Danse Macabre: De Luxe

2023年に発表された作品のデラックス・エディション

ビリー・アイリッシュ、トーキング・ヘッズ、ローリング・ストーンズ、ザ・スペシャルズなどのアーティストをカバーしたオリジナルの13曲に加え、新たに3曲のボーナス・トラックを収録。
ゲスト・アーティストには、プロデューサー、ギタリスト、作曲家のナイル・ロジャース、マネスキンのビクトリア・デ・アンジェリス、元バンドメンバーのアンディ・テイラーとウォーレン・ククルロが参加。

Future Past not only revived Duran Durans critical and commercial fortunes, it helped get the band inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, so when faced with the task of delivering a sequel, the group made the logical decision to have a laugh. Throwing aside any notion of sobriety or importance, Duran Duran instead dedicate themselves to conjuring the ideal soundtrack to a Halloween party. The "party" part of the equation is important. Danse Macabre may be filled with creepy sounds -- indeed, it opens with a revival of the bands early masterwork "Nightboat" -- but this isnt a belated excursion into goth, its a collection of after-hours fun that flirts with high camp. At times, that flirtation is blatant, as when the group interpolates Rick James funk classic as "Super Lonely Freak." Generally, Danse Macabre nimbly walks the line separating the spooky and the silly, opting for black-lit dance-pop instead of chilly atmosphere, balancing covers of Talking Heads and Siouxsie & the Banshees with songs by the Rolling Stones and disco legends Cerrone, adding a credible cover of Billie Eilishs "Bury a Friend" for good measure. Between these familiar songs lie a bunch of new ones, including the slow-burning "Secret Oktober 31st," which was written with original guitarist Andy Taylor, who plays throughout the record, marking his first recorded appearance with the group in roughly 20 years. This is a momentous occasion, but the charm of Danse Macabre lies in how Duran Duran seem unencumbered by expectations: theyre lying back and having a good time, resulting in a record that captures their silly and serious sides in equal measure. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

ハロウィーンを主題にオリジナルやカヴァーなどを集めた2年ぶりのアルバム。ニューウェイヴ系のダンサブルなサウンドで突貫し、ビリー・アイリッシュやセローンといった選曲が独特でおもしろい。ナイル・ロジャースにマネスキンのヴィクトリア、元メンバーのアンディ・テイラーも演奏に参加。サイモンの生意気なヴォーカルも若々しく健在で、何度目かの好調期はまだまだ続きそうだ。。
bounce (C)狛犬