Depeche Mode -
The Early Instrumental Alternatives
Sumthing new on Kalteldur here today, examine those strange and unspoken b-sides of one of the most successful synth-pop bands.
I may not be the biggest Depeche Mode fan, and I'm not one of those proclaiming that Depeche Mode is just a gloomy version of Wham either. BUT, I do have a certain fetish for their early recordings. My favorite album with them are A Broken Frame from 1982, and I think that some of the lost gems from their early singles are absolutely brilliant!. Some of these singles contain instrumental versions and tracks not being on their albums as well. So yes, there is more to Depeche Mode than Personal Jesus and Just Can´t Get Enough!.
For any lover of early analog synths, would absolutely love the sound of this. I know of course that this has been written by Vince Clarke (not Martin Gore) who would, later on, start Yazoo and Erasure. Any Second Now was included on the B-side of the Just Can´t Get Enough single. Beautiful, rough and simplistic crystal-clear analog sound. A cold, slightly metallic and melancholic piece.
Another piece of the Speak And Spell era (debut album fra 1981). This track was from the B-side of their first released single Dreaming of Me. Excellent melody, ice-cold (but also warm) synths, brooding vocals. A piece worthy of anyone's attention.
Another favorite which came on the B-side of The Meaning of Love single. A truly moody and beautiful haunting piece, just imagining a sunrise and a sundown over a small and lovely village in the frosty wintertime. I´m still finding Depeche Mode listeners getting surprised in hearing this "hidden" side of Depeche Mode.
Another "weird" kind of an outsider track, nonetheless quite interesting. Sounds like something from one of those cute manga inspired cartoons (or RPGs like Final Fantasy). A strangely dandy and merry electronic piece with touches of something dark here and there. John Carpenter fans would enjoy it I think.
More for the Carpenter fans here, synth-based (almost horror) kind of soundtrack piece here. B-side for A Question of Lust. A dramatic, apocalyptic and mesmerizing treat for the ears. As a diehard fan of the industrial-ambient label Cold Meat Industry, I can almost sense how this track may have inspired some of the artists on that label (in the early days!)
In my conclusion to those who dare not touch Depeche Mode, I would recommend their first 5 albums. Too much? then collect some of their singles between 81 to 85. The first three boxsets collecting these early singles have also been released on Mute (see link below). Happy hunting!
Singles box-sets 1:
Singles box-sets 2:
Singles box-sets 3:
