And yep, that was me that requested this review, and thanks for finally doing it. I know it's not as catchy or commercial as Duran Duran but it is definitely the DNA of the band it became. Had they continued with this line-up I doubt they would have been as popular , but I think they would have been more of an art school, underground band. And as for folk saying this wasn't a DD album, it really was, they just couldn't release the material as DD , hense the new band name. Oh and all the tracks were re-recorded , they used the found cassette as a basis, Nick still had most of the original keyboards and used them for the project.
I own it. To me, it’s one of those albums you aren’t supposed to take too seriously. I always snicker (in a good way) listening to Big Store. The EPK is a must watch. Those 2 are hilarious together. Both trying to keep a straight face while sharing a similar silly yet dry British sense of humor. You can tell they had a blast making the album together.
Just one correction though, Duffy had a decent career as a solo artist mid-eighties in the UK. With two big singles "kiss me" and "icing on the cake". And one decent album "The ups and downs". Have that too, on vinyl ☺
I love this album, i think it's an album that you need to listen several times to like it. What i like it's that is a bit darker and sometimes it sounds like demos. I love the beginning of Signal in smoke, all the synth layers
Thank you for doing this. Can you do a review of the Nick Rhodes & Wendy Bevan album Astronomia. Nicks tip of the hat to Brian Eno really good stuff, in fact it made my top 15 of 2021
Brian, I’m waiting for your Reportage review.... ahhh ,,hopefully in my lifetime!! I’m 52 so I’m hopeful!!! You are running outta DD material. I think you should review in great detail all of DD’s major tours starting in 1981 I guess especially the Astronaut/All you need is Now world tours. My two favorites! Thanks
I got the cd and I like it, quite retro. Have you heard Bored with Prozac and Internet, by TV Mania, a project of Nick and Warren Cucurullo? It is pretty good and experimental, but perhaps too electronic for some people. I would like you to review it. Thanks.
Dark Circles is such a brilliant album. It was never going to sound like the Duran Duran we know now. It was what might have been. It's more experimental and I love it! I listen to this album FAR more than some of the weaker Duran Duran albums (Astronaut, Paper Gods).
I have this album. Your review is spot on. It’s not a bad album, but it’s also not a great album. Couple of solid tracks to be sure. By the way it’s pronounced De-ep. A coastal town of France and location of the allies first attempt to liberate France, August 1942.
Right after posting this video I did a simple Google search and figured out how to pronounce it. I just didn’t think about it before hand but thank you for helping me out
As a fact, music critics PRAISED THIS ALBUM as the best DD album that was never made at that time . I mean ALL critic community did . Nick was at that time producing The Dandy Warhols album Welcome to the Monkey House …which is also brilliant and you can tell were Nick was musically. To me I agree to what this is an absolute brilliant album . It is very vintage late 70 early 80’s Duran . And yes it is Devils not Duran cause DD was in its inception only when these songs were conceived .but to me it is DD too cause to me DD soul and spirit is NICK RHODES 100% no matter what many think . Simon is essential, true , but this is DD too. Before Simon and John in my humble opinion . It did not take many listens to LOVE and understand this project , I got it right away . And regarding lyrics , I do not pay much attention . This is pure banal poetry that snaps a moment in time , funny and it supposed to be that . they were more abstract and artsy then and def more obscure and to me that is GOLD . That is the vein of DD that I love the most and then developed in stuff like The Seventh Stranger or Tel Aviv or Night Boat , Chauffeur or MEDAZZALAND. Interestingly enough when Nick did Astronaut , which was at same period ( years ) could not experiment as he did with this or as he did with the Dandy Warhols , which was a shame and left Astronaut to be a mediocre album , to me their worst effort conceptually from all DD albums . What I LOVE about this album is its sound . Sonically is incredible , we can hear all Nicks ideas 💡and organic machines he used at the start when DD was at birth , at least in his mind . Nick is the essence of DD and then John of course soon after brings the rhythm we all love so much .
Agree 100% with you there, it was the reason I asked RedMug Music to include it in it's Duran Duran album reviews. It really is the literal DNA that created the sound of what would become Duran Duran
Actually Duran Duran is only Duran Duran with Simon LeBon singing. I also believe all of DD's songs are written by Simon LeBon with Nick Rhodes and John Taylor and Co contributing with the music.
