oh man, you know what song no one really knows but is pretty fantastic, is "Comatose":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpE1Zo6XUEE
― I need new, hip khakis (DJP), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 16:16 (twelve years ago) link
I like it's called a heart too.
I pretty much don't like anything after SoFAD though admittedly I haven't given it much of a shot.
― wolf kabob (ENBB), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 17:16 (twelve years ago) link
Ultra is kind of boring with a couple of highlights, but starting with Exciter they started becoming a consistent album band again; I like Playing The Angel more than most of their classic period albums and the good songs on Sounds of the Universe are worth discussing with their famous favorites.
― I need new, hip khakis (DJP), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 17:19 (twelve years ago) link
For context, I'd probably rank the albums something like:
Black CelebrationPlaying the AngelConstruction Time AgainMusic for the MassesSome Great RewardViolatorExciterSounds of the UniverseSongs of Faith and DevotionSpeak and SpellUltraA Broken Frame
― I need new, hip khakis (DJP), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 17:23 (twelve years ago) link
E, you need to get hepped to Playing the Angel in short order.
― Johnny Fever, Tuesday, 24 April 2012 17:23 (twelve years ago) link
"Precious" might make mine – their best single since "Walking in My Shoes."
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 17:29 (twelve years ago) link
E, have you seen the "Hole To Feed" video?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i0TJtnyFj0
― I need new, hip khakis (DJP), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 17:30 (twelve years ago) link
Nobody likes Barrel of a Gun? That's an extraordinary track.
― Ismael Klata, Tuesday, 24 April 2012 17:46 (twelve years ago) link
It's an extraordinary track for Ultra, IMO.
― I need new, hip khakis (DJP), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 18:40 (twelve years ago) link
(I do like it, I just think they've done better.)
They suffered the same trouble as the Pet Shop Boys. Their deepening craft got inversely proportional to their curiosity about interesting electronic rhythm tracks.
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 18:46 (twelve years ago) link
I don't think that's true at all, actually. Sounds of the Universe alone has "Hole To Feed", "Little Soul", "Spacewalker", "Jezebel" and "Corrupt" on it, none of which are what I would consider to be standard, uninteresting electronic rhythm tracks. Playing the Angel also has a bunch of tracks that are more interesting than your standard straight unsyncopated 4/4 beat ("John the Revelator", "The Sinner in Me", "Macro", "The Darkest Star") and several of the more straightforward tracks either use nonstandard percussion sounds ("I Want It All", "Damaged People") or a lot of offbeat rhythmic flourishes ("Nothing's Impossible").
― I need new, hip khakis (DJP), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 20:18 (twelve years ago) link
"Barrel of a Gun" seemed bizarre and unpleasant to me at the time and, revisiting it recently, only moreso now
― some dude, Tuesday, 24 April 2012 20:26 (twelve years ago) link
although i heard "It's No Good" today on the local alt-rock stations '90s at noon' block and it sounded alright
― some dude, Tuesday, 24 April 2012 20:32 (twelve years ago) link
"it's No Good" is so fucking AWESOME, wld fit right in on Violator IMO.
― the Dandy Club (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:08 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aieEZ950d1I
― the Dandy Club (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:09 (twelve years ago) link
freeerrrrm freerrrmmm freerrrmm frerrrrm freerrrrrrm frerrrrm freerrrrrrmfrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
― the Dandy Club (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:11 (twelve years ago) link
The rhythm track on "It's No Good" is precisely what I dislike about the song.
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:12 (twelve years ago) link
What do you dislike about it?
― I need new, hip khakis (DJP), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:20 (twelve years ago) link
I love pretty much all their singles and at least an additional third of their album tracks. I don't know how I could do this, but then, Led Zeppelin is pretty much all albums tracks, and it turned out OK there in the end.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:23 (twelve years ago) link
god I need to stop listening to these albums, it's making my ballot expand rather than shrink ("Leave In Silence"!)
― I need new, hip khakis (DJP), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:24 (twelve years ago) link
Because it's inert, there's more pressure on the vocals, melodies, and lyrics, none of which deliver. I couldn't have asked for anything less inspiring from a college radio stalwart in 1997.
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:29 (twelve years ago) link
The year of Be Here Now
― Ismael Klata, Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:32 (twelve years ago) link
So... the rhythm track isn't precisely what you dislike about the song; it doesn't really sound like you like any of it!
― I need new, hip khakis (DJP), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:40 (twelve years ago) link
It starts with the rhythm track though. That chugga-chugga-chugga program in 1997 was lame.
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:41 (twelve years ago) link
DJP that video is wild. I didn't like the song.
― wolf kabob (ENBB), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 22:15 (twelve years ago) link
The one Abs posted is better.
