Rio - Duran Duran (1982)

Duran Duran were an early front-runner of the smart, tight, technology-driven new pop that would take the 80s by storm. This is often seen as their best album, and I wouldn’t disagree.

Producer Colin Thurston was a Tony Visconti associate who, in just a few years, helped create the sound of the early 80s by producing Duran Duran, Talk Talk, Kajagoogoo, The Human League, and Bow Wow Wow. Under Thurston, the self-conscious clank of early new wave coalesced into a smooth, funky attack that might sound dated now but is still highly listenable.