Continuing my look at the albums of 1986…
In the early 80s, Duran Duran released Rio and Seven and the Ragged Tiger, their two most successful albums. A world tour followed, after which the band members started getting pulled in different directions, taking on solo work and side projects.
By the time 1986 rolled around, the quintet had become a trio, following the departures of drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor. (Incidentally, none of the three Taylors in Duran Duran — Roger, Andy, and bassist John — are related).
John Taylor, Simon LeBon, and keyboardist Nick Rhodes decided to explore new musical territory on their next album, leaving behind the New Wave synth pop of their biggest hits for a funk rock sound. They brought in producer Nile Rodgers to help craft the new material.
The result is a strong effort that hints at David Bowie and Prince at times. But while the band was happy with the record, and critics mostly praised it, fans were less enthusiastic. The title track made it to #2 but subsequent singles barely made a splash.
I like the sound of this album, and especially what Le Bon is up to vocally, but none of the songs apart from the title track stuck with me. To be fair, I gave it only a listen and a half, and it might be a grower.
No-no-Notorious
Notorious
(Ah)
No-no-Notorious
[Verse 1]
I can’t read about it
Burns the skin from your eyes
I’ll do fine without it
Here’s one you don’t compromise
Lies come hard in disguise
They need to fight it out
Not wild about it
Lay your seedy judgements
Who says they’re part of our lives?
[Chorus]
You own the money
You control the witness
I’ll leave you lonely
Don’t monkey with my business
You pay the prophets to justify your reasons
I heard your promise, but I don’t believe it
That’s why I’ve done it again
[Refrain]
No-No-Notorious
[Verse 2]
Girls will keep the secrets (uh)
So long as boys make a noise
Fools run rings to break up
Something they’ll never destroy
Grand Notorious slam (bam)
And who really gives a damn for a flaky bandit?
Don’t ask me to bleed about it
I need this blood to survive
[Chorus]
You own the money
You control the witness
I’ll leave you lonely
Don’t monkey with my business
You pay the prophets to justify your reasons
I heard your promise, but I don’t believe it
That’s why I’ve done it again
[Refrain]
Notorious
Notorious
[Chorus]
You own the money
You control the witness
I’ll leave you lonely
Don’t monkey with my business
You pay the prophets to justify your reasons
I heard your promise, but I don’t believe it
You own the money
You control the witness
I’ll leave you lonely
Don’t monkey with my business
You pay the prophets to justify your reasons
I heard your promise, but I don’t believe it
That’s why I’ve done it again
[Outro]
No
No
That’s why I’ve done it again
No-Notorious
Yeah, that’s why I’ve done it again
No-no-Notorious
Yeah, that’s why I’ve done it again
No-Notorious
No-no-Notorious
Yeah, that’s why I’ve done it again
No-Notorious
No-no-Notorious!
Meet Me In Montauk 
I really liked Duran Duran’s first few hits, particularly “Rio,” but songs that came after, including “Notorious,” “The Wild Boys” and “The Reflex” increasingly annoyed me.