In 2003, Duran Duran celebrated their 25th anniversary and the reunion of the five founding band members with a run of tremendously successful sold-out shows. They played to screaming fans in the U.S. and Japan and filled vast stadiums in Australia and New Zealand. The tour dates marked the first time the original members had played together since Live Aid in 1985.

The New York Post called one show, "powerful and inventive," while the Village Voice declared, "[Duran Duran] swooned us to altitudes ecclesiastic." LeBon added more in an AP interview:

Working together again has been seamless, LeBon said. "It's very similar to how it worked 20 years ago. Everybody's a little bit more open to how they feel about stuff."

....LeBon says the band is not trying to copy the Europop sound that sold them millions of records.

"I don't think it would work if we tried to repeat that," he said.

Yet at the same time, he said it was important for Duran Duran to keep enough of their own musical heritage so that their old fans could relate to their new music.

"We wouldn't want to lose them by trying too hard by trying to connect with a new audience," he said.

Whether or not the album clicks with listeners remains to be seen. But judging from the sold-out performances Duran Duran gave at venues last year — where shrieking fans sang along with every word - LeBon says he has "no doubt that we will get the attention when we release our stuff because I know there's a huge, huge demand for (new music)."

And LeBon says the group is closer than ever - even though they still have their disagreements.

"We're like any people who get very close. Sometimes you argue with each other. But the fact is we inspire each other musically," he said. "Nobody else does it for me. It's just very special."

Due to their shriek appeal, I don't think the Duranies have ever received their musical due, especially for their first two classic albums, which audaciously melded disco, hard rock and a new wave sensibility - more on that here.

Good luck to them - between the Cure, Tears For Fears, the Pixies, Morrissey, and the Duranies, the alt-'80s is looking pretty durable.