I too enjoyed the album, for the ideas it put forth. And I definitely think it’ll be their last. DM and The Cure like to make albums In concept of threes (17 seconds/faith/pornography) (sone great reward/black celebration/music for the masses).
This one, at least in my head, fits in with : playing the Angel/Spirit/ Momento Mori. Which ironically has that end of life themes in the titles themselves.
I've been really enjoying the album. Soul With Me is my favorite so far, though that may change. It's a unique piece of indulgent sound. Feels like eating lemon cheesecake with black coffee at 4 am at the end of the world.
Agreed on all the great points you made in this deep post about a band that many of us hold so close to our hearts. As with all great popular art, music and film, the audience is almost always wanting more and they either want it to be bigger/better than the previous works/albums/films or they want you to just retire so they don't have to experience a fading star. Almost no one wants to see their favourite painters, musicians and directors do something that doesn't blow them away.
Are creatives allowed to simply put something out there and not be held accountable by fans if it doesn't meet their ideals? Critics used to be the ones sitting at desks overanalyzing the latest album, concert, etc. Think about the saying "everyone's a critic". Thanks to social media and the internet as a whole there are rarely any surprises unless you shut off all electronics. Now we have everyone with access to the internet taking everything apart whether they are well placed to do so or not.
When I bought a copy of Black Celebration on vinyl at the tender age of 14 I might have seen plenty of "People are People" on the music video shows at the time, but putting that album on was an act of pure discovery. I had shivers. I still love putting on that record. Memento Mori isn't the perfect Depeche Mode album for someone who adores a specific era of the band, but it explores some new ideas, uses new techniques and it was made by two guys who started making music when MIDI and sampling was a brand new concept. For that reason I respect what they're doing and think that I'll hold off on being a selfish fan this time around.
Definitely, Depeche Mode has been a landmark discovery in my life as well. They just reach me like no other. I admire them for maturing gracefully too.
Hola , estoy completamente de acuerdo contigo. Supongo que a un músico oyendo música ajena le pasará lo mismo que a un cocinero comiendo platos de otro . A mí últimamente , además de este trabajo de Depeche Mode, he descubierto un disco de hace 2 años de un grupo italiano llamado New Candys. Si no los has escuchado, te los recomiendo. Saludos desde las Islas Canarias.
I too enjoyed the album, for the ideas it put forth. And I definitely think it’ll be their last. DM and The Cure like to make albums In concept of threes (17 seconds/faith/pornography) (sone great reward/black celebration/music for the masses).
This one, at least in my head, fits in with : playing the Angel/Spirit/ Momento Mori. Which ironically has that end of life themes in the titles themselves.
Ah yes, good call. Memento Mori does seem to be related now that you have pointed it out.
liking the new DM album so far. Hope the shows go well 🤞 maybe do a cover version at some point ✨
For sure, I would like to do a cover sometime.
I've been really enjoying the album. Soul With Me is my favorite so far, though that may change. It's a unique piece of indulgent sound. Feels like eating lemon cheesecake with black coffee at 4 am at the end of the world.
What a perfect description. I'm loving that one too! That chorus is tops. 💯
Great insight, as always
Thanks Shannon.
Agreed on all the great points you made in this deep post about a band that many of us hold so close to our hearts. As with all great popular art, music and film, the audience is almost always wanting more and they either want it to be bigger/better than the previous works/albums/films or they want you to just retire so they don't have to experience a fading star. Almost no one wants to see their favourite painters, musicians and directors do something that doesn't blow them away.
Are creatives allowed to simply put something out there and not be held accountable by fans if it doesn't meet their ideals? Critics used to be the ones sitting at desks overanalyzing the latest album, concert, etc. Think about the saying "everyone's a critic". Thanks to social media and the internet as a whole there are rarely any surprises unless you shut off all electronics. Now we have everyone with access to the internet taking everything apart whether they are well placed to do so or not.
When I bought a copy of Black Celebration on vinyl at the tender age of 14 I might have seen plenty of "People are People" on the music video shows at the time, but putting that album on was an act of pure discovery. I had shivers. I still love putting on that record. Memento Mori isn't the perfect Depeche Mode album for someone who adores a specific era of the band, but it explores some new ideas, uses new techniques and it was made by two guys who started making music when MIDI and sampling was a brand new concept. For that reason I respect what they're doing and think that I'll hold off on being a selfish fan this time around.
Definitely, Depeche Mode has been a landmark discovery in my life as well. They just reach me like no other. I admire them for maturing gracefully too.
This is really interesting how you analyze music now that you have been so immersed in creating and fine-tuning your songs!!!
Sometimes it's hard to turn down the curiosity! But I do like diving in, it's fascinating to see how songs are constructed.
Hola , estoy completamente de acuerdo contigo. Supongo que a un músico oyendo música ajena le pasará lo mismo que a un cocinero comiendo platos de otro . A mí últimamente , además de este trabajo de Depeche Mode, he descubierto un disco de hace 2 años de un grupo italiano llamado New Candys. Si no los has escuchado, te los recomiendo. Saludos desde las Islas Canarias.