soul searching

With their promotion machine in motion, Depeche Mode are ready to drop the second single from "Delta Machine". "Soothe My Soul" is another in the Basildon boys' ever growing arsenal of stomp n' boogie blues numbers.



They certainly haven't lost their penchant for something slightly sleazy. And Dave's vocal gets more lascivious sounding with every new album. The chorus nearly borders on being joyous! A rare excursion into uplifting sonic territory for DM.

heavenly action

Depeche Mode have unleashed the video for their new single, "Heaven". It's a somewhat odd choice for the first single from a new DM album. A sparse, downtempo rock ballad is at odds with the launch of previous longplayers. They've long stopped trying to play the chart game.



"Heaven", it doesn't reflect the more electronic direction that they've hinted at in interviews. Sure, there are few bleepy flourishes, but I was looking forward to something more like the b-side, "All That's Mine".



Sonically, it hits the right buttons. However, one thing missing from both tracks is the booming, epic chorus that was typically the centerpiece of a lead single from a new elpee by the Basildon boys.

delta dawn

"Delta Machine" is lucky thirteen for Depeche Mode. Their new longplayer, the long awaited follow up to their twelfth studio effort, "Sounds Of The Universe", will be preceded by "Heaven" which will be made available across two CD singles and digital download on February 1.

Many fans were hoping for a reunion with sound craftsman Alan Wilder. However, their dreams have been dashed upon the rocks. Ben Hillier sat in the knob twiddler's seat for "Delta Machine" just as he did for DM's two, previous albums. On paper, this doesn't do the lads any favors where their detractors are concerned. However, they have promised an album which treads along some new sonic ground.

"Delta Machine" will be released as a standard CD and the now obligatory, fan gouging deluxe edition. The following is the tracklisting for the thirteen track version of the album.

1. Welcome To My World
2. Angel
3. Heaven
4. Secret To The End
5. My Little Universe
6. Slow
7. Broken
8. The Child Inside
9. Soft Touch / Raw Nerve
10. Should Be Higher
11. Alone
12. Soothe My Soul
13. Goodbye

The deluxified version of the album includes four bonus tracks tagged on to the end of it.

1.  Long Time Lie
2.  Happens All The Time
3.  Always
4.  All That’s Mine

"Heaven", the first single lifted from "Delta Machine" will be available in two CD configurations. For some odd reason, the band recycle "All That's Mine" from the deluxe edition of the album on the two track CD single instead of serving up a non-album b-side which renders that CD a completely unnecessary purchase. The five track CD single features "Heaven" alongside four remixes of the track.

star trekkin'

After 30 years working on their respective ongoing music projects, Vince Clarke (currently, one half of Erasure) and Martin L. Gore (as a member Depeche Mode) have come together for the first time since 1981 as VCMG to release a brand new album preceded by a series of EPs.

Referenced during interviews and tentative discussions in the press, Vince and Martin, two electronic music pioneers, have finally given the green light and announced the first fruits of their labor with "EP1/Spock". The EP, due to hit the "shops" as a digital download on December 12 and followed by a 12" single a week later, will feature four tracks, the original version of "Spock" alongside three remixes.

"Spock", a techno inspired number, has been lovingly reswizzled by Edit Select (aka Tony Scott), Regis and XOQ, the alter ego of Californian producer Überzone/Q who mixed the forthcoming VCMG longplayer which is due next year.

master of puppets

When Depeche Mode announced they were going to release another album featuring remixes and reworkings of tracks from across their substantial catalog, I must admit that I could barely muster up an indifferent yawn.

However, after listening to some of the selections from "Remixes 2: 81-11", it's clear there is a lot of life in the electro goth gods.

Norwegian electronic duo, Röyksopp, have turned in a gorgeously understated reswizzling of "Puppets", a track buried within DM's debut longplayer, "Speak & Spell". A youthful and nearly unrecognizable vocal from Dave Gahan is laid over a shimmering and beautiful crafted, handclappy rhythm track. Dozens of tasty synth lines keep the mix interesting throughout. This should be the sound of summer 2011.



Also, the nearly epic, Eric Prydz remix of "Never Let Me Down Again" is sure to go down a storm at your local discotheque. Based around the song's familiar guitar figure, the track is just itching to break into the full song. I'm not a fan of dubs, but this one ranks highly in my book.



That said, I'm not sure why they decided to release a new slate of remixes for their iconic track, "Personal Jesus", as the first single from the project. "Puppets" would have made a more interesting choice.



"Remixes 2: 81-11" will be released on June 6 in the usual fan friendly, wallet draining set of configurations including a single disc version, a triple CD edition and massive, six vinyl LP box set.

the last hurrah for a-ha

Today, a-ha unveiled their last hurrah. Literally! After 25 years together, the Norwegian trio will bid their fans a fond farewell with “Butterfly, Butterfly (The Last Hurrah)”.

It will be available from all fine digital outlets in Norway on July 5. No word on whether it will be a stand alone single anywhere else in the world. But you can rest easy. It will be included on “25″, a new, double CD, greatest hits compilation to be released on July 19.

Here's a little taste.



The intro is very Depeche Mode. N'est-ce pas? What they really should've done is release a CD with a studio recording of their cover of DM's "A Question Of Lust".



