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Released: March 29, 1982


Rating: 4.506 (average of 8 ratings)


Genre: new wave pop/rock


Quotable: “as representative of the eighties as it gets, at its best” – Ned Raggett, All Music Guide


Album Tracks:

  1. Rio
  2. My Own Way
  3. Lonely in Your Nightmare
  4. Hungry Like the Wolf
  5. Hold Back the Rain
  6. New Religion
  7. Last Chance on the Stairway
  8. Save a Prayer
  9. The Chauffeur


Sales:

sales in U.S. only 2 million
sales in U.K. only - estimated 300,000
sales in all of Europe as determined by IFPI – click here to go to their site. --
sales worldwide - estimated 6 million


Peak:

peak on U.S. Billboard album chart 6
peak on U.K. album chart 2


Singles/Hit Songs:

  • My Own Way (11/28/81) #14 UK
  • Hungry Like the Wolf (5/15/82) #3 US, #5 UK, #1 AR. Sales: ½ million
  • Save a Prayer (8/21/82) #16 US, #2 UK
  • Rio (11/13/82) #14 US, #9 UK, #5 AR


Awards:

Rated one of the top 1000 albums of all time by Dave’s Music Database. Click to learn more.


Rio
Duran Duran
Review:
“From its Nagel cover to the haircuts and overall design – and first and foremost the music – Rio is as representative of the eighties as it gets, at its best. The original Duran Duran’s high point, and just as likely the band’s as a whole, its fusion of style and substance ensures that even two decades after its release it remains as listenable and danceable as ever” (Raggettt).

“The quintet integrates its sound near-perfectly throughout, the John and Roger Taylor rhythm section providing both driving propulsion and subtle pacing. For the latter, consider the lush semi-tropical sway of Save a Prayer or the closing paranoid creep of The Chauffeur, a descendant of Roxy Music’s equally affecting dark groover ‘The Bogus Man’” (Raggett).

“Andy Taylor’s muscular riffs provide fine rock crunch throughout, Rhodes’ synth wash adds perfect sheen, and Le Bon tops it off with sometimes overly cryptic lyrics that still always sound just fine in context courtesy of his strong delivery” (Raggett).

Rio’s two biggest smashes burst open the door in America for the New Romantic/synth rock crossover. Hungry Like the Wolf blended a tight, guitar-heavy groove with electronic production and a series of instant hooks, while the title track was even more anthemic, with a great sax break from guest Andy Hamilton adding to the soaring atmosphere” (Raggett).

“Lesser known cuts like Lonely in Your Nightmare and Last Chance on the Stairway still have pop thrills a-plenty, while Hold Back the Rain is the sleeper hit on Rio, an invigorating blast of feedback, keyboards and beat that doesn’t let up. From start to finish, a great album that has outlasted its era” (Raggett).


Review Source(s):


Last updated April 6, 2008.