Saturday Deluxe / 4 July 2015

Surprisingly enough, “Pressure Off” has gone into radio rotation here in Germany!

You sound a tad angry Mark. I think most people would take your post a bit more seriously if you had not given that list of world class bands YOU think are overrated. As it is you just come across as a DD fanboy.

For God’s sake, enough with the pointless mantra “their best is in the past”. Duran’s WORST album wasn released at their so-called “height”-the silly “Seven And The Ragged Tiger” and ‘Union Of The Snake’ is probably their worst single ever bless them, apart from their “covers moment” which again is still better than most people’s. Duran’s first career-best album (NOT the great “Rio” incidentally, world, was the Nile Rodger’s produced “Notorious” from 1986-the best year for the amount of top albums released by the best acts, and their last album equalled it, and the pathetically unappreciated and misunderstood “Red Carpet Massacre” was only just underneath it, and maybe not even that. “Pop Trash” was bloody great and there were only three members!

Duran, unlike most acts, actually are more consistently better now than they ever have been-if this album is a slight comedown from the last three crackers (not including “Astronaut” which wasn’t so special), I’m fine with that, as they’ve been among the most consistent performers for ages. But then I’m not like most-I don’t hold them up to ridiculous claims and then gets disappointed and silly if the record doesn’t kill me with the first listen, and because I don’t, Duran, unlike others, continue to impress. I loved the very impressive “RCM” from the getgo, but then I’ve always preferred the long-term ideal of Duran-experimental, different, progressive but always themselves. The time-warp trio albums from ’81’-83 are only misguidedly held as untoppable because all 5 were together and every silly follower was screaming. That is just rude, short-sighted and pitifully wrong! Duran, like any act of quality, were long-term! And they prove it every day with each happening record. Really, no one would dare to say the first moments of the grossly overrated Depeche Mode, U2, Pet Shop Boys, New Order and Simple Minds, would they, yet it’s likely true for them, and I don’t even collect their albums out of choice! And, aside from New Order, none of these have ever made a comeback, cos they, like the vile Madonna, never go anywhere in the first place!

But this is no slight to A-ha-I love them too, though Alphaville easily match them, but get ignored cos they’re German, just like Sandra is! And like Duran, A-ha’s best stuff has been since their comeback-their 2000 album, their excellent “Lifelines” and “Foot Of The Mountain” are all career-bests in the way they didn’t achieve with their good past ones, though the internationally recognised first album “Hunting High And Low” is given way too much peerage for the stuff that’s actually on it-where, unusually for A-ha the best things were the singles from it, but that doesn’t matter, they were just starting, but other people had better starts, but then again, did they last!? Likely not.

I support both groups and actually comparing them is perfect-their both quality, unlike the ridiculous Spamhead Ballet or other nonsense. As for the actual author here saying patronisingly “it’s hardly Blur vs Oasis” (who?)-no it isn’t! We’re talking 80s quality artist here, not 90s stupid tuneless guitar spangling Beatles rip-offs with tone-deaf singers saying nothing at all in a horrible drone with egos the size of Madonna’s, but then again, as an oasis is a fertile desert area where water rises and a blur is something unclear that cannot be seen clearly, heard or even remembered, I cannot see where he’s going. What next? Spears against Aguilera? Seeing as he’s already plummeted unimaginable depths!

To me, Pressure Off is a faceless pop song, and Under the Makeup is a tacky ballad which would fit a forgettable movie, probably in the credits. Both are OK, and both are kinda… vacuous. I’d rather listen to Pressure Off over Under the Makeup, though, since it’s not as boring.

Well I ordered tickets last night for both Duran and A-ha at the O2 London. Looking forward to both. Perhaps we should have a pre-gig SDE meet-up drink :) Ok, I’ll get my coat….

THANKS Paul, am signed to A-Ha website and nothing, no alerts, went over to the new site, and was unable to send a request for emails…………………. so i would not have known. Love both A-Ha and Duran Duran, but for me Morten’s vocals always get to me, and adding the strings, well……………………………………………. I like Duran Duran’s single but it is a grower, where as A-Ha fell in love with straight away! Was super excited that it was available on Itunes Australia, so already downloaded.

Thanks for posting these. I’ve love both bands (all a-ha stuff) and (early and mid DD stuff…I buy but don’t tend to listen to the new stuff). Easy win for a-ha here but neither track is really a classic or even good single material. Competent and enjoyable album tracks both.

Think its a bit off to compare both bands songs to be honest, I’m glad to see both of them back and even a mediocre song from both is 100 times better than the dirge and shite that gets passed off as mainstream hits these days

It’s like comparing apples to oranges. The only connection is that both groups started roughly at the same time and are still making music. Personally, the new a-ha track puts me to sleep, while I think the new DD track is fine. Far from their best but that would be a tall order.

A-ha, it’s a much more mature sounding song, long-lasting and just plain wonderful. Duran Duran’s effort is good but lacks something, something to keep me listening to it again & again, like I would Under The Makeup.

All the Aha fans.. or ahAh.. whatever.. this band is a joke as the name reflects!
“So whaaayyy dont you use it?”.. come on.. Duran Duran is the best.
AhaH songs are all the same.. melancolic.. no inovation at all.

The new song of DD is not a slow.. wait for the new album, and you will see real slows.

Changing world…..

Duran Duran and A-Ha have new singles, and so far, neither one of them has a video.

Harket sounds amazing! He singlehandedly can lift any track to a great single. It’s a lovely tune but this is 50% Harket’s voice, 30% the orchestral arrangements and 20% about the songwriting.

