Depeche Mode

[Ryan]

Just making the thread for when new news comes about.

Most recently:

Vince Clarke And Martin L. Gore Announce Details Of Brand New Collaboration - VCMG

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

VCMG is the fruit of initially tentative discussion and subsequent enthused collaboration where Vince and Martin, both influential as pioneers in electronic music, get to exercise their lifelong love of the genre as the techno inspired VCMG.

As Vince explains: "I've been getting into and listening to a lot of minimal dance music and I got really intrigued by all the sounds... I realised I needed a collaborator... so it occurred to me to talk to Martin."

Says Gore: "Out of the blue I got an e-mail from Vince just saying, 'I'm interested in making a techno album. Are you interested in collaborating?' This was maybe a year ago. He said, 'No pressure, no deadlines,' so I said, 'OK'."

The writing and recording of the album was done in a typically unique way with the pair working alone in their respective studios, communicating only via email, exchanging files until the album was ready. It was in May 2011 that the pair met for the first time to discuss the project when they both performed at Short Circuit presents Mute festival in London.

The album (title to be announced soon) was produced by Vince Clarke and Martin L. Gore and mixed by the influential Californian electronic artist Überzone / Q and will be released in the spring of 2012.

The first release is an EP entitled Spock. EP1 / SPOCK will feature remixes from Edit-Select, aka Tony Scott, the UK DJ / producer and founder of EditSelect Records whose previous remix credits include Speedy J, Death In Vegas and Gary Beck; Regis, British techno musician Karl O'Connor, member of the Sandwell District collective and co-founder of Downwards Records); Zak aka DVS1, founder of Hush Records and one of the most prominent figures in US dance music counts techno innovator Derrick May amongst his biggest fans, with his second ever release on May's own Transmat plus XOQ, the alter ego of Überzone / Q, who mixed the VCMG album.

EP1 / SPOCK will be available initially as a global exclusive on Beatport on 30 November, and then on all DSPs from 12 December with the 12" release following on 19 December 2011.

EP1 / SPOCK TRACKLIST
Spock - Album Version
Spock - Edit Select Remix
Spock - Regis Remix
Spock - DVS1 Voyage Home Remix
Spock - XOQ Remix


and, U2 cover:

[lady weetly]

I've been a longtime U2/ Depeche Mode fan and I was a little disappointed by the cover. I think that they should have covered one of the other songs instead. Hopefully it will grow on me soon. But I'm really excited to see what will come out of VCMG!

[Ryan]

Samples of VCMG!

http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0068MN0PQ

[frankie teardrop]

was definitely disappointed with the new u2 cover as well as most of sounds of the universe, but still a killer band. obviously a bigger fan of their earlier material (speak and spell through violator), but they've got some modern day gems, as well.

[piggy]

I love just about everything DM have done from 1984-2005. I was rather embarrassed by the last album and my interest in the earliest material is limited to singles.

[aggroculture]

I really liked Playing The Angel. But Sounds of the Universe was no good, even though I do like me some Wrong.

[Indefinite_Cure]

Well I have to disagree here. I'm more of a 84-11 fan. I loved Sounds of the Universe. I also loved Exciter and my favourite album is Ultra. I can't stand much Speak & Spell and A Broken Frame. I can't wait for their next album! Rumor has it they are having a meeting in January and they will hopefully begin recording in March 2012...

[Alpha 60]

I know I’m in the minority on this one, but I love Sounds Of The Universe. I was not really a fan of Exciter or Playing the Angel. I’m still listening to Sounds Of The Universe quite often. I pretty much like everything from Some Great Reward to Ultra.
I think the U2 cover is alright. I’ve always thought the original was a little too long and obviously think the same about the cover. I think cover and original would benefit by cutting 2 minutes or so off.

[frankie teardrop]

for those not into the earlier material, give the original some bizarre comp. version of 'photographic' a spin, as well as 'tora tora tora' from the LP. among their best tunes, despite being surrounded by a lot of dated tracks. i also recommend a closer glance at 'the sun and the rainfall' from a broken frame.

to amend my last post, i loved playing the angel, and ultra would have made a fantastic EP, IMO.

[Reaps]

I'll never forgive them for 'Peace'... Anyway, I like 25% of Exciter 72% of PTA and 36% of SOTU.

Hopefully Martin will put aside his retro synth collection and make an album worthy to sit along side Violator and SOFAD. Flood and Wilder producing. Dream on.

[frankie teardrop]

i can get behind this entire post.

[xmd 5a]

The only track from SOTU that I remember, let alone enjoy, is "Come Back". PTA is an excellent album and Exciter is at least 75% quality. There's about 4 or 5 tracks on Ultra that I enjoy and the rest is fairly dispensable, so I too believe an EP would've worked well. Songs on Faith and Devotion is my personal favorite, Violator great and all of the 80s albums fantastic IMO (especially Some Great Reward). Just recently gained an appreciation for A Broken Frame after writing it off for years as the worst Depeche album for reasons unknown.

