ARCADIA - 1985 (THE COMPLETE 1 ALBUM COLLECTION)

 

"SO RED THE ROSE"

1985  

ELECTION DAY - This one-off album featuring Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor kicks off with this great track.  I loved this so much I bought the 12" and that was even better.  A mix of synth pop, funk, new wave and various effects and saxophone this was a move away from the Duran Duran sound and probably influence the "Notorious" album.  This was the lead single from this album and reached number 7 in the UK chart.  Also features Grace Jones on vocals!

KEEP ME IN THE DARK - A very poppy sounding track and even though the chorus is not really "catchy" it is a decent song with loads of pips and squeaks and some nice synth and bass sounds.  Most similar to the the early Duran Duran sound.

GOODBYE IS FOREVER - This has some funky bass and is a great New Wave Pop song, reminds me of some of the tracks on "Seven And The Ragged Tiger" with its atmospheric leanings.  Only a release as single in USA, I think it would have done well in the UK.

THE FLAME - The third UK single from the album and only reaching number 58 in the chart.  It has a similar feel to "View To A Kill" but a lesser version.  It meanders along nicely and is a reasoable track but fails to give that killer touch.

MISSING - This is a nice, easy going, eerily Gothic sounding track with a mystical feel to it.  Pretty cool.

ROSE ARCANA - 51 seconds of an instrumental track that is just a "filler" with no notable value, just a selection of effects, whirrs and pips and a tiny bit of choral vocal.

THE PROMISE - Featuring Sting on vocals and Herbie Hancock on keyboards this is the second best track on the album after "Election Day".  Released as the second single in the UK and reaching number 37 on the chart.  This is brilliant, great New Wave Rock Pop with some great vocals by Simon and I think David Gilmour plays a prominent role on this too.  The guitars are pretty much Progressive Rock based.  Love this track epic track in all of its 8 minutes.

EL DIABLO - Another brilliant track that echoes the Duran Duran sound with a little extra, great chorus and some Spanish sounding guitars and what sounds like panpipes?  Another favourite of mine from this album.

LADY ICE - A 7 minute epic track to end the album which is pretty much an advertisement for the whole album as it incorporates much of what has been heard already.  Its mysterious, eerie at times and its a bit drawn out for effect but its ok.

ALSO ON NEW MUSIC EAR - 

DURAN DURAN