Ever since Depeche Mode released their new single “Ghosts Again,” I have been on a bit of a Depeche Mode kick. While my favorite album of theirs is Songs Of Faith And Devotion, my close second is Music For The Masses. This album is truly fantastic. From the moment it starts with “Never Let Me Down Again” to “Pimpf” there’s not one song that feels out of place on it. One of the songs I’ve been stuck on for a long time is “Behind The Wheel.” I love this song. It’s darkly seductive and yet the beat behind it gives it a bit more of an upbeat feel. “Behind The Wheel” you could say is a bit of a blueprint for future Depeche songs that you’d hear later on with albums like Ultra and even a bit of Exciter. The video was directed by longtime collaborator Anton Corbijn and it actually picks up where the video for “Never Let Me Down Again” leaves off. This song is for sure one of those in Depeche Mode’s catalog that stands out and in the late 80’s gave a precursor as to where electronic music was going and influencing.
I was having some fun over the past week and decided to start listening to the music in my car by song order starting with A. While going through this long and arduous process I started to take notes about how many same name songs I have on my iPod. One of the most fun ones that I found was when I got to these two songs, and I had a feeling this would make for an interesting topic of conversation. Today I’m putting up Depeche Mode and Massive Attack in a battle to see what song you like best. “Angel” by Depeche Mode from their album, Delta Machine or Massive Attack’s from their album, Mezzanine. Both of these are totally different from one another but, could live in the same genre if need be. Which of these do you pick?
This past week I’ve been listening to a lot of different bands and what better place to share some of my favorite songs and or albums I’ve been blasting all week! Some you might have heard before and some might be brand new but, the best thing about this is that there is something for everyone here! As always, I’m interested in what you dig out of these, so let me know!
01) Botch: Ever since it was announced that Botch had reunited for a secret show as well as a few Seattle area shows and now a tour, you bet your ass I’ve been on a Botch tear. So here you have both of their studio albums, American Nervoso and We Are The Romans plus their new song, One Twenty Two, that is undeniably BOTCH! So Stoked that Botch are back! They are seriously one of the pioneers of this genre and are coming back at one hell of a much needed time! Welcome back gents!!
Botch- One Twenty Two:
Botch- American Nervoso:
Botch- We Are The Romans:
02) Alphamega- A World Afraid Of Tomorrow: This is a new track from Alphamega. I dig on this band. I love their melodic sense into the heavy. Their sound is a combination of early 00’s metalcore and swedish melodeath (early In Flames/Soilwork). This song shows even more growth of the band as songwriters and singer Adam Ryan shines pretty damn bright on this one! Alphamega is playing THIS SUNDAY at The Whisky with Centershift, Daybreak Ends, Stronger Than Machines and Our Dying World!
03) Depeche Mode- Ghosts Again: I love Depeche Mode! And this new song off their upcoming album Memento Mori, is very classic sounding (Black Celebration vibes I’m getting). This is the bands last album to feature the late Andy Fletcher. The video for the song was directed by long time collaborator Anton Corbijn and it definitely strikes a chord with the song. Looking forward to their upcoming tour as well!!
04) Common Wounds- Phantom Limb: I was recently introduced to the band Common Wounds and the moment I heard this track, I knew it was right up my alley. This band is part post-hardcore, part noise-rock and full on crushing. Their self titled EP comes out March 10th and it’s awesome (I might have already heard it and have blasted the ever living shit out of it… I DID)! Shout out to the drummer for the Ghost Idols shirt too! Really digging on this band and if you are into this genre of music, you will be too!
05) The Smile- A Light For Attracting Attention: This band is made up of Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead as well as drummer Tom Skinner. As much as I want a new Radiohead album, this will keep me occupied for some time. This album is really quite cool. It’s jazzy with interesting synth parts and a really cool mix of all the 90’s alternative rock that I love. It’s also one of those albums that is great for a relaxing evening or just hanging out with people. It’s not a “rock record” instead it’s more of a “vibe album” that the more you listen to it, the more you find different nuances and things to enjoy. Looking up live performances of The Smile is a treat too as they definitely take the songs to another level live! Hope they make the rounds again soon, as I am really wanting to see them live!
