riding the bus home today, on a drizzly spring day, i listened to “Now this is fun” by Depeche Mode. it’s an old favorite, an obscure track that i fell for back in the day. i used to dub songs off of jane’s brother’s new wave collection, and due to my limited amount of blank tapes i had to be selective.
this song – something about it really rings true with me. it’s kind of reflective of how i feel. it has a very 80s upbeat base, but it’s kind of wistful, it’s got minor chords. it’s got bouncy synths. dave sounds like he’s singing far away inside a tank. the whole thing feels murky, but maybe that’s me being influenced by the pipes on the record sleeve and in the lyrics of the album (pipeline, anyone?)
New Life is also bouncy, upbeat, but avoids cheese by sticking with minor chords. I love New Life so much. It’s truly one of my favorites. Speak and Spell. That era. Ice Machine is darker, but so intricately beautiful, spellbinding. That chord progression is pretty genius. I don’t care so much for the three-part harmonies (“efficiency, efficiency!”), but those ones toward the end are so good.
Vince Clarke was so integral to the genesis of Depeche Mode, but i find myself denying that. denying him. i became a depeche mode devotee in the post-vince era, but still i somehow resent him for deserting the band. (?!) i don’t know where this possessiveness comes from, but it’s true. fuck him. you left this band right when they were taking off? i guess i should be grateful that he opened the door for Martin to shine. but, i think what truly annoys me is that i LOVE vince’s writing, that i connect so much with his songs, even though his depeche mode tenure ended early. i don’t want to give him the credit. sure, i like Erasure and i totally respect him in that outfit, but he left his basildon buddies and that stings.
OK deluded DM fangirl, thanks for the head trip.