ARCADIA - 1985 SO RED THE ROSE ALBUM REACTION/BREAKDOWN (A DURAN DURAN DEEP DIVE SERIES)

[@photo80sjeff84]

This album should be in a museum under glass. With lasers. Pew pew.❤😄👍

[@glitterkitty]

For a while I thought it may have been. So hard to find on vinyl over here. 😂

[@matthewashman1406]

​@@glitterkittywhere is here?

[@marcierenee15]

Missing is still one of my favorite songs decades later.

[@mogznwaz]

Simon is grossly underrated as a lyricist. I love his lyric style. Unique and poetic..

[@InjiArtistry]

AGREED. He's unmatched. Vocals as well.

[@tonykatsoufris8624]

That's because at sometime,Seven and the Ragged Tiger he wrote some nonsensical lyrics!!

[@tonykatsoufris8624]

This album has some of the most beautiful music Simon and Nick have made together!!!!

[@tonykatsoufris8624]

Yes,Keep me in the Dark is one of the best!!

[@tonykatsoufris8624]

Herbie Hancock,Sting,Carlos Alomar,David Gilmour and Grace Jones etc are some of the stars participating in this alum.

[@michaelhubbard5246]

I had a friend/roommate who never really knew Duran, but he was a musician, so I turned him on to Arcadia. He has never quit Thanking me as he is now a Duranie. He never knew, and this album opened his eyes to the tones and the lyrics. He begged me to play it in the car every time I gave him a ride somewhere. BTW, the female Vox on "Election Day" are Grace Jones. Pretty Obvious.

[@derfeld4514]

you know this is my fav album of all time. It's THE RECORD to me. It's a pure tribute art. Art for art's sake. Art for beauty's sake. "the blood rushed up to meet the roses in your hair" never heard anything this poetic to define the blushing of the cheeks

[@glitterkitty]

I’ll never get over some of Simon’s lyrics. He is a very gifted songwriter.

[@lebby4ever]

Arcadia was an underrated project for sure....I DO love "The promise" . As a Duranie since 1984, I'm proud to have been able to listen to this MASTERPIECE at that time, I still believe it's unfair we didn't have a second Arcadia album.❤

[@lebby4ever]

😂😂😂

[@fionamcgrath8982]

I would love to hear the vault songs that didn't make this album. I wish they would revisit them and do a little surprise sequel.

[@johnboehmer6683]

Always leave 'em wanting more...!

[@JedHead77]

Both Simon and Sting have some of the most recognizable voices. 🎤

[@tparmenter]

Literally the best Duran Duran album that never was. It could only have been better if they had made another one.

[@Admiral_John]

I read a review once that said this is the most pretentious album Duran Duran never made. :)

[@JEN13Deluxe]

it's not Duran Duran. It's a separate project.

[@Lamia7609]

@@Admiral_Johnof course because critics are trash

[@Jlocko67]

I bought the vinyl album in 1985 and still have it to this day.

[@deannacunningham583]

Same! ❤

[@markbaker7102]

Me too

[@mogznwaz]

Me too!

[@DutchDon076]

Yup, me too. Still have it

[@InjiArtistry]

GAAAH!!! Simon's voice, people! Gentle whispers to resonant heights - his range traverses realms.

[@NeilFarrimond]

I was 15 when this Album came out and as a long-term Duran fan, I was blown away with Arcadia. So many amazing, textured tracks that for me, 38 years later are timeless. It's wonderful to see your reaction and how you appreciate the music of the 80's specifically the Duran Duran catalogue. Great YT channel!

[@glitterkitty]

Thank you so much Neil! Great to hear you’re a long time fan 😃

[@Remco1984]

Best album ever made! Did you know Simon and Sting find out they sound good together while working on the Band Aid track.

[@JedHead77]

Arcadia and Power Station were exact halves of DD: One band is atmospheric and artsy, and the other is more rhythm and rock-based.

[@rachelar]

Power Station was, way trad rock tho, more like Andys solo stuff more than Duran Duran

[@mogznwaz]

Power Station had 3 members of CHIC involved, trad rock it is NOT

[@xavierxerxes1968]

"Atmosphericaly-ethereal" would be most aptly appropriate to describe Arcadia's sophisticated tracks.