06) Thrice- The Artist In The Ambulance (REVISITED): I still remember when this album first came out and how much I was into it. It was one of those albums that I didn’t put away for a long long time. Now, 20 years later, Thrice took a chance and revisited this gem of an album and the end result is pretty damn fantastic. The album sounds a little more mature in a good way and feels like it revitalized the band a bit too. With minimal structure changes and a few special guests, this album sounds bigger and at times depending on the song, more impactful. Personally, I’d love to see more bands take on a challenge like this as I suggested in a recent article about Incubus revisiting SCIENCE. Way to go Thrice! This is superb!
07) Quicksand- Slip: The landmark and highly influential album just turned 30 years old! And to this day it still sounds fresh and amazing. Not only is this a classic and has given birth to so many bands but, Quicksand is still out there killing it. Their most recent album, Distant Populations is one of the best album in the last few years. Slip is one of those albums though that when you put it on, you don’t want it to end. It’s full of banger song after banger song! If you’ve never heard this album, now is your chance! And when you do, make sure you play it LOUD!
08) How To Destroy Angels- Welcome Oblivion: My daughter is in love with this album and I couldn’t be more happy about it. She also loves Nine Inch Nails (which she had no choice but to love- if you know me, you know this would be inevitable). When I first heard How To Destroy Angels it took me a minute to get used to not hearing Trent Reznor singing but, I had seen West Indian Girl live before and was familiar with Mariqueen’s voice and it didn’t take me long to love it too. The more I listen to this album with my kid now, the more I love what it is and about. There’s a bit of a dynamic shift to the structure of songs and I’d even say there’s a bit of a psychedelic vibe to some of it which gives the eerie and haunting sounds more attitude. The live shows for How To Destroy Angels were on a whole other visual and sonic level. I highly recommend taking some time to watch some of those!
09) Full Of Hell & Primitive Man- Tunnels To God: One of my favorite things that I’ve mentioned a zillion times before is when I get emails about new music and I click on it and it absolutely kicks ass. The other day, I clicked on this song at the sight of who it was and when it kicked in, HOLY SHIT! It’s brutal yet ambient and will get under your skin and crawl giving you chills. It’s also epic in length which makes those chills last even longer!
10) The Cult- Under The Midnight Sun: The Cult need no introduction. They have been gems in the rock world for well over 40 years. Their catalog speaks for itself and the fact that they keep putting out quality albums makes it even better. Their most recent album, Under The Midnight Sun is one hell of an album. It’s got parts of all eras of the band to give it a different kind of light. At one moment you are listening to a part that you might have heard during Love and then the next you are listening to something that could have been off Choice Of Weapon. The album is diverse and a great listen. I love putting this album on at the end of a long day/night or a drive home and just let it take me places. Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy are two of the most underrated songwriters out there! This is another example of how great they are together!
Depeche Mode are back!!! Their new album, Memento Mori arrives on March 24. The first single “Ghosts Again” is out NOW! It’s one of those moody Depeche songs that after a few listens will stick in your head. The accompanying video was directed by longtime collaborator Anton Corbijn. Memento Mori is also the last Depeche Mode album to feature the late Andy Fletcher. As a long time Depeche Mode fan, I’m excited and intrigued by what their new album brings. One of the things that I really like about “Ghosts Again” is the vocals of both Dave Gahan and Martin Gore. The two of them together singing has this eerie and haunting charm to the song.
With the news that Depeche Mode is releasing a new album and touring in 2023, I’ve been pretty excited about that. While going back through their catalog and trying to piece together what I’d love to hear I remembered the awesome video for their song “Wrong” off their 2009 album Sound Of The Universe. This video is quite spectacular. It was nominated for a Grammy for best short form video as was the record for best alternative music album. The video was directed by Patrick Daughters (who you might know from Anonymous Content). The whole video is worth watching a few times to pick up on all the intricate things and subtleties that are meticulously placed in there.
