I have been sitting on this for a few weeks because a new release by Depeche Mode is traditionally pounced on by people like me and promoted as massively important. Which is boring and predictable.
The thing about this one is the clip in the OP – from about 1:35 onwards is the most thrilling piece of new music from them in at least a decade. We are hearing major chords and a confident melody and Gahan sounding upbeat and optimistic. The tune is memorable – it sounds both new and also familiar. Brings to (my) mind the goosebump-inducing middle section of Blackstar where we hear Bowie sing so sweetly and clearly.
The death of Andy Fletcher adds poignancy to this of course but I believe this was in the works before he left us.
In short, I’m excited about the full version of this song and the LP, Memento Mori. I had thought that they might perhaps pack it in and leave with Depeche-by-numbers final platter. This hints at a surprising and joyful twist as they approach the final few furlongs. I don’t think Depeche Mode will do a final tour or record to round things off. This may be the last.
It is of course so hard to tell what this will end up like on such a short clip.
But my immediate impression was – yep, similar general kind of sound to recent albums with that wimpy drum sound. (There seems to be more melody, perhaps, but after Spirit that really isn’t difficult).
I just can’t understand what DM have against decent drum sounds post Ultra. And this is the band that employ the highly inappropriate Animal 2 to destroy many of their songs for their live shows. It’s really weird.
Having said that I really do hope Memento Mori is not rubbish.
You have been pretty scathing about their 21st century output but I sense you really do want them to succeed.
I think Delta Machine is their low point and the previous record Sounds of the Universe only redeemed by the fantastically great “Wrong”. I liked several songs off Spirit, so I enjoyed that one.
None of them reach the dizzy heights of Violator, SOFAD or Ultra – but that’s a very high bar.
They are still, and no doubt always will be, ‘my band’. That’s what makes it so hard. And probably why I am so scathing (sorry).
I don’t want them to be awful.
But I won’t let their fabulous-ness of (now) decades ago sugar coat the sad shell that they have become. Sadly with Spirit it was a previously unimaginable deep dive.
And don’t get me started on their ‘live’ experience! I can hardly make it through a song, I feel almost embarrassed watching it.
Your take on post-Ultra Depeche Mode is the devil on my shoulder talking.
In the mid-to-late 80s when I took a friend or two to see them live, they were usually grudgingly impressed and in one case, completely blown away and became a fan for life. Yet the show at Crystal Palace in 1993 was nowhere near as enjoyable. I took a friend who hated all of it, so that might have been a factor. I ended up disliking the stadium rock band they became during the SOFAD period.
The counter to this is the Music for the Masses tour as shown in the 101 film. The Rose Bowl stadium show (80,000 people!) is a fantastic thing and a triumph. Also, I did like the Spirits in the Forest film – a good partner to 101 with everyone involved (fans and band) much older now. Not an out-and-out rock concert film at all.
I like that they are in that super-league because they feel like “my” band too. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will never see them live again but that’s OK.
I’m not mad keen on them being in that ‘league’. Not because it’s cool or not or whatever…
They have always gone on about how their fans are the most devoted etc. I think this, over time, bred complacency. And a(n) (apparent) lack of attention to details. That is never a good thing.
And then Martin (largely) lost his song-writing mojo. (Dave, bless him, isn’t really a song-writer, is he. Or certainly not a decent one, anyway).
Lack of mojo + complacency = what we got the last few decades.
(No doubt Alan leaving has been a factor too).
Just directly compare the near perfection of imperial period output – in almost every respect (songs, production, etc) to most of the almost demo-like half-hearted guff they have dared to release since. It is truly embarrassing.
I have long been in the “wish they’d quit” camp as I don’t like them continually dumping on their name.
Once again, I sort-of look forward to the new album, but do not expect something that is hugely different from the last few. I expect the half-baked-sounding songs, the strangely weedy production, the rubbish drum sounds, the spelling/incorrect info mistakes, and the Anton design that probably took him less than 30 minutes.
Like I said before, I would love to be wrong!!!
🙂
“Dave, bless him” seems to manage writing the odd choon with Soulsavers, mind, so how’d you explain that?
