Once upon a time, a group of five genetically gifted young men from Birmingham, England, armed with cases of cosmetics and some white sports jackets, set out to conquer the world. Pushing a planet full of teenage girls dangerously close to cardiac arrest, they created some memorable pop classics. While nearly all of their contemporaries have gone the way of the dodo, Duran Duran has stayed put. Their latest effort, MEDAZZALAND, finds only vocalist Simon LeBon and keyboardist Nick Rhodes remaining from the original lineup, alongside former Missing Person Warren Cuccurullo.
MEDAZZALAND's title track opens with a storm of wild keyboards, effect-laden guitars, and an icy, spoken-word reading by Nick. The whirring electronics and danceable rhythm track of "Electric Barbarella," provide an update on the band's classic formula. On "Who Do You Think You Are?" this update process involves an anthemic refrain worthy of Oasis. Guitarist Cuccurullo provides a backdrop of aggressive, stunningly varied accompaniment, snaking in and out of the ever-interesting keyboard work of founding member Nick Rhodes.