[@theAntipooh]

I love the Dave Gilmour guitar on Missing and Promise

[@BingoBet-It-AllBeaver]

Also don't forget Andy Mackay from Roxy Music, and Masami Tsuchiya from Ippudo are on the album too.

[@jaywillingham4085]

Lol, Oh my gosh. WHO ARE YOU? lol. Just binged a few of your Duran vids and now I see THIS? One of the greatest albums ever in my opinion. Just an awesome work of art. Its so amazing you like this type of music. Do you understand how touching it is to see someone, especially a younger person who wasnt even thought of in the 80s, appreciate the music that flew under the radar but yet meant SO much to so many people? Im from the sticks and dirt roads of Alabama and NO ONE I knew was listening to Arcadia. So yeah, to see someone appreciate this for the first time is beautiful. If you think this album is good, you would only be doing yourself a favor by checking out the expanded edition CD release, which has all of the "Extended 12 inch versions" on a separate disc. Durans AND Arcadias 12 inch mixes were freaking spectacular. Like freaking cotton candy and cake for your ears. Lol. Awesome channel !!!!! 😊

[@glitterkitty]

Thank you for the wonderful comment Jay 😊

[@margiebrown554]

I am so excited to see someone else obsessed with Duran Duran. This album was such a mesmerizing trip, I always feel swept away when I listen to this one. Keep me in te dark, The Promise, The Flame are my top three off this one.

[@glitterkitty]

Makes me even more excited to see them later this month. It is very mesmerising, especially Lady Ice, there’s something about it that just makes you fall in love with them even more.

[@ScottJohnson80]

Missing was my favorite song on this album the first time i heard it, and 38 years later, it’s still my favorite!

[@rudymoerloos4725]

Missing is a masterpiece and the videoclip is also amazing

[@reachouttouchfaith7578]

It's in my top 5 best albums ever ❤

[@3by2youRreal]

The best Duran album never made……indeed ❤❤❤❤

[@JedHead77]

Fun Fact: “Arcadia” was one of many possible names for the band John Taylor had on a piece of paper before they settled on “Duran Duran”.

[@tonykatsoufris8624]

No my friend....That was Arabia

[@margaretschembridalli5218]

When Duran Duran split after the release of View to a Kill, we Duranies were HEARTBROKEN. We used to get so teased by the other girls who were into other groups like Wham, Culture Club and Tears for Fears. This album from Arcadia was like healing balm on a wound. For me this album still inspires hope. Even today that I am middle aged. Forever grateful to Simon and Nick for keeping the flicker of hope alive.

[@Karen-eg9hp]

I forgot how much I loved this album. Wonderful to see this on KZbin

[@dragasan]

I bought this vinyl as soon as it came out. I was blown away by Simon's vocals. I was a studio musician at the time, and our engineer and I couldn't stop analyzing it. A very fun album.

[@izzyworld8068]

Grace Jones did provide the spoken vocal for Election Day, but , contrary to popular opinion (including mine) a different lady , Spanish Model Violetta Sanchez spoke at the start of "The Flame" and she was the muse for the album cover, illustrated by Tony Viramontes.

[@glitterkitty]

Wow thanks for that awesome face Izzy, I had no idea. I thought the other lady in the Flame sounded different to Grace Jones and now I know!

[@tof_7thstranger]

Violetta is french, not spanish. And yes it's her voici on The Flame !

[@izzyworld8068]

@@tof_7thstranger I got her nationality from a Q&A Ask Katy section on the Duran Duran website, and just checked Google, she was born in Spain but brought up in Paris... so maybe we're both correct 🤔 😏 😉 😜

[@tof_7thstranger]

@@izzyworld8068 i have the chance to Know her since a few years... I met her at a Tony Viramontes Book signature in Paris and i Can tell you that her french is without any spanish accent... 😀

[@izzyworld8068]

@@tof_7thstranger she was born in Spain but lived and brought up in France. I was born in Pakistan but brought up in England so I have an English accent. 😁🇬🇧

[@janeelsner]

Lady Ice has to be my favorite one. Nick Rhodes is an absolute genius. “This is the seventh stranger of the album” perfectly stated. You’ve got good taste girl!

[@glitterkitty]

Lady Ice is such a beautiful track. I'm still in awe of the intro and all those stunning atmospheric sounds.

