Martin Gore’s interest in leftfield electronica and thus the employment of the late Mark Bell from LFO as producer on ‘Exciter’ only truly manifested itself in the full-length version of ‘Easy Tiger’ which appeared on the B-side of the ‘Dream On’ single. With its synthy sirens and tightly sequenced bassline, treated enhancement was provided by Airto Moreira, a veteran jazz drummer from Brazil who appeared to have a good grasp as to the best way to provide percussive colour to a danceable electronic recording.Īvailable on the album ‘Exciter’ via Sony Music Inspired by Giorgio Moroder, the pacey and club friendly ‘I Feel Loved’ stood out like a sore thumb on ‘Exciter’, being the album’s only truly uptempo number. Anything BUT acoustic thanks to the addition of electronic drum patterns and icy string synths, there was the bonus of the track being made instrumental and free of the dreary lead vocal on the original.Īvailable on the 2CD album ‘Remixes 81 – 04’ via Sony Music ‘Dream On’ was a messy trailer to the inappropriately named ‘Exciter’ album, but with Dave Clarke slowing down the song’s acoustic guitar line, the makeover brought the track closer to its full musical potential. So here are the 18 tracks which act as ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK’s own Beginner’s Guide To DEPECHE MODE in the 21st Century.ĭream On – Dave Clarke Acoustic Version (2001) It must be pointed out that this listing is NOT intended for Devotees, but aimed those former fans of DEPECHE MODE disillusioned by Dave Gahan’s drug fuelled stage diving antics who bowed out after ‘Songs Of Faith & Devotion’ or those hanging on for the possibility of a good record using synthesizers rather than a collection of pastiche electro-blues. Tellingly, many of the best DM moments in this new millennium are remixes, instrumentals, bonus tracks or songs sung by Martin Gore. So which are those moments that veer closest to the glory of albums such as ‘Black Celebration’, ‘Music For The Masses’ and ‘Violator’ that see Messrs Fletcher, Gahan and Gore properly exploring the electronic sound with which they made their fortune? And it is that intermittent quality which is the most frustrating aspect of DEPECHE MODE in the 21st Century.īut this article is not about the absence of Alan Wilder or the much-debated choice of producers, it’s about when the DEPECHE MODE brand has got it right, whether with the full involvement of the band’s members or not. However, their recorded output in the 21st Century and their attitude towards their live presentation leaves a lot to be desired.ĭespite ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK’s criticism of DEPECHE MODE as a live band with the excesses of The Drumhead and The Noodler, they are still capable of occasional brilliance as an artistic force. But at the same time there are tender parts to the album, heartfelt messages that really feel from the heart, pain that has obviously been experienced.įavourite track is the last one on the album 'Goodbye', it just keeps building and then suddenly those crunching riffs break in and take it to a new level.įor any Depeche Mode fan, this is a must, for any fan of music, likewise, it is just a good album, and hopefully could give you an inroad into his wider catalogue and Depeche Mode themselves.Nearly 30 years since the Concert For The Masses at Pasadena Rose Bowl, DEPECHE MODE continue to fill stadia throughout the world. It's his, or feels like it, it doesn't sound like a rehash of the bits he liked in Depeche Mode, it genuinely does feel unique even though it has similarities.įor a start, loads more guitar, and I love guitar, a little crunchy riff now and again never hurt anyone. Yes, it's Dave Gahan, you can't get away from his singing style or the feelings that resonate of Depeche Mode hooks and lines, but this album is more than that. Well the answer is yes, but not quite for those reasons. I bought this on a whim, after all, front man of Depeche Mode has to bring a little of that across and I'm bound to like it aren't I? Big Depeche Mode fan, also a huge death and black metal fan, goes to show tastes can vary doesn't it? Plus of course, when something is good, it simply is, it transcends genres, it's just plain, downright good.
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