When I was in high school, very little spoke to me the same way that Depeche Mode did. (Ok.. maybe REM, but that's a different blog!) Even now, [i]many[/i] years later, their music withstands the test of time. It's classic and original. Specific to a time and place without being dated or irrelevant. Like all (musical) guilty pleasures, DM is easily dismissed as relating only to a certain subculture or as lacking true artistic validity simply because no one ever lost a finger grappling with their intricate guitar chords or because the bandmembers often used more hairspray than the 14 year old girls who filled seats. (And fill those seats we did). :) Don't get me wrong. Believe me, I'd be the first to unleash the same superior snobery towards today's bubblegum flavored, corporately created "musical" acts that boast fantastic abs, and very little else. The difference between today's RIAA [url=http://img23.photobucket.com/...](motto: [i]when you download music, you download communism[/i]) [/url] endorsed processed cheese and bands like Depeche Mode is that DM is an ensemble of artists who were naturally drawn together by a shared musical vision, which they then spent the greater part of their lives trying to realize. Granted, that vision may not appeal to everyone, but its existence differentiates them from modern music's test-tube babies which were created using the following patented cloning process:
Step one: Extract the DNA of last year's boy band. Step two: Add some dance lessons and/or breast implants. (Extra points for both). Step three: Invent a biography complete with a childhood in the projects and/or a stint on the Mickey Mouse Club. Step four: Sprinkle the entire mixture with words associated with legitimate music (ie: hip hop and/or punk rock). Step five: Toss in a date with Ashton Kutcher or Demi Moore (Extra points for both). Step six: Shake vigorously. Repeat
Viola! Next stop: The cover of Rolling Stone!
So... where does that leave us? Since most major labels don't seem to "get" that the reason their sales are in the toilet is because their products are, in fact, crap, I say pull out those old Depeche Mode records! Blow the dust of [i]Violator[/i]. Slide [i]Songs of Faith and Devotion[/i] in your CD player! Go ahead... [i]put it on! And don't say a word. Put it on. The one that I prefer...[/i]
I think it's high time for a Black Celebration!
posted by: irishred (reply)
post date: 02.27.04 (5:15 pm)
Great post! REM happens to be my favorite group! Depeche Mode was a great band.
Reply to: irishred
Finding REM was practically a religious experience for me. :) One of these days, I'll write about that.
Thanks!
posted by: jimdoney (reply)
post date: 02.27.04 (5:57 pm)
Depeche Mode was my first fav, and will always be at the tops of my lists.
My first concert was Depeche Mode as a matter of fact. I was 13 and conned my mom into buying me tix cause of the song Personal Jesus. I told her it was a church thing.
Time to reach out and touch faith again!
Good Post Cheers!
posted by: hyperbug (reply)
post date: 02.28.04 (8:34 am)
heh...your cloning process was hilarious, i totally agree! i can't stand pop groups...
posted by: DarkMood (reply)
post date: 02.29.04 (12:57 pm)
DM is still great & so is REM.
Where else can you be goth & down right moody & still have a cause that you alone can fight for while the masses of capitalism merge with the dogs of communism. Of course when you realize that you can understand the words are nothing more than just that & they just sold the songs to make money & enjoy those $15 lattes & $5 bottled water, then it loses its appeal
Personal Jesus still is a favorite for me.
Great blog
Reply to: DarkMood
Oh well... let 'em have their lattes, I say! All music is nothing but words and notes if it never interacts with or effects another person. As long as those words and notes touched or even still touch you, then it doesn't matter if the composer threw away his profits on expensive coffee and bottled water. What matters is tha, even in some small way, the music shaped who you are. That's what makes music so important in my book. Anyway, thanks so much for your comments! There's nothing like talking about music with someone who knows what they're talking about! :)
