For “Duran Duran’s Red Carpet Massacre,” the group parted ways with guitarist Andy Taylor but collaborated with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland in producing their latest album. NR Wife gave me the deluxe edition for Christmas, and it’s a good gift.

The first track, “The Valley,” is dance-floor-friendly, nearly 5 minutes long and full of instrumentals. The title track, “Red Carpet Massacre,” picks up the tempo and pushes syncopation through the lyrics. “Nite Runner” returns to the dance floor and has a nice low voice slow rap track through the chorus.

I watched Duran Duran on A&E’s Private Sessions, during which they discussed Justin Timberlake’s suggestion that they have a “tempo ballad” similar to “Ordinary World,” one of their most successful songs. “Falling Down” is a little darker than “World,” less about recovery and more about initially hitting rock bottom, yet still enjoyable.

Skipping through the rest of the album, I like the chord progressions through “Box Full o’ Honey,” and “Skin Divers” is another dance number just begging for play on XM’s “The Move” channel. “She’s Too Much” is a nice love song, a little fast for a love song but nice.

I initially rolled my eyes at “Tricked Out,” another tribute to “The Chaffeur.” It’s not as nearly as bad, though, as “Drive By” from their “Thank You” album.

If you’re like me and you have nearly every other Duran Duran album, this is worth getting. Musically I like the second self-titled album better, but I like this album for avoiding the nihilist preaching found on that Wedding Album. The DVD that accompanies the Deluxe Edition has nice footage, but “Astronaut” had better DVD footage which included music videos and concert videos.

Dominic Brown fills in for Andy Taylor’s guitar, and the guitar sounded better on the album than on the A&E live sessions. There were not many pure guitar solos on this album, so it’s hard to compare his work to Taylor or former guitarist Warren Cuccurillo.

I don’t know that “Massacre” will capture the general public like the Wedding Album did. Duran Duran did some good exploration with this CD, and I enjoyed it.