Top Ten '80s Band Releases for 2017

1. Depeche Mode - Where's the Revolution 17,495,067 views


2. U2 - You’re The Best Thing About Me 12,969,501 (Rel Sep 27)

3. Michael Jackson - Blood on the Dance Floor X Dangerous 5,039,816

4. Depeche Mode - Cover Me 3,636,974 views

5. Morrissey - Spent the Day in Bed 3,081,727 views

6. U2 - The Blackout 2,847,228 views (rel Nov 13)

7. Depeche Mode - Going Backwards 2,666,525

8. U2 - American Soul 1,431,062 views (rel Nov 20)

9. Gary Numan - My Name Is Ruin 1,133,592

10. Blondie - Long Time 1,132,609 views

Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore: ‘I Can’t Claim That the Songs Were All Written for Trump’

by Chuck Arnold

Thirty years after they gave us Music for the Masses, Depeche Mode is giving us music for the moment, taking on these troubled times on their new album, Spirit. But while their follow-up to 2013’s Delta Machine plays like a timely commentary on the state of the post-Trump world, it wasn’t conceived as such.

“It’s quite coincidental that the album has come out right now. I can’t claim that the songs were all written for Trump,” says Martin Gore, principal songwriter of the British electronic band. “It just seems like such perfect timing, because the world is in such a mess. But the majority of these songs were written in 2015-2016, so the world was in a mess then too. It’s just gotten a little worse.”

Before last year’s divisive U.S. presidential election, Gore felt compelled to tackle other political and social issues on Spirit. “We canceled a show in Kiev on the last tour because that was when things first started to kick off in the Ukraine [crisis],” he says. “And just after our tour finished, the Russians went into Crimea. And then there was the Syrian war going on — I can’t believe the world has just sat back and let that happen. In America, a constant battle was going on for rights: gay rights and transgender rights. There was the police violence against blacks. That was all happening during the writing period.”

Since both Gore and lead singer Dave Gahan live in the U.S., what was the band’s reaction after Donald Trump won the presidential election? “I think we were all just as shocked as all rational people,” Gore says. “On the day of the election I texted a friend of mine because I was a bit worried, and he said, ‘Don’t worry about it. Just look at the polls.’ So that night I sat watching it, and my jaw just kept dropping and dropping and dropping. I could not believe that so many people could vote for such an idiot. After everything that he did and said — things that we have tapes of him saying — I just don’t understand. It’s crazy.”

Adds keyboardist Andrew Fletcher: “I just hope he turns out better than we think. But we’re quite worried about the direction things are going at the moment.”

Gore says the new album’s title comes from the line “Our spirit has gone” in the haunting closer, “Fail.” “That [line] is one of the themes of the record,” he says. “And I’m hoping that by saying that and pointing that out, it helps people to think, and maybe we can get some kind of spirit back.”

As for the inspiration behind the politically charged single “Where’s the Revolution,” Gore says, “I think a lot of people are very frustrated and very angry, and I think they’ve just misplaced their anger. I think the system is broken and it needs to be fixed, but with the Brexit vote and by electing Trump, some of the decisions that are being made are not helping anyone.”

Meanwhile, “Going Backwards” reflects on the regression Gore has observed in the world. “Syria is like the Middle Ages at the moment,” he says. “And America is not quite in the Middle Ages yet, but it could easily be turned back 50 years very soon.”

Elsewhere, “The Worst Crime” deals with environmental issues. “For me, the worst crime is the fact that we are just destroying the world, destroying the planet,” says Gore. “We’ve known about it for a long time, and there are still so many people who deny it and will not accept what scientists tell us. It’s the worst crime because we’re not just destroying it for ourselves, we’re destroying it for our descendants. If we carry on the way we are, there will be no world.”

On Spirit, Depeche Mode worked with producer James Ford for the first time. “We liked a lot of James’s stuff he’d done with the Arctic Monkeys and also his work with Simian Mobile Disco, which is more electronic, so we thought he’d be perfect for us,” says Fletcher. “We wanted a quite minimalist sound in general, and he did that, and he was very fast.” Adds Gore: “We felt that it was time to make a change after making three albums with Ben Hillier, even though we loved every second of making those albums. We felt that we have to challenge ourselves and create a different atmosphere. I think [Ford] is a sound magician. He’s incredible.”

