A funny thing happened in the 4 years since Depeche Mode last released a long player: the musical genre they helped to popularize in the 80's has made quite a comeback. Music fans are clamoring for the 80's, and bands like Kaiser Chiefs, The Bravery, The Killers and Franz Ferdinand, to name a few, have led a musical revival of synth-laced music.
So its only fitting that Depeche Mode's first album since 2001's Exciter would be a return to their synth roots. The first single off of the soon to be released LP Playing the Angel, "Precious", sounds like it could have been included on 1988's masterful Music for the Masses, or even 1993's grunge inspired Songs of Faith and Devotion. The video for the new track, available via stream here, shows an older, but still spry Dave Gahan singing, "Things get damaged/Things get broken/I thought we'd manage."
It could be a 10 word summation of the band's last decade. From Dave Gahan's much publicized suicide attempt and overdose, to chief musical architect Alan Wilder's departure from the band, to numerous rumors of the band's impending demise, Depeche Mode has certainly overcome much since 1995.
While things look rosy for a clean and sober Gahan, lyricist Martin Gore and jack of all trades Andy Fletcher, the music of Playing the Angel has all the trappings of being another dark, brooding Depeche Mode album. Not that there anything wrong with that. With song titles like "A Pain That I'm Used To", "The Sinner in Me" and "Damage People", is there any doubt that Dave Gahan will have plenty of macabre musings to sing about courtesy of Martin Gore?
After the album is released on October 18, the band is set to embark on a US Tour this fall, followed by a typical DM canvassing of Europe. Depeche Mode is also engaging in a cross promotion where fans who pre-order Playing the Angel on iTunes will receive a password that will provide them the opportunity to purchase priority seating for the tour. The band is also offering a download called "DM Receiver" which will send updated news and content directly to the desktop, keeping DM fans up to the minute with their Mode news. The reciever is available here.
Depeche Mode's North American Tour Dates (tickets through Ticketmaster):
North American tour dates:
*Wed 11/2 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Office Depot
Article comments
1 - Bob A. Booey
Is it weird that I might want to go see this? They've always been a guilty (very guilty) pleasure and I wouldn't mind hearing a couple of songs by Depeche Mode imitators The Bravery either.
But then, there are other 80s synth-pop guilty pleasures (ahem, Erasure) that I'd never, ever go see live for fear of embarrassment.
I'm not sure if I could bring myself to see Depeche Mode in concert.
I proudly saw New Order this year, though, and Coachella was a convenient enough excuse to see The Cure.
That is all.
2 - Matt
C'mon Booey, go see 'em. I have sen them 3 times I believe, and I did take the plunde on Erasure one time. Definitely an experience.
3 - Andrew
Why would you be embarassed? They are great in concert.... Erasure was quite a production, I can only guess about Depeche Mode. Great Artist...Great music....cant go wrong.
I cant wait until they come to the Detroit area.
Signed.... enjoying my guilty pleasures....
4 - John
OK, people look at you funny when you say you are a DM fan but screw them. I think they're great. Got to see them live 3 times and to be honest they seem to be a far better act in an arena setting rather than stadium. As for Erasure, well I bought a couple of their LPs (remember the big black CDs?) and dug them out last year. They are absolutely atrocious. Now I can see why Speak And Spell is the worst DM album. Vince Clarke, you have a lot to answer for! I think the blame for people's misconceptions regarding DM lies firmly at your feet!
5 - GeoWhiz
John, I agree with you in all things but one. Dave, Martin and Fletch keep digging up Just Cant Get Enough. I hope that after Vince,or whoever it was, sold it to Hyundia for that awful ad, that they will not play it this time around.
As to the rest of you if your a fan of something, thats your business. I admitt that I went through a long period where I was alittle embarrest to admit that my one and only is DM, mainly b/c most of the other music I listen to is hard rock, and people find it funny that I feel DM so much.
I dont feel that way anymore and heres one reason why: look at the great artists in hard rock: Dave Grohl, Chris Cornell, Maynard James Keenan, Matthew Good.... Depeche Mode's message is the same, though its in a package that some find hard to swallow, and that's their problem not yours.
So hold you head high, look them in the eye and tell them DM is your favorite band. If they open their mouth to give you flack tell them that U2 is just a shiny DM rip-off. Oh and if they pull the "I like accoustic" thing next, which is what they do if you hit them with the U2 thing, then tell them that Jack Johnson's concerts are SUPER BORING. (seriously the guy closes his eyes, then plays the same notes, and sings in the same key for an hour and a half then you go home $70.oo poorer, and very relaxed)
Anyways sorry for getting off topic, its late and I'm still mad at a leading ticket distribution company.
6 - JAM
I went to the band's tour kick-off yesterday in Tampa, FL. The 8 hour drive (Miami-Tampa-Miami) that my wife and I endured was totally worth it!
The Opening act, The Bravery was a good warm up for DM. The Bravery was confident and energetic. I don't know much about this band, but they sounded like a cross between The Cure, New Order and Radiohead.
When DM entered the stage our euphoria bursted, as they played "A Pain That I am Used To" from Playing The Angel, followed by "John The Revelator", also from their awsome new album.
They played songs from Songs of Faith and Devotion, and Violator(I would have been pissed had they not played "Enjoy the Silence").
I was thrilled to see them play "Behind the wheel" and "Never let me down again" from Music for the Masses. They also played "I just Can't Get enough" and "Everything Counts".
Dave Gahan connected quickly with the audience, as he transmitted his energy to us. He is a great performer, who interacts with the audience more efficiently than most band front men/women I have seen.
There was a funny moment when the drummer started playing the wrong tune at the beginning of "Everything Counts".
This was my first DM show, even though I have been their fan for a long time.
They should do an extra show in South Florida, since they cancelled their first show in Ft. Lauderdale, and eventhough the tickets for that show were honored in Tampa, I believe many people could not make it to the show.
7 - JAM
By the way...Alan Wylder was on the Synth playing with the band last night!!!!!
If he's back with DM, I don't know, and I would not want to start a rumor on that...But Alan Wylder was there!!!
8 - Matt
Jam--are you sure it was Alan Wylder? That's amazing if true.