Duran Duran shows an 'unnecessary gamble?'

Reviews of the Duran Duran's run of intimate concerts on Broadway are starting to trickle out, and the reaction from critics is a bit subdued.

The lads from Birmingham, England, are playing their new album -- Red Carpet Massacre -- start to finish to open each show. Then they launch into a short set of electronica before finishing with a set of the old favorites.

The Hartford Courant, which reviewed a few warm-up shows, said "while it's refreshing to see a veteran band so excited about its new material, hitting the audience with a straight hour of unfamiliar music seems an unnecessary gamble."

Some of the new songs "feature the same throbbing keyboards and robo-funk beats that have spelled smash for Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, and even Britney Spears," the Courant writes.

OK, that's probably good news for fans below the age of 23. But I'm guessing the rest of us are shaking our heads. Let's hope they shake up the set list before taking this act on the road.

Comments

[Trent]

I went to last nights show on Broadway, not a huge Duran Duran fan... but I thought it was brilliant. Playing a whole album live should be a treat to fans and those who were attending (and frankly those attending should have known WHAT they were attending). I enjoyed myself and plan to purchase the album on it's release.

[Spears]

Oh, I'm buying the album. Or at least borrowing Sean's copy. We're planning to both review it. He'll go easier on the Timbaland sound that I will.

Glad to get your first-person account, Trent!

[Candace]

I attended the 1st Broadway show and was pleasantly surprised by the material. There was a Timbaland sound on certain tracks (obviously on the 3 tracks he produced, though one far less than the other 2, as a fan of his I wouldn't have been able to detect his production). The crowd energy and 2 hour show the band put on was very entertaining, I give them kudos for taking what some are calling a 'risk', I'd like to see some of the younger artists of today take note.

[Dennis]

judging from photos + small Youtube clips already up, the 20min Electroset that follows the new album should really make up for everything - splendid versions of Last Chance + All She Wants is and covers of Showroom Dummies + Warm Leatherette done in Kraftwerk meets Duran style... fantastic!

[Clyde]

Although I think Duran Duran is an excellent band (Rio, Save a Prayer, The Reflex, Electric Barbarella, and Planet Earth come to mind as standout tracks)...they will always be second to Japan...the band who influenced Duran Duran.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhSPHm5AnHQ

[braveapollo]

Speaking as one of those old age long term DD fans who has been scratching their heads at the whole Timbaland/Timerlake thing, I must say that what I've heard so far - a bootleg of the first show - has made me feel really excited for the band. The new album really works live, there are some cracking songs on there, and other than Nite Runner and Skin Divers, the Timbaland/Timberlake influence seems relatively subtle. The electronica set is excellent - i loved the mash-up style Last Chance/All She Wants Is medley, and the covers are fun. The final set shoves the big hits in, which is fine, but good to hear them slip in the odd obscurer track as well - I Take the Dice at this show.