Depeche Mode Begins North American Tour, Releases New Video

THEY'VE ARRIVED! Depeche Mode are finally in the States, preparing for their first show of the North American tour tonight at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Detroit.

Coinciding with the kickoff is the release of an official video for Should Be Higher, which I imagine is their third single after Heaven and Soothe My Soul. Shot by longtime visual collaborator Anton Corbijn, the video is a live performance from one of their recent European shows. I want to say Berlin, but I don't know, that's probably bullshit; don't quote me.

 

The band is in top form. Compare this video to, say, one of their earliest pre-tour promo performances, and they're worlds apart. It's obvious that they've found their groove on this one. And there's frontman Dave, like an ancient Tantrika come to sweep us all into the stratosphere of bliss. Or a sexy Whirling Dervish.

Enjoy the show, Detroit! 

xx

Goodbye Europe, Welcome to My World!

The first European leg of the Delta Machine Tour is now over, marked by the July 29 show in Minsk. By now the band is settling into their three-week break before picking back up in Detroit on August 22.

As an American fan waiting impatiently for their arrival, I've enjoyed living vicariously through my European counterparts these past three months. I've followed the rhythm of the setlists and celebrated some amazing moments, but I'm cautious to delve too deeply as I want it to be fresh when I see them in September.

But I will delve balls deep into the setlist. Ohh yes. The bulk of it has remained solid with most of the variation revolving around Martin's lead numbers, my favorites being Only When I Lose Myself, Home, and (Martin-sung versions of) When the Body Speaks and Higher Love. Shake the Disease and Judas were also fucking great surprises, though they are still holding out on perhaps the most beloved MLG song ever, The Things You Said. Of course a drawback to their playing it would be audiences simply dying a sweet death then and there, and I can see how some people might frown upon such a thing.

So what should we expect for the American tour? I've already gone into great detail about how much I'd like to see rarer songs, but first things first. There is as yet no Sounds of the Universe representation, which I find a bit strange considering it's their second to most recent album. I'd dig it if they switched out the beaten-to-death Policy of Truth for Wrong, or perhaps Come Back.

Also, two enthusiastic thumbs up to Black Celebration and Precious, but I'll take Stripped over A Question of Time and Behind the Wheel over Barrel of a Gun any day. (Better yet: It's No Good or Freestate.) 

I suspect they will swap Delta track Secret to the End for Broken, especially considering the recent sharing of the in-studio version on Facebook. The rest of the hard-hitting Delta songs will likely remain.

And what about Just Can't Get Enough? Their breakthrough 1981 hit made a resurgence on this tour, and while there have been some spellbinding performances of this classic, I don't think diehard fans are as attached to it as some others. I would replace JCGE with another beloved song from the early days, like--I don't know--Blasphemous Rumours, Everything Counts, or The (Motherfuckin) Sun and the Rainfall, if they really want to turn some heads. Again with the rare songs obsession! I know! But really, I am now imagining a beefed up 2013 live version of that song, like Dominatrix's remix + real live DM, and I'm all DEAR GOD.

What do you think of the tour so far? What are you most looking forward to or hoping for on the next leg of it?

p.s. Zoinks! Did I mention I'm going to the Austin City Limits Festival in October? You'll hear more about that next time. 

    

Delta Machine Review: Depeche Mode Gets Its Grit Back

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

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...