Duran Duran Album: “Strange Behaviour”

Leave it to those wonderful European record companies to give us the best of what the U.S. doesn't really offer! I love a good remix, and this 2-cd set does deliver, I'll give it that.

Now, previous to this purchase, I had heard the term "Night Version" and/or "Carnival Version" (as it applies to a Duran Duran song) but had never really understood the term. I found out that it basically means "extended remixes incorporating long stretches of instrumental music", which is actually a good thing. I had long lamented the absence of "New Moon on Monday" from the DECADE cd but refused to buy the GREATEST compilation, and rightly so, because here it is right here, and in a longer form!

This is one of those cd-sets where you should just put them in the player and listen to while you do housework or wash dishes or something. Thoroughly enjoyable, and I even got acquainted with some really early tracks of which I had previously been unaware (New Religion, Hold Back the Rain).

"The Reflex" (Dance mix) is a must-have, and I must say that I happen to like the dub versions of "I Don't Want Your Love" and "Come Undone." All in all, no real selection of Duran Duran cd's would be complete without these two. Besides, you want to brag about your exclusive import cd to all your friends, right?

After noticing the price and the time it takes to ship this import cd (2 to 5 weeks!), I got to thinking about the "import" aspect...obviously, it's imported from the UK...and hey--doesn't Amazon have a UK site? Indeed they do. This CD can be had for around 7 pounds, with shipping at about 6 pounds (sorry, I don't remember the exact figure). Plus, there wasn't the big hold-up on shipping it. I got it in about a week. I also ordered a Sting import (also about half the price that I would have paid for it from Amazon.com, and with tracks on it that the American version doesn't have). I don't know if I'll get in trouble from Amazon for pointing this out, but if you're going to get this, it's a far better deal to get it from the Amazon.co.uk site. Even with the exchange rate. Just some advice.

And the CD? It's wonderful.

When i first found this CD, i was glad to see that it had all the 12 Inch Remixes and 12 Inch Extended Versions and Digitally Remastered of all of our favorite Duran Duran tracks.

Disc 1 : The Night Versions (1981-1984), all of them are all CLASSICS (Bar-None!), but If I had to crown the reigning champ of Disc 1, it has to go to "Girls On Film", this is the version that was used for the "UNCENSORED" video, before editing it and then using the LP Version from the "Duran Duran" 1981 LP, the Night Version of "Girls On Film" blows the album version right out of the water big time, it has way more sex appeal to it. Overall Disc 1 : "More substance Is better".

Disc 2 : The Remixes (1986-1993), Disc 2 doesn't have the same magic that Disc 1 has, it kind of falls short and at times makes it kind of hard to listen too (I don't know, bad remixing, it was the mid 80's, at times doesn't sound like a remix), but you have to like for what it is.

Whle the first cd is just a repeat of the night versions cd, there is the added bonus of getting to hear the new moon on monday remix. This track is awsome. The second cd is totally cool. The best of the remixes being the ones for skin trade and violence of summer. This is one cd collection that you can dance to. All fans will love it.

The reason for this Strange Behaviour (from Skin Trade) is for us Duran Duran freaks who can't get enough! I just saw them live in concert and it was one of the best concerts ever...original band minus Andy Taylor. This album set features remixes of original work plus a lot of new material mixed in. If you like John jamming on the bass, Roger ripping it up on the drums, Nick mixing it up and Simon working the mike, then this is a must have. The first CD is awesome and the second CD finishes it off very nicely. If you are Hungry Like the Wolf for free-style remakes of some of their greatest songs, then savor this set. It is definitely worth it!