1987
Articles,
reviews of concerts and releases, and band member interviews from
magazines and newspapers.
Singles:
'Strangelove', 'Never Let Me Down Again', 'Behind The Wheel'
Album: 'Music For The Masses'
David becomes a father.
[Unknown magazine, 1987. Words: Martin Gore (!). Picture: Uncredited.]
A fascinating little feature in an unidentified British magazine displaying Martin's handwritten lyrics to Little 15 with some brief commentary. Engaging in its way - especially if you're a graphologist...
[0 words]
[Melody Maker, date unknown, 1987. Words: Damon Wise. Picture: Uncredited.]
A very perceptive review of Music For The Masses, seeing Depeche Mode as caught midway between artistic pretensions and a knack for pop appeal, and not certain which they prefer. Not only does the author get the intentional pun of the title, he manages to pick out the future singles. Very astute.
[383 words]
[NME, date unknown, 1987. Words: Jane Solanas. Artwork: Uncredited.]
While warm and positive, this intended review of Music For The Masses does somewhat lose its way. The author begins by discussing how Depeche Mode have darkened and dirtied by 1987, and forgets to stop. Still a pleasant brief appraisal of the band, just not the album review you were expecting.
[591 words]
Depeche
Mode Magazine
[Circuit Communications, 1987.
Words: Mike Martin. Pictures: All Action Photographic / Pictorial
Press / Rex Features.]
One-off magazine containing a
band biography and member profiles. The text is clearly based on this
book, and the author has made a sloppy attempt at updating it by
including "Music For The Masses" but virtually ignoring
"Black Celebration". Nonetheless it does feature more on the
band members and the "human" element behind the music.
Another undemanding entry point for the beginner, despite many
inaccuracies.
[3394
words]
FZSS!...ZWIING!
.AARGH!..HAHAHAH!!
[Smash Hits, 6th-19th May 1987. Words: Sylvia Patterson.
Pictures: Paul Rider.]
In 1987
Depeche Mode decided to counter their "serious" image by
throwing a party for the Smash Hits journalists. The result was
carnage, and this is the record of a night turning increasingly fuzzy
at the edges for Dave, Andy and Martin. Streamers get eaten, trousers
come off, ears and teeth get measured, and barely a word of sense all
night. Oh, and Alan was there too.
[2375 words]
Strange
Lives
[No.
1, 23rd May 1987. Words: Uncredited. Pictures: Uncredited.]
Whistlestop
b(l)and biography from the beginnings to 1987. Rather than concentrate
on the more important developments the band had made in this time, the
author has tried to cram as many historical details as possible into
this short article, with the result that everything is mentioned, but
virtually nothing discussed. If you are new to Depeche Mode this is OK
for getting a basic idea of the band's history, but veterans will gain
only a few bits of trivia.
[1776
words]
Mode-Al
[Making Music, June 1987. Words: Jon Lewin. Pictures: Grahame
Tucker.]
An
average article approaching the band from a technical angle, assuming the reader
is mostly interested in details of equipment and studio technique, knows of
Depeche Mode but isn't intimately familiar with them. Plenty of information on
the successive stages of recording an album, and a section of nitty-gritty
equipment details too.
[2038 words]
Mass
Appeal
[Underground, August 1987. Words:
Carole Linfield. Pictures: Ronnie Randall.]
Excellent
interview in an alternative magazine focussing on how Depeche Mode
achieved commercial success despite being signed to an indie label.
The band talk in detail about the 'business' aspect of their career
and how they have been allowed the freedom to develop at their own
pace. Few articles discuss the band's success from this perspective;
this makes the article indispensable for media students or anyone
interested in the industry side of music.
[1528
words]
Dep
Jam
[Record Mirror, 22nd August 1987. Words: Francesco Adinolfi.
Picture: Anton Corbijn.]
Brief
interview, with Martin for once giving most of the answers, at the time of
the release of Never Let Me down Again. While the piece covers the
pertinent subject of how Depeche Mode were developing a significant cult
status thanks to their darker style, the author hops mechanically through
the questions with very little comeback, and this makes for static
reading.
[889 words]
The
Dire Straits Of The Synth Generation?
[Sounds, 5th September 1987. Words: Jack Barron. Pictures: Russell
Young.]
A
fluid and entertaining interview with the band conducted at Puk Studios in
Denmark during the end stages of the recording of Music For The Masses.
The usual discussion on the nature of the songs and being devalued by the
British press, but also their attitude to finance and some interesting and
humourous anecdotes. One of the better 1987 articles so far.
[2113
words]
Intimate
Details
[No. 1, 12th September 1987. Words: Uncredited. Pictures:
Uncredited.]
Lightweight
short Q&A with Dave. Despite the simple questions, Dave does open
up quite a bit, and is understandably preoccupied with his
relationship with Joanne given their expected 'new arrival'.
Surprisingly interesting for this sort of interview.
[731
words]
Rubber
Bullets
[Melody Maker, 3rd October 1987. Words: Paul Mathur. Picture:
Uncredited.]
A review of "Music For The Masses" where the author seems to
like the album in spite of himself. Consequently the review strives to be
fair and is reserved about the album while never failing to give credit
where it's due. Look out for the astute prediction on "Never Let Me
Down Again".
[317 words]
Record Mirror, 3rd October 1987
[Words: Eleanor Levy.]
An exceptionally astute and well-written review of Music For The Masses. The writer manages to stay level-headed in her praise of the album and picks up on Depeche Mode's development; and judging by the chart-savvy comments that open it, she may as well have had a crystal ball in front of her too.
[367 words]
80's,
Mode d'Emploi
[Best, October 1987. Words: Gerard Bar-David. Pictures: Jean-Yves
Legras.]
Unusual French article (appearing
in translation here) starting from the premise that Depeche Mode embody
the decade and treating them as gurus of all things Eighties. It's a risky
proposition and ought to have been chaos, but instead the writer seems by
and large to have realised Depeche Mode's significance in a way many
others didn't catch up with for another three years. Light years ahead.
[3343
words]
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