[@evanjazzista]

Lady Ice was recorded in just *one* take, bass player Mark Egan said that to me.

[@MesmerEyes2]

This song inspired my nickname.

[@amystabile7789]

El diablo and Lady Ice ftw 😍

[@muhazamhashim7114]

The fretless bassline of Mark Egans .. really amazing ❤

[@Windupchronic]

This is my #3 favorite Duran Duran album. Despite the name of the band it was released under, I still consider it a DD album.

[@podiumguy100]

yup

[@andrewvorhees4033]

I completely agree. I think they should just repackage the album with Duran Duran on the cover. They could do a cool rerelease. Probably my 3rd favorite Duran album.

[@zoso73]

What are your first two favorite DD albums?

[@Windupchronic]

@@zoso73 Rio and Notorious.

[@okafala605]

This album is sublime, unique and fascinating. It allowed Simon and Nick to explore the darker, occulted and esoteric side of DD more fully than we had been introduced to on S&TRT. If you know your way around the Esoteric, Tarot, Astrology, Numerology it becomes even more interesting on a whole other level.

[@okafala605]

(The ocarina you heard on El Diablo probably reminded you of the ocarina on The Chauffer). Nice reactions btw. I still remember hearing this in 1985, aged 13, game changer!

[@glitterkitty]

That’s what I was hearing! No wonder it sounded so familiar. Good to see you here again Oka. This album was definitely something very special.

[@janeelsner]

finally someone pointed it out lol

[@TheFab9999]

Still Duranarcadia for me..........the best group of the 80

[@tomtorres212]

Best album Duran Duran 'never' made ;). I´ve been always a sucker for their more arty stuff like 'The Chauffeur' , 'The Edge of America', 'The Man who stole a Leopard', etc. so when i first heard the album back in the day it was sensational for me. The whole album screamed 'Niiiiick Rhodes', my fave Duranie. As you asked - favourite track: Rose Arcana/The Promise in one go ;)

[@vintageoldtoys303]

Goodbye is Forever what an awesome track

[@innerstatejt]

I think this is the best thing they ever did. Missing is probably my favorite song

[@podiumguy100]

brilliant song - it's too bad she babbled thru most of it not really absorbing it properly

[@xavierxerxes1968]

​@@podiumguy100 Really? I think she did a fantastic job on interjecting when it was appropriate without violating the limited use laws. Get a life, bonehead.

[@riclaminim]

Best album ever ❤❤❤

[@deannacunningham583]

This album is INCREDIBLE! I'm not sure I could pick a favorite song from it. Each song has something I love about it. ❤

[@thatboringdude9429]

I love the Arcadia album. Such great songs like Goodbye is Forever, Keep Me in the Dark, and The Flame.

[@RR64434]

To me, this album was the precursor to Medazzaland… and yes “Missing” is my favorite track.

[@stevenlane1724]

Masterpiece. What a fantastic underated album.

[@Nik531]

SO RED THE ROSE ALBUM Is my all time favourite.

[@j.gregmorrison1953]

One of my very favorite albums of all time and my favorite ‘Duran Duran’ album. A perfect sister album to Seven and the Ragged Tiger. Favorite song is Keep Me in the Dark.

[@Jontor11]

This album is such a classic. It was way ahead of its time and I think it didn't quite get the recognition it deserved back then.

[@roxette2]

"Keeping me in the dark" was my absoloute favourite track off this album.

[@bukitkatilmp]

Im impressed that you are such a big fan of the band with so much knowledge despite the fact that you did not grow up during the time 🙂

[@glitterkitty]

Thank you 😊 I find all the good music came before my time.

[@markbaker7102]

If I had 1 wish it would be to go back to 85 and listen to it with virgin ears again, such an amazing album.

[@amystabile7789]

Arcadia changed my life in the 80s. As a DD fanatic, this changed my life. So beautiful ❤️😊

[@JedHead77]

SUCH an underrated album! 🌹

[@dirtyskoog]

The best Duran album that never was. Arguably the best album in their overall catalog.

[@stevenlane1724]

This album is a masterpiece.

[@zlatkovidlanovic6454]

This is PROOF that DURAN DURAN is one in TOP 5 BANDS in the whole world.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

I love this record. I first heard it on an old flame's original issue cassette late one night in her car parked in a cemetary while we...uh...had fun. This is the biggest and boldest album the "band" did.

