Duran Duran (1981 album)

Duran Duran
Studio album by Duran Duran
Released	15 June 1981 (1981-06-15)
Recorded	December 1980 – January 1981
Studio	Red Bus and Utopia (London); Chipping Norton (Oxfordshire)
Genre	Synth-pop[1][2] new wave[3]
Length	39:42
Label	EMI
Producer	Colin Thurston
Duran Duran chronology
Duran Duran (1981) Rio (1982)
1983 US reissue
Singles from Duran Duran
"Planet Earth" Released: 2 February 1981 "Careless Memories" Released: 20 April 1981 "Girls on Film" Released: 13 July 1981

Duran Duran is the debut studio album by the English pop rock band Duran Duran, released on 15 June 1981 through EMI. Produced by Colin Thurston, it was recorded in London and Oxfordshire between December 1980 and January 1981. The instrumental tracks were recorded quickly, but vocalist Simon Le Bon initially struggled to sing in the studio, leading to discussions about replacing him before EMI employee Dave Ambrose intervened.

Influenced by artists such as David Bowie, the Human League, Japan and Chic, Duran Duran features a mixture of synthesiser-led pop tunes and more atmospheric tracks, with elements of disco, punk and dance. Le Bon's cryptic lyrics cover topics from youthful torment and confusion to the band's goals and ambitions. The cover artwork for the album and singles were designed by Malcolm Garrett.

Three singles appeared for the album, each promoted with music videos, which helped the album reach number three in the UK and remain in the top 100 for 118 weeks. The sexually-provocative video for "Girls on Film" was controversial, and generated publicity for the new MTV channel in the United States. Its initial US release on Capitol subsidiary Harvest Records was unsuccessful; a reissue there during the height of the band's fame in 1983 reached the top ten of the Billboard chart.

Duran Duran initially received mixed reviews. Critics felt the band did not stand out from their contemporaries, although some praised the singles. Retrospective reviews have been more positive, with critics complimenting the band for creating a modern sound that spearheaded the New Romantic movement. It was remastered and re-released in a 2010 special edition, with bonus demo and live tracks.