Here's the short story on why so many of you are griping about the "re-editing" of Rio in this newest remastered form. Rio was released internationally in 1982 EXACTLY as it appears here. It was a huge hit in Britain and Europe, but not in America. David Kershenbaum was brought in to remix some of the tracks, three of which ( Hungry Like the Wolf, Hold Back the Rain, and My Own Way ) made it a mini lp ( or EP, as they were then called ) called Carnival ( I still have my copy ). After the extended version of Hungry Like the Wolf became a club and radio hit, Rio was re-released in the US with the extended versions of these three songs, and a very slightly altered Kershenbaum mix of Lonely in Your Nightmare, added to the album. ( Again, I actually have both versions of this LP ) So, to make a long story short, this IS the original, definitive version of the Rio album, in its full glory. If you like the extended versions, I suggest you look for "night Versions" ( now out of print, sadly ), or buy the singles box set, which will contain the remixes. I can also recommend the British cd called Strange Behaviour, which contains an excellent extended ( but not remixed ) version of Planet Earth, as well as a remixed and extended version of Hold Back the Rain, both of which are unavailable elsewhere, as far as I know. Rio, in and of itself, it a delightful slice of early Eighties dance-pop, with a slightly arty influence. Very highly recommended.

It was originally released in May 1982, but Duran Duran's second album, "Rio," didn't catch fire on these American shores until a year later, thanks to the breakthrough single and video "Hungry Like the Wolf." It was perfect timing for the British group: the year was 1983, during which MTV culture was taking shape and revolutionized the way we listen to music. That, coupled with the group's stylishly produced videos and new romantic-inspired pop, helped make Duran Duran such an important staple in 1980s music. Here, virtually none of the 80s cheese you find from trendier groups appears on this CD. There's the dynamic title track (replete with a sax solo from Andy Hamilton), the seductive "The Chauffer," the uptempo rocker "Hold Back the Rain," and the funkified "My Own Way" (which differs from the original mix on the 1981 single). "Rio" is one of the first LPs I ever purchased (I still have the original vinyl), and it gives me great teenage memories. On its own merits, the record really deserves 4 stars, but it gets an extra one for its sentimental value. (By the way, this remastered version is the original pressing of "Rio" that was released overseas, and not the remixed version that was once available in America.)

I know it's a bit predictable to say that Rio is their best album. I would rather say that their debut was their best album as I prefer the whole New Romantic thing to the bands 1982 Miami Vice aesthetic they adopted with RIO. But white sport jackets and fedoras aside, Rio is so well constructed and produced that it blows any other album by them out of the water.

This is the fun Duran Duran we all fell in love with.
The musicianship on this album is playful, and often superb (When are these guys gonna get the credit they deserve?). Many of the songs have wonderfully wierd basslines from John Taylor.

Andy Taylor's guitar was in full effect, and proves that he was as important as the vocals of Simon Le Bon in giving them their unique sound.
"Rio" gives you hits aplenty. Not only do you get the title track, "Hungry like the wolf" and "Save a prayer" on this CD, you also get the outstanding "The Chauffer" which has to be one of their greatest moments on record. "Hold back the Rain" showed that when they (sort of) wanted to rock out, they were damned good at it. "New Religion" has a bass groove from hell and the odd effect of Lebon, as two alter egos, argueing for a chorus.
The classic album cover was designed by Nagel and was later defaced and satired on the bands 1997 release "Medazzeland" which was probably their next best album after Rio. Hmmmm.

When I heard that the original songs from Rio had been remastered, I was ecstatic. I grew up with the versions on the cassette I bought in 1982, and never really liked the versions on the CD. I read the reviews here, and noticed there was a difference of opinion on whether these are the original songs. I was praying they were, and was most notably looking for the following differences: "My Own Way" intro has keyboard arpeggios in between the guitar chords. "Hungry Like a Wolf" has an instrumental verse before any singing starts. "Hold Back The Rain" starts with keyboard before drums and guitar start. It also has a slightly extended intro where Simon whispers, "Hold back the rain," and a second instrumental break towards the end of the song, where Simon sings, "Hold it back, hold it back, hold it back."

I was disappointed to find that none of these differences are on this 2001 remastered CD. I was able to get my hands on the versions I wanted via the internet, but you can tell they're recorded from a record. I definitely like the sound of the new CD, it's mixed very well. But don't buy it expecting the differences I listed above. [EDIT: For the versions of the songs I mentioned above, get their Singles '81-'85 Boxed Set. I got it for Christmas, and finally found what I was looking for.]

It seems to me that there's some confusion about the tracks used on this CD, as well as Duran Duran's Rio album in general.

The original album was originally released in the U.S. in 1982 on Harvest records. This version (as well as all UK and Japanese versions) shipped with the *shorter* versions of the songs. So in fact these tracks are the "original versions" and are not "cut to pieces" or the "wrong master tapes". This is the version of "Rio" that every country but the U.S. thinks of when they think of the album.

Now, if memory serves me correctly, Harvest then re-released a version of the album in very small quantities. This version is exactly the same as the later Capitol version, and would become the "standard" U.S. release. This version contains the mostly "extended" versions of the songs.

I hope this clears up some of the confusion. If you think this is bad, don't even bring up the US vs. UK vs. German CDs of this same album!