Day 13: Easily and elegantly tear my world apart

February 13, 2012 in Fun

Day 13: Your favorite Depeche Mode B-side

Today’s challenge presents another tough decision, as DM have curated a number of excellent B-sides over the years. I’m going with “Surrender.” This song expresses its name in not only the lyrics, but in the music itself. It seductively draws the listener in, and quietly brings him/her to their knees. Anyone who says DM hasn’t created rich, layered tracks after Alan left is out of their mind. “Surrender” is a perfect example – it’s quite easy to get lost in listening for all the little sounds. It combines hypnotic distorted twangs, delicate cymbals, soft percussion, long drawn synths and more. Interspersed are descending twinkles akin to what a falling star might sound like. Add in some of Dave’s best baritone vocals and the song beckons moths to a flame.

Honorable Mention/Very Close Second: “Dangerous”  (“Ghost” is also quite good, though not technically a B-side)

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What would you like to see featured on this blog?

February 12, 2012 in Maintenance

My regular readers know that most of my posts are based on reviews, gig posts or commentary related to current DM events. I’ve been brainstorming additional content ideas to keep the blog fresh during slow news periods, and I want your feedback! Check out the poll in the side bar and check any of the topics that appeal  to you (more than one is ok). Thanks, guys!

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Day 12: The Devil’s in the Sequins

February 12, 2012 in Fun

Day 11 of the 30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge – Your Favorite Depeche Mode Instrumental

Today’s song is the hardest choice so far, and I suspect will be the hardest one of the batch. I spent nearly 45 minutes listening to an instrumentals playlist trying to decide. Why the hang up? Because  all of Depeche Mode’s instrumentals from Music for the Masses and Violator are amazing pieces of music. Then you’ve got the optimistic “Nothing to Fear” and the badass “Painkiller” and “Headstar.” DM’s instrumentals have been slagged for years  in discussions of new albums (and I’ve often agreed). I haven’t revisited some of the old B-side instrumentals in quite some time, so I’d forgotten just how great so many of them are.

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To Ben or not to Ben, That is the Question

February 11, 2012 in Featured, News

Since Martin and Fletch started dropping hints in the press about Depeche Mode’s new album (slated for early 2013 release), speculation over who will produce it – or who fans want to produce it – has been running wild. This week’s hot topic is whether Ben Hillier will return for a trifecta with the Mode. An article running over at Hot Press has indicated it will be so:

“Ben is about to head to the USA to embark on his third album with Depeche Mode in 2012, which will see him again work closely with Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Andrew Fletcher.” – Hot Press, Feb. 6, 2012

Official channels have not yet confirmed this news, but Home is reporting a connection between Ben and the mixer for Dave’s Soulsavers collaboration project, Dan Supple – both working through production management company 140dB. As we wait for an official announcement, fan reactions have been mixed.

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Day 11: Your Favorite Lyric

February 11, 2012 in Fun

Day 11 of the 30-Day Depeche Mode Challenge – Your Favorite Depeche Mode Lyric

This has to be “Get the Balance Right,” in its entirety. It’s a brilliant picture of the struggle of just living, and the lyrics from this song often pop into my head as I’m dealing with life, and watching my friends and family deal with life.

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Day 10: No Strings Attached

February 10, 2012 in Fun

Day ten of the  30-day Depeche Mode challenge – A Song off the Album you Think is Underrated

This one has to be from Exciter, all the way. The song choice is difficult, though, because there are so many tracks on it I love. I’m going to go with “Freelove.” While not my favorite track from the album (that will appear later), it’s certainly my favorite single. Exciter came out when I was in between relationships – on the tail end of recovery from one breakup, to the curious fancy that precedes a new relationship. I was really kind of gun shy about going out with anyone again, but this album, particularly this song, brought me a lot of comfort, peace and courage during that time. Though this song seems to be more about open relationships, the one I entered a few months after this album came out is the one I am still in 10.5 years later. :)

It also has one of the best videos of the naughties! Third behind “Suffer Well” and “Wrong”, in my book.

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Day 9: I’m dirt, and I do care

January 26, 2012 in Fun

Day nine of the  30-day Depeche Mode challenge – Your guilty pleasure Depeche Mode song

This one was a little difficult, as I tried to think of songs that the fandom would make me feel shame for liking, but the truth is, there aren’t really any! Why? ‘Cause I like some songs that are the campiest of camp, or songs that Dave wrote that people hate, and I regret nothing! I kept coming back around to the first song that came to me: “Dirt.” Technically it’s not a Depeche Mode song, it’s an Iggy Pop cover, but it’s still part of the catalogue so it counts.

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