altrok main 12/16/2004

for December 16, 2004

Matt Would Have Played That... IV
by Stiffy Biceptz

Ain't life funny? 20 years ago, Duran Duran were the textbook pretty boy pop band, similar to, but not exactly like, say, the Back Street Boys, or N'Sync. I guess they were a little bit bawdier, but you get my point. They were eye candy, and not taken very seriously music-wise. Around 1985, they broke up, went their separate ways, and were quickly forgotten. Then, from out of nowhere, in 1992 the core of Duran Duran reformed and put out Duran Duran, a great alternative album that all of a sudden had them being taken seriously for the first time in their careers. Their rebirth was a remarkable accomplishment and gained them real respect. The album spawned a handful of great tracks, and for the first time ever it was OK for straight boys over the age of 15 to say Duran Duran was cool.

Now its 2004. For the first time since 1985, the original lineup is back together and it sounds as if Duran Duran might have a long vibrant future ahead of them. Their latest single, "Sunrise" is a catchy pop track that, although not as strong as "Fall to Pieces", is still a fun dance tune worth shakin' it to on the dance floor. This is definitely the kind of track that Matt would have played at the Melody to get the dance floor filled in a hurry. This is the kind of pop track that would have crossed over well with the Melody crowd. Maybe we haven't seen the best of Duran Duran yet. They're all still alive and young, and haven't lost any ability to produce good pop music. They're not quite the lookers they used to be though...

Gwen Stefani is disturbingly gorgeous, and she's nothing but hot-hot-hot in the video for her debut solo single, "What You Waiting For". This track rocks, with a rhythmic pulsing beat that Matt would have made a Melody dance floor standard. It's a near perfect alt-dance tune and you can bet I'd be out there every time this came on. No Doubt is a great band, and I hope Gwen's solo career doesn't signal the end for them.

As for all round pop punk ferocity, American Idiot is the current champion hands down. This would have been a biggie at the Melody for "taking out the trash", that is, clearing the dance floor of an overflow of non-regulars and preppy types. Everyone was welcome at the Mel, but rules had to be enforced from time to time. A sea of leather jackets converging on that tiny dance floor en masse on a Friday night would send the less robust types running for cover in a hurry, and for good reason. No regular would ever get thrown out for getting a little rambunctious. Hee Hee!!