Waaktaar must be greatful for the comeback…

I agree with your assessment. The sweeping beauty of the a-ha single is pretty amazing. Though not up to the standards of the best of their catalog, it still holds its own well. The Duran track falls a little flat for me, even with the help of the remarkable Nile Rodgers.

I love both songs. The hook of DD’s song catches you right away. It’s a typical Duran Duran song, a great chorus and it gets you up and going. It gives me great hope for their album. Their previous album was one of their best ever, even my kids love it and i’m hoping that quality continues with Paper Gods.
The a-ha song is simply gorgeous. IT’s a ballad that reminds me of Crying In The Rain and Early In The Morning, two of my favorite songs. I have high hopes for their album.

have always admired the front of the brummie chancers!

Nice track! A-ha failed to chart for a long time, such as nearly all the old “coming from the 80’s” bands (PSB, Simple Minds, and so on) and this one will not make a hit, but it’s great.
It’s a shame that there is no radio to play that kind of music nowaday (A FM radio that could say “New music for 30-40 Aged people”), it would help , I Think…
I’m also, like many of you, a collector, so to me “selling” s***ing mp3 is not the solution, but the problem…

For the person who asked- yes it’s Nile on guitar. I love both bands.

The lyrics to Pressure Off are dreadful but if Warner Brothers get the promo right it could well be the single of the summer. It is extremely catchy

Don’t forget New Order. 3 new albums to get!!!

Love both, but hope A-ha has some synth sounds on their new cd.

I like both and will continue to listen to both. Can’t decide just yet what’s best TBH

I enjoy both for different reasons (apples/oranges). But the art direction for a-ha is top-notch, per usual. I like that they went back to the original logo. The Duran artwork is trying too hard to be clever, and fails miserably.

Duran is typical first single release from the band, now with necessary name dropping guests. Like the verses, but chorus not doing it for me. Title track off the previous album was the worst track on it (no idea why they didn’t release more singles off that great album), so hoping a similar situation here. However, Duran have been known for their inconsistency . . .
While Duran are aiming for a hit (at the possible expense of new found credibility), A-Ha are reminding us just how good a song writers they are. Not a hit single, but fans will certainly not be disappointed.

I got caught up in a queue at HMV London in Dec. ’85 and quickly left when I realised that A-ha were signing autographs…talentless one hit wonders I thought. Within a couple of months, my girlfriend dragged me to one of their gigs in Birmingham. I’m a rocker at heart and wasn’t happy but went along…I’ve been a convert ever since. Have seen both Duran and A-ha a number of times over the years and will see them both again within the next 12 months. A-ha for me have always been the less pretentious and more about the music band for me…the current song does have too many strings overlaid on what would be a beautiful stripped back song, nevertheless I still prefer it to the current DD track

I just love both tracks – SIMPLES!

A-ha sounds rather dull to me, although I agree with the remark that a more “basic” approach would benefit the song (just a guitar & piano). Duran Duran sounded rather uninspired to me as well, but it has some catchy bits… I choose Duran.

I’ve just read that under the makeup will not be made available for download in the UK for a month!!! Where is the logic in that? I’d understand if it was a physical release but what is stopping them from allowing to be bought in this country. So far it is only available to buy in Norway.

Well I’m a a huge fan of both.
I favour Duran’s early albums over Ah-ha’s but I think Ah-ha’s recent releases have eclipsed Duran’s recent releases quite significantly.

Duran still want to be pop while Ah-ha strive for something weightier (and often succeed).
The two songs above are perfect examples – Ah-ha’s sounds like a James Bond theme tune, Duran’s sounds like disco-Chic (is that Nile Rogers on guitar?).

Which do I prefer? Ah-ha’s is the better song but I prefer the catchiness of Duran’s (and I love Chic). However, I will probably still be listening to the Ah-ha song in a year’s time!

I’ve always been more of a Duran fan, but A-ha win this one easily.
I always appreciate the inventiveness of D2, but miss the maturity that seems to only appear on every third album they release.
It always occurs to me…..What does Andy Taylor think of this…? Does he just shake his head and say “Glad I’m home.”

Think no debate, Pressure Off is so shallow its opaque!

I admire both songs. Although I am more an a-ha fan than a Duranie, I was drawn more to Pressure Off because of the lively, catchy riff (and the oh, oh, oh, oh!), but Under The Makeup is a majestic grower and I think will become a classic in it’s own right. One cannot really compare the songs as they are both very different.

Who would have thought both these bands would still be releasing music over thirty years laters despite them having gone through the peaks and troughs of their careers. You gotta love 80s bands!

Why there is no physical release? This is the future….I don´t want to belong?

This song with an acoustic guitar and a piano would be one of the best a-ha ballads….in the whole carrier..the strings are too much, for me…..

I believe A-ha have long since stopped trying to write pop ‘hits’ though. Duran sound to me like they are still trying hard to. The common thread is that they both end up making great music. Everyone wins

On the first hearing of a-ha song I was a bit underwhelmed but now I’ve given a few listened I think it will one of those that will continue to grow. It wasn’t what I was expecting as the band were talking about recapturing the ‘classic’ a-ha sound and this isn’t it – this is something else.
They’ve posted the album sleeve on twitter and its fantastic!

a-ha is the easy winner. Duran Duran will get the sales but a-ha has the artistry.

Even back in the 80s a-ha was quality… never ever Duran Duran could tip a-ha…. not even in 2015… just a personal opinion ofcourse