Ultra, as well as Exciter (umm, hardly), didn't do half as much for me as, say, Construction Time Again or my all-time favorite, Black Celebration (they performed "A Question of Time" early in the set, prompting insane cheers from the crowd). There were single-song exceptions, of course, such as "Home" (performed last night by Gore in a stark, unadorned yet intensely beautiful manner) and "I Feel Love," but...
I never liked Songs of Faith and Devotion, with the exception of "I Feel You." I know, I know. Kick me out of the fanclub, revoke my orange megaphone...but fixin'-to-die music doesn't do much for me unless it's sung by Nick Cave, Tom Waits or Johnny Cash. The Fixin'-To-Die Triad, if you will.
I'm heartened by the new album (Playing the Angel), because it mixes classic DM synthpop fun with guitar-laden rawk ("John the Revelator" and "A Pain That I'm Used To" are "shake your booty like an iPod commercial" songs if I ever heard 'em).
In short, 4 years away from the band (save solo releases by Gore & Gahan) has brought Depeche Mode back from the edge. They're putting on high-energy shows again, and clearly enjoying what they do...even if it's just leading the classic crowd singalongs of "Everything Counts" and "Just Can't Get Enough." My favorite band — they're back, they're really back!
Photos by fellow DM fan Nick Mariano, from the St. Petersburg, FL show on 3 November, as seen in the DM archives.
Editor's note: This work of yours now has another venue for success - and more eyes - at the Advance.net Web sites, a site affiliated with about 12 newspapers.
One such site is here.
Published:CMP
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
Great post, Shannon. I remember first hearing Depeche in London in the early 80s. I came home (to NYC) and told people, and they were like "Duh pesh what?" I told them they'd find out, and boy they did.
Your piece brought back memories. Thanks!
2 - Neil Latham
I watched them in Birmingham UK Friday and will again tomorrow in London they are great listened when I was 11 and now 36 I still love them, I don't get laughted at anymore now!
3 - Joel Murr
The silver star guitar Martin is playing is a custom designed First Act guitar mad just for him. see: firstact.com
4 - tommyd
I saw Depeche Mode in 1990, Violator tour, at Giants Stadium and it was pretty amazing.
I just saw them again this past Saturday night at Jones Beach theater and it was BETTER!
The biggest reason I thought they were better now is that they incorporate a real drummer into the band. There was no drummer in the 1990 show.
The band sounds great. They used a pretty good, well-rounded set list. "I Feel You", "Walking In My Shoes", "In Your Room", "Suffer Well", "World in My Eyes", "Question of Time", and Martin Gore's "Judas" and "Shake The Disease" were totally and absolutely awesome.
I had only wished they had played "Lillian" from Playing the Angel. That song should've been in the set!!
5 - Angie
Fantastic review - you made me laugh out loud in agreement :)
6 - tomy
i would like some info on how to get a dvd copy of the concert of the "TOURING THE ANGEL" by DEPECHE MODE on NOV 29, 2005 chicago,ill allstate arena. i haven't had any luck finding it.if you have any info i'd appreciate it.
7 - TOMY
i know that Depeche Mode's concert on that day at the Allstate Arena in Chicago,ill on nov 29,2005 was recorded somewhere.i even at one point got to a website where they sold that concert on dvd but no longer exists. if anyone with any info on where or how to purchase that concert on dvd, i'd appreciate it. that concert brings so many good memories.