Duran Duran – Rio

"Hold Back The Rain" is a new, heavily edited version here. There were already so many mixes and edits of this song on various reissues, it's confusing- but this is an all new edit. Half of verse 1 and half of verse 2 has been cut out. I'm no expert on vinyl remastering, but I assume the way this new vinyl was cut, there were space limitations in order to fit on one disc. Disappointing, but still a nice reissue. Nice textured sleeve, thick, glossy inner sleeve, and restored artwork that features a more purplish wine color, closer to original pressings. The sound is excellent (at least to my ears) on my everyday, mid-grade equipment. Worth the price, if for no other reason than the thrill of picking up a shiny, new, shrink-wrapped copy of a lifelong favorite album. A reminder of the first time I bought it in 1983 as an eleven-year-old kid, at a Musicland store for $8.99!

UPDATE: 02/12/25
After this disappointing reissue I checked deeper into Discogs and found the ‘82 Japanese release is the one to get. I found a VG+/NM one on eBay being sold from Japan and bought it. Absolutely fantastic. excellent dynamics across all instruments and zero surface noise on my copy. If you can, get yourself a good used copy of r12674834 instead of this release. You will be glad you did.

Meh. Just OK. It was only $25 but was hoping for a little better being that it was a remaster. I compared this to my 1982 club copy (r2832669) and the original blows this one out of the water. My ‘82 copy has 40 years worth of life on it and even with an ultrasonic wash there is only so much I can do to address the surface noise. I have a VG+ copy and it plays very well. The sound is full and the bass a little more punchy both at the kick and strings. The biggest difference is vocals - with this remaster it lost life, fullness…almost sounds like you are playing a tape. The mids and highs washed out…even an EQ adjustment couldn't improve the sound. If you just want a copy to play at home that is clean w/ minimal surface noise this is a great copy for you. If you are looking for a copy that plays better and offers a more enjoyable listening experience I would check eBay for a VG or better copy.

This pressing really surprised me because to be honest many of these reissues are subpar and lack any soul if you know what I mean. This pressing sounds pretty good for the $25 USD I spent at Barnes and Noble today and i’d say that I got my moneys worth. First off I was impressed by the textured cover and the glossy double sided insert but unfortunately the paper insert doubles as the LP’s sleeve instead of a poly-lined separate sleeve. Another important fact to note is that this is the original UK version of this album and not the remixed U.S. version that I believe was a lot punchier. After cleaning this LP I found it to be flat with no pops or clicks with a very middle of the road mix that should complement most people’s systems from expensive to entry level and for this low price it’s honestly a guilt free purchase that should leave most reasonable people with a smile on their face.

For my ears, this is a great sounding pressing, despite being a digital remaster. Loud and punchy

This... This is just fine.

It's obviously not a perfect sound; (It's digitally restored, so how can it) but as I've heard this album wasn't done perfectly to begin with, so chances are, this is the best we're going to get. And the so-called "best" is honestly pretty decent all things considered.

My only pet peeve is the fact that some of the songs are edited. Now, I've never owned a UK original, but I'm pretty sure "Hold Back the Rain" has a verse missing on this release. (It's especially a one-two blow because the inner sleeve has the missing lyrics printed!) But even with those things considered, I'm not sure if it was like this on the original.

In a word, I'm happy with this release, which may definitely clash with other people.

I don’t have a US remixed pressing as a point of reference so this sounds plenty punchy to me. The album naturally has kind of a thin sound but for what it’s worth I like this press, very spacious mix. Flat/centered/surface noise free disc, very well pressed. Textured sleeve is sensory heaven, really nice touch (pun intended)

This pressing is literally Garbage from the outer sleeve to the record. Returned 4 warped and off center copies. I had my record dealer flatten the 4th copy for me and it Still sounds like trash. Missing Key Keyboard and guitar bit parts and sounds thin and lifeless. I have an OG pressing and they Literally sound like 2 different albums altogether. No exagerration. This is a cash grab if there Ever was one! Buyer beware! Find an OG. This album Never sounded good on vinyl and has become my pet peeve after going thru about 8 different pressings and variations. I give up. They’re Never gonna get this right. My OG 7” singles, cds, cassette and compilation album “Decade” ALL sound better and prove that this is Supposed to sound full. Obviously radio stations in the 80’s were Not playing the full LP. Anyway I’m done with this record. There Literally Is NO good sounding pressing

Very happy with this pressing. It (along with the debut, Seven And The Ragged Tiger, Notorious and Big Thing) all sound fantastic.

Not a review as much as a clarification for the Rio fans out there - this is the original UK mix of the album - it is not the Capitol Records US version of the album that featured several remixes by David Kershenbaum. If the US fans are expecting the punchier versions of Rio, Hungry, Hold Back The Rain, etc. this is not that version. Still enjoyable, but different.

Mine has a very spacious sound spread with awesome dynamics. A very punchy distinctive bass. Minimum ticks or pops. Vocals are centered. Synths and guitar have a great flow back and forth through the mix. Drums seem to be the only drawback and miss that gut punch. That said, at higher volumes this album rocks.