Total Conversion

#DepecheMode #DepecheMusing #MartinGore #U2 If you watch the U2 movie Rattle & Hum, there's a bit where they're singing Sunday, Bloody Sunday. It's years after the song was written and the events that inspired that song had just reoccured in Ireland. As Bono is singing "how long, how long must we sing this song", he appears to have a moment where the futility of the words hits him hard. Either that or he is a great actor, but to me it seemed like he had a really genuine moment of disgust with singing and frustration for the audience chanting and enjoying something with a tragic source. Years later I'm relistening to a lot of older Depeche Mode tracks at random and I realise how much I love Black Celebration. It's just a great album with so many good songs. Even the B-sides are some of my favourites. At any rate, I've always been drawn to New Dress. I think the it started with this line: "In black townships fires blaze" I always i...

Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode has sung so many songs that have been the soundtrack of my life.  I listen to Mode nearly everyday and the songwriting of Martin Gore and the production of Daniel Miller/ Flood/ Bomb the Bass/ Alan Wilder, et al have remained consistently at the top of my favourites list. No matter what I'm in the mood for, there is a playlist of many songs that will be fitting, and if not, I have a healthy collection of remixes and alternative takes on songs that I can draw on.  Dave Gahan latterly has started contributing songs to the Mode albums, but his own solo albums are worth a listen.  I've been listening to the Hourglass album a lot lately.  Kingdom is such a stunning track and some of the mixes are ridiculous. Here's a nice studio version: Dave Gahan - Kingdom (Hourglass - The Studio Sessions) followed by a very synthy remix: DAVE GAHAN - Kingdom (booka shade club mix) finally here's my favourite one: Dave Gahan - Kingdom (Digitalism Remix) For most...

Inspired by a post by Lauren Morgana here's a very different take on never let me down. It's just noise for most people but this version gets me going and pumps some adrenalin into my day. When I listen to it on my phone I imagine people think I'm listening to some jazz or softer. never let me down was the first DM single I bought. It was an orange coloured picture disc which introduced me to Agent Orange, another favourite of mine. Of course the version performed at the 101 concert was probably the one most fans love but it's good live generally. #depechemode http://youtu.be/GanuWs69zao

Didn't think it would happen, but I finally got used to Depeche Mode's last album Delta Machine.  I guess the music has evolved to the point that it takes me many more listens to get into.  It could be me, but I do think its the production.  Mode are becoming one of those bands that are making every second album much better.  Sorta like the way the Star Trek movies alternate in quality.   Much bigger fan of Ultra & Playing the Angel than the intervening Exciter and Sounds of the Universe.  Delta Machine is not as good as the former 2, but with the help of many listenings and some killer remixes on Soundcloud, I'm enjoying the original album now.  I'm able to queue up the album as a playlist and listen to the whole album without reaching for the next track button and I'm disappointed when it's over.  That's all I need. #depechemode   http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1554496/depeche-mode-delta-machine-track-by-track-review