[@EyesOfGehenna]

So Red the Rose was re-released in 2010 on two CDs and one DvD. It has all the bonus tracks and remixes as well as the videos. I still hope they'll re-release the 2 CDs on vinyl as a vinyl box set 😀. When this album came out I was already a fan of Duran Duran but this album just blew me away. So Red the Rose and Notorious are my favourite albums of Duran Duran (related) music.

[@paulbradley705]

Say the word was the fifth and final song but not original cd .fantastic song.

[@paulbradley705]

Lucky i got the cd before the price went crazy.

[@markjess754]

The Flame was a great song on that album. It also was a great video.

[@bernadette2513]

I bought this album when I was a teenager and I was OBSESSED with it. I still have the original vinyl. I also have the three disc special edition released in 2010....well worth getting if you can find it. One of my favourite albums of all time and can be appreciated on so many levels. 32 00 38 44 06 24 00 02 30 32 52 00 16 38 18 04 40 If you know, you know.

[@psterud]

I noticed the numbers around the edge of the album for the first time, as well as the arrows showing which way they go, but I don't know which language it is. Care to give a hint?

[@bernadette2513]

@@psterud The numbers are a simple code. It's in English. I'm not sure how much to tell you, don't want to spoil the fun of working it out for yourself.

[@glitterkitty]

I think it just says ‘So Red the Rose’. I don’t have the album on vinyl but there’s a wheel on the reverse side with a chart of numbers and then that same wheel on the vinyl record itself but with the letters. It’s a nice touch.

[@bernadette2513]

@@glitterkitty So Red the Rose is the key to the code. If you look at those words, when you take the e off the end and place it at the front and use the 22/30 numbers to represent both d and h, it spells the same words backwards. Kind of like the ouroborous when it's presented in the circle. The arrows tell you where to start moving forward and backward. The numbers are a substitution code and you can use the code to work out what it says around the front of the album and what I said in my comment.

[@Gregbenoit2]

Thank you for this in-depth review of this great album. It's one of my favorite albums. and of course I'm a life long fan of Duran Duran. I was lucky to have worked with them for four of their live shows. Great guys. Great band!!!!

[@glitterkitty]

Thank you for watching Greg. Imagine it was awesome to work with them. All the best :)

[@thelostweekend3322]

Good bye is sometimes really forever. I hear it in Simon's voice.

[@paulbriand3334]

So great to see the younger generation enjoying an album I’ve loved for 38 years. Duran Duran have had so many musical gems and many are B sides. I hope you get to explore them as well!!! 😊

[@glitterkitty]

Thanks Paul! I look forward to exploring the rest of their works I may have not heard before. 🙂

[@tjeffrey830]

This is one of favorite albums from the 80's! Way too underrated. Unique in so many ways!

[@JedHead77]

Just think, Nick was only 23 at the time, and had just split from the most popular band at the time to make this! 🎹😮🙌🏼

[@glitterkitty]

He certainly is a legend.

[@davelafave6678]

You know, I've often considered that. What creative (and financially solvent) decisions were WE making between 18 and 23? Sheeesh... I was lucky if I could hold a job.

[@JedHead77]

@@davelafave6678 George Harrison was only 20 when the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show!

[@815MikeB]

This is probably a little late, with this video being almost 9 months ago, but I'm so glad to see younger people getting into Arcadia. As much as I grew up with and loved Duran Duran, I think I kinda liked Arcadia better. They had a more creative and experimental sound, imho. I felt more emotional listening to them.

[@tobiasdenter701]

This Album is a phenomenal, outstanding piece of musical art... Nick Rhodes at his best, Simons best vocal performance. Nick's ability to create "aural pictures" and give birth to such great soundlayers is what I adore most, he's a genius...he still is btw.

[@glitterkitty]

Totally agree with you!

[@virginiatoscana]

Love this Album it ' s a Very Masterpiece

[@highetk]

Missing is my favourite on the album. Such a beautiful piece of music and the lyrics are so full of imagery. I always stop what I'm doing when this song comes on and just lose myself in it. Still the same after nearly 40 years. God tier music.

