Liberty

1990's LIBERTY introduced Duran Duran's second full-fledged lineup, with guitarist Warren Cuccurullo (ex-Zappa, ex-Missing Persons) and drummer Sterling Campbell (later in Soul Asylum) replacing Andy and Roger Taylor. The band's creative core of singer Simon LeBon, bassist John Taylor and Nick Rhodes on keyboards remained unchanged, however, and the album really doesn't sound that different from 1986's NOTORIOUS or 1988's BIG THING, except that Cuccurullo and Campbell are much better musicians than the folks they replaced.

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1990's LIBERTY introduced Duran Duran's second full-fledged lineup, with guitarist Warren Cuccurullo (ex-Zappa, ex-Missing Persons) and drummer Sterling Campbell (later in Soul Asylum) replacing Andy and Roger Taylor. The band's creative core of singer Simon LeBon, bassist John Taylor and Nick Rhodes on keyboards remained unchanged, however, and the album really doesn't sound that different from 1986's NOTORIOUS or 1988's BIG THING, except that Cuccurullo and Campbell are much better musicians than the folks they replaced.
Cuccurullo reels off some surprisingly satisfying solos, as on the funk-pop opener "Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over)". Though the band's commercial fortunes were on a downturn at the time of this album's release, LIBERTY is a more-than-respectable addition to its slick dance-pop canon.

Rolling Stone (10/18/90)
- 3 Stars - Good - "...the libertines are aging beautifully--the best songs [are] unabashed paens to sensualism, conveyed with swanky musical style and uncharacteristically disconnected lyric images....proves that sensual excess is still a thriving concern..."

Spin (11/90)
- "...shows the band in its most appealing form in years....Duran Duran once again successfully straddle the line between dance and rock..."