16 October 2005


Depeche Mode new single 'Precious'

In my opinion, 'Precious' is the best single released since 1993's 'In your Room'. 'Precious' is somewhat reminiscent of 'Enjoy the Silence' and could easily have been 'Enjoy the Silence Redux' due to the structure and arrangements. After that horrid venture into electro-blues with 'Ultra' and 'Exciter', Depeche Mode appears to have returned to their roots with this one single. Thanks goodness, no more of that 'It's no good' electronic valium. 'It's no good' is an extremely overrated single and it's simply no good!

I find 'Ultra' to be the worst album ever released by Depeche Mode. Strangely enough, several of Alan Wilder's Recoil albums explored this electro-blues territory a few years before 'Ultra' and 'Exciter'.

I think one only tell if Depeche Mode has truly returned to the sounds of 'Violator' and 'Music for the Masses' after listening to the new album which is to be released on Monday.

'Precious' features Gahan singing without accompaniement and it lacks the commanding voice in previous singles like 'Strangelove' and 'Enjoy the Silence'. 'Precious' could be better. I feel that Gahan singing alone or singing without other member of the band backing him up lack something. And please, no more of those two backup singers from 'Condemnation'. Depeche Mode is not an electro-blues... hopefully.

The myriad singles released for 'Precious'. The Sasha remixes are so-so, undistinguished and while retaining most of the vocals and they have a faster bpm. I don't quite like the remixes.

Depeche Mode "Precious" (UK part 1 MCD)
1. Precious - Album Version
2. Precious - Sasha's Spooky Mix (Edit)

Depeche Mode "Precious" (UK part 2 MCD)
1. Precious - Sasha's Gargantuan Vocal Mix (Edit)
2. Precious - Misc. Full Vocal Mix
3. Free

Depeche Mode "Precious" (UK DVD single)
1. Precious - Video
2. Precious - Motor Remix
3. Precious - Michael Mayer Ambient Mix

Depeche Mode "Precious" (US single)
1. Precious - Sasha's Spooky Mix
2. Precious - Sasha's Gargantuan Vocal Mix
3. Precious - Michael Mayer Balearic Mix
4. Precious - Misc Full Vocal Mix
5. Precious - Misc Crunch Mix
6. Precious - Motor Mix

All the singles here are available from A Different Drum's online store.

'Precious' is excellent synthpop.

"Dangerous
The way you leave me wanting more
Dangerous
That's what I want you for
Dangerous
When I am in your arms
Dangerous
Know I won't come to harm"
'Dangerous' Depeche Mode

3 comments:

Merv Kwok said...

i seriously cannot believe this guys are still around. amazing man!

Anonymous said...

Must 'sample' the goods first, heh heh.

Chuang Shyue Chou said...

Merv, they are indeed old-timers when a first album in 1981. I only really started listening to them quite late and that was when I was in university in 1985. I heard 'A Question of Lust', 'A Question of Time' and other singles then. I remembered visiting Rasputin (Record Store) in Berkeley, California and buying a limited edition of 'A Question of Time' (with the New Town Mix) and also the 'Black Celebration' album.

Kelvin, I am excited enough as I read from the interviews that they have resorted to analogue synths (unlike the digital/soft synths approach of the previous two albums) and will be going out tonight to buy the SACD+DVD albums. WOOOOOO HOOOOO!