I’m not sure if there are any fellow DM fans that post here, but the new single ‘Where’s The Revolution’ is cracking.
It really captures the current political mood & if its a taster for the new album then they will be certainly continuing their good run.
Depeche Mode
by 17 Comments
On first listens it sounded a bit ‘Delta Machine’ by numbers to me. Had a few more listens and I’m starting to warm to it.
Released today but no official video as yet. (Unless this is it. If so, Anton really is taking the piss).
I agree with the Delta Machine comment – but the song is a strong one and I like the passion and the message. I’ve had four listens and it improves each time. It won’t be filling any dancefloors any time soon but it gives me hope for the Spirit album. Some of the songs on the last two albums were a bit tum-te-tum that’s nice. Where’s the Revolution sounds like it has bits of The Sinner in Me which is a great song – more of that kind of thing and I will be happy.
6 music have been playing it a lot today….reminds me of the Soul Savers stuff the singer did. In a good way.
Official video coming on Friday.
https://youtu.be/avb_q436oD0
Here it is!
I am given to believe that the band are huge in Russia. Is it a coincidence that this is released on the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution?
Look at this thing of beauty. Now that’s how you put a concert on.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WdT5R2JAC0U
I agree with that. I saw that tour at Crystal Palace accompanied by a friend who didn’t like it at all. I felt a bit responsible after assuring him he’d love it, so that tainted it a bit for me.
I’d recommend DM fans check out new single from The Horrors, “Machine” (it’s on Soundcloud & YT but I can’t link from work) – great track, I could just imagine Dave Gahan ripping into it…
Definitely see (hear) what you mean. Might spotty them up* for more a bit later.
*really should be kids on the street vernacular for looking up a band on Spotify – but I do feel slightly tragic as well.
Which would you say is the most Industrial/EBM-ish of their albums? Asking for a friend.
I’ll always bow to BC’s judgement in all things DM, but until he chips in, and depending on your defininition of ‘industrial’, I’d suggest “Songs Of Faith & Devotion”, featuring the singles I Feel You, Walking In My Shoes, Condemnation and In Your Room. It saw them getting a bit heavier after “Music For The Masses” and “Violator” consolidated their worldwide breakout, but still has the choons, whereas the following “Ultra” is a tad lacking, though still fine on its own merits…
However, if you’re actively after a bit of metal-banging, BC’s namesake album could also be worth checking out…
Thanks @metalmickey – very kind of you.
At the poppy end of industrial, 1983’s Construction Time Again has clangs, bangs, scrapes and machine screeches in just about every song. This is also true of Some Great Reward in 1984. By the time we get to Black Celebration, the mood is darker but the title track and Stripped set the tone and they are still quite industrial-sounding.
For some really top-notch influential industrial I would veer towards the remixes that were issued with singles, particularly People are People (even if you can’t stand the song itself). Lots of people run a mile at the very thought of remixes I believe that these were just as important as the albums. Most “industrial” tracks would be :
Adrian Sherwood’s ON-U Sound remix “Are People People?” and his “Dance Hall Classic” mix of Master and Servant. The first one is a difficult listen, but give it time after a while the last two minutes in particular very loud is a wonderful thing.
Work Hard 12″ – released with the Everything Counts (In Larger Amounts) single release.
Breathing in Fumes is an instrumental one of my favourite Depeche Mode tracks. It is sometimes listed as a song on Black Celebration but it is essentially an instrumental remix of Stripped which appeared with Stripped (Highland mix). Master and Servant (Slavery Whip Mix) is essential too.
With Music for the Masses in 1987 they started to move away from the industrial sounds so the edges became smoother but there’s still the odd track, The “Aggro mix” of Never Let me Down Again for example.
They have done less of this in recent times but 2009’s Ghost reminded me of those times when they would throw out an interesting and different B-side. There’s a really pleasing siren wail and white noise throughout that gives it the required eeriness.
I would refer you guys to the NME cassette Hi-Voltage if it was still “in print”, but damn me if it ain’t 1987* any more. It features Black Celebration (the DM track, sadly, not the Afterword funster) and this mighty slab of darkness:
(*then again, this means I don’t have double geography next Thursday…. swings and roundabouts chaps)
I’m a funster! Wa-hey! (bow tie spins)
I like that clip very much.
I love that tape! There’s more (with YT links for all the tracks) at https://nmecassettes.wordpress.com/nme-028-hi-voltage-1987/
The Press Play & Record blog used to have it available to download, but it seems not to be there at the moment (https://pressplayandrecord.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/hi-voltage-nme028-1987/)
For me, Song Of Faith And Devotion is their masterpiece. I know lots of people regard Violator their best work (that is very, very good too), but I listened to SOFAD on vinyl the other evening and it still blows me away…
I treat myself to a bit of SOFAD every now and then. Considering how apparently washed out they were at the time, it’s by no means a will-this-do platter.