Search - Duran Duran :: Seven & The Ragged Tiger

Nice artwork, too bad about the record...

Dave Bara | Auburn, WA United States | 03/23/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Really, I don't like this album much, but the repackaged CD with lyric sheet and photos missing since the original release on vinyl put back in are pretty fun. Buy this version if you're a fan of the band.



My Original Review:



The Third Album was supposed to be the triumphal, world-conquering follow-up to "Rio". Instead it comes across as over-produced smarmy pop with an overblown title and bad cover art to boot. This is the one D2 album I hardly ever listen to. "The Reflex" is a promising start, but fair warning, the album mix is distinctly different from the Nile Rodgers produced single remix that hit #1 on the charts. "New Moon On Monday" is okay, but then the tracks descend into insincere pop inanity. "Cracks in the Pavement" and "I take the Dice" are pure pablum filler. Side one grinds to a close with "Of Crime And Passion", a song trying so hard to be edgy it ultimately spins off the 'ol turntable. "Union of the Snake" is solid chart material, the strongest song with a solid Bowie bass beat, excellent percussion and some good horn work. "Shadows On Your Side" comes off as an overdone uptempo number that seems to get to the chorus inside of 10 seconds and repeat it every 30 seconds thereafter. The band finally take a breath and stretch their creativity on "Tiger Tiger", an evocative instrumental number that leads in to the big finish "The Seventh Stranger", which is one of my favorite ballad/atmospheric numbers from the band, and Andy Taylor's guitar solo theme work is gorgeous. The album ends abruptly, far short of it's intended goal. This album needs a serious "Director's Cut" style updating from Nick and Simon to bring it back to respectability. If they had included the "Is There Something I Should Know" single, the outstanding B-side "Secret Oktober" and the remixed single version of "The Reflex" they might have had something. Buy this version only if you have to have it to complete your collection."

Get this limited edition before it's gone!

Fletch | Georgia, United States | 01/19/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This reissue of the classic Duran Duran album has arrived in perfect time as all the original group members are back together and touring for the first time in over a decade. Hearing this recording will take you back to your youth or if your younger it will get you familiar with one of the most popular British pop bands of the 80's. This cd has all the great songs you remember, the smash hits, "Reflex", "New Moon on Monday", and "Union of the snake". And even several awesome songs you probably have'nt heard in 15 years like, "Cracks in the Pavement" and "the Seventh Stranger". If your a fan of Duran Duran or of classic 80's rock you MUST get this cd!"