Duran Duran’s classic eighties albums back in print

Warner Records are reissuing Duran Duran’s first five albums on CD and vinyl.

Duran Duran (1981), Rio (1982), Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983), Notorious (1986) and Big Thing (1988) have all been out-of-print for a while (at least, in theory), and it’s worth remembering that the last vinyl reissues (circa 2010) were all 2LP deluxe sets, with bonus tracks – there was no standalone versions.

These reissues are single vinyl LP and single CD releases, with no bonus tracks, and they use the 2010 remasters so far as audio is concerned (Rio was actually remastered in 2009). This is significant, since the 2010 CD remastering of the band’s debut album is widely regarded as being atrocious. The so-called ‘loudness wars’ at their worst. The label ignored fan criticism at the time and here we are 14 years later and they are choosing to use the same audio again. Okay…

One point to underline is that Big Thing features the un-remixed version of ‘Drug’ which superseded the original remixed version. John Taylor, in the sleeve notes for the 2010 reissue, admitted the decision, in 1988, to include the remix of ‘Drug’ – and not the original recording – was “made in haste” and the band quickly realised they “had made a big mistake”. Duran Duran had “compromised the integrity and sonic flow” of the album, he said. I agree, so it’s good that this change is now effectively permanent.

There’s not too much else to say, about these reissues, other than the CD packaging looks quite nice, since they are presented in mini-LP CD style gatefold sleeves. But if you already own vinyl or CD editions of these albums that you are happy with, then no action required, with the proviso that Big Thing is definitely worth picking up, if you have a pre-2010 version, for the reasons outlined above.

All five Duran Duran albums are issued on CD and vinyl on 19 July 2024, via Warner Records. Offer your thoughts on this campaign by leaving a comment and scrolling up for the SDE Reader Rating!

Tracklisting

Duran Duran Duran Duran /

• • 1. Girls on Film
    2. Planet Earth
    3. Anyone Out There
    4. To the Shore
    5. Careless Memories
    6. Night Boat
    7. Sound of Thunder
    8. Friends of Mine
    9. Tel Aviv

Tracklisting

Rio Duran Duran /

• • 1. Rio
    2. My Own Way
    3. Lonely in Your Nightmare
    4. Hungry Like the Wolf
    5. Hold Back the Rain
    6. New Religion
    7. Last Chance on the Stairway
    8. Save a Prayer
    9. The Chauffeur

Tracklisting

Seven and the Ragged Tiger Duran Duran /

• • 1. The Reflex
    2. New Moon on Monday
    3. (I’m Looking For) Cracks in the Pavement
    4. I Take the Dice
    5. Of Crime and Passion
    6. Union of the Snake
    7. Shadows on Your Side
    8. Tiger Tiger
    9. The Seventh Stranger

Tracklisting

Notorious Duran Duran /

• • 1. Notorious
    2. American Science
    3. Skin Trade
    4. A Matter of Feeling
    5. Hold Me
    6. Vertigo (Do the Demolition)
    7. So Misled
    8. Meet El Presidente
    9. Winter Marches On
    10. Proposition

Tracklisting

Big Thing Duran Duran /

• • 1. Big Thing
    2. I Don’t Want Your Love
    3. All She Wants Is
    4. Too Late Marlene
    5. Drug (It’s Just a State of Mind)
    6. Do You Believe in Shame?
    7. Palomino
    8. Interlude One
    9. Land
    10. Flute Interlude
    11. The Edge of America
    12. Lake Shore Driving