As last year’s 'Only After Dark' compilation of postpunk synthpop suggested, DD have belatedly concluded that they’re really more Arcadia than Power Station, and with this – their first album since guitarist John Taylor split – they’d like to come across as godfathers of avant-pop. If you’re willing to overlook Simon Le Bon’s always peculiar lyrics and occasionally strained singing, 'Red Carpet Massacre' is actually pretty impressive. The three Timbaland/Timberlake hookups are effective rather than embarrassing, and with the slinky “Nite Runner” they’ve produced their best single since 1986’s “Skin Trade”. STEPHEN TROUSSÉ
As last year’s ‘Only After Dark’ compilation of postpunk synthpop suggested, DD have belatedly concluded that they’re really more Arcadia than Power Station, and with this – their first album since guitarist John Taylor split – they’d like to come across as godfathers of avant-pop.
If you’re willing to overlook Simon Le Bon’s always peculiar lyrics and occasionally strained singing, ‘Red Carpet Massacre’ is actually pretty impressive. The three Timbaland/Timberlake hookups are effective rather than embarrassing, and with the slinky “Nite Runner” they’ve produced their best single since 1986’s “Skin Trade”.
STEPHEN TROUSSÉ
