There's some anxiety that surrounds the upcoming album of one of your favorite bands. You follow the news and hype it up in your mind, praying it's good not only because you personally want to get off on their beautiful novel creations, but you also don't want your family, friends and Facebook to think you're abnormally obsessed with this dud of a band. Well, world, BOOYAH, Depeche Mode proves that they are back and (maybe) better than ever with a new album that successfully kicks a lot of ass.
Delta Machine is finally here, and it's an eargasm. There's no doubt about that. The soundscape is confident and full, the production is superb with no fluff, and the songwriting drips with the usual sensuality but is much more mature, like they're passing the point of searching and are now basking in whatever it is they've been finding. Delta illustrates beautifully their humanly up-and-down evolution from snazzy synth-pop stars to straight up electronic music elders.
Chief songwriter Martin Gore's deep affection for electronics, DJing, as well as down 'n dirty guitar is steeped in this album in a major way. He really goes all out here; while he's participated in a few solo and co-productions over the last few years, it's clear that Depeche is still that really potent avenue for his expression, and he delivers in a clever variety of ways.
Frontman and sometimes songwriter Dave Gahan's vocals are strong and energetic, as they've always been, but it's obvious how far he's come from the desperation of the Songs of Faith and Devotion and Ultra days. In fact all the boys are healthier all-around, and while Martin may be writing the "same song over and over again," he's been doing it in 3D consciousness.
1. "Welcome To My World" -- This heavily synthesized, bassy lil thing is a very alluring opener and in its lyrics pretty much sums up the electric feeling of a new love and/or Depeche Mode fandom. Welcome to your world? Why thank you, don't mind if I do.
2. "Angel" -- I like this song more than ever since its weird kind of release months ago; the time signatures swing heroically back and forth, the verses are hard and glitchy yet pair lovingly with soaring, lyrical choruses of redemption. Bang! Win! I do have an aversion to the too-easy song title though.
3. "Heaven" -- A moody but joyful ballad that acted as the album's first official single, though no one's quite sure why. It's a funny thing, as it doesn't quite represent what the rest of the album can do, but we all know it's very nice, nonetheless.
4. "Secret to the End" -- The first of three tracks written by Dave Gahan and sound engineer Kurt Uenala. The heavy, angry synths drive the breakup lyrics. I'm mostly pleased with Dave's continued relationship with songwriting, which has been consistent over the last three albums.
5. "My Little Universe" -- This crept up on me and has become one of my favorite tracks on Delta Machine. It begins very simplistically, with blips and pings like something by Thom Yorke, but it really builds to an intense, '90s rave-style techno groove. It's such a familiar and comforting sound (even though I was still wearing footie jammies during the early rave days), and I wish it were longer. Also, like many Martin Gore songs, the lyrics sound like the words of a man who is ever searching for greater spiritual, self-awareness. I don't know if I could handle this song on good drugs.
6. "Slow" -- A really slinky number about slow, sexy sex. I mean, what else is there to say? I heard Martin actually wrote this song around SOFAD time but just recorded it now. Hot.
7. "Broken" -- It wasn't immediately obvious to me what a great pop melody this song has, but it really does, and now I see good things for this already sadly ignored track. Written by Dave and Kurt Uenala.
8. "The Child Inside" -- A slow, eerie song of lament that we will love very much because it's Delta's only one sung by the beautiful Martin L Gore, but there's not a whole ton going on in it.
9. "Soft Touch/Raw Nerve" -- This song pounds and rocks in a not too complex way that gives it a very early '80s feel. If they beef this one up a little bit it will probably be fun live.
10. "Should Be Higher" -- The third song co-written by Dave and Kurt and also one of the most solid on the already strong album. A sensual, energetic beat moves the gloomy chord progression as Dave flows between his gritty baritone and falsetto. Sure to be a crowd favorite for years to come.
11. "Alone" -- Another lyrically sad beauty driven by Dave's stalwart voice. I just love the Dave/Martin harmonization on the bridge. The end seems to ride on without conclusion, reflecting the whole tone of the song, like "yeah, I couldn't fix you. Shit."
