Duran Duran - Rio (CD 1990)

Unlike their debut, this second album from the Duran boys concentrates more on song structure than dance beats. However, every song is still a finely crafted dancey-pop tune, and this was reflected in the chart success they enjoyed with the singles included here - "Hungry Like the Wolf" (a lascivious tune that injects a welcome dose of rock & roll guitar), the beautiful, melancholic "Save A Prayer" and the earliest offering "My Own Way" (a completely different remix to the single release).

The most impressive tracks on this album are the more contemplative, balladic offerings, like "Lonely in Your Nightmare", "Save a Prayer", and especially "The Chauffer" (always a fans live favourite), with its stream-of-consciousness lyrics and unconventional structure, arty without seeming pretentious. Equally impressive is the schizophrenic-like "New Religion" where Simon le Bon's voice is mixed twice to sound like he's singing both parts and arguing with himself (sounds crazy but it works perfectly!).

The artwork on the sleeve might well look a little dated, but the songs still sound fresh today, and even better when you can appreciate the nostalgic value. If you only have to own one Duran Duran album, it should be this one.