The 2001 parody movie, Not Another Teen Movie had it’s moments of hilarity but, the best part of the movie truly was the soundtrack. There are so many great cover songs on it. One of my favorites from it is Scott Weiland’s version of Depeche Mode’s “But Not Tonight.” The song is originally a B Side to the “Stripped” single by Depeche Mode. It was written during the bands Black Celebration era. Scott’s version is quite different but, it’s equally impactful. There’s a real warmth to Scott’s version too.
The other day I was hanging out with a friend and I presented him with a question, who are the best UK bands of all time. So, we sat there for a few minutes and created a list that pretty much sums up the best bands from the region. There are so many bands from that area but, the impact the ones on this list had made them the standouts. This list is in no particular order as well. And your input is always greatly appreciated to make this list complete.
01) The Beatles
02) The Rolling Stones
03) David Bowie
04) The Who
05) Pink Floyd
06) The Kinks
07) Led Zeppelin
08) Cream
09) Joy Division
10) Sex Pistols
11) The Clash
12) Radiohead
13) Depeche Mode
14) The Cure
15) New Order
16) Black Sabbath
17) Iron Maiden
18) Motorhead
19) Judas Priest
20) Oasis
21) Placebo
22) Blur
23) The Smiths
24) The Cult
25) Oceansize
This post is quite awesome as it features two of the best UK bands of all time as well as two huge favorites of mine. Back in 1999, Placebo released a cover they did of the great Depeche Mode song “I Feel You.” Originally the song was released as a fan club-only cassette in 1999, as well as a bonus track on the American edition of Placebo’s album, Black Market Music. Later on in 2003 as part of a bonus disc for Sleeping With Ghosts, it was released again. Depeche Mode is not an easy band to cover and do it well but, Placebo did it justice and the way Brian Molko sings, he really made it his own. I thoroughly enjoy both versions and each has their own vibe. I think you’ll enjoy this.
Ever since I made my Ultimate Set List for Depeche Mode, I’ve been in that frame of mind. Which got me thinking about all the Depeche Mode covers out there. One of the ones I remembered being interesting and not bad was Rammstein’s cover of “Stripped.” There is some interesting history about this cover as well. Released as a single in 1998, this cover also appears on their album Sehnsucht, the one that has “Du Hast.” It was also the bands first song sung entirely in English. Their version cuts the line “Let me see you stripped down to the bone” to “Let me see you stripped”, which was due to singer Till Lindermann’s difficulty singing the “down to the bone” line. Though that part was restored in a remix done by former Nine Inch Nails member Charlie Clouser. Rammstein are supposed to release a new album in 2019 and tour it so, hopefully when they do, they decide to do this live.
Depeche Mode is one of my favorite bands. Through the years, I’ve really come to admire the honest approach they take when they create albums. They’ve always stuck to their guns as to what they wanted to do and it’s paid off. All these years later and they are still putting out great music. This Ultimate Set List was a little difficult to make due to Depeche Mode having so many great songs but, I think I made one hell of a great set list.
Guideline 1: What line up of the band would it be
Guideline 2: Where would you want to see the show
Guideline 3: maximum 25 songs (In order of how the set should go)
Lineup: Dave Gahan, Martine Gore, Andy Fletcher, Alan Wilder
Venue: Santa Barbara Bowl
Set List:
01) Wrong
02) Everything Counts
03) Barrel Of A Gun
04) Stripped
05) Behind The Wheel
06) Come Back
07) Precious
08) I Feel You
09) Clean
10) Black Celebration
11) Soothe My Soul
12) A Pain That I’m Used To
13) Halo
14) Walking In My Shoes
15) Condemnation
16) It’s No Good
17) The Dead Of Night
18) In Your Room
19) Policy Of Truth
20) No More (This Is The Last Time)
Encore:
21) Dream On
22) Never Let Me Down Again
23) Enjoy The Silence
audioeclectica 