[frankie teardrop]

very happy to hear that, xmd 5a. for a long time, i dismissed speak & spell and construction time again, but have recently found major appreciation for both records. 'told you so' and the aforementioned tracks slay me.

[batsy]

I liked SOTU. Didn't love it but I liked a lot more than PTA. My fave will always remain MFTM though. To me that album is just pure perfection.

[Ryan]

http://www.depeche-mode.com/forum/in...?topic=28337.0

Fletch: In March 2012 back in the studio for new album

[butters]

Most excellent news, thanks Ryan... and thank you Andrew Fletcher!

[Senateguard33]

Hands down, one my favorite bands. There isn't a single song I dislike. Most of the remixes are awesome as well.

[DVYDRNS]

I wish they would change that effing picture of that retarded looking chick on their home page. it irritates me every time i visit.

[Ryan]

lol

ten characters

[Carpathian Psychonaut]

The thing about Come Back is that there are versions to suit everybody, and all of them pretty easily available to find in good quality.

The demo version: more stripped down electronic and direct (possibly my favourite version for it's stereo panning work and general colder tone)

The album version: big brash & dirty, purposefully in-your-face desperate & yearning.

The 'studio sessions' version: cleaner & more soulful with room for the more subtle spot effects to breathe

Dave Gahan's 2007 Hourglass demo version: If anything a more mid-period DM sounding version than the final album one.

Gotta love a bit of Come Back action!

Edit: I forgot the mono Ch3 rip of the vocal track from the 5.1 that is actually pretty good in it's own way. Very clean clear vocals but just some of the distorted guitar & spot work leaking through the same channel.

[butters]

The thing about Come Back is that there are versions to suit everybody, and all of them pretty easily available to find in good quality.

The demo version: more stripped down electronic and direct (possibly my favourite version for it's stereo panning work and general colder tone)

The album version: big brash & dirty, purposefully in-your-face desperate & yearning.

The 'studio sessions' version: cleaner & more soulful with room for the more subtle spot effects to breathe

Dave Gahan's 2007 Hourglass demo version: If anything a more mid-period DM sounding version than the final album one.

Gotta love a bit of Come Back action!

Edit: I forgot the mono Ch3 rip of the vocal track from the 5.1 that is actually pretty good in it's own way. Very clean clear vocals but just some of the distorted guitar & spot work leaking through the same channel.

Shit, totally forgot about the boxset demo... I always listen to Dave's demo, which is my favorite. The sound of the studio session is awesome, but again it's structure is way too long and plodding for me.

[Indefinite_Cure]

My favourite version, though messed up at the beginning, is the version they did at the Royal Albert Hall, with the strings section

edit: if you're wondering:

it's simply amazing!

[Ryan]

Shit, totally forgot about the boxset demo... I always listen to Dave's demo, which is my favorite. The sound of the studio session is awesome, but again it's structure is way too long and plodding for me.

I've always preferred that demo that leaked from 2007 as well. All other versions are, as you say, too long and plodding.

[butters]

In the off chance you don't read the Sonoio thread:

Alan Wilder remixed Alessandro Cortini's "Minutes" on the remix version of Red. Free mp3 download on Sonoio's page - sonoio.org (email widget under the mix on the left.) Badass as expected.

[Reaps]

^ Loved his 'Minutes' remix for Sonoio as i do for his In Chains remix. I live in hope Mr Wilder finishes off his remix of 'I Want You Now' I adore the '94 live version. He talks about it in his 'Collected' dvd around 7:00 (below)

[butters]

gah, damn country restrictions! Off to find a proxy.

I quit collecting fan-mixes years ago (really liked a lot of yours btw!) but Island did a hell of a good recreation of the 94 live mix (here) as I'm sure you've heard. I was really bummed when they said Alan's mix was unfinished and wouldn't be included. I thought his "In Chains" was just beautiful.

[Reaps]

Thanks! Yeah i still do the old fan remixes (it keeps me off the streets.) There's a bit of a love/hate/really hate/I may-just-murder-you-with-an-axe relationship with unofficial remixes etc which is why i keep them out of the forums and leave them on youtube. Anywhoo, i'm hopeful his IWYN remix will be included on the next release somewhere. Would make a great B-side i think.

[butters]

Looking forward to these, I loved "Spock"





Album | Ssss | March 12th

01 - Lowly
02 - Zaat
03 - Spock
04 - Windup Robot
05 - Bendy Bass
06 - Single Blip
07 - Skip This Track
08 - Aftermaths
09 - Recycle
10 - Flux






EP2 | Single Blip | Feb 27th

01 - Single Blip
02 - Single Blip - Byetone remix
03 - Single Blip - Mathew Jonson remix

[Deadpool]

Pretty sure this is the best Depeche Mode cover to date.

[thevoid99]

I just saw that clip. How can anyone not like this? It's so cute.