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Thursday, December 21, 2006

Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode has always been an integral part of electronic music. Almost most of my peers were inducted into the world of synthesized music courtesy of this genre-defying and ever-evolving band. From their early days of synth-pop in the 80s to their dark-tinged ditties in the 90s, they continue to garnered more dedicated fans today. Very few bands have made a career through almost 3 decades, redefining their own sound as they went along... and becoming on of the biggest music exports from UK to the US (next to the Beatles).

Here I am, listening through 18 tracks from their recent "Best Of" CD... which comes with a bonus DVD of 23 videos and I've come to respect Depeche Mode even more for their non-mainstream sensibilities. They didn't make any of their songs with chart success in mind. They didn't really care if the public would understand what the songs were about. All they wanted to do were to put out really personal songs with really off-beat crafted lyrics. But as their destiny would have it, the mainstream audience lapped it all up.

I'm at track 13 now... "Precious". And this particular song just hits me as one of the most saddest song they've ever written. One point or the other, we all will face unhappiness and it's their uncanny ability to write lyrical content that makes you relate. This was written for Martin's three children when he was going through his divorce. Not that I'm in a melancholic mood now but this song just grow on you! As they would say, it's vintage Mode.

"Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we'd manage
But words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give"

2 Comments:

At 12:30 AM, Adminstrator said...: Totally agree. To each and every fan, each of their songs hit you in a special way.

I was at the DM concert at Indoor Stadium too! It was a "Black Celebration" of sorts! Yeah, I agree that U2 doesn't come close in terms of being influencial. U2's political, DM's musical and the truth is, let music be music... politics are for mules.

New Order, well... did have several heart-wrenching tunes (excluding True Faith, Blue Monday and Bizarre Love Triangle). But yeah, they have slacken quite a lot. But still, can't write them off coz they always come back with that ONE tune that makes everyone forgive them.

DM recently released all their old albums with a bonus DVD. Some with unreleased "live" footages. I'm tempting to buy them for myself as xmas gifts. hahaha! I could not resist the current "Best Of" album I already have all their albums... all becoz of one new tune... "Matyr". And it's always such a joy to read their inlays. Then there is a short film about their singles... which is like walking down memory lane. hell, vince clarke is even in there!

Before I Get Old... I want to catch them ONE more them!!!

LONG LIVE DM, INDEED! They are one disease i can never shake. :)
At 11:17 AM, Adminstrator said...: Ah... Martyr is actually Dave Gahan's first attempt at songcraft and also an insider joke about how they have made a career out of ONE TOPIC in their music.

Yup, their last album "Playing With Angels" was somewhat Martin's outlet to penned his pain of the divorce. Thus, considering his creativity, it's a pretty tough album to get into... takes a lot of listen.

Have a good read of the liner notes of the new "Best of". BTW, for your money's worth, grab the one with the bonus DVD. I found mine at HMV, in the racks.