DURAN DURAN IS BACK BACK

Published: Friday, October 10, 1997
Section: SHOWTIME
Page: 26

By BARRY WENER

Duran Duran is back. Again.

The sassy new CD Medazzaland, in stores Tuesday, is not only a recovery from Duran Duran's ill-fated covers collection, Thank You, but it's a strong indication that, no matter how many thrashing alterna-nuts may wish death threats upon them, the Duranies still have the ability to shape tastes and styles through even the most superficial of means. (Or is it especially because of those superficial means?)

``This is the definitive Duran Duran album for the '90s,'' says Nick Rhodes, founder, keyboardist and self-described ``keeper of the band's flame.'' The CD's title stems from the surreal after-effect of the drug medazalin. ``So far, without a doubt, it captures what the '90s are for me,'' says the 35-year-old Rhodes.

And that would be ...?

``The underlying chaos and controlled hysteria of life, and especially the extremities of the times and our reliance on technology.'' Elements of these topics are strewn throughout Medazzaland, its Orwellian overtones pulsing through tracks such as Big Bang Generation while a more celebratory embrace of all things odd makes a great leadoff single out of Electric Barbarella (the first song from Duran Duran to actually mention the name of the film Barbarella from whence its name came).

But from his tone of voice it's clear that there are deeper reasons why Medazzaland is so important to Rhodes. For one, it marks yet another period in Duran Duran's checkered career when it will have to reconfirm its popularity. (Four years between new releases can do that to you.) For two, it's yet another new lineup for the group. John Taylor, the last of the unrelated Taylors from the original roll call, left the band this year, leaving only Rhodes, lead singer Simon LeBon and latecomer Warren Cuccurillo to soldier on.

Why didn't the group capitalize on the success of The Wedding Album's success their biggest seller with a release the following year? Fitting of a man whose band built its reputation on crass commercialism, Rhodes says it's about ``quality control'' and ``maintaining the standard of our production work.''

``We needed time, really, to put together a quality album. I really hate buying CDs that are 75 minutes long but have 45 minutes of junk on them,'' he said. ``That wouldn't happen so much if other artists exercised more control. We threw away so much that would have made for an OK album, but not a great Duran Duran album.

``Plus, we like to make our albums events, not just releases.''

Rhodes says he's not much for looking back. Not surprisingly, then, he says the thought of a reunion of the original five Duranies including guitarist Andy Taylor, back now with the Power Station, and drummer Roger Taylor is ``not something that ever enters my head. I really can't bear nostalgia. It's something I don't ever want to go near.''

``Still, I'm one of those people who never says never. But I'd rather be working on new things.''

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