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album reviews

Depeche Mode



Speak And Spell 7 ( 1981 )
New Life / I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead / Puppets / Boys Say Go! / Nodisco / What's Your Name? / Photographic / Tora! Tora! Tora! / Big Muff / Any Second Now / Just Can't Get Enough / Dreaming Of Me*

Depeche Mode formed in 1980 in Basildon, England. Originally a three piece band formed out of the ashes of punk, the arrival of Dave Gahan cemented the original four-piece lineup. At this stage in their career - imagine OMD, Ultravox, Kraftwerk and The Beatles. Well, the lyrics were not important in the early days, Vince Clarke admitting to just writing words that seemed to go together. It's something he would continue with, long after his tenure in Depeche Mode. Basically, a couple or three very catchy songs would cement Depeche Mode's position as a new prospect in the 'new wave'. It was exciting, I remember, we had brand new sounds! This was 'our' music, distinctly different to the rock and pop music of our parents.

Ok, i've been listening to a lot of Depeche Mode to prepare for this page. I was thinking the other day that Depeche Mode albums have dated particularly well, although 'Speak And Spell' is perhaps the most dated sounding of anything they've produced to date. Their production and arranging methods seemed to expand exponentially throughout the 80s and 'Speak And Spell' of course is just the beginning of the journey. That's not to say it's an album without charm, of course. The first three Depeche Mode singles are here ( 'Dreaming Of Me' a bonus track excluded from the original UK LP release ) and still rank alongside the best Vince Clarke material. I like the way we've two or three very simple melodies interweaving, I like how very, very catchy and distinctive the melodies for 'Just Can't Get Enough' are, although this is a song that does become repetitive through repeated listens. Tracks eight and nine are the only Martin Gore compositions, Vince Clarke taking the lions share of the writing responsibilites. Neither track manages to be great shakes, but Gore's time would come. 'Boys Say Go!' sounds like a gay punk disco, very poor stuff, possibly the worst song on any Depeche Mode album. 'Nodisco' isn't much better, but at least doesn't have any embarassing yobbish chanting.

No, the highlights are clearly the singles, but a couple of the albums tracks also pass muster. The strangely titled 'I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead' sports great Vince Clarke melodies shining and twinkling in the sunlight. 'Photographic' is all squeaky beats of the kind your Atari ST would produce circa 1988. The melodies are good though and the vocals smooth - the lyrics mere snapshots and words that evoke technology. 'Any Second Now' is also a highlight, good vocals again from the underrated Dave Gahan, and unsually for Vince Clarke, a more minimalistic set of beats and synth melodies. So, what does this all amount to? Well, a suprisingly charming album, even 'Nodisco' and 'Boys Say Go' at least have comedy value. Indeed, 'Speak And Spell' is the most upbeat Depeche Mode album of them all, or at least would be for quite some time.

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Readers Comments Ricardo New York City Great Review. i've always been a fan of DM, and that comment you made saying DM albums age pretty well- spot on; If there is one New Wave Band that shouldn't cringe when looking back at their early days circa 1980 it's defenitly DM; and that's because of how edgy they've always been with their songwriting.

Depeche Mode decided not to replace Vince Clarke at this stage and that move proved to be correct. With Daniel Miller as their producer in the studio, they didn't actually need Vince, Dan effectively took his place, in the studio, at least. Martin Gore stepped up to take over songwriting duties and to call the success or otherwise of this 2nd LP important is a massive understatement. It was sink or swim, having just lost the guy that penned the tunes. Well, you'd be worried too, wouldn't you? Overall, 'A Broken Flame' managed to continue the success both critically and commercially of Depeche Mode whilst developing their sound and the mood of their songs. It did all of this whilst also containing a then new single that even Vince Clarke himself had to admit was a development and really a rather fine thing. So it is then we arrive at 'See You', a top ten smash in the UK and still one of this listeners favourite Depeche Mode singles. The melodies interweave and overlap, two or three lead melody lines, each one simplicity itself. The vocals are hugely improved from anything 'Speak And Spell' contained, with Martin and Dave singing duel lead very effectively. The harmonies elsewhere are superb, the lyrics just sweet enough to maintain mystery and what more can you say really except that 'See You' is a classic tune. That it was written by Gore pre-depeche makes it all the more impressive.

'A Broken Flame' feels like a more satisfying album than 'Speak And Spell' because the slower moments are more plentiful and actually seem to have a real purpose above and beyond just throwing something in purely for pacing. 'Satellite' for example is rather intriguingly sparse and gentle, yet with hints of meaning beyond the superficial technology-based wordings. 'Leave In Silence' was a serious sounding single from Depeche at this stage in their career, hinting at depths yet to come. 'Nothing To Fear' lacks vocals because? Well, they aren't needed, this catchy slice of synth music reveals the delight in melody and sounds Depeche Mode were revelling in. You can tell they enjoy doing this, which is quite seperate from their rather dour public image. Well, 'The Meaning Of Love' was a rather chipper, 'simple' single carrying on from the Vince Clarke days and the slight 'A Photograph Of You' is the albums only real weak-point. No, this is a good album, you can't deny it. Historically imporant and probably rather underrated in the grand Depeche Mode scheme of things.

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Readers Comments Franco Peru I couldn't agree more with you on this album. An improvement over their first album! Nothing to fear is indeed a superb instrumental track, and whereas some of the songs are not exceptional, some lyrics subtly show the vital element in later DM compositions: reflections on life and relationships. Looking forward to more DM album reviews!