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Red Carpet Massacre is the twelfth studio album by English new wave band Duran Duran, released on 13 November 2007 by Epic Records. Most of the music on the final incarnation of the album was completed in late 2006 following the departure of band member Andy Taylor with new guitarist Dominic Brown replacing him, when record producer Timbaland began working with the band. “Falling Down“ was the only single released from the album.
While Duran Duran have worked steadily since their 1993 comeback, The Wedding Album, they haven’t always sounded as stylish and creatively tuned-in as they do on 2007’s Red Carpet Massacre.
Perhaps it’s because there hasn’t always been a definitive sound for the band to catch onto in the way that adult alternative informed the mature aesthetic of The Wedding Album.
Interestingly, rather than go for the sound of more obvious neo-new wave bands like the Killers, Red Carpet Massacre finds the original lineup of vocalist Simon LeBon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor, and drummer Roger Taylor — guitarist Andy Taylor left prior to recording — hooking up with modern dance-pop producers Danjahandz and Timbaland for a sound that at once returns the band to its edgy, club-oriented roots while also updating its sound to fit in on the radio next to such contemporary Timbaland-helmed acts as Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado.
In fact, Timberlake even co-wrote and produced the very “FutureSex/LoveSounds”-ish ballad “Falling Down.” These are darkly atmospheric, pulsating tracks that make the most of Duran Duran’s longstanding knack for moody, somewhat cheeky dance-rock.
To theses ends, dark disco cuts like “Nite-Runner” and “Skin Divers,” with their dominatrix whip beats, high-pitched choruses, and obligatory Timbaland raps, are both deliciously hedonistic and crisply appointed electro-soul numbers.
Similarly, tracks like the synth-driven title cut and the angular and oddly funky “Zoom In” come as close as the band has been in years to re-creating its own glamorous and neon-coated ’80s aesthetic.
All lyrics are written by Simon Le Bon; all music is composed by Duran Duran and Nate Hills, except where noted. All tracks produced by Nate "Danja" Hills, Jimmy Douglass and Duran Duran, except where noted
Track listing
- The Valley – 4:58
- Red Carpet Massacre – 3:17
- Nite-Runner
(additional lyrics: Tim Mosley, Justin Timberlake)– 3:58 - Falling Down – 5:41
- Box Full O’ Honey – 3:10
- Skin Divers
(additional lyrics: Mosley)– 4:24 - Tempted – 4:24
- Tricked Out – 2:46
- Zoom In – 3:27
- She’s Too Much – 5:14
- Dirty Great Monster – 3:36
- Last Man Standing – 4:00
Japanese edition and iTunes Store bonus track
- Cry Baby Cry – 3:55
Duran Duran
Additional musicians
- Dom Brown – guitar
- Timbaland – additional vocals (tracks 3, 6)
- Justin Timberlake – additional vocals (tracks 3, 4)
- Jim Beanz – additional vocals (tracks 3, 10)
- Terri Walker – additional vocals (track 6)
- Simon Willescroft – saxophone (track 11)
- Marcella “Ms Lago” Araica – additional programming (track 1)
Technical
- Nate “Danja” Hills – production (tracks 1–3, 5–12)
- Jimmy Douglass – production (tracks 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10–12); mixing (tracks 1, 2, 6–10, 12); engineering (tracks 1–3, 5–12)
- Duran Duran – production (tracks 1–3, 5–12)
- Timbaland – production (tracks 3, 6, 9)
- Justin Timberlake – production (tracks 3, 4)
- Jean-Marie Horvat – mixing (tracks 3–5, 11); engineering (track 4)
- Colin Miller – mix prep (tracks 3–5, 11)
- Marcella “Ms Lago” Araica – engineering (tracks 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10–12)
- Matt Lawrence – engineering (track 4); additional engineering (tracks 1, 10, 12)
- Matthew Hager – engineering (track 4); mixing (on “Cry Baby Cry”)
- Ethan Willoughby – additional engineering (track 3)
- Jim Beanz – vocal production (tracks 5, 9–12)
- Joshua Blair – studio assistance at Sphere Studios (London)
- Karen Leite – studio assistance at Sphere Studios (London)
- Zach McNees – studio assistance at Manhattan Center Studios (New York City)
- Darren Moore – studio assistance at Manhattan Center Studios (New York City)
- Graham Archer – studio assistance at Sarm Studios (London)
- Neil Tucker – studio assistance at Metropolis Studios (London)
- Rohan Onraet – studio assistance at Metropolis Studios (London)
- Jammeel Davis Jones – studio assistance at Oz Recording Studios (Valencia, California)
- Vlado Meller – mastering at Universal Mastering Studios (New York City)
- Mark Santangelo – mastering assistance
Artwork
- Patty Palazzo – art, design
- John Taylor – art direction
- Nick Rhodes – cover and inside photography
- Kristin Burns – band and paparazzo photography
Notes
Released: 13 November 2007
Recorded: 2006–2007 Studio Sphere (London), Manhattan Center (New York City), Sarm (London), Metropolis (London), Oz (Valencia, California)
Genre: Electronic Pop
Length: 48:52
Producer(s): Jim Beanz, Jimmy Douglass, Duran Duran, Nate “Danja” Hills, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake
Label – Epic Records
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