Their best, most consistent, most perfectly realized work

If `Rio' was the best album from the original lineup of Duran Duran, then Medazzaland is the most accomplished, mature and effective album from the Warren Cuccurullo era (I'm counting `Wedding Album' to `Pop Trash' since he wasn't allowed to write on Notorious, Big Thing or Liberty even though he was the guitar player).



Meddazzaland has all the pop hooks you would expect from Duran Duran, but there's a lyrical and musical maturity, musical vocabulary and attention to detail hinted at in previous Duran albums but only really matched on Arcadia's 'So Red the Rose'. In fact, Meddazzaland is like the grittier, edgier sequel to 'So Red the Rose', musically speaking.



If you're the kind of Duran Duran fan that only buys the singles collections or think they became irrelevant after 'The Wild Boys', then don't bother. This is an incredible, uncompromisingly artistic achievement of an album, even if didn't sell as well as some of their more straight ahead pop work. If, however, you were the kind of Duran Duran fan who thought bought and listened to their albums all the way through, then you'll hear the same band on this album. But they've bravely taken leave of their shiny pop image and put out something challenging and deeply rewarding.



Not a Duran Duran fan at all? Still think they're an irrelevant `80's pop band? Well that's never actually been true and `Medazzaland' is the album that will change your mind forever. Duran Duran have always been more than a pretty pop act, they've always had a depth, breadth and staying power most bands don't and they prove at once that they can still make melodic, groove conscious, pop infused music while producing groundbreaking (yes, I said groundbreaking) work, as credible as any great rock album you've ever heard.



Give it a few listens and I think you'll find that 'Out of my mind', 'Buried in the sand', 'Midnight Sun', 'Michael, you've got a lot to answer for'(written for INXS singer Michael Hutchence before his death) and 'So long suicide' are among the best, most infectious songs Duran Duran ever produced. In fact, if more critics heard this album, I think Duran Duran would be recognized as the great musicians they are rather than the pretty boys they once were. This album gets written off as being "too experimental" and too self indulgent, but I disagree. These songs have a lot going on in them, no doubt, but nearly 8 years later, they still hold up. This album still sounds fresh, genuine and relevant.



Duran Duran have had, and continue to have, many good moments but 'Medazzaland' is their best, most consistent, most perfectly realized work. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Underestimated master piece

Many regarded Duran Duran as a guilty pleasure. The singles sound great but you are not "allowed" to like them since they are supposed to be superficial. Let me help you out of this dream. Duran Duran is perhaps not as much rock & roll as Iggy Pop or The Ramones but these guys come much closer than you think. They sure know how to play their instruments and put on an excellent show. It is no surprise to me at all that their newest album Astronaut is a tremendous success and a darling of most critcs. Duran Duran finally gets the credit they deserve. Medazzaland? An excellent piece of work with great hooks. "electric barbarella" sounds as good as any Duran Duran number 1 song from the 80's but then with the updated sound. A signature uptempo Duran Duran cut. This should have been a top 10 hit. It actually reminds me of "Sunrise". Same for "Big Bang generation". This is a masterpiece. The Saint's soundtrack song "Out of my mind" sounds fresh and really grows on you. The styles sometimes differ on this album. "Who do you think you are" is more of a guitar driven ballad and "Michael, you got..." is touching. All in all, I rate this album 4 stars since most songs are catchy, well written and produced. The album also has the tendency to grow on you. You may not like it the first time you hear it but after a few spins, you quickly realize it rocks!

WORK OF ART

This album is a must have for every Duran Duran fan. Medazzaland is a very experimental album. It has a lot of styles. Rock Ballad (Michael), Hard Rock (Be My Icon), Pop (Big Band Generation), Techno (Electric Barbarella) and some strange secuences (Silva Halo). I love this album, is probably their best ever and my favorite. The guys took a huge risk releasing this album, it's a very complex one. In fact, I asure that you won't like it in the first listening.You'll probably like it by the second or third time. A great risk I must say! I think this album is the most coherent one along with Pop Trash (2000) and Astronaut (2004), and of course their 2 first albums. It's ironic to think that the last three albums from this band didn't sell very well, but actually are the best ones in their entire carreer.