― wolf kabob (ENBB), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 22:16 (twelve years ago) link
Being reminded of the greatness of "But Not Tonight" is tipping me toward putting in enough effort to compile a ballot.
― something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 22:53 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uolAT4HqH5c
― crüt, Tuesday, 24 April 2012 23:44 (twelve years ago) link
do want to echo the praise for playing the angel above, doing a cursory review before putting together my ballot i was struck by how strong that album is, to my ears the best album they or any of their big pre-nirvana modern rock radio hitmaker peers put out this century (and i'm far from a depeche mode obsessive). to anyone that lost the plot w/ these guys around the time of songs of faith i'd highly recommend you give 'precious' a listen at the very least.
― balls, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 00:06 (twelve years ago) link
really find it hard to *love* the late period give or take 1 or 2 numbers. was an absolute nut for this band, still adore the peak but just can't get it up for much after Songs Of Faith..
i like this though
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzS4HQYd5Ak
― piscesx, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 00:10 (twelve years ago) link
also i'm not sure where curtis came down on the remix thing (i'd just pool it all together like pazz and jopp) but just in case, the 'depeche mode' track i definitely heard out the most by far this century:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAio7VoD-e4
― balls, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 00:13 (twelve years ago) link
five years ye gods
― balls, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 00:15 (twelve years ago) link
I'm going to be lumping all mixes of the same song in together, yeah. That doesn't mean people shouldn't vote for their favorite remixes, though.
(if anyone wants to resubmit his/her ballot with changes feel free)
― crüt, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 00:19 (twelve years ago) link
oh might do that eh
― the Dandy Club (Abbbottt), Wednesday, 25 April 2012 00:25 (twelve years ago) link
if you disliked the rhythm track, dunno if this would change that but it's definitely a way different take
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IccOLT7CNFo
― mh, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 00:38 (twelve years ago) link
http://youtu.be/SbIo_pOatAI
― ρεμπετις, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 02:22 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLafxu8guJQ
― Moka, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 02:35 (twelve years ago) link
Also screaming ministry of sound but a nice reworking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfWSBSjCKGA
― Moka, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 02:42 (twelve years ago) link
oh that "Dream On" mix is GREAT, I hadn't heard it before
― I'M THAT POSTA, AAAAAAAAAH (DJP), Wednesday, 25 April 2012 03:16 (twelve years ago) link
I like that it was remixed by "Dave Clarke"
― crüt, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 04:03 (twelve years ago) link
Want to rep again for HomeTHIS SHIT IS BEAUTIFULK
― Dale, dale, dale (Abbbottt), Wednesday, 25 April 2012 04:11 (twelve years ago) link
I think my fave album cut of theirs is NOTHING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lt4KJaYe8U
― Dale, dale, dale (Abbbottt), Wednesday, 25 April 2012 04:15 (twelve years ago) link
Alright, after sending in my ballot I'm gonna listen to the post Ultra albums. Not expecting great things though, I've given them all a shot at least once before (although Wrong was in with a chance of making my ballot).
― Touché Gödel (ledge), Wednesday, 25 April 2012 08:20 (twelve years ago) link
― I'M THAT POSTA, AAAAAAAAAH (DJP)
It was on several 'chillout' compilations back in the day. It was the highlight of many of them imho.
― crüt
What? I don't get it... are you referring to other dave clarke? this is the remixer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Clarke_%28techno_DJ%29
― Moka, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 09:17 (twelve years ago) link
I guess he's saying it's appropriate: DAVE Gahan + Vince CLARKE.
An underrated SOFAD tracK. "When this world is trying it's hardest to leave me unimpressed" is such a classic Gore line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOfuB3e5rR4
― And I have been called "The Appetite" (DL), Wednesday, 25 April 2012 09:26 (twelve years ago) link
yep, love that one. altho not enough for it to appear on my ballot.
― Touché Gödel (ledge), Wednesday, 25 April 2012 09:30 (twelve years ago) link
These kind of ballot wars really make me...not question my own fandom, but wonder if I'm somehow off kilter for loving every album for its various strengths, and never thinking they've made a bad album.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 14:36 (twelve years ago) link
I don't think they've made a bad album. I just personally can't get into their post-Violator effort as much as their earlier albums. I think the thing you touched on upthread about "But Not Tonight" being their last upbeat song has something to do with it.
I also don't think there's such a thing as being an "off kilter" fan - everyone likes different combinations of things.
― crüt, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 14:45 (twelve years ago) link
see: Dan putting A Broken Frame at the bottom of his albums list whereas I'd list it at #2 or #3
― crüt, Wednesday, 25 April 2012 14:46 (twelve years ago) link