New Romantics - A Very British Theme

The New Romantics were a peculiar subgenre of new wave. Wearing heavy makeup and dressed in stylish clothing, the new romantics took not only their visual cues from David Bowie

The Thin White Duke finding a third leg on his Tin Soldier tour

and Roxy Music, but also their musical cues. Drawing from Station to Station/Low-era Bowie and latter-day Roxy Music, new romantics created a sleek, synthesized, and danceable form of pop that was designed to be fashionable and transient.

Roxy Music whose enigmatic lead singer Bryan Ferry was seen with many of the 'beautiful' women of that time.

More than any other post-punk genré, new romantics relied on style and glamour. Duran Duran was the ultimate new romantic group, and they were the only one to become superstars. New romantic had died out by 1984, but it had a brief revival in the mid-'90s.

But while it lasted the music was tuneful and stylish, ABC with the album 'Lexicon of Love'.

Lexicon of Love a very good example of the 80's New Romantic genré.

But my personal best is Duran Duran's album 'Rio' possibly the best example of this style of music, and all the tracks on this album still feel fresh even now.

From its designer cover to the haircuts and overall design - and first and foremost the music -Rio is as representative of the eighties as it gets, at its best.