Mr Hudson, and long-time collaborator/friend Nile Rodgers (who has been working with the band since remixing a hit version of 1983’s “The Reflex”), the album has even more interesting names involved. Too many to name, keeping it short, the latest work also features studio contributions from the likes of Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo (formerly of both Duran Duran and Missing Persons). A really compelling list of who’s who, while this adds more excitement to everything, let it also be known that Danse Macabre has a holiday theme surrounding it as well.. and it is not a Christmas one!
Consisting of 13 tracks, it is a Halloween-themed record that consists of a 3 new songs, a few covers, but also reworked versions of some of their classics such as 1993’s “Love Voodoo’s renamed as “Love Voudou,” 1983 B-side “Secret Oktober 31st,” and 1981’s “Night Boat.” Apart from the new originals – that include the party-like single “Danse Macabre,” “Black Moonlight,” and”Confessions in the Afterlife” – what might also interest many listeners is the band’s take on some other well-known tracks.
Duran Duran are honestly no stranger to covering songs, and all you need to do is look back to their 1994 Thank You album to reflect on a bundle of them. Always putting a unique spin on things, the brand-new covers include The Specials’ “Ghost Town,” Siouxsie & the Banshees’ “Spellbound,” Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer” (which features Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin on bass), plus The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black.”
Most importantly, what makes Danse Macabre extra special are the guitarists that took part in recording sessions. To recap, there is mainstay Dominic Brown here, but also the aforementioned Warren Cuccurullo (who has not worked with the band since 2000’s Pop Trash) and Andy Taylor (who has not recorded with the band since 2004’s Astronaut). Adding to all of this, beyond offering his production expertise, Nile Rodgers also put some of his signature guitar to tape on “Black Moonlight” (which has a new music video out right now), and on the cover of Cerrone’s “Supernature.” All in all, each of these factors makes Danse Macabre an epic reunion album in present perfect tense.
A lot of fun and a great overall listen, Danse Macabre is another record by a band that has been at the clubs, on the road, at the studio, and around the world for over 45 years now. It simply deserves to be listened to and added onto the playlist or collection of any enthusiast of good music. That is why Cryptic Rock gives this album 4 out of 5 stars.
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