There's Only One Way To Soothe My Soul

Depeche Mode have released their 13th studio album, titled "Delta Machine."

I wanted to wait to hear the album on its release date. But in this day and age of technology, digital downloads are available before we can get our happy hands onto a cd. See, I'm an old fashion girl - I NEED to have the cd with all it's packaging, inserts, and even the stubborn plastic wrapping. So, while my intention was to wait, my desire to indulge was far too great and I listened to the album ahead of time. With the distractions of home, I was only able to really enjoy parts of the album, but couldn't really get a good grip on my overall feelings. It wasn't until I had that cd, was able to put it on in my car, turn up the volume, and get lost in the "machine" while I took my long drive to work and back home again. It's not left my car since.


Here's a quick (or not so quick), song by song review of "Delta Machine." Please keep in mind that these are my feelings only. I don't expect anyone to agree with me 101%. Music is subjective. We all have different moments in music that move us. These are just my personal, DM obsessive thoughts.
There was talk that this album was a mix of Violator and SOFAD. Yes, I hear those influences, but honestly, I hear their entire career/catalog in this album. From the heavy synth sounds, drum machine beats, experimental and industrial noises, the blues, the rock, and so on - it's all here.

Welcome To My World ~ The opener. The song that sets the tone for the whole album. No, opening song, don't feel any pressure, now. It's just your job to pull us in and make us stick around. When I first heard this song, I was unimpressed. I was also being talked to by an 8 year old which makes truly listening to a song nearly impossible. Now...well, this opening track, for me, is a sublime introduction to DM 2013. Gritty. Real. Deep. The vocals, harmonizing, music, and mood are just what I need to draw me in and keep me here.

Angel ~ Well, hello there dirty Dave. Pulsing beats, increasing speeds, Dave's sultry singing...it's just good. Damn good.

Heaven ~ The first single. I'll admit I was a bit ho-hum about this song on first listen. It's grown on me. I find it, well, somewhat heavenly, in it's simplicity, beauty, and harmony. It wouldn't have been my choice for the first single, but it's a strong track that will hold up well.

Secret To The End ~ I would like to say that this review has been brought to you by the letter S. There are so many strong tracks on this album that start with the letter S, and this is one of them. I'm in love with this song. I can't really explain why, other than that the music, lyrics, vocals, and feel just work for me. There is something uneven about it. But that uneveness makes it good.

My Little Universe ~ I was incredibly critical of this song the first handful of times I listened to it. Vocally and lyrically I loved it, but musically I found it plunky and repetitive. I take back my criticisms. While it's not my favorite song on the album, I have found an appreciation and fondness for it. My Little Universe and I are becoming fast friends.

Slow ~ Oh Slow...how I love you so. Another of the strong S songs, this one is mmmm...Down and dirty, soulful and bluesy. Word has it that this was a SOFAD reject. I'm really glad it was, as I think Dave and Martin's harmonizing vocals fit this song so much better now than they would have then. And being sexier than ever, Dave can sing this song to me anytime he'd like to. That's how I like it.

Broken ~ I adore this song with every ounce of my being. Songs that move me so are always harder for me to write about. It's hard to put certain feelings into words. There is just something special about this one. Trust me.

The Child Inside ~ I was always taught that if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all. Next.
(Really, it's not horrible, but I'm not a fan. This is the only really low point of the album for me.)

Soft Touch/Raw Nerve ~ Another in the S group. This song makes me happy. It makes me want to move. It brings back the vibe of the album after the somewhat dreary Child. I love how it ends, then comes back with a quick blip of musical goodness. It's a favorite.

Should Be Higher ~ This is probably my favorite song on the album. I love so many of these songs, but there is something about this one, that again, is  hard to describe. I love, love, love Dave's vocals - the low notes and the high. I want to listen to this on repeat and just lose myself in it. And don't forget, it is brought you you by the letter S.

Alone ~ This is one of the songs that I hadn't had a chance to *really* listen to before having the cd. I didn't give it a whole lot of thought, honestly. I find it beautiful. Amazingly beautiful. This could take over as my favorite song on the album. This is another I'm finding hard to describe. The music and production, vocals and lyrics take me away to another place.

Soothe My Soul ~ They say there's only one way to soothe my soul. Music soothes my soul. Sure other things do too, but music, especially Depeche Mode's music, soothes my soul. While this is not my favorite of the S songs, it's still a strong track that continues the feel of the album and helps tie it all together.

Goodbye ~ A fitting way to end an album, with a song called Goodbye. Another strong track, for sure, but not a favorite. It's good. It's got a great blues and soulful feel. I can't find anything really wrong with it. It just doesn't hit me in soul like the many of the others. But, really, no major complaints here.

So, that is it. My not so short review of "Delta Machine" has come to an end. Agree, disagree, or agree to disagree - just take a moment to listen to this album. I personally feel DM have hit the mark with this gem. It is definitely their best release since Ultra. Sure Exciter, Playing the Angel, and Sound of the Universe have their strong points and weak points, but Delta Machine brings together the best of all DM worlds in one convenient location.
Oh, and yes, I have heard the bonus tracks, but I wanted this review to focus on the main tracks alone.


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Depeche Mode. The End. And Me.

Back in March I did a blog post titled Forever Young - A Random Musical Memory. It was about an hour of time where I was a guest DJ on Seattle's 107.7 The End in 2002. I mentioned then that I had two other brushes with radio programming fame, both Depeche Mode related, and that I'd write about them at later date. I guess that date is now because I've been thinking about both moments pretty heavily the last couple of days.

Through Facebook, I've recently taken part in a 30 Day Depeche Mode Song challenge which has made me think about DM music a lot lately. It's brought back memories of certain songs, events, and times in my life. And, yes, it did make me think about my times on The End.

One day in 2005, The End announced they would be doing a weekend of listener programming. Listeners could submit a list of 10 songs to fill a one hour block of programming - this was similar to the deal they did in 2002 that I blogged about in Forever Young. The difference this time would be that the listener would not be guest DJing. The regular End DJs would be playing our playlists. Because I feel a need to promote Depeche Mode to the masses whenever I can, I decided I would submit a list of 10 DM songs. They never said the 10 songs had to be by different artist.                                                                                                                                

I never heard if my list was chosen or not, so when the weekend came for them to play the listeners choices, I had The End going on the radio from the time I woke up that Saturday morning. We had to leave the house that day to run some errands. We left the house, got into the car and once we turned on the radio, there was Depeche Mode playing. It was one of the songs I chosen, but I wasn't sure if it was my list, or if someone else had chosen DM songs as well. That song ended and the next song began, and again, it was DM. This HAD to be my list! At the end of the second song, Neal, the DJ, came on and said that we were now listening to "Stacy's 10 song choices" and mentioned it was going to be an hour of Depeche Mode - because they never said the 10 songs had to be by different artists - exactly my thought when I chose the songs...LOL.

To give my list a better chance of being chosen, I picked 10 songs that got radio play at one time or another, rather than lesser known tracks. My 10 songs were: Just Can't Get Enough, Personal Jesus, Enjoy The SIlence, Behind The Wheel, It's No Good, A Question of Time, Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove, People Are People, and Dream On.

In 2006, The End had a day of listener appreciation where listeners could submit 3 songs they wanted to hear by one artist. I submitted 3 songs - of course by Depeche Mode. The songs I chose were "Behind The Wheel/Route 66," "I Feel You," and "Precious." I got a call at work one day from Neal at The End - who remembered me from my list of 10 songs the year before - saying my list had been chosen and they wanted to record me doing an introduction to my block of songs. I went into a private conference room to record my intro, which included a dig at mainstream radio not giving the recognition and airplay that the greatest band of the last 25 years (at the time) rightfully deserved. Neal loved it and the next day, it, along with my songs, were played on the air. ;)

I feel lucky to have had so many great times thanks to the old days of The End. It was through them (with thanks to my husband) that I got the great pleasure of meeting Depeche Mode before the Playing The Angel show in Seattle, and I will always be grateful for that most amazing moment. Perhaps that is a story for another future blog.

I've heard The End has gotten a little worse for wear over the last few years and that makes me sad. But at least I have so many great memories thanks to the DJs and programmers that once called The End home.

Thank you for reading from Rdwnggrl's World!

Songs of a Black Violation - Celebrating Depeche Mode History

Depeche Mode. They are one of the most influential, moving, and soulful, bands in the world. In the span of just 5 days, 3 pivotal Depeche Mode albums celebrated big birthdays.

Songs of Faith and Devotion became old enough to vote.

Violator hit the legal drinking age.

Black Celebration can now rent a car.

While the legions of devoted fans have their own "favorite" album, or top 5 list, the three albums listed above are the ones that top, or nearly top most of those lists. They are defining moments in Depeche Mode history. They each turn the page in sound. They are classics that have held, and will continue to hold, their own throughout the halls of music.

 

For me, these three albums will each hold a different place in my heart.

I was 14 when Black Celebration came out 25 years ago. To be honest, I don't remember what my first thought was. I do know that it quickly became an important album in my life. By 16, "But Not Tonight" was the song that, all these years later, would be my song - my go to song when I was down, my feel good song, my favorite song. I can't think of one note of one song that I don't like on this album. It was my #1 for many years and still ranks in my top 5.

21 years and counting, Violator is a classic Depeche Mode album, and another one of my favorites. Sweetest Perfection, one of the song titles on this album, is the perfect way to describe Violator in my eyes. I was working in a small record store when this album came out and I played it, and played it, and played it - our regular customers had to be tired of it, I'm sure. But I didn't care. I couldn't get enough of it then and I still can't get enough of it now.

I have a long, mixed emotion history with SOFAD - to long to explain here. But I will say, 18 years on, I appreciate this album much more now than I did when it came out. And it took a while to get here. There are songs that have always moved me - "Judas" and "One Caress" being two of them. Even when I didn't think I could listen to other songs on this album, those two were always with me.

HAPPY 18TH, 21ST, and 25TH BIRTHDAYS SOFAD, VIOLATOR, & BC! You are loved.

 

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A Week In The Life

Warning: This is another personal, non-promotional blog. I'm sure it will be a little off center and full of random rambles. ;)

What a week in history this is - for the world and for me personally.

Today, July 13th, marks the 25th anniversary of the Live Aid concert. Put together by Sir Bob Geldof with the help of Midge Ure, Live Aid was a massive concert that followed in the footsteps of Band-Aid (and it's offspring USA for Africa, amongst others) to raise awareness and money for famine relief in Ethiopia and Africa. Held at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, artists including Queen, U2, David Bowie, Phil Collins, Duran Duran, Madonna, Bryan Ferry, Paul Young, Elton John, Tom Petty, Simple Minds, The Pretenders, Neil Young, Patti LaBelle, and MANY others played to a combined 170,000+ fans, while millions of people watched on tv worldwide.
I was one of those that watched. I was two days shy of my 13th birthday and I was riveted. So many artists I loved were performing. It was amazing. The day was slightly interrupted by a smoke detector going off in the apartment two floors down from us. After being evacuated from the building by the fire department for a short bit (it wasn't a fire, just someone who left a pot of water on their stove top - boiling - while they were not at home) I was able to get back inside to continue watching. As I remember it was a gorgeous summer day, but I wanted to stay inside to watch this amazing event.
Of course we had Live 8 a few years back (also held in July - July 2nd to be exact), but where are these massive concerts these days? Wow.

On July 15th I came into this world. Of course this should be a national holiday (hahaha, yeah right), but since it isn't, I'll just wish myself a Happy Birthday and call it good. ;) One nice thing this year is I *may* have won a Sex Pistols t-shirt, and that would be a really awesome birthday present. Feel free to send other birthday gifts to Stacy L...uh, nevermind. :)

July 16, 1990 - amazing to think that was 20 years ago - I saw my first of two shows on Depeche Mode's World Violation tour. It wasn't my first DM show ever, that came in May of 1988. But to celebrate 20 years of Violator, my favorite DM album, along with the WV tour, is incredible. I went to the show on the 16th in Vancouver, BC. Two days later, on the 18th, I traveled to Portland, OR for another show. What a great way to celebrate my 18th birthday by seeing my favorite band in two beautiful cities.

Another thing I'd like to do in this blog today is wish all of my July baby friends and family a very Happy Birthday! For so long I was one of the only people I knew with a July birthday. When I fell in love with Depeche Mode and found that former member Vince Clarke and founders Andy Fletcher and Martin Gore all had July birthdays, I was a giddy little fan girl. Now with Modies, Zazzlers, family, and friends, July is full of AWESOME people celebrating their special day!
***Special shout outs to Debbie, Tricia, Shannon R, Shannon J, Jenn, and Tina - HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADIES!!! ***

I guess that's about all the rambling I want to do for now. Celebrate the people in your lives with birthdays, remember the good things that have happened to make this world a better place, and appreciate the people and things that come into your life ~ they are pieces of the puzzle that make up who we are and this life we lead.


Thank you for reading from Rdwnggrl's World!

Grateful & Blessed - One Music Fan's Feelings

As a lifelong music junkie, I've often been envious of the people I hear about that can travel to and attend multiple concerts by my favorite bands/artists. Now, I'm not saying I haven't done that myself, to a point. In 1990 Depeche Mode could not play in Seattle because of the Goodwill Games, so I traveled to both Vancouver, BC and Portland, OR to see the World Violation tour. And in 2003, I traveled to Portland to see Dave Gahan's Paper Monster tour a night before also seeing him in Seattle. But to travel to multiple shows/states/countries to see an artist play is something that I can't do now - financially or as a parent of a young child.

I thought about it, though, after seeing She Wants Revenge and The Psychedelic Furs live last week, and realized that I have been incredibly fortunate and blessed to have been able to meet and have my picture taken with my favorite artists. This is big for me, as I care so much about music and the role it has played in my life.

In 1990, while in Portland for the DM show, a friend and I got the opportunity to meet and photograph Bon Harris from Nitzer Ebb (they opened for DM). Of curse we didn't think to ask if we could take pictures with him, so I don't have a picture of me with him, just a picture of him alone. He was very nice and later waved at us and pointed us out to Douglas McCarthy as they walked past us into the stadium during sound checks.

In 2003, at the Portland show of the Paper Monsters tour, I got to meet Kenna (who opened for Dave Gahan). At that time I just got to talk to him and had him sign my cd insert. But the next night, back home in Seattle, my husband and I got the opportunity to talk to him both before and after the show. At our encounter after the show, a friend of ours took a picture of us with Kenna. Jump forward to 2007 and Kenna opening for She Wants Revenge. To our great surprise, when we went to say hi to Kenna and have him sign my t-shirt, he remembered us. 4 years later, Kenna remembered us. How awesome is that? Again, we got to have our picture taken with him.

In 2005 the most amazing thing happened - thanks to my husband, my friend Stephanie and I got to go backstage to meet Depeche Mode at a meet & greet before their Touring The Angel Seattle show. Steph and I were amazed enough to have gotten 4th row seats to the show. But to get to meet the band - I don't think you could wipe the shocked smiles off of our faces the whole day/evening. It was brief, but magical. Dave, Martin, and Andy are even more beautiful in person and were very warm and friendly. Stephanie and I even got hugs from Andy!

In April of this year, I got to have my picture taken with Io and Leo of Io Echo. I've been a huge fan of them since 2007 when I saw them open for Kenna and SWR. I got to briefly meet Joanna (Io) at that show and she signed my cd cover. I've followed them since, and was given the wonderful gift (by Joanna) of being put on their guest list when they played in Denver, opening for A Place To Bury Strangers and The Big Pink. After their set, I went up to the merchandise booth and got to talk to Joanna for a bit. She is such a sweetheart and seriously one of the nicest people I've met. She and Leo took a picture with me, which was awesome.

Finally, last week, after missing out on seeing She Wants Revenge for years (yes, even though I saw Io Echo and Kenna open for SWR in '07, I missed their performance because we had to leave - crummy, I know), I FINALLY got to see them live, thanks to Adam from SWR. He, like Joanna, gave me the most amazing gift of putting me on the guest list. After being completely in awe of their live set, I got to meet and thank Adam in person for putting me on the list. And, of course, I got a picture with him.


I think I've finally gotten over my envy of people with money, who have the ability to save money, and have the time, or the ability to make time, to see their favorite artists multiple times on a tour. Because, quite honestly, I'm proud of opportunities I have had and am more than thankful for each and every one of them. I'm sure to some out there, the meetings I've had are miniscule to what they've done and who they've met. But to me, they mean the world and I couldn't be happier with the experiences I have been blessed with. I loved all of these artists before meeting them, so they were all special moments that I will never forget.


If you don't know these artists, here are some links for them all:
Depeche Mode
Nitzer Ebb
Kenna
Io Echo
She Wants Revenge (who also have a shop on Zazzle, btw - She Wants Revenge)

I thank them and the other people involved in our meetings and photo ops. You won't find a more grateful or devoted fan.

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Pleasures Remain, So Does The Pain

...words are meaningless and forgetable.

Yes, those are Depeche Mode lyrics. No, that's not really a surprise coming from me. But there is a significance to using lyrics from Enjoy The Silence.
ETS was released in 1990. Another thing released in 1990 - me - from school. This year marks my 20 year high school reunion. It's a hard number to swallow at times, because I don't feel that old, and sometimes it just doesn't seem that long ago that the pleasures and pain of high school took place. My reunion doesn't take place until September, so I'm hoping that between now and then I can come up with the money to go back home and (let me) take (you on) a trip (around the world and) back to see everyone again. The Depeche Mode lyrical inspiration just never dies - not even after all of these years. That's one of things the people I went to junior high and high school with probably still remember about me - even if they don't remember anything else.

I worked at a record store during my senior year of high school - a dangerous place for a music junkie. I was on the yearbook staff (boy did we get some flack with the 89/90 yearbook). I was in drama and I filled up on art classes throughout all of junior and senior high. 20 years later I'm still a music junkie and I still love art. I love to be creative and create. My days on the stage, however, ended with my high school career.

