Thursday Throwback is a weekly colour scheme inspired by an iconic album cover of yesteryear. This week’s throwback is the 2007 album “Red Carpet Massacre” by Duran Duran. The colours are as follows:
| Colours | HEX | RGB | HSB | CMYK | LAB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colour 1 | #EEF2CE | 238, 242, 206 | 67, 15, 95 | 1, 0, 14, 5 | 94, -7, 16 |
| Colour 2 | #F2EDA0 | 242, 237, 160 | 56, 34, 95 | 0, 2, 33, 5 | 92, -9, 37 |
| Colour 3 | #F2884B | 242, 136, 75 | 22, 69, 95 | 0, 43, 69, 5 | 67, 35, 49 |
| Colour 4 | #F22222 | 242, 34, 34 | 0, 86, 95 | 0, 85, 85, 5 | 51, 73, 54 |
| Colour 5 | #0D0D0D | 13, 13, 13 | 0, 0, 5 | 0, 0, 0, 94 | 3, 0, 0 |
“Red Carpet Massacre” is the twelfth studio album by English rock band Duran Duran, released on November 13, 2007 through Epic Records. The album was recorded between 2006 and 2007, following the departure of guitarist Andy Taylor. New guitarist Dominic Brown joined the band for the recording sessions. Most of the music was completed in late 2006 when producer Timbaland began working with the band. The album features collaborations with prominent producers and artists, including Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and Nate “Danja” Hills. This marked a significant shift in the band’s sound, incorporating more electronic and R&B influences.
“Red Carpet Massacre” had a modest commercial performance compared to some of Duran Duran’s earlier works. The album debuted at number 44 on the UK Albums Chart, making it the band’s second lowest-debuting album in their home country. In the United States, it entered the Billboard 200 at number 36, selling 29,000 copies in its first week. Despite its relatively low chart positions, the album spawned the single “Falling Down,” which received some airplay. However, the album’s reception among fans and critics was mixed, with some appreciating the new direction while others felt it strayed too far from the band’s signature sound.
The album cover for “Red Carpet Massacre” was created by Nick Rhodes, Duran Duran’s keyboardist. The cover art is a provocative photograph shot by Rhodes himself. It features a main female character lying on a red carpet, with two other women standing around her. Due to the angle of the shot, only the legs and feet of the other women are visible but one foot is placed on the main character’s chest. The original photograph was taken during a stay with friends in France. The concept for the cover came from discussions between John Taylor and Nick Rhodes, who wanted something “modern, sexy, chic, ironic and iconic” to reflect the album’s title. The artwork was directed by John Taylor and designed by Patty Palazzo.
In conclusion, “Red Carpet Massacre” represents a period of experimentation for Duran Duran, featuring high-profile collaborations and a shift in sound. While it may not have achieved the commercial success of their earlier works, it remains a notable entry in the band’s extensive discography.
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