DEPECHE MODE - STRIPPED

FROM DEPECHE MODE 101
The 80's brought on a ton of self loathing, emotionally stunted musical genius frontmen. Morrissey being one of them -- David Gahan being the other. There was something so dark about Depeche Mode that behind all those smiles it was hard to accept this as happy music. "People are People" made them popular on the radio but they were a lot darker than what they appeared to be. Yet, they were fascinating too.

And.... no it never surprised me when Gahan tried to take his own life. I was somewhat surprised though at the amount of drugs he took. Its amazing to see what kind of effect they had over their audience.

Posted by Cantu on Oct. 11, 2007 at 10:54 PM

DEPECHE MODE - STRANGE LOVE

This was recorded during their height. I heard every version of this song when it first came out. It was super popular. There was a 12" mix, a dance mix, a club mix, you get the idea. There was a ton of different versions and some had just a little differences to set them apart. But I really thought they all sounded alike. I couldn't wait for the day when I could listen to this song and not hate it.

And that day is today.

There is a video of footage being shown on the sides of buildings that is great. This black and white version is nice too and it works on several levels. The confrontation of the word love appears in the palm of their hands. They laugh like schoolboys but the overall look is stark and startling. It worked wonders on me as I saw this brief clip shown on a commercial for SPIN magazine. I remember that entire sequence..... To me, that took balls. To confront an emotion in such a way.

... It was is there was some attempt to meet the emotion halfway. Yet on the other hand it was wearing ones heart on its sleeve. Still, I thought it was amazing.

I saw them around this time.

Posted by Cantu on Oct. 11, 2007 at 10:44 PM

depeche mode - BUT NOT TONIGHT - video

I cannot remember this film.... i CANNOT REMEMBER who starred in it. None of these people look familiar to me in the least. I dont know if they had fashionable careers. I dont know if any of them retired from film or live in posh Malibu dream houses.

Thats partly due to the fact that i could care less.

However, this video remained in my subconscious and has haunted me since the first time I have seen it..... Not the movie clips.... but the movie footage over David Gahan.... and the end film loop of the number flashing over the stage and him spinning around .... and this catchy melody and the emptiness of it all.... Those fleeting moments IS THE WHOLE SONG really.... You need very little else.

Its a brilliant work of art. MINUS the lackluster film called MODERN GIRLS. A film, which has little meaning to me and a film i care little about.

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Ted Cantu is the creator of http://www.beautyloungestore.com he has contributed to several blogs and podcasts such as…..http://911copywriters.podomatic.com. He served as a top rated art director for Interactive Web Marketing groups in Chicago and New York City.

DEPECHE MODE - BUT NOT TONIGHT