I think that my ‘Or certainly not a decent one, anyway’ covers that.
But perhaps I’d point out how awful such choons invariably are.
More importantly, as far as I am aware, Dave (bless him) always ‘co-writes’. Doesn’t he just do the not-great lyrics while his collaborators help shape them them into choons? Is there even one song out there solely credited to him?
I think he should stick to the singing. Thankfully I can easily avoid the live version of that along with his epic gurning and clown acting.
Harsh, hey! 😉
They’re 40s something years in aren’t they – when the Rolling Stones were the same ‘age’ as Depeche they put out a record called ‘A Bigger Bang’ (must confess I have never heard it) but it was their last proper studio album to date so yep, this may well be the last DM record but no reason why Dave & Martin can’t carry on playing the old songs for the next 20 years like Mick & Keef have if they have the desire (there is certainly the demand) – and just have fun with it. Trouble with DM is they used to be synth-pop band that rocked, and they became a rock band with synths – so maybe for the 50th just get the drum machine back and do a completely electronic set – I’d pay good money for that!
Every tour in the past has been to promote a new LP – which I think keeps them interested. They must realise that their status is now a greatest hits band.
Having said that, I can see Ghosts Again slotting in nicely in the live shows.
Seeing them perform an electronic set in a small venue would be wonderful – but Dave needs catwalks to run up and down these days as well as space for his T-shirt gun.
In that clip, Martin Gore’s face looks like he’s survived a fire.
Coincidentally and by the way and while we’re on the subject, I’m watching Ghosts again. Season 4. I like the caveman best. Has anyone seen the American remake?
I thought the same. He always had that slightly amphibious, smooth skin, but it looks like he’s suffered real damage. Sun maybe?
As to the song, I’m a notorious Depeche skeptic (one-finger synth lines, braying vocals and woeful lyrics) but I quite liked that.
Maybe Fletch was the problem.
In DM folklore, Fletch was the “pop ear”… though, in recent times, it must have deserted him.
I have found it interesting that in interviews this time so far, Dave and Marin (or one of them, can’t remember) have come out and clearly said that Fletch wasn’t —- and hasn’t been —- involved creatively with DM. Like, at all. And while we all sort of knew that to be the case, I was still surprised to hear them openly say it, especially now that he has gone. Almost seems… disrespectful.
I tend to agree that his skin may have been damaged by the sun – I think he’s been in California for about 25 years.
Fletch’s lack of musical input has been talked about for years but I agree that it is odd to hear it from the horse’s mouth. Perhaps the process is more straightforward now that they don’t have to allow for Fletch’s approval (or otherwise).
‘The part of ‘Dave Gahan’ will be played by Mr Tony Visconti’.
Looking forward to the new album. I also get some enjoyment out of their releases.
Slightly disappointed that the there is only one UK tour date and it’s a stadium. Hope they follow up with a 2nd leg of arena dates.
Last time they did a show at the relatively intimate Glasgow Barrowlands – so there may be more of that. Apparently that show was really good.
Yeah, I think that date in Glasgow was part of the 6Music Festival.
Seen them about 8 or 9 times now, and much prefer the arena gigs to outdoor stadium events.
They often follow up the stadium dates with a further leg of arena shows, so fingers crossed.
I know it has kind of gone down in DM folklore now, but I didn’t even really enjoy the Crystal Palace gig on the Faith and Devotion tour back in ’93 – my first time seeing them. Where as I loved seeing them at Leeds Arena on the Delta Machine tour.
I was at the Crystal Palace gig near the front. I was a bit drunk.
By the way, go to YouTube and search
“Depeche Mode Exotic Tour (Full Instrumentals)”
Amazing.
* Not sure how these were done & how much do they actually play ‘live’? (hardly a new question) kind of questions aside….
Thanks – I haven’t heard those before.
Agree with the OP, that clip from 1:35 is indeed exciting & has really whet my appetite for the new album.
I really enjoyed Delta Machine but thought Spirits was decidedly patchy. Delta Machine had on Gahans best writing credit (IMHO) which is Should Be Higher. Always bring to mind Useless which is one of my all time favourite DM tracks.
