The packaging alone on this box set is a collector's wet dream. Fourteen CDs in individual cardboard sleeves and fabulous cover art ranging from the simple black and red of "Notorious", "Skin Trade" and "I Don't Want Your Love" (the latter two share a heart motif as well), to the yummy photos of "Meet El Presidente" and "Serious", and the more silly and fun of "All She Wants Is" and "Violence of Summer". Vivid, sometimes neon colors take center stage on nearly each cover, and the band's close affiliation with the pop art genre made popular by Andy Warhol is readily apparent in the words-as-design of "All She Wants Is" and "Do You Believe In Shame?", and the collage and re-interpretation of photographs on "Burning the Ground", "Ordinary World", "Come Undone" and "Too Much Information". The CDs themselves resemble old-school 45RPM records but with much of the information crossed out, and completing the merriment is a ten page booklet harboring the details of each and every single, B-side, extended mix and medley.

For some reason - limited space on the previous Singles box set or 'rediscovering' versions after the it was released - listeners are treated to "The Reflex (7" version)", "Hungry Like the Wolf", "Girls On Film", "Rio (album version)", "Is There Something I Should Know", and "A View To A Kill" which all fall before the prescribed time frame in this title's collection. Interestingly, "Save a Prayer (single version)" appears on two discs, but the first was released on an UK CD single in January 1993 while the second was released on an UK cassette single and UK CD single in April 1995. Do they differ? I haven't taken the time to listen to them sequentially so I really don't know. These tried and true sing-alongs provide a welcome break from some lesser known Duran Duran material though, so I doubt anyone is complaining.

One of my favorite latter year DD songs has always been "I Don't Want Your Love", mostly due to the semi-misleading title. The first verse proclaims, "I don't mind if you're keeping someone else behind. I don't care, cuz you' ve got something I can share" while the second states "I won't turn you out, if you've got someone else, someone else you care about." This isn't your typical Go-Away-Girl-You-Bother-Me tune. In fact, it's actually a You' re-Really-Yummy-Let's-Get-Naked kind of story, one that Duran Duran is very proficient at telling. "Love VooDoo" and the languorous "Femme Fatale", which plays almost as a compliment dripping from LeBon's sensuous lips are but two examples. Similarly, the breathy chants, girly squeals and Simon yelps in the US Master Mix of "All She Wants Is" is about as close to audio porn as you'll find in any dance club. In fact, all the various remixes are interesting from a collector's point of view, but does anyone really need to hear seven versions of "Violence of Summer", especially in sequential order? That's hardcore fandom, if you ask me.

Oh, and I'd be completely remiss if I didn't mention the foray into "Sexy M.F." during a live "Notorious" session too!

I tend to be drawn to acoustic and live versions of songs, mostly because I' m enamored of good songwriting, but also because it's more difficult to hide musical and vocal flaws, and lastly because live performances always possess an energy lacking in most studio recordings. Consequently, acoustic versions of "Come Undone" and two of "Ordinary World", as well as live renditions of "Notorious" (two actually), "Come Undone"and a wonderful "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" rate high on my list of favorites. I was moved by the spoken word pieces of "God" and "This Is How A Road Gets Made", especially the former with its outsider perspective on America and its then political travails (not to be confused with its current governmental embarrassments). Finally, the Chris Isaak-esque "Do You Believe in Shame?" and cover of Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" are a perfect backdrop for one of my more smoldering moods.

The casual 80's fan will find this box set egregious, but collections such as this one aren't meant for anyone but the loyalist of fans. Much like a kid awash in trick or treat candy, The Singles 1986-1995 simply can't be consumed in a single sitting (and the choices of flavors provoke a temporary sort of ADD). Forget visions of sugar plums this holiday season, it's all about the original Fab Five.

[Confession: I mourn the absence of their Dylan cover. There's nothing sexier than Simon crooning "Lay across my big brass bed..."]

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