My initial thoughts after hearing Depeche Mode’s “Memento Mori” album for the first time.
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My initial thoughts after hearing Depeche Mode's "Memento Mori" album for the first time. What are your feelings on this album?
This is definitely one of the better albums if you're looking at anything post-Ultra. The only one I prefer in that space is Playing the Angel. There is still a distinct lack of M.E.L.O.D.Y., but nothing like the last few albums because Memento Mori actually has melody – YAY! Some of the songs are a bit irritating, HOWEVER, seeing them live in Las Vegas blew me away. Songs I did not particularly like on Memento Mori, sounded fantastic live, and it actually gave them new life to me. Not a fan of the repeated lyrics, but this is a good album.
Caroline's Monkey … sounds like it is about a Monkey on one's back – something you can't get rid of.
I enjoy listening to it as an album especially. From start to finish. I really like it. I'll bd seeing them in Chicago this Wednesday.
Am I the only one who can hear "Caroline's Monkey" having a similar vocal (on the verses) compared to the first verse on "I feel Loved" from "Exciter"? On topic. I am very dissapointed with this album. Gahan's nasal almost pop-rock vocals are so annoying (to me). The music itself is very well produced but it lack melodies and "stories" (Yes I am an old-school DM fan who's been with them from day one).
Dave is very much out of tune in all the videos I have seen live in USA at the moment and not just in some songs, almost every song he is out of tune. Am I wrong???
Wow, what a band. All songs are great, maybe only Wagging Tongue is too simple but it is the best album since Ultra/PTA, naturelly. Voice, experimental melodies, lyrics. Martin's songs are stronger then ever (People Are Good, Always You, Never Let Me Go), Daves songs are tipical DM style, but Speak to Me gave us that epic. Very good, immediately loved this record.
Thank you for your thoughts on the new album. I believe it's the best album since Ultra. However, it is still somewhat disappointing.
I still remember the excitement I felt as a teenager hearing "something to do" coming out of the speakers the first time I heard it, and then Black celebration-the whole album was a masterpiece. I waited for months for music for the masses to be released after the singles
"strangelove" was dropped. The same thing happened with violator, I fell asleep listening to that CD for at least 6 months. Obviously personal Jesus and enjoy the silence are incredible tracks. But the beauty of blue dress and sweetest perfection we're such incredible even though they didn't chart, they were so much more than filler. SOFD had at least 5 outstanding tracks, Ultra had about the same.
I feel like with this album, I'm trying really hard to enjoy it and I like the sounds of some of the retro sense but it just doesn't leave through the speakers the way their old stuff used to. The last CD I bought of theirs was sounds of the universe. I would have loved to hear just two or three tracks on this album that I could not stop listening to on repeat. I don't know if it's me or the band that is getting old, probably a bit of both.
I still maintain that from 1984 to 1996 Depeche mode was as great as the Beatles, led Zeppelin, or any other classic band that you want to put them next to.
It wallows in itself a bit too much for mine. I think Martin needs a strong producer to pull him out of his darkness and feel that the stripped down Ghosts Again should have been the signal for the album to follow the lead, but alas, it wasn't. for many of the songs there is a bit too much going on and if it were stripped back a little it would have been better. I just wish they could bring Alan back to produce for them. One last time. IN saying all that, compared to Tears for Fears, Ultravox etc, this album is a worthy release and stands as a solid album, just not a memorable one.
"Always You" was my favorite track from this album. Overall, I was very relieved that this album was pretty solid – I also didn't really care for Spirit, and they seemed to be on a downward trajectory, so my expectations were not high. I was pleasantly surprised.
6,8,10,12 are the strongest tracks imo which is I think what you basically said. #7- Caroline’s Monkey and #9- People are Good have potential but I like the Caroline’s Monkey Skinflutes and People are Good Parollox remixes better. There’s remixes emerging of the other tracks as well. I don’t care much for Don’t Say You Love Me because it sounds like The Worst Crime to me. Not a fan of Wagging Tongue but intrigued you like it. I didn’t care for My Favourite Stranger or Never Let Me Go really.
I find the whole album disappointing except for Ghosts again because there aren't any songs that aren't boring after 10 seconds. No recognition value, no nice refrains, no sound that has something special. It's a shame, but I didn't expect anything more after Spirit. Why should they suddenly make good music again?
Are you serious?? 'Wagging tongue' is one of their best songs, and you talk about how it's silly because it sounds synthy like Erasure. Girl. I'm done.
If you don't like synthesisers, and you hate Vince Clarke, then why not listen to rock music? I'm confused.
Thought this video would start with "what do I think?" "Well Alan Wilder isn't on it"
Video ends.
I really like the record but I wish Vaughn could have been in the room with the band making this album.
This album is a nice surprise!! The DM dna is there. I love the Ghost Again, is a &great pop song. I liked your review. As a drummer, I would like to hear an acoustic drum sound in some tracks. But in the studio, they prefer recording electric drum because it's fast and easy in terms of time. Cheers
Funny and good review as usual Vaughty!!! ''My Cosmos is mine in B-flat'' but playing strait B. You tricky bast_rd. 🙂
In first place. I’ve loved the band until the Alan Wilder’s left. It’s the first time I have heard something from DM consciously and just one I really liked: My favorite Stranger. I can recognize Fischerspooner style on it. Maybe as u said there’s a few path of innovation, but it’s amazing they can create until now.
Ghosts Again reminded me of 'Precious'.
Thank you for a great video George.
I agree with you regarding the production sound of the last 5 albums. I personally have never been fully convinced to the sound on their trilogy recorded with Ben Hillier. Most tracks sound too raw and minimal to my taste and there was nothing bonding the bits into more cohesive and finished sound texture that would show the producer’s own style at the same time. And yes there is that unsatisfying hole between high mids and bass which apparently has been a record industry standard since early 2000s allowing to increase the overall loudness of the records. That sonic signature as you call it is still there indeed but I like that on Spirit and Memento that sound is more balanced with ambience, strings and fatter more live sounding and prominent drums which all I missed so much. Thanks to that Memento Mori has got a bit more of that richness and finish here and there that brings it closer to the sound I prefer.
So far ‘Before We drown’ and ‘Soul With Me’ are my favourites. ‘Soul with me’ seems to get a lot of criticism but it is now probably my favourite Martin solo since ‘One Caress’. I love a well balanced sound and nice swinging drums on ‘Before We Drown’ . Dave’s vocals on this album are great. There is so much emotion and his voice sounds so young with that alternative guitar on ‘Never Let me Go’ . ‘Ghosts Again’ is probably my least favourite, Although, it is a great tune and piano cover sounds beautiful. Very simple though and predictable, I would dare saying childish (just like the ghost lady in the music video:) compared to the rest. Very much like other lead singles on recent albums. I just kind of accepted it now as little bait track for the album;)
Overall Memento Mori is a really nice surprise and it brightens up the start of this year for me. I find it an easy listener in a good way and still the more I listen to it the more I like it and get pulled into it as with their best albums. Definitely the best since PTA.
Waiting for more videos from you and curious to check your music too. All the best.