I had heard an interview about this album with Nick and Tin Tin Duffy on TH-cam but didnt know album was out. Listening to it and aside from the silly lyrics on the store song, so far I like it. It does have the 80s Goth music sound but I loved Xymox back on the 80s. I love Simon's voice but I like Duffy's voice too. I used to really like his "Kiss Me" dance 80s hit. Would be cool if you could review more of DD's "rare demo" tracks. Recently discovered the early TelAvi by Air Studio and I love it. Its Duran Duran doing progressive rock!
Have the album, like it too. But I just have it and like it just because of what it is, "the early rough cut Duran sound" and a must have part of DD history. On its own merit neither would I buy it or like it.
I've got to different versions of this cd I luv it don't forget the 70s the technology wasn't like now so far dos to nick Rhodes mastermind and Steven tin tin Duffy I've got is 12 inch single kiss me with your mouth brilliant awesome track in the 80s at night clubs etc
Brian. To be fair this is new to me too I wasn’t aware of this album. Will track it down on TH-cam as both iTunes and Amazon the album is not available. Stephen ‘tin tin’ Duffy to his credit did have a good famous 80’s song well in the UK anyway called Kiss Me. You must know this song surely? In comparison to LeBon he can’t compete and was the right move to get a new front man in on Durans behalf.
No I’ve never heard of it. I don’t even think it charted in the US. I just listen to it and I definitely don’t like it either. Lol I put some links in the description so you can listen to the album. Thanks for your comment
You needed to do more research. Hawks Do Not Share is Hemingway on F Scott Fitzgerald's wife in Moveable Feast - Duffy was keen on Fitzgerald. When Duffy & Colley left Duran, they formed a band with with Dave Twist & Dave Kusworth from TV Eye, called The Hawks. Their material was finally released late summer in 2021 and includes songs from Dark Circles such as Big Store and Aztec Moon. Big Store is about Rackhams in Birmingham and was regularly played by Dave Kusworth in his various bands up until his death in 2020. The Hawks album is dedicated to his memory. Aside from his Tin Tin hits, Duffy has released about 11 albums as The Lilac Time, was active in the Britpop era under his own name and as a member of Me Me Me who had a UK Top 20 hit and wrote Robbie William's Intensive Care album, which sold 8m copies. Newhaven-Dieppe is a ferry route and is pronounced 'Dee-Epp'. Google would have been your friend on any of this. I'm afraid it detracts from your review for me.
I’m not a music historian, I talk about the music and ad in whatever I do know about it. For the most part I just don’t care about the history or the entire story because that’s not what my channel does
I commented about the Devils recently... were you talking about me? 😌. I appreciate your honest review in a world of toxic positivity... we need some good plain truth. As a Synth player myself, Nick has a couple of cool hooks on the album but that's where they should've stayed... in the 'needs more development' folder.
This was released in the UK and I also have it. It's really not very good though. I put it on now and then and see if my opinion has changed, but it hasn't.
Spot-on!! Newhaven-Dieppe is my fave, really almost all of 2nd half is decent (1st half, meh). Like you said, listening to album, it's ok. Critiquing...not good, maybe a 3.5/10.
At one time, like 30/40 yrs ago, yes they would have had a (small) following. It's like they were trying to pin-down their "precise" sound. They were almost all over the place, each song had a bit too much going on. Eventually, thank God, Simon was pinned-down instead ❤
Signals in Smoke is the highlight for me - just love its moody atmosphere - almost Arcadia-ish.
own it..like it..proper piece of DD history.. 👍
The Devils’ “Dark Circles” was released on July 15th, 2002 under Tape Modern / Universal (Germany)
Love your DURAN DURAN & spin-offs reviews ✨⭐️✨
And yep, that was me that requested this review, and thanks for finally doing it.
I know it's not as catchy or commercial as Duran Duran but it is definitely the DNA of the band it became.
Had they continued with this line-up I doubt they would have been as popular , but I think they would have been more of an art school, underground band.
And as for folk saying this wasn't a DD album, it really was, they just couldn't release the material as DD , hense the new band name.
Oh and all the tracks were re-recorded , they used the found cassette as a basis, Nick still had most of the original keyboards and used them for the project.
