Barry Manilow - The Essential

For years, I've always thought of him as churning out really pedestrian muzak. Only changed my mind after his superb cover of Ol' Blue Eyes' I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter. However, this collection is patchy. There are some superb melodies here in "Could it be Magic?", "I Write the Songs" and "Read 'Em and Weep" but too many maudlin mush that is reminiscent of other people's songs. As with the Carpenters, there's too much harmonic complexity in the songs that elevate them above basic elevator music (nice pun, no?) but not by much.

Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre

This one is a big departure from the retro "Astronaut" (their last one). Seemingly to capitalise on the times, this one has minimalistic robotic rhythms, minimal funky guitar and lotsa beepy synths, as is wont with songs like Snoop's "Drop It Like It's Hot". Can't decide whether I like it yet, although the quirky lyrics and haywire melodies (their trademarks) are still apparent.