[@clonmult]

Simon, Nick and Roger were on amazing form with this album - it truly does deserve to be viewed as the best album Duran Duran ever made. And revisiting it through your view really does help confirm that it was quite a masterpiece that wasn't sufficiently understood at the time. And an interesting thought on Danse Macabre - Confessions in the afterlife could have almost been included here, it does have a distinct "Arcadia" feel to it.

[@ono1dij]

This is an amazing, extraordinary album, incredible in every way, sound, composition, arrangements, interpretation, everything is great here... So far one of my very loved albums

[@rossanopellegrini9658]

This is one of my favorite albums ever, nice melodies, smooth sound and catchy verses. I love Lady ice so much. That’s awesome. Thank you glitter. Saluti dall’Italia

[@davidcorbett1418]

God we could talk for hours about DD. My favorite "DD" album by far. At 52, and really falling in love with them after their heyday, it's so awesome to see "you kids" falling in love with them too. And sweet Jesus my first favorite band was The Police. Duran grew on me and saved me when I needed saving.

[@evanjazzista]

Google is your friend. You keep wondering how much Sting was involved: he just went to say hello to the guys because he happened to be in Paris at the same time of the recording of So Red The Rose. They asked him to put some vocals on The Promise. He wasn't involved in the production and didn't play any bass (which was a wise choice since monster jazz player Mark Egan was the bassist on this project). The Arcadia album came out in 1985, Nothing Like The Sun came out in 1987. Andy Mackay was the saxophone player with Arcadia, Branford Marsalis (from USA) is the player on Englishman in New York. Rose Arcana only lasts 51 seconds because there wasn't enough room to keep the long version on a vinyl record, however, the full version is available on the 25th Anniversary CD release of the album. Credits: Mark Egan - bass Masami Tsuchiya - guitar, violin Andy Mackay - saxophone David Van Tieghem - percussion Jean-Claude Dubois - harp Pierre Defay - violin Sting - vocals on "The Promise" Herbie Hancock - synth 'flute' solo on "The Promise" Grace Jones - spoken voice on "Election Day" Violetta Sanchez - spoken voice on "The Flame" Carlos Alomar, David Gilmour - additional guitar Steve Jordan - additional drums on "Lady Ice" Manu Katché, Rafael De Jesus - additional percussion Wendel Jr. - drum programming -- The album was produced by Alex Sadkin.

[@glitterkitty]

I love that Masami Tsuchiya played on this album. I believe he played a few live shows with Japan during their Gentlemen take Polaroids era. My favourite Japan album.

[@maxdidone394]

This Record is a PURE WORK of ART!! 💙💖💛

[@clarkarnold5431]

This album is so good

[@posthitmusic]

I always loved this album, Arcadia was a great side project and It's almost a DD album, so it makes sense that you include it on your reaction list. So Red The Rose reflects very well that period of time, some luxury with obscure mistery and escapism. I love the cover of Tony Viramontes and this is another masterpiece. My favourite top 5 tracks are: Election Day, El Diablo, Lady Ice, The Flame and Missing, but all the songs are incredible, it's difficult to make a choice.... Thank You for the video. Love from Portugal.

[@stefanob.757]

First vinyl album i bought..money well spent...Missing is a great song and the whole album is beatifull..the cover is magnificent!!

[@paulbradley705]

This deserved better. Much better than the more publicised power station. I love every track.election day, goodbye is forever.reissue includes say the wOrd.

[@mogznwaz]

El Diablo, The Flame, Missing are my favourites since I first bought this album in 1985. I love Dave Gilmour’s guitar work on The Promise too

[@BryanChestnutt]

Some of Simon & Nick's best work ever! So excited about new Danse Macabre album, will remind me of their dark side like on this amazing Arcadia project!

[@robynhurley5119]

I was a senior in high school in 1985 around the time this came out. Duran was all over MTV

[@patriciaharrison]

I LOVE ❤️ listening to this Wonderful album 💿 again and again today, thanks for sharing it with me and others!!!

[@lisaGTorontogirl]

Fun fact John Taylor whom wasant in Arcadia He was in The power Station He made a brief appearance in the video for The Flame

[@ddm62571]

So Red the Red is so under-rated! Good Album! So many good songs!

[@Lamia7609]

I remember when this dropped I was a new fan. Blew me away. I remember it was storming I had the doors open to let the wind in. No lights, just candles lit in case the power went out. Such beautiful darkness.

