Sunday, October 29, 2023

Duran Duran Captures Halloween Spirt on 'Danse Macabre'


Duran Duran, from left, is drummer Roger Taylor, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, singer Simon Le Bon and bassist John Taylor. Photo
 credit: Stephanie Pistel



Artist: Duran Duran

Title: Danse Macabre (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: Roxy Music, Duran Duran, Danny Elfman

Tell me more: Duran Duran's Halloween-themed album Danse Macabre may immerse itself in the dark and spooky trappings of the holiday but is thankfully not bound but them. Indeed, Danse Macabre is a decidedly fun listen that finds the pioneering British quartet 
— singer Simon Le Bon, bassist John Taylor, drummer Roger Taylor and keyboardist Nick Rhodes  offering up a winning mix of brand new originals, creatively reworked covers of songs by Talking HeadsThe Rolling StonesBillie Eilish and The Specials and even new versions of past Duran Duran classics. What's more, the concept album includes a celebrated parade of musical guests including producer/guitarist/composer Nile RodgersMåneskin singer Victoria De Angelis and former Duran Duran members Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo

Among the terrific cuts on Danse Macabre are the unsettling opener "Nightboat," a shimmering bass-heavy grooving version of Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" featuring guest vocals from De Angelis, the gothic dance title track, instantly-accessible funk foray "Black Moonlight," playful "Ghost Town," a fiery run through Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Spellbound" and a propulsive take on The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black." The 13-track album closes with the luxuriously beautiful "Confession In The Afterlife."

Danse Macabre is out now via Tape Modern for BMG with artwork featuring images adapted from a collection of authentic vintage séance photos sourced by Nick Rhodes at auction.  It is available on Black 2LP and CD, with a limited-edition Translucent Galaxy 2LP. The album is also available on high res Blu-ray audio. 

Information: duranduran.com


Robert Kinsler

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