Depeche Mode

[junglered]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 11:04am

Depeche Mode has a strong new CD and proved that they are still relevant after turning in an amazing performance at suburban Atlanta concert venue - Gwinnett Center on Saturday evening. After years of prominence in the alternative synth-rock genre in the 80s and early 90s, DM put out very little music after lead singer Dave Gahan's suicide attempt about a decade ago and his well documented substance abuse problems. Well, it seems like Mr. Gahan has embraced life again and has reunited with songwriter/guitarist/keyboardist Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher to put out their best CD in years - "Playing the Angel". The band opened up Saturday's show with two songs from the new CD - "A Pain That I'm Used To" and "John the Revelator" before launching into two classics - "A Question of Time" and "Policy of Truth" to the delight of about 10,000 fans in the venue. Gahan was a wildman all night - preening and dancing all over the futuristic stage. The set-up included "Jetson's" style synthesizers and a large silver/gray sphere which had various words such as "love", "pain", "sex", "enjoy", "angel" and "vice" emblazoned on it. As a song was introduced, the appropriate word would light up along with related video on the backscreen. The new single "Precious" was featured next and was warmly received, but the crowd really got frenzied with the arrival of more old favorites including "Behind the Wheel", "World In My Eyes", "Walking in My Shoes", and "I Feel You". Hardworking Mr. Gahan lost his shirt about halfway through the show and just kept going except for a short interlude of a couple of pretty ballads sung by Mr. Gore and Mr. Fletcher. Gahan and gang brought things home with a flourish with audience sing-a-longs "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence" before temporarily departing the stage. The crowd welcomed the band back for a three song encore which included a ballad by Mr. Gore and then a return to old, old Depeche Mode "Just Can't Get Enough" (remember Vince Clarke days with DM before Yaz and Erasure)and the anthem "Everything Counts". The fans wouldn't let Depeche Mode get away without playing another encore, so the band obliged with "Never Let Me Down Again" and "Goodnight Lovers". It was a real pleasure to see this band - a favorite of mine in the 80's - back with renewed spirit and exuberance.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 12:40pm

Excellent. They are in town next Wednesday. I am so dying to go, but don't have anyone to go with. Wanna fly to Seattle and go with me?

[junglered]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 1:37pm

The concert was sooooo much fun - it exceeded my expectations!

Hops on plane to Seattle to catch encore performance with Day Dreamer!

[SkierRob02]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 2:53pm

Im going in December in Atlantic City then again in Madison Square garden the next week. One of my favorite bands.

[peach]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 3:23pm

one of my favorite bands of all time....the music of my youth -ahhh!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 6:18pm

damn I love them.......

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 7:06pm

*reserves box seats*

[Elphaba]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 9:48pm

it's the best music for...er....ah.....um, well sex!