{"id":181110,"date":"2023-10-26T21:30:17","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T21:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotworldreport.com\/?p=181110"},"modified":"2023-10-26T21:30:17","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T21:30:17","slug":"monster-mash-up-by-an-80s-powerhouse-duran-durans-danse-macabre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotworldreport.com\/music\/monster-mash-up-by-an-80s-powerhouse-duran-durans-danse-macabre\/","title":{"rendered":"Monster mash-up by an 80s\u2019 powerhouse: Duran Duran’s Danse Macabre"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This Halloween special begs the obvious question \u2013 trick or treat? A bit of both is the honest answer.<\/p>\n

Nobody alive or dead needs to hear an am-dram dance version of the Rolling Stones\u2019 classic Paint It Black, even in the context of what Simon Le Bon calls a just-for-fun \u201ccrazy Halloween party\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Brummie stars stay firmly at the playful Carry On Screaming! end of horror for these 13 tracks, including old hits, covers and three new numbers. They set the spooky scene, suitably, with Le Bon\u2019s Nightboat from their platinum-selling 1981 debut album.<\/p>\n

The video for the original featured zombies (before Thriller) and eerie synths. This shorter, more percussive take adds extra effects.<\/p>\n

Black Moonlight, the first of the fresh compositions, is bass-driven Jacko-lite 80s\u2019 pop-funk.<\/p>\n

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Unsettling title track Danse Macabre, also new, conveys a sense of moody apprehension as Le Bon raps the verses over the low distorted snarl of the synths.<\/p>\n

It also sees ex-band member Warren Cuccurullo guesting on guitar for the first time in 22 years. Two of the cover versions work well. Talking Heads\u2019 Psycho Killer (with Maneskin bassist Victoria De Angelis) is smoother, more driving than the arty 1977 original, although far less uniquely weird.<\/p>\n

No damage is done to Siouxsie And The Banshees\u2019 gothic-pop gem Spellbound either, but their awkward take on Billie Eilish\u2019s Bury A Friend doesn\u2019t gel.<\/p>\n

Better is Super Lonely Freak which starts with Lonely In Your Nightmare and morphs into Rick James\u2019s 1981 US
smash Super Freak (as sampled by both MC Hammer and Nicki Minaj).<\/p>\n

With original guitarist Andy Taylor and the great Nile Rodgers also joining the ghoulish party, this is a treat for fans, although the \u201ccomic\u201d cover of The Specials\u2019 Ghost Town horrifies for all the wrong reasons.<\/p>\n