I own it. To me, it’s one of those albums you aren’t supposed to take too seriously. I always snicker (in a good way) listening to Big Store. The EPK is a must watch. Those 2 are hilarious together. Both trying to keep a straight face while sharing a similar silly yet dry British sense of humor. You can tell they had a blast making the album together.
FREAKING BRILLIANT . Had it from the moment it came out
Just one correction though, Duffy had a decent career as a solo artist mid-eighties in the UK. With two big singles "kiss me" and "icing on the cake". And one decent album "The ups and downs". Have that too, on vinyl ☺
I love this album, i think it's an album that you need to listen several times to like it. What i like it's that is a bit darker and sometimes it sounds like demos. I love the beginning of Signal in smoke, all the synth layers
Thank you for doing this. Can you do a review of the Nick Rhodes & Wendy Bevan album Astronomia. Nicks tip of the hat to Brian Eno really good stuff, in fact it made my top 15 of 2021
Brian, I’m waiting for your Reportage review.... ahhh ,,hopefully in my lifetime!! I’m 52 so I’m hopeful!!! You are running outta DD material. I think you should review in great detail all of DD’s major tours starting in 1981 I guess especially the Astronaut/All you need is Now world tours. My two favorites! Thanks
Have you heard the album?
@@RedMugMusic the Reportage album ? No. No one has.
the Hawks song is a nod to the band's rehearsal room situation,the band Hawks were upstairs from DD. A bit of friendly rivalry ensued..
I got the cd and I like it, quite retro. Have you heard Bored with Prozac and Internet, by TV Mania, a project of Nick and Warren Cucurullo? It is pretty good and experimental, but perhaps too electronic for some people. I would like you to review it. Thanks.
Dark Circles is such a brilliant album. It was never going to sound like the Duran Duran we know now. It was what might have been. It's more experimental and I love it! I listen to this album FAR more than some of the weaker Duran Duran albums (Astronaut, Paper Gods).
I have this album. Your review is spot on. It’s not a bad album, but it’s also not a great album. Couple of solid tracks to be sure. By the way it’s pronounced De-ep. A coastal town of France and location of the allies first attempt to liberate France, August 1942.
Right after posting this video I did a simple Google search and figured out how to pronounce it. I just didn’t think about it before hand but thank you for helping me out
As a fact, music critics PRAISED THIS ALBUM as the best DD album that was never made at that time . I mean ALL critic community did . Nick was at that time producing The Dandy Warhols album Welcome to the Monkey House …which is also brilliant and you can tell were Nick was musically. To me I agree to what this is an absolute brilliant album . It is very vintage late 70 early 80’s Duran . And yes it is Devils not Duran cause DD was in its inception only when these songs were conceived .but to me it is DD too cause to me DD soul and spirit is NICK RHODES 100% no matter what many think . Simon is essential, true , but this is DD too. Before Simon and John in my humble opinion . It did not take many listens to LOVE and understand this project , I got it right away . And regarding lyrics , I do not pay much attention . This is pure banal poetry that snaps a moment in time , funny and it supposed to be that . they were more abstract and artsy then and def more obscure and to me that is GOLD . That is the vein of DD that I love the most and then developed in stuff like The Seventh Stranger or Tel Aviv or Night Boat , Chauffeur or MEDAZZALAND. Interestingly enough when Nick did Astronaut , which was at same period ( years ) could not experiment as he did with this or as he did with the Dandy Warhols , which was a shame and left Astronaut to be a mediocre album , to me their worst effort conceptually from all DD albums . What I LOVE about this album is its sound . Sonically is incredible , we can hear all Nicks ideas 💡and organic machines he used at the start when DD was at birth , at least in his mind . Nick is the essence of DD and then John of course soon after brings the rhythm we all love so much .
Agree 100% with you there, it was the reason I asked RedMug Music to include it in it's Duran Duran album reviews. It really is the literal DNA that created the sound of what would become Duran Duran
Who cares about critics?
Actually Duran Duran is only Duran Duran with Simon LeBon singing. I also believe all of DD's songs are written by Simon LeBon with Nick Rhodes and John Taylor and Co contributing with the music.
and that is precisely why I do not consider Medazzaland and Pop Trash to be DD albums.
I had heard an interview about this album with Nick and Tin Tin Duffy on TH-cam but didnt know album was out. Listening to it and aside from the silly lyrics on the store song, so far I like it. It does have the 80s Goth music sound but I loved Xymox back on the 80s. I love Simon's voice but I like Duffy's voice too. I used to really like his "Kiss Me" dance 80s hit.
