Search - Duran Duran :: Singles 1986-1995

Worthwhile if maddening addition to Duran fans' collections

Eddie Konczal | 02/17/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Everyone knows that Duran Duran was the premier singles band of the 1980s. But "Singles Box Set 1986-1995" shows that the post-"classic" period was nothing to sneeze at. This is a 14-CD collection of the band's singles from 1986-1995, including remixes and B-sides. While it may disappoint some hardcore fans, this boxed set serves as a long-overdue retrospective of an era that has gotten short shrift on other Duran compilations.



Unlike the earlier boxed set, which consisted of vinyl-era singles featuring only 2 to 4 tracks, this compilation features generous CD-era singles consisting of 3 to 10 songs each. Late 80s singles such as "Notorious," "Skin Trade," and "Do You Believe in Shame" illustrate the maturing of Duran's style after the departure of original guitarist Andy Taylor. And 1990s hits like "Ordinary World," "Come Undone," and "White Lines" demonstrate that Duran Duran's staying power extended far beyond the "MTV decade."



Beyond the singles, diehard Duran Duran fans may find it frustrating to get to the good stuff. You have to wade through endless dance mixes and previously released album tracks to find the real nuggets here, which include "We Need You," "I Believe/All I Need to Know," the Simon LeBon spoken word pieces "God" and "This Is How A Road Gets Made," and a cover of Neil Young's "Needle and the Damage Done."



Despite the generous running time, there are some egregious omissions, particularly "Stop Dead" and "Time for Temptation" (outtakes from 1993's "The Wedding Album"). Just about any serious Duran fan would have preferred these over the nine-millionth remix of "Violence of Summer" or "White Lines.". Did we really need two live versions of "Notorious" - especially when the band is obviously out of tune on the second one?



Durannies will argue endlessly about the set list, and rightly so. But in the end, the value of "Singles Box Set 1986-1995" justifies the purchase price. You're paying a little over $3 per disc, which is far less than you would have spent over the years to acquire the individual CD-singles. It's a worthwhile - if maddening - addition to any Duran Duran fan's collection."

The Most Underrated Band - 12 Stars

P. Ambrose | Brooklyn NY | 12/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The fact that the Durannies continued after their barrage of hits with true musical masterpieces like these is amazing. The new album "Astronaut" is also an aural masterpiece. These guys WRITE the music and lyrics and PLAY the instruments! I find this era of their output the most sumptuous and adventurous. It as also made me revisit their "covers" album 'Thank You' - and I have now actually understood it! They're not the beatles but there is something really intrinsic about the way the put it all together and make art. Thanks, guys."

More In Depth Review

Dorrie Wheeler | 07/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my new and updated review. The Duran Duran Singles Box Set 1985-1995 is awesome. I am so pleased. I will admit, there are a few things about the set that puzzle me. I am definitly glad that there are more songs on some of the individual CD's this time than with the last set. But the choice of songs baffles me a bit. The CD for "Ordinary World" includes "My Antartica," "Skin Trade," "Save a Prayer," "Hungry Like the Wolf," "The Reflex," "Girls on Film," and another version of "Ordinary World." The extreme Duranie, (I'm just a big Duranie but don't know all the different mixes) might argue that these are different mixes, but I just wonder why they decided to put songs that were from the past on the set verses later recorded songs. I don't know if it was because they were no longer with EMI or what, but it seems like it would have been cool if they could have thrown a few "Meddazaland" or "Pop Trash" singles on the set. It's almost like the "Ordinary World" single is like a mini sampler of the popular older musc. None of the really popular older songs missing from the set "Rio," "Is There Something I Should Know," and "A View To A Kill" can be found on the set. I tale that back, "Wild Boys" is missing and that was a popular single as was "Union of the Snake."



I am so happy with this set because finally we get a lot of mixes of some of the later songs like "White Lines." A few more things that irk me, the individual CD jackets dont have the track listing for the CD on it and the discs are all grey so you have to have the big box or booklet to know the listings on the disc you choose to listen to. Of course you know what the single is based on the CD jacket cover art, but you don't know what the bonus goodies are.



The set also includes some songs that weren't included on previous full CD releases including, "God," "This Is How A Road Gets Made," "Decadance," "Throb," "Yo Bad Azizi," "Water Babies," "The Needle and the Damage Done," and "Make Me Smile," (which was on the first box set on the Reflex single.)



If you have the first set, the second set is a must have so you can sit your box sets next to each other and marvel in all of your little Duran Duran singles! I really, really love the remixes. I have always liked the "Oakland Fonk" mix of "White Lines," and it's nice to have it on CD. The "Violence of Summer" single includes 7 remixes of this song. You get 14 CD singles that were from the albums-"Notorious," "Big Thing," "Liberty," "Duran Duran (Wedding Album), and "Thank You." The single "Burning The Ground," is also included on this set."