Post by ©DURANMANIA Board Team on Aug 8, 2004 6:27:04 GMT -5
DURAN DURAN
Arena
Reviewed By Gil Roland
Back in 1984 here in the States, I can recall very vividly waiting outside my local record store waiting for it to open so I can get my copy of Duran Duran’s first live album. I ran home with my new prize, placed the new disc on my turntable and put the needle to the groove.
Recalling the sounds I heard then bring all of those memories back to life as I listen to this new remastered CD of this classic album. Almost every nuance and dynamic is captured in this 24-bit recording and a definite upgrade from the 16-bit master that has been around for years. But that's enough of this technical jargon. This CD is about the celebration of Duran Duran’s achievement to the top of the charts, and the way they played on this CD shows just how much passion and charisma this band truly has
Right from the beginning, the Thunder-Toms that Intro Duran’s hit ‘Is there something I should know?’ allow you to hear and feel the energy that the five band members are putting into these live tracks. To my ears, It was really the first time I experienced how the band really were first and foremost a live act. Here Duran move and play more like Van Halen with the amount of freedom guitarist Andy Taylor has to freely rock-out all of the songs. Forget about the studio albums and MTV-related ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ and ‘Union of the Snake’. These songs and more are breathing with new life and fire as the band move and seduce the audience. Lead Singer Simon Lebon has never sounded better as he uses his high pitch tenor and lower register to the best they’ve been since the band’s sophomore effort ‘Rio’. The rhythm section of Drummer Roger Taylor and Bassist John Taylor (no relation) lock in tight on each and every song. With Keyboardist Nick Rhodes adding to this electric atmosphere with his esoteric synth sounds and textures, never has Duran Duran sounded so much at the top of their game. A celebration indeed!
Not everything is cake unfortunately. One of the worst things that are immediately noticed on Arena is the lack of audience reaction on what is supposed to be a ‘live’ album. It’s been said that the band mixed it out of the final mix to focus more on the music. I was sincerely hoping that this jarring omission would be fixed on the remaster. But that was not meant to be. But that’s not the only snag. The two Bonus tracks that were added to this reissue, Girls on Film and Rio, seemed to have been added on more as an afterthought than for anything else. The obvious edit of ‘Girls on Film’ just adds to this belief, and sadly, may turn some to the unedited bootlegs to get that true live experience.
All in all, this new version is a definite must-have for all. From the die-hard Duranies to those who are finally getting their first taste of Duran due to the recent resurgence of their popularity. Despite the obvious edits made to some things here, it stands up as a testimony that Duran Duran have always been more than just a ‘Video Band’. That at the end of the day, they always had the most important thing to keep them going where perhaps other bands have failed. That one thing was and always will be for them, the music!
peace & love
SLIM K
Arena
Reviewed By Gil Roland
Back in 1984 here in the States, I can recall very vividly waiting outside my local record store waiting for it to open so I can get my copy of Duran Duran’s first live album. I ran home with my new prize, placed the new disc on my turntable and put the needle to the groove.
Recalling the sounds I heard then bring all of those memories back to life as I listen to this new remastered CD of this classic album. Almost every nuance and dynamic is captured in this 24-bit recording and a definite upgrade from the 16-bit master that has been around for years. But that's enough of this technical jargon. This CD is about the celebration of Duran Duran’s achievement to the top of the charts, and the way they played on this CD shows just how much passion and charisma this band truly has
Right from the beginning, the Thunder-Toms that Intro Duran’s hit ‘Is there something I should know?’ allow you to hear and feel the energy that the five band members are putting into these live tracks. To my ears, It was really the first time I experienced how the band really were first and foremost a live act. Here Duran move and play more like Van Halen with the amount of freedom guitarist Andy Taylor has to freely rock-out all of the songs. Forget about the studio albums and MTV-related ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ and ‘Union of the Snake’. These songs and more are breathing with new life and fire as the band move and seduce the audience. Lead Singer Simon Lebon has never sounded better as he uses his high pitch tenor and lower register to the best they’ve been since the band’s sophomore effort ‘Rio’. The rhythm section of Drummer Roger Taylor and Bassist John Taylor (no relation) lock in tight on each and every song. With Keyboardist Nick Rhodes adding to this electric atmosphere with his esoteric synth sounds and textures, never has Duran Duran sounded so much at the top of their game. A celebration indeed!
Not everything is cake unfortunately. One of the worst things that are immediately noticed on Arena is the lack of audience reaction on what is supposed to be a ‘live’ album. It’s been said that the band mixed it out of the final mix to focus more on the music. I was sincerely hoping that this jarring omission would be fixed on the remaster. But that was not meant to be. But that’s not the only snag. The two Bonus tracks that were added to this reissue, Girls on Film and Rio, seemed to have been added on more as an afterthought than for anything else. The obvious edit of ‘Girls on Film’ just adds to this belief, and sadly, may turn some to the unedited bootlegs to get that true live experience.
All in all, this new version is a definite must-have for all. From the die-hard Duranies to those who are finally getting their first taste of Duran due to the recent resurgence of their popularity. Despite the obvious edits made to some things here, it stands up as a testimony that Duran Duran have always been more than just a ‘Video Band’. That at the end of the day, they always had the most important thing to keep them going where perhaps other bands have failed. That one thing was and always will be for them, the music!
peace & love
SLIM K