Would be cool if you could review more of DD's "rare demo" tracks. Recently discovered the early TelAvi by Air Studio and I love it. Its Duran Duran doing progressive rock!
Have the album, like it too. But I just have it and like it just because of what it is, "the early rough cut Duran sound" and a must have part of DD history. On its own merit neither would I buy it or like it.
I've got to different versions of this cd I luv it don't forget the 70s the technology wasn't like now so far dos to nick Rhodes mastermind and Steven tin tin Duffy I've got is 12 inch single kiss me with your mouth brilliant awesome track in the 80s at night clubs etc
Promo for Big Store 😅
th-cam.com/video/GHv719sNGnY/w-d-xo.html
Dark Circles video
th-cam.com/video/VRlJhiOZlWA/w-d-xo.html
Brian.
To be fair this is new to me too I wasn’t aware of this album.
Will track it down on TH-cam as both iTunes and Amazon the album is not available.
Stephen ‘tin tin’ Duffy to his credit did have a good famous 80’s song well in the UK anyway called Kiss Me.
You must know this song surely?
In comparison to LeBon he can’t compete and was the right move to get a new front man in on Durans behalf.
No I’ve never heard of it. I don’t even think it charted in the US. I just listen to it and I definitely don’t like it either. Lol I put some links in the description so you can listen to the album. Thanks for your comment
@@RedMugMusic Kiss Me by Tin Tin Duffy was a dance clup hit on USA from what I remember and I used to really like it.
@@RedMugMusic th-cam.com/video/bibFiYdB5As/w-d-xo.html
I do remember "Kiss me" by Tin Tin Duffy. I think it was a small dance hit in the States. th-cam.com/video/bibFiYdB5As/w-d-xo.html
You needed to do more research. Hawks Do Not Share is Hemingway on F Scott Fitzgerald's wife in Moveable Feast - Duffy was keen on Fitzgerald. When Duffy & Colley left Duran, they formed a band with with Dave Twist & Dave Kusworth from TV Eye, called The Hawks. Their material was finally released late summer in 2021 and includes songs from Dark Circles such as Big Store and Aztec Moon. Big Store is about Rackhams in Birmingham and was regularly played by Dave Kusworth in his various bands up until his death in 2020. The Hawks album is dedicated to his memory.
Aside from his Tin Tin hits, Duffy has released about 11 albums as The Lilac Time, was active in the Britpop era under his own name and as a member of Me Me Me who had a UK Top 20 hit and wrote Robbie William's Intensive Care album, which sold 8m copies.
Newhaven-Dieppe is a ferry route and is pronounced 'Dee-Epp'. Google would have been your friend on any of this. I'm afraid it detracts from your review for me.
I’m not a music historian, I talk about the music and ad in whatever I do know about it. For the most part I just don’t care about the history or the entire story because that’s not what my channel does
@@RedMugMusic Fair enough. It's an unusual approach but it's clearly working for you
@@itschaos history is too easy. My love is in the music. I like to talk about what I hear and why I think it’s good or bad. Thanks for the comment
I commented about the Devils recently... were you talking about me? 😌. I appreciate your honest review in a world of toxic positivity... we need some good plain truth. As a Synth player myself, Nick has a couple of cool hooks on the album but that's where they should've stayed... in the 'needs more development' folder.
I've just listened to some of it. It's weird as it kind of reminds me of Red Carpet meets Astronaut. Sounds great though.
This was released in the UK and I also have it. It's really not very good though. I put it on now and then and see if my opinion has changed, but it hasn't.
Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy had 2 hits in the 80s.
Spot-on!! Newhaven-Dieppe is my fave, really almost all of 2nd half is decent (1st half, meh). Like you said, listening to album, it's ok. Critiquing...not good, maybe a 3.5/10.
I’m glad people understand this. I personally like the album but I just don’t think it’s gonna find a wide range of listeners out there
At one time, like 30/40 yrs ago, yes they would have had a (small) following. It's like they were trying to pin-down their "precise" sound. They were almost all over the place, each song had a bit too much going on. Eventually, thank God, Simon was pinned-down instead ❤
Not a Duran album, this is a Nick Rhodes and Steven Duffy album.
Yea I think the video clearly states this