So much has changed in our country in the last 20 years.
Gas in 1990 averaged $1.34 - oh to have those days again!
A new home averaged $123,000. Now you're lucky to get a total fixer upper for that!
George H.W. Bush was the US President and in 1990 his "no new taxes" statement from 2 years earlier went completely out the door.
We entered Operation Dessert Storm in 1990.
Ghost, Home Alone, Edward Scissorhands, and Pretty Woman were popular movies.

It's easy to long for the simpler days of youth sometimes. Spending my formative years in the 80s was an adventure and while I'd never want to go back for good to relive it, I certainly wouldn't mind a visit - and I especially wouldn't mind some of those prices again!

However young or old you are - cherish each and every day. Respect the people who come in and out of your life - even if you disagree with them. Their influence for the good and their differences that make you think will shape you and the person you become. And even if you hated school with every ounce of your being, consider revisiting your past when your high school reunions arrive. Thanks to Facebook I am in contact again with people I used to be friends with but lost touch with. And I'm now acquaintances and friends with people I knew but didn't exactly hang out with 20 years ago. Life is a roller coaster, school is a necessary evil, and growing up in inevitable (maturity, on the hand, is an option...lol). Learn from it, grow with it, and carry on!

Happy 20 years KM Class of 1990 and GO ROYALS!

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Sweetest Perfection - Violator at 20

March 19th and 20th marked the 20th anniversary of the release dates (UK & US respectively) for Depeche Mode's Violator album. For many it was their introduction to Depeche Mode thanks to the success of the songs "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy The Silence." For others it was the next step for a band who had just about 2 years earlier had put on the concert of a lifetime at Pasadena's Rose Bowl with the 101st show on their Music for the Masses tour.
By the time Violator was released in 1990, I had been listening to Depeche Mode for 6 years. My introduction to their music came in 1984 with the song "People Are People." I still remember going to the record store and buying Some Great Reward on cassette. Soon after that came the purchases of Speak & Spell, A Broken Frame, and Construction Time Again, where I learned that I had also heard "Everything Counts" and "Just Can't Get Enough" on the radio long before PAP. I just never knew who sang them and was, I guess, too young at the time to have really formed a deep connection. But I soon became a devotee. Walls that were once covered in posters of Duran Duran became covered in posters of Depeche Mode. My first live show was on May 2, 1988 at the Seattle Center Coliseum on the MFTM tour.
I eagerly awaited the release of the follow up album, but I will confess that the first time I heard "Personal Jesus" I was less than impressed. It took me a few listens to warm up to it, but once I did, I was hooked. When Violator was released I was working at a record store so I was able to buy it right away. I was also able to play it when I worked - over and over. And over and over again I did. I loved this album. From the opening beats of "World In My Eyes" to the closing notes of "Clean" there was something special about Violator. The only song that didn't wow me was "Policy of Truth" - which to this day is still my least favorite song on the album. I don't dislike it, but it doesn't touch me in a way the rest of the songs do. Three of my Top 10 DM songs are on this album (Halo, Enjoy The Silence, & Waiting For The Night) with two others (Blue Dress & Clean) creeping in depending on my mood.
I wish Violator a very Happy Anniversary. It will always be a special album that will fill my life with incredible sounds and fun, exciting, and emotional memories. The subsequent tour found me traveling to both Vancouver, BC and Portland, OR to see them perform, and again, I was not disappointed. They remain, to this day, one of the greatest, yet most underrated (to non-fans) live bands around. And 20 years on, "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy The Silence" remain concert staples - with occasional appearances by "World In My Eyes," "Policy of Truth," and "Halo" - always crowd favorites.

Thanks for reading from Rdwnggrl's World.

Sounds Of The Universe - My Review

As I've been known to say, I'm a HUGE Depeche Mode fan. And this past Tuesday, the 21st, their 12th studio album was released.
Here's a short review for those who are interested:
The start of the album threw me for a bit of a loop as it was a mellow song and not what was expecting. After listening to it a few times now, I can say I like the song (In Chains) better now than I did, but it's still not my favorite. But if you want to hear some good songs - some with new sounds for DM and some with the classic sounds that the long term fans will really enjoy take a listen to "Wrong", "Peace", "Come Back", "Fragile Tension", and "Perfect".
Overall I would rate this album 4 out of 5 stars. I do think that the casual fan and die hards alike will have mixed feelings about this album. But it is definitely worth checking out. The tour starts soon and I know a lot of these songs are going to sound amazing live. If you find DM will be in a town near you, check 'em out!!! You won't regret it!