Delta Machine is not a bad album but it just felt like they were coasting along a bit with that one.
Over three months ago the first little snippet of the new single was released and now we actually have the song. Here is the traditional Anton Corbijn video that goes with it.
The Momento Mori songs were finished before Andrew Fletcher’s death but it is clear that this sends the poignancy meter readings through the roof. Corbijn hasn’t exactly buried this in subtle imagery – we have gravestones, an actual white-sheeted ghost and Dave and Martin playing a game of chess. This is a definite reference to Bergman’s film, The Seventh Seal. But it’s not all down to the Corbmeister; apocalyptic themes and the inevitability of death are all over Depeche Mode’s work , even going back to the Cheggers Plays Pop years. The Book of Revelations comes up often – so in many ways this is more of the same but in light of Fletch’s death, this has added reality.
The song? Oh right – yes, the song. The snippet from October gave us the overall vibe of the thing so hearing the full version didn’t reveal any new surprises for me. Lyrically, it’s not great – but this is a Depeche Mode thing that Martin Gore has embraced. In one moment, he’s reaching into your soul and articulating your innermost thoughts – and the next moment it’s “the cat sat on the mat”.
I love the song. It’s not depressing – it’s uplifting. The strongest chorus from them for a long time, particularly from an opening single. There are celebratory, joyful moments in it – I can see this being a total winner in a live setting. Will it cut through to the courier driver whistling it as cheerfully goes about his work? Quite possibly, yes.
Quite a decent song. However with his hair like that Gahan is disturbingly reminiscent of Michael Gove.
They’ve certainly had the same recreational interests in past (in Gahan’s case).
*the past
And Martin Gore seems to be morphing into Keith Richards….no? Just me then…!
Can’t see that myself. I think he has a Private Godfrey look about him sometimes.
I have been watching the second White Lotus series and Michael Imperioli (previously from the Sopranos) resembles Dave Gahan I think.
I am so pleased that I actually like it. 🙂
I’m not sure just how much I like it yet.
But it is leagues better than Spirit and I am now a bit more hopeful.
I feel it still might have a bit of the last-20-years flavours that I’m not keen on in there.
And the mastering sounds suspiciously crunchy when there’s lots going on.
But yes, overall, I like it.
Martin looks about 100 years old in the video.
That was a bit shocking on first view.
(A bit like when I first say TFF The Tipping Point video).
And what’s with the prices?
Double vinyl 40.99 GBP
CD 17.99 GBP
Deluxe CD with no extra tracks 24.99
WTAF?
At least they are demonstrating a sense of humour.
Or, just a willingness to rip of their ‘devotees’.
I’m pleased that you like it @napaj . It’s their most “instant” song for a very long time. I was interested to learn today that Richard Butler (out of Psychedelic Furs) co-wrote it with Martin Gore. It’s not something Gore has done before on a Depeche Mode album.
Now you mention it, I can hear the influence of the recent* Furs comeback album.
(*) Mid-2020 (postponed by Covid Lockdown #1), so that’s pretty recent to me.
Made of Rain?
Was ok, a bit one paced.
I really like late period DM, possibly because I never really heard the early stuff other than the hits. Playing the Angel was my way in via the single Precious.
I also love them doing a bit of prime U2…
Precious is a good choice – one of their best, certainly.
I really loved Where’s The Revolution when it was released as the lead single for the last one. This is a whole lot better though & is a great tune.
Think I will be swerving the vinyl though! How much?!?!
I always thought that James were the worst band for hitting the fans’ pockets but this one takes the piss.
Actually, for the first time, I might not bother buying the album unless it’s an absolute belter and I decide I must have it. The music is on Spotify and that’s fine.
Me too.
The prices are ridiculous.
I always try to minimise being taken advantage of in an unreasonably manner. It’s the principle, not the number.
This is great. Justin Hawkins from The Darkness reviews Ghosts Again.
He’s clearly a fan and quite funny too.
Friend of Mrs Moose’s went out with Justin when The Darkness was merely The Gathering Dusk. It wasn’t a romance but she speaks of him with a smile, so I think we know what that means.
I’m not surprised – he’s a funny man!
I feel I might have the wrong end of the stick.