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Rating: If "Astronaut" (2004) marked the rebirth of Duran Duran, 'Red Carpet Massacre' instead appears as a disastrous step backward.
The band, in search of inspiration after the new departure of guitarist Andy Taylor and the shelving of the album "Reportage," called upon the ubiquitous producer Timbaland, even inviting the young Justin Timberlake with the intention of 'rejuvenating' themselves and creating a perfect balance between '80s sounds and hip-hop touches.
From the first track, "The Valley", it is clear, however, that the project seems decidedly forced in the attempt to restyle the band, particularly in the moments when the presence of Timbaland is most apparent, whose production is now overused, lacking any freshness, and therefore very little surprising.
"Nite Runner", as well as "Tempted" and "Skin Diver", are certainly very enjoyable tracks, but they sound like leftovers from Justin Timberlake's "Future Sex/Love Sounds" (2006) and the presence of the young American singer and his very distinctive falsetto in the tracks seems to even overshadow Duran Duran themselves, reduced to mere instrumentalists devoid of identity.
The best tracks on "Red Carpet Massacre" are paradoxically the most 'traditional' in the group's repertoire, namely the '80s melodic ballads "She's Too Much" and especially the launch single "Fallin' Down", nostalgic, catchy, perfect for the radio thanks to a pleasant chorus that easily gets stuck in your head and impeccable arrangement.
"Red Carpet Massacre" is therefore not at all a memorable album, poorly accomplished, which places a huge question mark over the future of Duran Duran, further burdened by the poor sales of the record, which didn't even manage to enter the UK top 40.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
04 Falling Down (05:41)
Once was a man who consumed his place and time
He thought nothing could touch him
But here and now it's different storyline
Like the straw he's clutching
Why has the sky turned grey?
Hard to my face and cold on my shoulder
And why has my life gone astray?
Scarred by disgrace, I know that it's over
Because I'm falling down.
With people standing 'round
But before i hit the ground,
Is there time
Could I find
Someone out there to help me
Howl at the wind rushing past my lonely head.
Caught inside its own motion.
How I wish it was somebody else instead
Howling at all this corrosion.
Why did the luck run dry?
Laugh in my face, so pleased to desert me
Why do the cruel barbs fly?
Now when disgrace can no longer hurt me
Because I'm falling down
With people standing 'round
But before I hit the ground
Is there time
Could I find
Someone out there to help me
You see I'm falling down
With people standing 'round
But before I hit the ground
Is there time
Could I find
Someone out there to help me
Because I'm falling down
With people standing 'round
But before I hit the ground
Is there time
Could I find
Someone out there to help me
You see I'm falling down
With people standing 'round
But before I hit the ground
Is there time
Could I find
Someone out there to help me
I don't know why...
I don't know why...
I don't know why...
I don't know why...
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Other reviews
By Justpg
"Red Carpet Massacre is an album that encapsulates the evolution of Duran in lyrics and themes as well as in music."
"Falling Down wants to be the new 'Ordinary World,' but in my opinion, it is something more; it is a poignant ballad, simple yet overwhelming."
