Well, I was listening to DD’s Greatest Hits before I made that post, and I must say that the first dozen tracks spanning 80-85 (bar the ’90s “Ordinary World”) hold up shockingly well, as solid a singles comp as Madonna or anyone else from that era. And then track #13 is ” Notorious ” from 1987 and the rapid decline sets in. They may have only had one good album (Rio, as is universally agreed) but their singles were solid gold. One thing I noticed is how dour their music is for such a supposedly frothy dance-pop act. I get the criticism that they were no fun but their tunes were extremely catchy and danceable despite the pretentiousness (hoo boy, those lyrics!) and po-facedness. Not to mention Simon LeBon’s vocal limitations.

You know the ’90s act that really really reminds me of them? Suede. The same bad albums/awesome singles compilation, the same overly pretentious and deadly serious approach to trashy glam rock, the same decadent glamour, obsession with supermodels, etc., even somewhat similar skinny guitar tones.