Careless Memories – The Daily Duranie Review

 Our reviews continue with Careless Memories!

Rhonda:


Musicality/Instrumentation: The overall theme for this entire album is balance, and I can’t think of enough varying and interesting ways to say that over and over again.  Every musician knows his part and provides their piece to the picture without overpowering.  This is the Duran Duran I know.  I also want to say that there just isn’t another synthesizer player out there…anywhere…that can really create an atmosphere in two 4-count bars the way that Nick Rhodes is able.  Another thing I will say is that Roger is a drum god on this song.  I have had the “opportunity” to hear the song with other drummers behind the set (and I know we’re supposed to be reviewing the original version here), and there is NO ONE who can play this like Roger.

Vocals:  Whatever happened to singing songs in this key?  I have to say, I love the darker tone to Simon’s voice on this entire album.  What I don’t really understand is why, after this album – all we hear from Simon are songs written much higher for him, with a ton of harmonization in the chorus.  Don’t get me wrong, those songs are great and they do make Simon’s voice entirely recognizable – but so are the ones such as this, because his voice has such a fantastic tone when singing in this key.  It’s gorgeous and I wish they’d record more like this.

Lyrics: I must say that there have been certain moments in my life where I have played this song on “max” and felt every last word deep in my soul, and made me want to yell the lyrics right along with Simon (Ok, so he’s not yelling – he’s singing, but I’d be yelling.) This is one of those Duran Duran songs that isn’t incredibly difficult to understand and feel, yet sounds like poetry, albeit perhaps a little angry.  It’s not as though the words are beautiful and paint a happy picture; but they are feelings that all of us have from time to time, and I think that’s why this song works so well.  Fans get it, and we concur!!

Production:  I like the production of this song because it sounds simple and not overdone.  I don’t hear that wall of sound coming at me where I can’t really tell a guitar from the keyboards. I can hear a clear bass, and the beauty is that I can actually HEAR THE NOTES.  Nowadays I sometimes have real difficulty understanding what is truly instrumentation and what was messed with production-wise.  Granted, I’m an amateur, but I know what I like, and it was executed rather well back in the early 80’s with this song.

Overall:  The beauty of Careless Memories is that even today, I still love this song.  It still means something to me, and I’m able to relate to the words and rock to the music the way I did when I was 11 or 12. (some might say it means even more to me now that I’m grown!)  It’s really amazing how much of Duran Duran’s catalog does not sound dated. I am a firm believer that at least part of that has to do with the production.  Just wait until we get to the Liberty album…  There is something very classic and pure about rock, and that’s what this song is to me.  It’s as rock as Duran Duran is going to get, and I completely appreciate the balance, the words, the production and the fact it still makes me want to dance.

Cocktail Rating:  5 cocktails!

Amanda’s Take:

Musicality/Instrumentation:  Oh my goodness!  Where exactly do I start?  This song begins with that atmospheric sound that seems to go back and forth that we all recognize now.  This sound immediately puts the listener on notice that the song is going to one that you can’t ignore.  It is going to grip you and isn’t going to let go until the very end.  Then, throughout the majority of the songs, there is the perfect combination of instrumentation that early Duran did so well with.  If you listen carefully, each instrument is noticeable and solid.  Then, if you step back, there is a perfect balance in that they all work together.  This song reminds me of many paintings in that way.  It is amazing up close but also fabulous from a distance.  When you focus on the details, you notice how amazing those details are.  Yet, when listening to it as a whole, the overall sound is awesome as well.  Of course, one of my favorite parts is when Roger and Nick step into the spotlight in a kind of call and answer moment, which ends only to build more intensity as the song reaches its climax.  In this case, the climax is when there is the swirl of sound that seems to increase in intensity and volume until the sounds fade away at the end.

Vocals:  The thing about Simon’s vocals in this song that always strikes me is how natural they are.  There doesn’t seem to be a big push for him to do something that he can’t or isn’t comfortable with.  It feels like the song was written for exactly where Simon’s range really is.  Of course, this doesn’t stop the emotion coming through, especially with the repetition of “look out, look out, look out.”  His warning comes through without making it forced. 


Lyrically:  Lyrically, this song always makes me smile.  I know that doesn’t seem to make any sense since it isn’t a happy song.  On the surface, the song seems to be about a break-up and how one reacts to the break-up.  On one hand, the person tries to blow it off with “it’s not as though it really mattered” while admitting that it bothers him “so easy to disturb with a thought or a whisper”.  So, the person tries to find a “new day”.  Yet, as with any other Duran song that works, these lyrics can be applied to other situations.  I know that I have often applied them to my personal fandom with Duran as I have had moments when I have tried to walk away and that they keep sucking me back in.  The lines like, “cause I don’t want to meet you.  I’d think I’d die, I know I’d cry, What I am supposed to do…follow you,” seem terribly fitting.

Production:  Like with every other song on this album, I wish that I had been there in the studio or wherever the writing and recording was done.  I want to hear the conversation about giving Nick and Roger the spotlight.  I want to hear how they made sure that all instruments could be heard both individually and as a collective piece.  That balance, that still what strikes me, what impresses me.  To me, it is how music should always be done.

Overall:  This song really works on all levels.  I love that it is one of “harder”, more “rock” songs in the Duran catalog.  The instruments and the lyrics fit to create this intense, can’t ignore one’s complex feelings type of song.  It is one song I absolutely love to hear live!!!

Cocktail Rating:  5 cocktails!!!