Album of the Day

One of the great standard bearers of U.K. new wave music, Duran Duran drew its name from a character in the film Barbarella, and its members were ready for their close-ups from the very beginning. While the photogenic Birmingham quintet had a flair for fashion and a keen visual sense, their self-titled 1981 debut proved that they had substance as well as style. “Planet Earth,” “Careless Memories” and “Girls On Film” were irresistible singles, and the more experimental material dominating the second half of the album was as richly atmospheric as peak-period Roxy Music. After the massive success of the band's RIO, DURAN DURAN was re-released and became a Top Ten Platinum seller; to celebrate the birthday of Duran drummer Roger Taylor, we'll give another spin to the album that started it all for the “Fab Five.”