Duran Duran – Danse Macabre

My copy (purchased used) had 4 stickers and a wristband included. Nothing in the notes on Discogs about it, so I wasn't sure if they are from another source. The 4 stickers are black square with white symbols. The wristband is also black has the 4 corresponding sybmbols flanking the band and album name.

First the good.
Andy plays in almost all the tracks. So this album feels Duran Duran pre Notorious days.
It’s good.
Tracks are fresh despite a few covers. Love Voodoo sounds great.
Smog LP is gorgeous.

The not so good.
The LP is warped.
Mastering so so.
Could use better separation.
Honestly. I think the streaming is better.

8/10.

Oujia board centerfold is beautiful. Wasn't sure what to expect as is a new album by an old band. It's a good album of covers and remakes. Needed to give a little wipe before play but sounded great after. I'll have to take a second spin for sure.

FYI, for the Assai Edition, because they remove the shrink you no longer know which pressing DM LP is. I inquired with them.

Good Morning Rob,

I've double checked and these are pressed in Canada.

Kind Regards,

Stephanie McFarlane

Assai Records

Assai-uk

Customer

Hi everyone,
although marked as worldwide, there are Made In Czech Republic AND Made In Canada versions, I know for sure the regular black issue has both. I have the Spotify and it was Made In Canada. My Transparent Galaxy was Made In Czech and my Smog was Made In Canada. Since Spotify was DD USA, I believe there wouldn't be a CR? What about the others? Is there a SMOG Made In Czech? Love this album!

Duran Duran eventually it that they are witches and channelled their pop success in an occult seance. Ok, so it is "Halloween" cheese, but I didn't think that Duran Duran had it in them to do something this good this late in their career. Indeed, it is better than most of their albums, except for "Rio". A touch of non-fill, but sounds real good.

Very pleased with this album. My copy has no issues. I don't agree with the few comments suggesting it does not sound "dynamic". My impressions are the exact opposite. Sounds fabulous on my system.

Hey, a little something for the completist collectors!

I noticed something was definitely "off" first time inspecting my Assai edition of this smog vinyl version when I received it today,
and it was very easy to spot what it was when I compared directly with my other Danse macabre editions!

The Assai sleeve is printed on slightly thicker cardboard quality and has a 7mm spine not 5mm ... it weights 10 gram more. The design is also a bit darker

Galaxy and Black sleeve versions looks 100% the same and both wight exactly 131 gram each while Assai is 141 gram and with the broader spine ... yes, I stripped the sleeves for everything even the OBI, before I weighted the sleeves.
But honestly this was just to collect further evidence because it is pretty easy to tell when you compare them side by side ...

So now I am really looking forward to receive my "regular" Smog edition ordered from Rough Trade to see if that one has 5 or 7 mm spine and if it is printed on the same thicker paper quality as the Assai.

Anybody else have both and can compare?

Great album (much much better than latest DM) and very good pressing quality. Didn't wash the records and both of them already playing well!

I have the HMV release with their limited art print. Funny, the art print is made of thicker stock paper than the inner sleeves.
My sealed copy came with 2 booklets. A nice little bonus!
My smog vinyl plays very well, very pleased with it.