This performance from BBC2 was originally transmitted on June 25, 2009. It's just begging to be recorded properly.

the tension and the spark

"Fragile Tension", the other track featured on Depeche Mode's forthcoming, double a-side single has finally spawned a video. Thank goodness it's not anything like the horrendous clip they lensed for "Hole To Feed", one of DM's rare, visual missteps.



"Sounds Of The Universe" is definitely a less pop focused album. It has a gritty uncertainty to it. You can hear the band stretching and trying to break out of their box a little. It will be interesting to follow them on their journey as they move toward the next album.

fragile single solutions

It appears that Depeche Mode, after much waffling, have chosen the next single from their magnificent album, "Sounds Of The Universe". Oh yes, my lovelies. You read that correctly. I dared to lavish praise on their current longplayer!

The boys from Basildon have opted for a chart ineligible, double a-side configuration. On December 7, "Fragile Tension"/"Hole To Feed" will be issued as a digital bundle, CD single and double 12" single. The tracklisting for each, complete with requisite, custom, BONG selection number, was announced on their website today.

CD single (CDBONG 42)

1. Fragile Tension (Radio Mix)
2. Hole To Feed (Radio Mix)
3. Perfect (Roger Sanchez Club Mix)
4. Come Back (SixToes Remix)
5. Fragile Tension (Laidback Luke Remix)
6. Hole To Feed (Popof Vocal Mix)
7. Fragile Tension (Peter Bjorn And John Remix)
8. Hole To Feed (Joebot Remix)

digital download (iBONG 42)

1. Fragile Tension (Radio Mix)
2. Hole To Feed (Radio Mix)
3. Come Back (SixToes Remix)
4. Perfect (Ralphi & Craig Club Remix)
5. Fragile Tension (Stephan Bodzin Remix)
6. Hole To Feed (Paul Woolford's Easyfun Ethereal Disco Mix)
7. Perfect (Roger Sanchez Club Mix)
8. Fragile Tension (Solo Loves Panorama Remix)
9. Hole To Feed (Popof Vocal Mix)

double vinyl 12" (12BONG 42)

1. Fragile Tension (Stephan Bodzin Remix)
2. Fragile Tension (Kris Menace's Love On Laserdisc Remix)
3. Hole To Feed (Popof Vocal Mix)
4. Hole To Feed (Paul Woolford's Easyfun Ethereal Disco Mix)
5. Perfect (Roger Sanchez Club Mix)
6. Perfect (Ralphi Rosario Dub)
7. Peace (Herve's "Warehouse Frequencies" Remix)
8. Peace (Sander Van Doorn Remix)

As usual, if you purchase the download from iTunes, you'll get a bonus track. For this single, the extra track is featured in the shape of the Ralphi & Jody Club Remix of "Perfect".

Good thing this special single isn't chart eligible since "Peace", the second single from the album, could barely scrape to #57. That was the lowest chart placing for a Depeche Mode single since their debut, "Dreaming Of Me", way back in 1981 which peaked at the same, exact position. Spooky! "Peace" is also the band's first single not to be issued on 12" vinyl. And boy are their fans pissed off!

I think we're going to see more of this type of special release, much like the forthcoming "Christmas" EP from Pet Shop Boys, as it becomes increasingly difficult for heritage acts to sell singles beyond their fanbases and the singles chart becomes increasingly irrelevant.

hot butterfly

One of my absolute favorite songs at the moment is "Papillon" by Editors. It's a world away from their previous, guitar oriented efforts. I've got to admit that I much prefer this new, brooding, spooky, electro goth direction.

Lead singer, Tom Smith, is definitely channeling equal parts Scott Walker and Dave Gahan. The track is like the best, synthy bits of Gary Numan, Depeche Mode and even a touch of early Spandau Ballet. Seriously! Go and have a listen to songs like "Musclebound", "The Freeze" and "To Cut A Long Story Short".

I'm sure their bold, new direction has a lot to do with bringing on Flood as the producer for the project. He was responsible for numerous albums by Depeche Mode and Erasure, among others.

"Papillon" is from their forthcoming, third longplayer, "In This Light And On This Evening". I'm sure this will be spinning on my old victrola for many months to come. By the way, the Tiesto remix is the jammy jam. It's just as tasty as the original version.

Question. Is a sleep twitch like a Charlie horse? Send me your thoughts on a cocktail napkin, please.

hunger strike

"Sounds Of The Universe", Depeche Mode's twelfth, studio longplayer, is a darker, more experimental effort. I thought "Wrong" was a brilliant move for the band while still maintaining their trademark sound. The haunting, hymn like, "Peace" was a strong follow up.

With the exception of a blink-and-you-miss-it appearance in "Wrong", both videos didn't feature the band, which was quite a departure for them.

Dave, Martin and Fletch decided to continue the trend with "Hole To Feed", the third single from "Sounds Of The Universe".



Not sure what to make of it. It's rather revolting and a little uncomfortable to watch. Perhaps that's the point. DM don't often miss the mark, but I'm afraid they've lost me with this video. Maybe someone can explain it to me.

People tend to give their favorite bands a little, creative wiggle room on occasion, but I think this video is a red strike for DM. Sorry, fellas. But you still have to admire them for their level of quality and consistency.