This is indeed the end… RIP Ray Manzarek of The Doors.
Clip is of The Doors’ song The End, used in the soundtrack for the beginning of Francis Ford Copolla’s Apocalypse Now.
On a day when everyone is trying to find an angle to write about Yahoo’s acquisition of Tumblr - here’s mine:
Still one of the weirdest, simplest yet funniest sites on Tumblr.
droppin’ with martin gore from depeche mode
Jammin’ night.
Was feeling nostalgic…
1. Halo
The finest song the band has ever produced. Strings, beats, amazing vocal, and as for the lyrics…….
2. Nothing
One of many Mode tracks questioning the role of religion, but one of the first to have a guitar in a prominent role. Live version here from the 101 film.
3. World In My Eyes
The kick-off track from Mode’s best album (Violator), has grown over the years to become a firm favourite. In particular, the layers in the orchestral arrangement are excellent. Good clip from the 1993 tour here.
4. Blasphemous Rumours
Probably the first high profile track when listeners more used to the bouncy “Just Can’t Get Enough“-led Mode suddenly thought: “Oh, this has all gone a bit dark.”
5. Judas
The only track on this list featuring chief songwriter Martin Gore on lead vocal. The Uilleann pipes are wonderful and the overall arrangement probably one of Alan Wilder’s best compositions (after Halo).
6. Condemnation
A few things mark this track out - its simplicity, though mostly because of Dave Gahan’s vocal performance, which is brilliant anyway but it was recorded during his ongoing battle with drugs.
7. Fly On The Windscreen
Weird and gloomy lyrics, but a favourite for many fans as it is, after all, just a really good song - so much so that it became a fixture of the encore during the 1993 tour.
8. Never Let Me Down Again
This track on the Music for the Masses album was already good - but became a mainstay of tours thereafter because of the arm-waving antics of the audience. Still, the studio version remains the best.
9. Route 66
One of very few cover versions Depeche Mode has performed, let alone recorded. It made sense commercially at the time as the band was starting down the road to its eventual massive profile in the US. All that aside, it’s a really good track.
10. Policy Of Truth
Guilt, redemption, anger, love - pretty much the model for many of Depeche Mode’s tracks after, say, 1984. Third of the stand-out tracks from Violator (sorry, Enjoy The Silence fans) and another cited by later dance producers as an influence.
EXTRA:
A. Somebody
Never a particular fan of this ballad from 1983, but when it was used to mark a reunion of sorts at London’s Royal Albert Hall between the band and Alan Wilder, it became one of the most poignant moments in the history of the group. Was lucky enough to be there. The shaking of the camera when Wilder’s name was announced is hardly a surprise - the place went potty.
Chittagong Chill… D&B style.
Easing into Monday madness…
UPDATE:
Slower version:
Which do you prefer?
Ruined in a Day.
Top drumming, ace scratching…
The fabulous Trentmoller, performing a combo Evil Dub-Moan.
Feelin’ Good, working in the garden on a public holiday…
Johnny Marr, Matt Johnson, Another Boy Drowning - what more do musos need.
The The at the London Royal Albert Hall in 1990.