Now Depeche Mode are gearing up to launch their “Global Spirit” tour on May 5 in Stockholm. As for the set list, Fletcher says, “That’s always a problem, because our back catalog is so large. We can’t play for seven hours. I think Dave might be really exhausted. But we try to pick some of the best moments from throughout our career.”

Gore is philosophical about it: “Whatever we do, there’s always some of our fans who will complain. But I think we’ve got a good set list that will keep the majority of people happy.”

Top Songs of 2015

Compiled from the number of views received on YouTube as of 12/19/2015, here are the rankings for the best songs released this year. What was your favorite new release this year?

David Bowie - Blackstar
4,432,531 Published on Nov 19, 2015


Duran Duran - Pressure Off
1,714,715 Published on Oct 21, 2015


New Order- Restless
1,431,156 Published on Aug 18, 2015


Dave Gahan & Soulsavers - All of This and Nothing
1,148,778 Published on Oct 27, 2015


Morrissey - Kiss Me A Lot
703,506 Published on Apr 5, 2015


Siouxsie - Love Crime  ('Hannibal' soundtrack)
140,265 Published on Dec 4, 2015
(Christophe Henaux rmx) Published on Sep 2, 2015

Dave Gahan & Soulsavers: Angels & Ghosts

Dave Gahan & Soulsavers reunite for their second album collaboration on Angels & Ghosts, available everywhere October 23.

Angels & Ghosts takes listeners through an aural mix of dark, brooding sounds, elements inspired by gospel and blues, and the stark beauty that has become a signature of Dave and Soulsavers' works.

More at
www.davegahan.com

Watch Dave Gahan & Soulsavers live from The Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles and videos for "Take Me Back Home" and "All Of This And Nothing" at
yahoo.com/live/event/dave-gahan-soulsavers

Top Songs of 2013

Depeche Mode: "DELTA MACHINE" Review

Depeche Mode's new CD "DELTA MACHINE" has the group back
with the electro-grundge sound that harkens back to their mid '90s material.
The group now features a full-time drummer and Martin seems to play guitars
most of the time.

'Welcome To My World' opens the album with heavy beats and an ominus soundscape.

The first single release 'Angel' is as heavy with lots of clicks and buzzing chirps.

'Heaven' is the second single that features duets with lead singer Dave Gahan and lyracist Martin Gore.

'Broken' is a likeable mellow tune with a sinister electro beat.
"You can't fake it, I can feel it, You were broken from the start"

'Should Be Higher' opens like a rush of fresh air at a slow pace with a big
bass drum beat with a progressive drive.
"Your lies are more attractive then the truth"

'Soothe My Soul' is the third single release and perhaps my favorite and
it's danceable. A lusty song about knocking down doors and getting what ya need.
"There's only one way to soothe my soul!"

'Alone' is a hypnotic track about looking back at past love and circumstance.
"I was there when you needed me most..."

On a scale of 1 to 10, lamest to greatest, I give Delta Machine 7.
Will it be a classic? Probably not.
Would I listen to it again? Yes.

Fever Ray Producer Christoffer Berg Joining Mode in the Studio

Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan has revealed,'Twenty tracks' have already been demoed and Mode are on course to completing their new studio album by late November. On the subject of how quickly the band are progressing with new material, Dave said: 'We have a deadline of the end of November, and there's no reason we why we won't meet that at the rate we're going.' Dave also announced that accomplished Fever Ray producer Christoffer Berg will be joining Mode in the studio along with Ben Hillier who'll be overseeing production duties. Sir Martin Gore has been encouraged by Dave to try his hand at co-producing the new album following some impressively sonic demos that have impressed the Mode frontman. Mode Devotees should now start saving their hard earned cash for live dates next year with Dave revealing; 'There are already plans in place to be touring next year'.

