M.A.R.S.H.E.A.U.X

[Halion7]

Apologies if this post is going slightly OT - moderators, please move to a a different thread if you deem it more appropriate.

Orac, I would agree that Recoil is a bit of a strange beast. I think that I would put that down to the (lack) of songwriting - Alan has often said in interviews that he is not much of a songwriter. As a result, unlike the Mode, there are no catchy hooks to latch on to with Recoil. However, I listen to Recoil albums mostly for the atmospherics that they conjure up.

Admittedly, the first two albums come across as being the results of Alan experimenting in the studio during periods of downtime between Mode albums. However, things really clicked into place on the third album, Bloodline. It is a brilliant showcase of Alan's skills (in terms of sound design and production), has an impressive array of guest vocalists, and some actual songs (as opposed to just soundscapes). I consider it to be a bona fide classic (and given that I have lost count of the number of tracks that I have encountered since that use samples from Bloodline, I'm sure that I am not alone in my opinion).

The fourth album (and the first post-DM), Unsound Methods, was a bit of a departure from Bloodline and practicaly sets the course for all subsequent Recoil releases. However, I think it is equally as good as Bloodline, with Lucious Apparatus being a particular favourite.

Unfortunately, the last two albums have been a bit of a case of diminishing returns. To my mind, Liquid has a very similar feel to that of Unsound Methods, but is not quite as good. I cannot quite make up my mind about SubHuman. Perhaps I have not given it enough listens, but I find it quite difficult to get in to.

To pick up on your last point, I totally agree. I think that if Alan cannot return as a full member of the Mode, then having him back in the producer's chair would be best possible way forward for the band. I think it is clear that they should not continue with Hillier, and hopefully Alan would be able to bring back that spark that has been lacking since SOFAD.
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Sean

[Jimmy Messerschmitt]

Although I've kept an interest in DM's work, I haven't really 'loved' DM for quite a while now.

DM can still produce excellent and exciting stuff as "Oh Well", one of the recent bonus tracks proved. Interestingly, that's a Gore/Gahan 'co-write' and I do believe DM have been lacking that creative tension that comes from actual band members as opposed to 'yes' men programmers who put together the music in the studio now.

In the same way Wilder is not much of a 'songwriter', Gore lacks inventiveness in the overall final sound for his songs...his solo works, which admittedly are covers albums, are so dull instrumentally and he seems embarrassed about songs which go above 110bpm!

At the end of the day, DM are having the last laugh selling out stadiums around the world and that is to be admired.

Who knows what will happen to DM now, I actually thought the band would stop in 1995 so I was proved wrong! But I do believe having Alan Wilder in the producer's chair would be an interesting prospect.
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"Communication is never simple"!

[SAPPY]

Saw Depeche Mode live mondag 22-02-2010 together with 4500 other fans....awsome concert, really good sound too!! They are a serios great liveband!
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http://www.myspace.com/thesappy
http://www.myspace.com/sappyremixes
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=jensby01

[MarsQueen]

I saw DM at the 26st of february in Düsseldorf and it was the one of the worst concerts I've ever visited.Totally dissapointing.....and we had to wait for it so long.
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[Latex]

I was this close to my life long hero on tour!

Makes all the expense and waiting time worth every penny,


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www.myspace.com/latex16

"Electro Music is the Soul of Language"

[papdx]

Hysterika (Greek Depeche Mode Fan Club) party in Ahens, Greece, on Saturday night.
Hysterika is the oldest Greek fan club of any band. I actually remember going to one of their parties back in 1992!
When I went to the Facebook page of the event to invite my friends, I saw that RobertR was already invited. So, in order to be fair, I myself invited Latex (curiously he didn't show up )

So, this one's for you, Latex! (Wait a minute, that glass is empty! )
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I've been dreaming of a disco ever since...

[papdx]

This CD was given to the first 300 people to show up:






And this is the flyer of the party which could be found inside the CD case. One side is a cover of THE FACE from 1982. Apparently the photo was taken just after Vince Clarke had left the group.


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I've been dreaming of a disco ever since...