Duran Duran
Paper Gods

Paper Gods is a diverse, experimental, hyper-produced, well-composed, excellently played album. In my opinion, it contains masterpieces, good and bad songs.

Since the 2004 reunion, there's been a growth in ideas and a decrease in sales. Astronaut, in the last decade was the weakest work but also the most successful; the experimental Red Carpet Massacre and "the return to origins" All You Need Is Now show exponential growth at the compositional level (listen to the sweet ballad She's Too Much or the pop acidity of the title track All You Need Is Now to believe).

With this latest musical effort, the Birmingham quartet has inevitably entered the Olympus of funky/pop gods of all time (if only for their 37-year career and over 100 million records sold).

1) Paper Gods: it's edgy and sometimes dark. The initial gospel choruses make "the teens who should buy the album" run away. Throughout the album, the group's compositional courage must be appreciated. Older fans like me might enjoy the song's roughness. 7/10

2) Last Night In The City: these are not Duran Duran and unfortunately, I think it will be the next single. 4/10

3) You Kill Me With The Silence: an electro/pop ballad where Nick Rhodes' keyboards stand out above all. The chorus is very catchy. 7/10

4) Pressure Off: funky/dance rhythms in a dancefloor-filling track with classic Duran Duran glamour. The collaboration with Nile Rodgers takes us back to the times of the successful The Reflex and Notorious, two absolute milestones of funky/pop. One excellence of Duran Duran is making danceable songs "last" over time, and Pressure Off will be one of these. 9/10

5) Face For Today: these are Duran Duran. For fans of their music, I think it's an irresistible song. The day they realize they have to compose, produce, play, and sing, I think it will always be too late. 9/10

6) Danceophobia: it's overproduced but has catchy rhythms, and I found myself humming it. The "spoken bridge" with Lindsay Lohan really works. 7.5/10

7) What Are The Chances?: a terrifying refrain supported by a chorus repeated until it becomes sappy; with 30 seconds less, it could have been a phenomenal ballad. John Frusciante's guitars are beautiful. 8/10

8) Sunset Garage: Californian rhythms that take the band back to the days of Liberty, one of their less successful albums. The song isn't bad but... I expect more. 6.5/10

9) Change The Skyline: these are not Duran Duran. A song suitable and aimed at younger fans, certainly not me who has been listening to them since the times of Late Bar (year 1980). Too much electronics and exaggerated keyboards. 5/10

10) Butterfly Girl: John Frusciante's guitars and the appealing choruses support the rare "down" moments of this track with nice rhythms. 7/10

11) Only In Dreams: mature, wonderful, intricate song. A new milestone in pop music. With each listen, the mind wanders to beautiful memories, and the pleasant emotions follow and chase each other. Guitars, bass, drums, and synthesizers blend harmoniously with the mature voice of a Simon Le Bon in top form. Thank you, guys, you are the soundtrack of my life... THANK YOU! I invite everyone to listen to it calmly and in an Acritical way. 10/10

12) The Universe Alone: strings beautifully paired with John Frusciante's riffs in a typical Duran Duran ballad. 9/10

Among the bonus tracks, I only mention two; the other four are pure experimentation and I still wonder why they include such "strange" tracks in the albums.

- The Northern Lights: I'm sure it drives the original Duran Duran fans crazy; it could easily be part of their first album... it's a great compliment. 7.5/10

-Cinderella Ride: I'm sure it drives the original Duran Duran fans crazy; it could easily be part of their first album... it's a great compliment. 7.5/10

In conclusion, I really like Paper Gods. Stylistic and compositional perfection isn't achieved because, in all probability, many have had a hand in it (Mr. Hudson first and foremost). The "interventions" of Mark Ronson and Nile Rodgers are excellent, and I hope they collaborate on the next Duran Duran work as well... yes, there will be future albums of the fantastic four; for many, this is bad news, but for many others, it's a way of seeing a slightly more "rosy" future.

Even the worst detractors of Duran Duran should accept positive reviews like mine because in life, you grow especially when divergent ideas meet in an exchange of serene views and considerations.

Meanwhile, I greet you all and go to listen to Quiet Life by Japan and Life On Mars by David Bowie... because, like it or not, they are the parents of these four English boys who may have grown up poorly (for some), but who undoubtedly, after almost 40 years, still make people talk - whether good or bad - about them.

Good life to everyone!!