Depeche Mode: Hammersmith Odeon 1982 Reissue

A terrific concert released in portions as b-sides on several Maxi-singles. With the video release, it's nearly complete! Features new keyboardist Alan Wilder.
set list:
Oberkorn (It's A Small Town)/ My Secret Garden
See You
New Life
Boys Say Go!
Tora! Tora! Tora!
Leave In Silence (on YouTube)
The Meaning Of Love
Just Can't Get Enough
A Photograph of You
The Sun & The Rainfall (on YouTube)
Encore:
Shout
Photographic

Get The Balance Right And Live Tracks Released 1987 CD Maxi,

*A Broken Frame 2006 re-release* Bonus Tracks
My Secret Garden*
See You*
Tora! Tora! Tora!
A Photograph of You*
(Live In Hammersmith, October 1982)

Everything Counts And Live Tracks Released 1987 CD Maxi
New Life
Boys Say Go!
The Meaning Of Love
(Live In Hammersmith, October 1982)

Love In Itself And Live Tracks Released 1987 CD Maxi
Just Can't Get Enough
A Photograph Of You
Shout
Photographic
(Live In Hammersmith, October 1982)

Depeche Mode: Live 1984 Remastered

A great collection of tracks from the 1984 Tour!
set list
Something to Do
Two Minute Warning
Puppets
If You Want
People Are People
Leave in Silence
New Life
Shame
Somebody
Ice Machine
Blasphemous Rumours
Told You So
Lie to Me
Master and Servant
Photographic
Everything Counts
See You
Shout
Just Can't Get Enough
(Basel 30.11.1984)

Blasphemous Rumours, Release 1987
CD Maxi Somebody
Two Minute Warning
Ice Machine
Everything Counts
(Live at The Empire Theatre, Liverpool 29 September 1984)

Some Great Reward, 2006 re-release
Bonus Tracks If You Want
People Are People
Master and Servant
(Live In Basel, 30 November 1984)
Somebody (Live In Liverpool, 29 September 1984)

Depeche Mode: Russian Forum

Listen to some incredible Depeche Mode
remixes streaming on the Flash player
located on the lower right of the
webpage next to the discography of CD
releases. The whole site is in Russian,
but the music is all good. Look for the
heading that says Плеер / Радио. Just
pick and play. From "Love, In Itself"
to "Peace."

Vladimir agrees, the Mode is good-DAH!

forum-dm.ru

Depeche Mode: Master & Servant (US Black & Blue Version)

This month's classic comes from one of Depeche Mode's early albums, "Some Great Reward". With this hit, Depeche Mode made it big in 1984 on the American charts after releasing the wildly popular People Are People.

Here is the first 12 inch single for Master & Servant (US Balck & Blue Version) and the catchy b-side (Set Me Free) Remotivate Me (12" Remix).

The production and mixing process of Master and Servant are remembered by Alan Wilder, Daniel Miller, and Gareth Jones, as among the longest that Depeche Mode ever endured. One famous story about the song includes a mixing duration of seven days, and after all the reworking and final mastering of the mix, they realized they left the channel with the snare drum muted during the last chorus.

The overtly sexual, BDSM-themed lyrics of Master and Servant - complete with synthesized whip-and-chain sound effects - reportedly got the song banned by many radio stations in the United States (although the song reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart anyway, albeit only at #87 and for only a three-week chart stay).

Depeche Mode: Speak & Spell Live Tracks

In 2006, Depeche Mode reissued their debut album Speak & Spell from 1981.

Later on, the band reissued their second album A Broken Frame containing a bonus DVD with some great live tracks recorded at Hammersmith Odeon in October of 1982, but only included the tracks from that album, written by Martin Gore.

These live tracks were originally released as b-sides, in 1983, on the 12" singles for Everything Counts, Love, In Itself and Get The Balance Right.

All the live tracks penned by Vince Clarke failed to get reissued and are now posted here, taken directly from the original French import vinyl releases on the Vogue label.

Recorded at Hammersmith Odeon on the 25th of October 1982 by Mobile One.

Tora! Tora! Tora!

New Life

Boys Say Go!

Just Can't Get Enough

Shout (b-side "New Life")

Photographic

Depeche Mode: "101" Pasadena Rose Bowl, June 18, 1988

Live at the Pasadena Rose Bowl on June 18, 1988

KROQ: "World Famous" 106.7 FM Los Angeles June, 1988

Back in the early 80s, KROQ, KNAC in Los Angeles and 91X in San Diego were the only commercial radio stations in southern California that played "New Wave" and Punk music.

