Rio [Deluxe Edition]

This is an Enhanced CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files, including the videos for "Rio," "Hungry Like The Wolf" and "Save A Prayer."
Duran Duran: Simon Le Bon (vocals); Andy Taylor (guitar); Nick Rhodes (keyboards); John Taylor (bass); Roger Taylor (drums).
Additional personnel: Andy Hamilton (saxophone).
Recorded at Air, London, England in 1982. Includes liner notes by Simon LeBon and Nick Rhodes.
Digitally remastered by Tony Cousins.
Audio Remasterer: Steve Rooke.
Liner Note Author: Daryl Easlea.
Recording information: Air, London, UK (1982); EMI's Manchester Square Studio, London, UK (1982).
Illustrator: Nagel.
Photographer: Andy Earl.
The artistic progression from the band's self-titled debut to the following year's RIO was the greatest aesthetic leap of Duran Duran's career. The group moved from catchy but somewhat rudimentary New Romantic synth-funk to elegantly arranged, sophisticated pop-rock, concentrating more on song structure than dance beats. For their efforts, they were rewarded with superstar status, due chiefly to "Hungry Like the Wolf," a lascivious tune that injects a welcome dose of rock & roll guitar. The most impressive tracks on RIO, though, are the more contemplative, balladic offerings, like "Lonely in Your Nightmare," "Save a Prayer," and especially "The Chauffer," with its stream-of-consciousness lyrics and unconventional structure, arty without seeming pretentious. If you only have one Duran Duran album, it should be RIO.