12. "Soothe My Soul" -- The second single and a heavy hitter with a stomping beat and an almost annoyingly catchy chorus. This is undoubtedly going to tear arenas up around the world. See my previous post on this song (I realize now this has not yet been officially released as a single, it just got leaked).
13. "Goodbye" -- This song begins with that twangy, "Freestate"-style outlaw guitar riff, but it somehow culminates in a really intense electro-angelic harmony. Like, third-eye-blowing intense. From "Welcome" to "Goodbye," it wraps this courageous album up powerfully. I'm glad they've remembered that that's the only way to do it.
Whew! Should I stop? I should stop. Buy Delta Machine now for the official release March 26. Go see them on tour. Just, yeah. Do it.
xx
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
Depeche Mode Drops 2nd Single "Soothe My Soul"
Whoo! With their second single off their highly anticipated 13th album Delta Machine, Depeche takes the Tantric route (or rapey, so I hope she consented) to spiritual expression in "Soothe My Soul":
I'm coming for you
when the sun goes down
I'm coming for you
when there's no one around
I come to your house
and break down the door
girl I'm shaking
and I need more
There's only one way to soothe my soul...
Pretty sure I'd be down for that.
Anyway, I didn't know the single was being released today, and I'm so glad it was because I couldn't wait to hear more studiostuff from Delta Machine (howdya like that new word, studiostuff?).
FULL DISCLOSURE: due to an abundance of shitty video streams all week, I've just now watched the March 11 "Live on Letterman" webcast, and while the ratio of new songs to classics made a nice setlist, I don't think it was their greatest performance. So it was such a treat to hear the studio version of "Soothe My Soul" this morning.
"Soothe My Soul," like the sort of confusingly-issued "Angel" a few months ago, is heavily electronic. I'm pleased to hear it because we know how much of these boys' souls is in electronic music. Though it does appear to be true that with Delta Machine they are returning to a big rock and blues influence, like much of Songs of Faith and Devotion and even Violator were.
But I've said before and I'll say again that I am not one of those looking to recreate these albums. That was a dangerous time in their personal lives, and while the music that resulted is astounding, great musicians also DIE all the time in the process of making great music. From what I've seen of Delta Machine, Depeche Mode is still quite capable of making brilliant music without death and destruction and all that shite.
I'll save the track-by-track analysis for the actual album release. Eleven days! Squeee!
Looking forward to the music video...
I'm coming for you
when the sun goes down
I'm coming for you
when there's no one around
I come to your house
and break down the door
girl I'm shaking
and I need more
There's only one way to soothe my soul...
Pretty sure I'd be down for that.
Anyway, I didn't know the single was being released today, and I'm so glad it was because I couldn't wait to hear more studiostuff from Delta Machine (howdya like that new word, studiostuff?).
FULL DISCLOSURE: due to an abundance of shitty video streams all week, I've just now watched the March 11 "Live on Letterman" webcast, and while the ratio of new songs to classics made a nice setlist, I don't think it was their greatest performance. So it was such a treat to hear the studio version of "Soothe My Soul" this morning.
"Soothe My Soul," like the sort of confusingly-issued "Angel" a few months ago, is heavily electronic. I'm pleased to hear it because we know how much of these boys' souls is in electronic music. Though it does appear to be true that with Delta Machine they are returning to a big rock and blues influence, like much of Songs of Faith and Devotion and even Violator were.
But I've said before and I'll say again that I am not one of those looking to recreate these albums. That was a dangerous time in their personal lives, and while the music that resulted is astounding, great musicians also DIE all the time in the process of making great music. From what I've seen of Delta Machine, Depeche Mode is still quite capable of making brilliant music without death and destruction and all that shite.
I'll save the track-by-track analysis for the actual album release. Eleven days! Squeee!
Looking forward to the music video...
Monday, March 11, 2013
Depeche Mode Announces US Tour Dates, I Consequently Flip Out
OMG the day has finally come. After months of torturous waiting, Depeche Mode has announced the dates for the North American leg of their Delta Machine World Tour.