For many people, the first time they heard U2, REM, Billy Idol, The B-52s, New Order, Depeche Mode or The Cure, they had their radios tuned to 106.7, 105.5 or 91.1 FM. 

Actual audio from the "world famous" KROQ includes nostalgic commercials, drop ins and DJs Poor Man, Dusty Street, Richard Blade and others.

Here's early KROQ archival audio from  
KROQ July 26, 1982.

KROQ 1 1988 10th Bday mix
KROQ 1 B 1988 10th Bday mix
kroq 2 side 1
kroq 2 side 2 Depeche Mode is evil
kroq 3 side1 
kroq 3 side 2 with Poor Man
kroq 4 side 1 Tweek your ex
kroq 4 side 2 June, 1988

Special thanks to Zack and DJ Craig for making these available!

DEPECHE MODE, Book Of Love: Shoreline, Mtn View July 6, 1986

Depeche Mode, Joe Jackson, The CURE: At The Greek Theatre June-July, 1986

Depeche Mode: "Black Celebration Tour" Wembley Arena, London, 17 April 1986

Live At Wembley Arena, London, 17 April 1986

Depeche Mode: "The World We Live In" Live in Hamburg, 14 December, 1984

Depeche Mode perform "Lie to Me" in Hamburg.

The World We Live In and Live in Hamburg is the first video release by Depeche Mode, featuring almost an entire concert from their 1984 Some Great Reward Tour, at Alsterdorfer Sporthalle in Hamburg, Germany on 14 December 1984.

Depeche Mode: Orfeo Music Hall, Milan, Italy 84-03-06

1981 Top Singles & Albums Chart

1981 NME Singles
1. Ghost Town - The Specials
4. Fascist Groove Thang - Heaven 17
5. Love Action - Human League

12. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
13. Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
20. Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode
23. Rapture - Blondie

30. Doors Of Your Heart - The Beat
31. Kitchen Person - The Associates
33. Favourite Shirts - Haircut 100
34. Pocket Calculator - Kraftwerk

38. Chant No.1 (We Don’t Need This Pressure On) - Spandau Ballet
42. Ceremony - New Order
45. The ‘Sweetest Girl’ - Scritti Politti
46. Pretty In Pink - Psychedelic Furs
48. Computer Love - Kraftwerk

1981 NME Albums
2. Computer World - Kraftwerk
3. Red - Black Uhuru
4. Wha'ppen - The Beat
5. Penthouse And Pavement - Heaven 17
6. Dare - Human League
9. Red Mecca - Cabaret Voltaire

22. Heaven Up Here - Echo And The Bunnymen
23. See Jungle! Etc..... - Bow Wow Wow
34. Tattoo You - The Rolling Stones
44. Wild Gift - X

UK Inde Singles
01/81
 1,  5 Cartrouble - Adam & Ants
 3,  6 Zerox - Adam & Ants
 8,  4 Telegram sam - Bauhaus
19, 18 Holiday In Cambodia - Dead Kennedys
29, 20 Atmosphere - Joy Division

10/81
 6,  1 One In Ten - UB40
11, 24 Holiday In Cambodia - Dead Kennedys
23,  6 New Life - Depeche Mode
24, 21 Dreaming Of Me  - Depeche Mode
28,  * Wardance - Killing Joke


Billboard Disco Top 80
08/81
24, 24 Computer Love - Kraftwerk
25, 25 New Toy - Lene Lovich
28, 34 Dumb Waiters/Into You Like A Train - P Furs
39, 27 Planet Earth - Duran Duran
41, 35 Sound of the Crowd - Human League

42, 49 Our Lips Are Sealed - Go-Go's
49, 54 New Life/Shout - Depeche Mode
54, 44 Primary - Cure
65, 62 Stand & Deliver - Adam & Ants
69, 70 Papa's Got a New Pigbag - Pigbag
73,  * Chant No.1 (We Don’t Need This Pressure On) - Spandau Ballet
79, 76 The American - Simple Minds