[@bluesilvahalo3576]

Stunning stunning album. I've been enjoying listening to it for years and Lady Ice was my favourite. When I lock into it with headphones on it genuinely brings tears to my eyes. So beautiful.

[@Nui.]

Mark Egan (Pat Methany Band) is the bassist, he's a stunningly good musician/player. Big shout out needs to go to Alex Sadkin (RIP) for his extraordinary work in producing this album. 💜

[@Reprodestruxion]

Re the guitars on goodbye is forever : Carlos Alomar: Simon helped a lot on ‘Goodbye Is Forever’. He and Nick had a thing about sustaining sounds to make it dance-y. I did more rhythm playing on Goodbye Is Forever, but it was too much. Simon pointed that out, going “No, no, just play it a little tighter.” On most of the songs, there’s a lot of space in the finished version.

[@rudymoerloos4725]

When I see your video, I immediately go back to 1985. I had the same reaction. This is still 39 years later in the top ten of my all time favorites albums. I remember sitting in my room and just blown away. Thank you for bringing me back to that wonderful moment and glad to see that even young people pick it up.

[@zoso73]

Same here.

[@podiumguy100]

the best album duran duran never recorded ... to most fans it's the follow up to SATRT not Notorious - this album got me thru college

[@ICExMikey]

I was 13 when this was new. I came in on arena so arena was the 4th album to me. Arcadia was the best duran thing by far, countless hours in the dark falling asleep listening to this as a teen

[@jean-francoisferry1931]

I still listen to this regularly. Missing and Lady Ice are eerie, beautiful and just amazing

[@k1productions87]

In El Diablo, I am quite certain that the "flute" is the Ocarina that Simon used in The Chauffeur from the Rio album

[@psterud]

I was thinking it was Save a Prayer.

[@k1productions87]

@@psterud I don't recall if it was used in Save a Prayer, but I know The Chauffeur has a full on ocarina solo for the last chunk of it

[@glitterkitty]

Ah! No wonder it sounds so familiar.

[@edgarfilho6129]

This album is amazing! I am a huge fan of these guys.❤

[@mileswb]

When I heard this record was coming out, I drove 15 miles to the nearest record store (Musicland!) to see if it arrived every week for *months.* Then one day, as winter was threatening, there it was. It was even better than I expected. The Promise is my fave track. It was the perfect album to listen to with snow falling in the Winter of 1985. Thanks for giving it a listen!

[@FFab-DD68]

I've been a staunch DD fan since the mid 80's. I think Notorious, Wedding Album, Rio, Astronaut and So Red the Rose are their finest albums. I 've been watching your videos recently. Your reviews are fantastic. I really like how you customize your outfit to suit the album under review. Keep up the great work.

[@glitterkitty]

Thank you so much for watching! :)

[@robertt4176]

The best LP DD never made

[@Mwayne-lq4gl]

Well done with your album review, as you have great taste in music. I had a similar reaction to you when I first heard this album 38 years ago. I would also like to think that you'll have a similar reaction 38 years from now when you discover someone else listening to this for the first time. Their music is timeless, and I have no doubt that it will continue to be well-received by future generations.

[@glitterkitty]

That’s how you know when an artist is truly timeless, I really hope these albums continue to receive recognition.

[@stephanieholliday3938]

I just ran across this on KZbin. So Red the Rose is one of the most underrated albums of all time. I have said this since I first heard the album when it came out. I was 15 years old and already a diehard Duranie. The album was way beyond it's time and honestly, most of the tracks are too sophisticated for airplay. They don't transfer well to radio and I think that's why it didn't get more attention at the time of it's release. But the thing I love about this album is the Nick really let loose and was able to play with SO MANY different sounds effects and synth play which of course has always been his forte'. And That allowed Simon to really stretch his vocal talents and show us what he was capable of. He has an AMAZINGLY beautiful high tenor voice. I could go on and on about this album. It is so rich with add ins and came out at a perfect time when synthesizers were acceptable and heavily used, but they don't overpower the music. Just ..."SIGH!" YES! A true masterpiece.

