Eddie Konczal

The comeback kids, July 2 2004

Duran Duran bombed quietly with 1990's "Liberty" and then disappeared for three years, leading many to think their careers ended with the Eighties. So everyone was shocked when in 1993 they stormed back to the top of the pop charts. Their comeback success was deserved: "The Wedding Album" is Duran Duran's most colourful, dynamic and diverse offering, and ranks with 1982's "Rio" as one of their best.

I can't quite describe my feelings upon hearing the dreamy, soaring ballad "Ordinary World" for the first time in early 1993. It was like an old friend had returned after an absence of many years. Over ten years later, this first single from "The Wedding Album" retains all its anthemic… Read more

Mostly disposable pop with a few nuggets for hardcore fans, Jun 12 2004

As a long time Duran Duran fan, I reluctantly give "Liberty" a negative review. Aside from 3 or 4 really good songs, most of "Liberty" is disposable disco music, with little of the New Romantic flair that set Duran apart from the other New Wave bands of the 1980s.

"Liberty" sounds like the work of three different bands: a trendy dance group, a party rock band, and a polished art-rock outfit. Unfortunately, the songs don't segue well from one to another, nor are the lines of demarcation drawn as well as on their previous effort, "Big Thing." The overall impression is more of confusion than of versatility. Duran flourished in the 80s by integrating diverse styles into a cohesive sound… Read more

Happier tales from a life marked by tragedy, Jun 4 2004

So much of Abraham Lincoln's life was tragic that it's refreshing to read this relatively upbeat book about the close friendships he developed throughout his life. "We Are Lincoln Men" reads like an appendix to author David Herbert Donald's monumental biography, "Lincoln," apparently consisting of tales and anecdotes left over from his research. Fortunately, this book provides enough interesting glimpses of Lincoln to justify its addition to the voluminous literature on the 16th President of the United States.

"We Are Lincoln Men" chronicles Lincoln's relationships with roommate Joshua Speed, law partner William H. Herndon, Illinois Senator Orville… Read more