I don't want to s--- around here, so the North American tour dates are as follows:
Thursday, Aug. 22 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
Saturday, Aug. 24 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Tuesday, Aug. 27 St. Paul, MN Minnesota State Fair**
Sunday, Sep. 1 Toronto, ON Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Tuesday, Sep. 3 Montreal, QB Bell Centre
Friday, Sep. 6 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center
Sunday, Sep. 8 Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Tuesday, Sep. 10 Washington DC Jiffy Lube Live
Thursday, Sep. 12 Atlanta, GA Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Saturday, Sep. 14 Tampa, FL Live Nation Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds
Sunday, Sep. 15 Ft Lauderdale, FL BB&T Center
Wednesday, Sep. 18 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Friday, Sep. 20 Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion
Sunday, Sep. 22 San Diego, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Tuesday, Sep. 24 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl
Thursday, Sep. 26 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Saturday, Sep. 28 Los Angeles, CA STAPLES Center
Sunday, Sep. 29 Los Angeles, CA STAPLES Center
Tuesday, Oct. 8 Phoenix, AZ Desert Sky Pavilion
** Minneapolis is not part of the Amazon presale opportunity.
Well, we all know where I will be September 12 then. ATL, baby! I shall be raging in unadulterated joy. Who's with me?
I shan't be surprised if dates are added, as I can't believe they have no plans for Mexico; I know their Latin fanbase is extensive and cuh-razy. Perhaps they will include those with South American dates? Kinda weird.
Tickets go on sale April 6, but on the band's tumblr there is information regarding presale tix available as early as April 1 (if you're a card-carrying Citibanker, which I thankfully am not). But check this: if you even order Delta Machine from Amazon by April 1, you could purchase tickets on April 3. Hi! Easy!
I'm ecstatic. Obviously. So to celebrate our love here is a live performance of "I Feel You," one of my favorite DM songs. It's from a few years back, but I had a very intense reaction to this video when I first saw it, so here it is. Name me a more dynamic frontman! Yow!
Delta Machine blasts off March 26. Dig.
xx
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Depeche Mode in a Techno Mood
Well, that is to say DM's Martin Gore and founding/former Depeche member Vince Clarke.
Vince Clarke and Martin Gore are VCMG (easy enough), and while their album SSSS was released this time last year, of course I'm just hearing it. Pffft.
The idea to make a purely electronic, techno album was Clarke's, who came to Gore with a collaboration proposal after 30 years of working separately (wherein Clarke's baby Depeche Mode only went on to become the most successful electronic group of all time). Gore, whose love of dance music and thereby any reason to wear glitter matches his former bandmate's, accepted.
So here we are. While I don't call myself the biggest techno fan, I do believe it goes straight to the heart, and the simplicity of SSSS really drives it home. Here is one of my faves from SSSS, "Single Blip":
Vince Clarke and Martin Gore are VCMG (easy enough), and while their album SSSS was released this time last year, of course I'm just hearing it. Pffft.
The idea to make a purely electronic, techno album was Clarke's, who came to Gore with a collaboration proposal after 30 years of working separately (wherein Clarke's baby Depeche Mode only went on to become the most successful electronic group of all time). Gore, whose love of dance music and thereby any reason to wear glitter matches his former bandmate's, accepted.
So here we are. While I don't call myself the biggest techno fan, I do believe it goes straight to the heart, and the simplicity of SSSS really drives it home. Here is one of my faves from SSSS, "Single Blip":
Dig.
xx
Labels:
Depeche Mode,
Martin Gore,
Single Blip,
SSSS,
techno,
VCMG,
Vince Clarke
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Happy Birthday, Lou Reed!
It's Lou Reed's 71st birthday today. Right on. So I tip my hat to the old boy with the first Lou song I ever heard (thanks to my childhood fascination with heroin movies). The animation in this video is pretty swell, too.
"Perfect Day"
Still one of the best soundtracks ever
Check out loureed.com for some show dates in CA this April, including Coachella. Fucking hell I want to go to Coachella so bad. Gah!
xx
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