1988
Articles,
reviews of concerts and releases, and band member interviews from
magazines and newspapers.
Singles: 'Behind The Wheel', 'Little 15' (France)
18th June: Depeche Mode end their 101-date tour at the Pasadena Rosebowl, playing to over 60,000 people. Alan Wilder continues his 'Recoil' solo work, releasing 'Hydrology'. Dave contributes the solo track 'Song For Europe' to the 'Dream Home Heartaches' compilation album.
[Unknown magazine, January 1988. Words: Andy Darling. Pictures: Uncredited.]
Read this highly intellectual- sounding review with a dictionary beside you. On the one hand, its attempt to study Depeche Mode at a time when other reviews just studied Dave’s bum is years ahead. On the other hand, it falls flat on its face when you reach the end, and realise not only do you have no idea what the show was like, but the writer has been so preoccupied with long words he’s even managed to get Martin’s name wrong.
[667 words]
[Unknown magazine, January 1988. Words: Sam King. Picture: Greg Freeman.]
A review of the Wembley show, where the writer is unconvinced by the image Depeche Mode were putting across in 1987/8: while they appreciate the showmanship and mass appeal, the "sex and sin" imagery appears as just that -imagery. A well thought out review nonetheless.
[402 words]
[No.1, 23rd January 1988. Words: Uncredited. Picture: Uncredited.]
Another review of the Wembley show. Fairly simple as can be expected for this magazine, but enthusiastic and positive, and commendably sticking to the show rather than musings on Depeche Mode in general.
[371 words]
Depeche Mode, Wembley Arena, London
[Record Mirror, 23rd January 1988. Words: Nancy Culp. Picture: 'Parker'.]
I'm not sure what to make of this review. Despite the reviewer sending up the band left right and centre it is plain that she thoroughly enjoyed herself, and her humorous descriptions of the band are not abusive but... affectionate.
[494 words]
Melody
Maker, 16th July 1988
[Words: Paul Mathur.]
This review of the Pasadena Rose Bowl concert is so listless that
it was either written under duress or the author wasn't actually
there.
[328
words]
California
Screaming
[Blitz, September 1988. Words: Paul Mathur. Pictures: Steve Speller.]
...The
screaming being the reader realising the article isn't as much about Depeche
Mode as they hoped. A sort of background reader on the Rose Bowl show: the show
itself passes in a haze, and while this article creates a good sense of
atmosphere and build-up, an excessively long "scene-setter", which
boils down to "Isn't LA big?" repeated in various forms, mars the
piece.
[2668
words]
[back
to top] [back to 1987]
[on to 1989]