2005
Articles,
reviews of concerts and releases, and band member interviews from
magazines and newspapers.
Album: "Playing The Angel"
Singles: "Precious", "A Pain That I'm Used To"
A
New Life
[Q, 14th January 2005. Words:
Dave Thompson. Pictures: Joe Bangay / Redferns / Uncredited.]
The first of three
instalments of Depeche Mode history in a Q Special Edition, this section
covering up to Vince's departure at the end of 1981. While the story will be
familiar to most ardent Mode fans, the piece has some interesting anecdotes, and
takes a step back from the band to look more than many articles do at the
musical climate that influenced them.
[2335
words]
The
Landscape Is Changing
[Q, 14th January 2005. Words: Dave Thompson. Pictures: Eric
Watson / Uncredited.]
The second of a three-part
marathon band history in a Q Special Edition, this section covering
the band's rising years from See You to Rose Bowl. While there are
some very enthusiastic and perceptive comments, the article overall is
the usual chronological plod through the back catalogue. A perfectly
serviceable piece, but nothing you haven't seen before.
[3573
words]
Never
Let Me Down Again
[Q, 14th January 2005. Words: Phil Sutcliffe. Pictures: Anton
Corbijn / Steve Eicher / Redferns / Cody Smith.]
Immense, detailed final instalment
of Depeche Mode's history in a Q Special Edition, covering Violator up
to the present. The author is less concerned with telling the story in
rigid date order and manages to shed new light on the band by
approaching them from different angles. Most importantly, this is the
first article to look at the solo projects with the benefit of
hindsight, as well as looking ahead to the planned next album.
[4746
words]
Essential
Albums: Depeche Mode - Speak & Spell
[Q, 14th January 2005. Words: Johnny Black.]
Interesting combination of a review of Depeche Mode's first album
with the circumstances that brought it - and the band - into being.
The review focuses less on the tracks themselves and more on putting
the band into context with other electronic music in 1981. With the
benefit of 23 years of hindsight, the author manages to be more
complimentary than other reviewers.
[869
words]
Essential
Albums: Depeche Mode - Violator
[Q, 14th January 2005. Words: Toby Manning.]
A
review of Violator which manages to be glowing and eloquent while
keeping its feet on the ground. The author at times almost falls into
familiar pitfalls (Martin's black ancestry, Martin writing about
Dave), but overall this is very worthwhile as it throws some new light
on a much loved album we thought we already knew.
[851 words]
Apocalypse
Jukebox: Dave Gahan
[Q, June 2005. Words: Dave Gahan. Picture: Uncredited.]
Dave chooses the 10 songs he would
like to hear one last time if the end of the world was imminent. Some
artists are, knowing Dave, a foregone conclusion, but other very
unusual or obscure choices throw a welcome new light on Dave as a
person aside of Depeche Mode.
[715
words]
In
The Studio: Depeche Mode
[Q, July 2005. Words: Uncredited. Picture: Uncredited.]
An update on the band's progress in the studio working on the forthcoming album, Playing The Angel. Dave comments on the improvement in internal relations since 2003's solo projects, which should come as no small relief to fans.
[342
words]
60
Second Interview: Dave Gahan
[Metro, 3rd October 2005. Words: Andy Williams / "GG".
Picture: Uncredited.]
Basic interview with Dave on the release day of "Precious", mainly looking at changes within the band dynamics and Dave's own state of mind. Sadly the interviewer seems to view them as too old and all the trite Mode buzzwords (Just Can't Get Enough! Basildon! Drugs!) are here. Given that this is a newspaper for a very general readership it is forgivable - just. Includes a brief review of "Precious".
[859 words]
Mode
To Nowhere
[The Observer Music Monthly, 16th October 2005. Words: Graeme
Thomson. Picture: Uncredited.]
Four
words could sum this review up: He Doesn't Like It. While the author
gives some fair examples as to why he feels the band are close to
exhausting their classic source material, it's easy to feel that he
hasn't been prepared to listen to the album more than once. Important
nonetheless, given the otherwise rave reviews the album has had so
far.
[218 words]
[The
Observer, 16th October 2005. Words: Kitty Empire. Picture:
Uncredited.]
A
detailed review of Playing The Angel with enough space for a crash
course in band history. The author wisely keeps that part short and
the review stays thorough and articulate. While the author is very
positive about the album, she's remained sensible enough to keep her
eyes on its failings nonetheless. Currently the best and fairest
review for this album I have by a mile.
[639 words]
[Mixmag, November 2005. Words: Ralph Moore. Pictures: Courtesy of MBC.]
The band chat about the music that appeals to them at the moment and that has influenced them one way or another over the years, as well as casting an eye over their own highs and lows. Includes an appreciative review of Playing The Angel.
[994 words]
Songs Of Innocence And Experience
[Mojo, November 2005. Words: Danny Eccleston. Pictures: Steve Gullick.]
A near-faultless long article - with plenty of direct comment from the band - covering the entire history of Depeche Mode. The writer looks at the band through the filter of their inhibitions and flaws, but never losing sight of the bigger picture. It's a shame the author focuses more on the early years and Devotional myth: had he had space to turn his attentions equally to other years, this would have been a masterpiece.
[4289 words]
[Words: David Buckley.]
Short review of Playing The Angel. Moderately positive, sharing the popular view of it as a return to form - yet with some slightly off-the-wall reactions to some songs.
[145 words]
Black
Magic
[Q, November 2005. Words: Garry Mulholland. Picture: Uncredited.]
The
author of this review admits to being pleasantly surprised by the
quality of the new album and the return to familiar Mode themes
without becoming threadbare. Music to a fan's ears.
[285 words]
The
Ten Commandments: Dave Gahan
[Q, November 2005. Words: Dave Gahan / Johnny Davis. Picture:
Uncredited.]
A
brief feature in which Dave decants a few hard-won life lessons.
Revealing (as ever) and at times immensely funny.
[585
words]
Playing
The Angel / Precious reviews
A digest of short newspaper reviews of this year's Depeche Mode
releases.
[168 words]
[NME Originals, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2005. Words: Steve Sutherland / Simon Scott / Mat Snow / Patrick Humphreys, ed. Steve Sutherland. Pictures: Veigue / Dulle-Idols, Redferns, Jon Blackmore.]
Over the years, NME have published some excellent material on Depeche Mode. Sadly, the editor of this selection of reprints has chosen a couple of good ones from 1981, a couple of bad ones from 1982, and nothing else, giving the impression that Depeche Mode were a New Romantic flash in the pan. Each article is perfectly decent in its own right, but combined they are completely un-representative of Depeche Mode's career. A wasted opportunity.
[2522 words]
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