[@glitterkitty]

It has to be one of my favourites, for these reasons too. 😊

[@andrewgurudata2390]

Thanks for this great reaction! I was a Duran Duran fan back when this came out and I remember how blown away I was when this album came out. I liked the Power Station album, but enjoyed this one way more, and my friends and I used to always ponder what it would have sounded like if it was a full Duran Duran album instead - how would John and Andy's presence have changed these songs. "The Promise" is definitely my fave. There was also a great song called "Say The Word" which wasn't included on the album but which was released separately on a movie soundtrack at the time, although it was included on later special editions of So Red The Rose. Another fun fact: So Red The Rose has a bunch of numbers on the cover and inner sleeve that are actually a code that spell out various things. I remember my friends and I trying to figure out the code to decode it all back in the day. :)

[@tristramcoffin926]

You should consider a deep dive album series of a-ha. They have been making music for over 40 years just like Duran.

[@mogznwaz]

Their first 2 albums are beautiful

[@nikorey27]

Missing is on of my favourite songs in the album, because is a so melancholic and experimental ballad. Cheers from Buenos Aires.

[@michaeljarrett599]

This song is so catchy, so beautiful, hypnotic and just a complete rush of 80s cool! And again Arcadia is a killer record: love that the Duran boys were never afraid to branch out and make more music outside. Definitely a special song! And Simon’s voice is so undeniable and smooth. Love your reaction and your smile! React to “The Promise” off this same record😊

[@izzyworld8068]

This album was heavily influenced by the UK art-rock band JAPAN, in particular their "Tin Drum" album. One of their touring guitarists Masami Tsuchiya was on this album and involved in the early promotion photos listed as a member of Arcadia, but later took a back seat.

[@JeffHedfors]

I agree. I have always seen the influence of David Sylvian upon Nick. I wonder if the influence went the other way as Missing (minus Simon's vocals) could have fit seamlessly onto Gone to Earth that came out a year later.

[@izzyworld8068]

@@JeffHedfors Missing could have fit well yes, but I suspect Sylvian was already in that zone, 4 years before this , as Japan split (and DD rose up) , Sylvian had explored similar sonic territory with Ruichi Sakamoto on Bamboo Houses/Bamboo Music single.

[@glitterkitty]

I love Japan. I haven’t heard all their albums, which is why it’d be nice to do a Japan deep dive. The only album I’ve play to death is ‘Gentlemen take Polaroids’. I also love Sylvian’s solo works, especially ‘Brilliant Trees’. As time went on he became more experimental with his music. I recently purchased his album Manafon on vinyl but haven’t yet listened to it the whole way through.

[@izzyworld8068]

@@glitterkitty not aware if that recent release , so will check it out. To be honest I am not a huge fan of a lot of the solo work, although I have two compilation albums rather than actual albums. What style would you say his new album is ? Electronic , acoustic or more towards jazz as most of his solo work seems to be ?

[@rachelar]

Masami was arguably a (guest) member of Japan but for Arcadia he didn't get along with them or something

[@robertt4176]

I adore this Lp !!! Always loved Arcadia

[@marquisDesign]

I got chills watching this video. For an old-school Duranie like me, it was such a delight to see you experiencing it and having many of the same reactions I had during my first listen way back in 1985. It's hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that this album is 40 years old. It still holds up. Not only does it hold up, the album actually gets better with time. I don't consider SRTR a side project. It's an (un)official DD album in my opinion.

[@cyrussoxlegion]

Thank you for your review. I've always loved this album, especially Lady Ice. That song is just so damn outstanding. I know this might sound weird but for me, el Diablo is kind of evocative of lord, of the rings.

[@Venthrac]

Goodbye is Forever is one of the most perfectly-crafted pop songs I’ve ever heard.

[@izzyworld8068]

As ever a great detailed journey through an album I personally love. I love the way you speak about the musicianship and production. The important part of the band, for me , is their music. Durannies at the time loved it, some were missing Andy and John on it, but for me hearing Nick play off other musicians pushed him to experiment more. It's been called "The greatest album Duran Duran Duran never made" by some

[@RR64434]

Totally agree. In think this album helped Nick and Simon know that they could make it through the time when it was just them. It fits perfectly into their catalog

[@glitterkitty]

I agree! It is an amazing album and would have done exceptionally well as a Duran album but I’m glad Nick and Simon took that time to experiment and it really does showcase just how amazing Nick is.