Duran Duran - Seven And The Ragged Tiger - 1983

Just one year after Duran Duran's huge success, Rio, came this album. Thankfully, Seven and the Ragged Tiger has much better cover art. I'm not always huge shots of the band as a cover, but it's better than a lame picture of some lady.
I gave this album to my Dad a while ago thinking he'd love it. Now, I don't know if he listens to it all that much because I've borrowed it for a number of weeks now and he seems to have forgotten. Anyways, I still have his CD so I might as well review it before I surprise him by giving it back. (This is also an interesting test to see if he ever reads my page!)

The Reflex - This is a different version of "The Reflex" than I'm used to. The one I know well starts with a cool fade in. This one starts with some instrumental stuff. I don't know which I prefer honestly. Other than that they're pretty similar. The song is really good and it's understandable why it is one of the band's biggest hits.

New Moon On Monday - This was another hit on the album, though not as well known as "The Reflex." It seems to be quite synthesizer driven but has some strong guitar. It's pretty catchy and well worth a listen.

Cracks In The Pavement - Some of the things that Simon Le Bon does with his vocals are a little much here. He just sounds silly at some moments. The song isn't anything terrible but it doesn't overly grab me.

I Take The Dice - The intro kind of bugs me... it just seems a bit too cheesy. Then it comes back every now and then during the song. It's got some okay moments but this tracks doesn't really catch me either.

Of Crime and Passion - That's better. This song is a little more guitar driven. I was going to say "heavy guitar" but that is kind of a stretch. It is decently heavy for Duran Duran. I actually like this one. It's got some excellent moment of superb bass playing. Nice work.

Union Of The Snake - This was another track that was on their Greatest Hits which I owned quite some time ago. I can't imagine everyone liking it but it appeals to me. The synthesizer kind of screams 80's but that's ok. I think it could probably use some more guitar. Any that is in the song is more in the background. Not a brilliant song, but it's kinda cool.

Shadows On Your Side - This song is interesting in that I really like portions of it, but really don't like other parts of it. In particular, the chorus is enjoyable. I like the vocals in the verses but not the instrumentation so much. I think this song had some good ideas but could have been better.

Tiger Tiger - This is the instrumental on the album. I'm really glad it's on here. I think it has a lot to lend here. It's got some cool sounds at the beginning and as it picks up it just becomes a really well written and well balanced song. Plus there is some pretty cool saxophone. Nice work.

The Seventh Stranger - I'm pretty neutral about this song. I neither like nor dislike it. It's just sort of there. Since I really like strong closing tracks, perhaps "Tiger Tiger" should have closed the album off. Just throwing the idea out there.

My brother seems to really like this album. I don't really know why. I don't mind it but it's hardly one of Duran Duran's best. This is really hit and miss for me. Some tracks I enjoy and other I'd prefer not to listen to.
Rio was all in all a stronger album. The songs were just more impressive in general. Though, this album had no songs that I particularly hated. Rio had "Save A Prayer" which was boring like you wouldn't believe.
It's kind of obvious that they released their stronger songs as the singles. The first two tracks are the best ones. (with the exception of "Tiger Tiger" That one is just as cool.) I just really like singles to be a reflection of an albums quality, otherwise the listener can save a few dollars and just buy the single. I like to be pleasantly surprised when I hear an album.
This is probably just right for some serious Duran Duran fans but it's nothing overly special.

Rating: Not a bad album but Rio is the better pick from this era. 3 stars.

Quote: "You got me coming up with answers all of which I deny."

Reviewed on Monday, Fenruary 13th, 2006