Duran Duran - Danse Macabre

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Halloween time for Duran Duran on new album

Billed as a Halloween themed album, 'Danse Macabre' sees the band release their sixteenth album. Officially released on the 27th of October in time for those Halloween parties, the album seems awkwardly like something else. It's not a greatest hits album, nor is it a collection of rare releases. Instead, billed as a collection of re-recordings, covers and three new songs inspired by a Halloween show the band played in Las Vegas in 2022. It kicks off with a darker version of the 1981 'Night Boat', an album track from their self-titled first album, which then sits effortlessly with the first of the three new tracks 'Black Moonlight'.  

Despite forty three years separating the the two tracks they are distinctively obvious Duran Duran tracks,  equally they both see the return of Andy Taylor, an original member back on the 80’s as well as being a member of 'The Power Station' and recording his own solo material.  Andy actually plays on many of the tracks on the album, and sounds as good as he ever has done before. The album also sees the return of Warren Cuccurullo who last appeared on the 2000 'Pop Trash' album. The album bounces into the third Duran Duran re-recording with 'Love Voudou' originally recorded on the 1993 'The Wedding Album' ironically the last Duran Duran CD I brought.  

The album then unleashes the first cover, Billie Eilish 'Bury a Friend' which is followed by Marc Cerrones 'Supernature'. It seems strange that the once leaders of the New Romantic era of music should record a more organic version of these two songs, with Le Bon’s clean vocals and the bands replacing the somewhat synthesised sounds of the originals. Other covers include The Rolling Stones 'Paint it black' and Siouxsie and the Banshees 'Spellbound' and Talking Heads 'Psycho killer'. Although the real highlight of the cover versions on the album is the re-recording of The Specials' 'Ghost Town', recorded about the decline of Coventry back in the early 80’s, somewhat ironic as the Duran Duran guys are originally from the nearby neighbouring city of Birmingham. 

Although the recording is meant to be a darker version, its here you can the fun side of the records sessions coming through. If you feel you’ve heard one or two or the tracks before its because you have, don’t be fulled 'Super lonely Freak' a mash between the bands own 1982 album track 'Lonely in your Nightmare' taken from the 'Rio' album and Rick James 'Super Freak'.  'Secret Oktober' is another Duran Duran album track, taken from the 1983 album 'Seven and the ragged Tiger'.

So, what is 'Danse Macabre', as mentioned it's not a best of or rare tracks release. It would seem the result of the band and their friends hanging out at the recording studio, and recording something for fun. If this is your first exposure to Duran Duran you may not fully understand how the band got to the point where they can record tracks with a cool darkness and an obvious sense of humour.   It is a mixed bag of overall entertaining tracks that ultimately doesn’t break new grounds, nor does it aim to. It's aim to be a darker, fun album for Halloween hits the brief, yet unsurprisingly you don’t have to wait until next Halloween to listen to it again, and again. 

Review by Peter Stevenson

Released as a 2Lp on a limited edition “Smog” (Greyish) and “Coloured” (bronze/black Smokey) and a black vinyl, in a gatefold sleeve (Warning the inside sleeve opens up into a Ouija Board) and CD.

Check Out! the Video for 'Black Moonlight' Below...