Catching Up W/ Depeche Mode

We're only a month away from "Delta Machine" the new and eagerly awaited  Depeche Mode cd.
It seems like forever since "Sounds Of The Universe" came out when it's actually only been four years ago,forever ago would be their stunning debut cd "Speak And Spell" which came out almost thirty two years ago in 1981!!!
I remember my introduction to the lovable foursome from Basildon the infectious debut single "Dreaming Of Me" in Feb 81 it not only launched Depeche Mode but was a huge part of the "synth pop" era that would follow w/ the likes of Human League,A Flock Of Seagulls,Soft Cell and still entertain us be it on our ipods or the 80's dance clubs we frequent.
When I fell in love w/ the b side of 'Dreaming Of Me" the haunting "Ice Machine" it began a now thirty two romance w/ Depeche that shows little or no sign of going away.

I feel fortunate to have caught Depeche on their debut tour to promote "Speak And Spell" period but also beacause it was the only tour w/ Vince Clarke who left the band b4 their sophmore effort "A Broken Frame".
Listening to "Speak And Spell" as I often do{I rate as one of the omni imprtant 80's debut albums along w/ the likes of "The Hurting" by Tears For Fears and the first Duran Duran album to name but two} I can't help but wonder what direction Depeche Mode would have continued had Vince Clarke stayed,while I loved Yazoo I never really felt the same way w/ Erasure,meamwhile Martin Gore took over the song writing duties w/ Depeche Mode and the bands sound and lyrics took a darker turn,there was no hint of "I give in to sin because you have to make this life livable"on ''Speak And Spell" but as each Depeche album arrived the tone grew a little darker,if you go back to "Speak And Spell" the darkest track on their is "Tora! Tora! Tora!'' one of the two Martin Gore songs, an indication of what was to come.

Depeche Mode continue to evolve but their early material is guaranteed to fill a dance floor in a heartbeat so why not enjoy the ride as "Delta Machine" will no doubt continue to swell the ranks of Depeche Mode fans both old and new and "let your mind do the walking and let my body do the talking" the next time a dj plays "World In My Eyes"

A New Version Of The Old Scene

When Spandau Ballet announced they were getting back together in 2009 nobody was more surprised or delighted than yours truly,I loved Spandau Ballet "back in the day",had every album upto "Barricades" and each 12'' single upto "Round And Round" and was lucky enough to catch them live in 84 at Wembley Arena on the "Pride" tour.
Like a number of bands from that era my wardrobe greatly improved liking them and I don't doubt my love of all things tarten/plaid comes from the boys from Islington North London,I can remember always wanting a pair of tarten dress pants like Martin and Gary Kemp sported in "To Cut A Long Story Short" and two years ago thanks to a $250 pay day at the Bridge Run in Philadelphia I treated myself to a pair of red and a pair of blue tarten dress pants,and while I was at it their 09 comeback album"Once More"

If you read either Tony Hadley's autobiography "To Cut A Long Story Short" or Gary Kemp's "I Know This Much" you'll have been amazed at the "Reformation" of Spandau in 09 after a 20 year hiatus filled w/ accromony but stranger things have happened and time heals all wounds and thus far the only fruits of the reunion are two brand new songs "Once More" and "Love Is All" on the "Once More" cd which features stripped down versions of such Spandau classics such as "Gold" "True" "To Cut A Long Story Short",it remains to be seen if a whole cd of new material is forthcoming muchless a US tour{please please pretty pretty please!!!} but if you missed "Once More" when it first came out in October 09 it's worth a listen.

Stick The Needle In The Record And The Drumbeat Goes Like This

Since Music is the other great love of my life I thought it high time to write a nusic blog,w/ Spurs being the other great love of my life maybe there's a Spurs blog in the offing but one blog at a time I guess!!
I guess w/ this blog I'll keep it all things music,concerts I go to,cds I listen to etc,music related

I wish I'd started this blog when I first set it up as by now there's be several cd reviews as I continue to plough through my recent upgrades from vinyl to cd,at times it's been like revisting old friends hearing some songs I haven't heard in eons,but trust me judging from the two stacks of cds sitting in my "on deck circle" one pile for my dicsman at lunch time and another pile{anything longer than an hour!!}to listen to at home there's no shortage of cds to review