The synth horns in particular sound absolutely dreadful.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Friday, 1 February 2013 16:57 (eleven years ago) link
Figured out what the opening and closing of "Heaven" reminded me of -- the way Massive Attack's "Angel" begins and ends. (Hardly exact, of course, but still...)
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 1 February 2013 19:16 (eleven years ago) link
This a bit worrying, because I listened to the track several times yesterday, but today I can't remember how it goes. I recall the descending chord progression in the verses, but if you asked me to sing a part of the melody line from memory right now I wouldn't be able to. By comparison, 'Wrong' pretty much embedded itself straight into my brain and wouldn't leave... 'Dream On', too, while I wouldn't consider it to be anywhere near the best of their "first singles", still had that "can you feel a little love?" hook which was instantly memorable for me. It worries me that I'm now going to have to remind myself what Depeche Mode's new single sounds like! :/
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Friday, 1 February 2013 19:23 (eleven years ago) link
after a couple more listens, Heaven sounds like something straight off of 'Dummy' is the trip hop revival finally upon us?
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Friday, 1 February 2013 22:43 (eleven years ago) link
I mentioned Massive Attack for a reason!
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 1 February 2013 22:56 (eleven years ago) link
^^ I'm not sure I would have noticed that without this thread and Ned's review. It made me appreciate this song about 10x more, upgrading it from "midtempo ballad and not much else" to "groovy and mysterious, possibly a grower".
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Saturday, 2 February 2013 08:18 (eleven years ago) link
Looks like a certain person from a certain 101 film doesn't rate it...
http://www.wiretotheear.com/2013/01/30/depeche-mode-heaven/
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Saturday, 2 February 2013 11:36 (eleven years ago) link
so what are people saying about the B side? I find it pretty aimless and surprisingly un-DM, but then again DM for me was never a great b side band
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Saturday, 2 February 2013 12:36 (eleven years ago) link
From what I'm reading around the internet, folks seem to be generally preferring the B-side!
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Saturday, 2 February 2013 13:18 (eleven years ago) link
They have done some sterling B-sides over the years, though... 'Surrender' (which I thought was stronger than the A-side)... 'Dangerous'...
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Saturday, 2 February 2013 13:20 (eleven years ago) link
First, if I choose to listen to music I’m going to want a song about love, sex, pain or danger.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 2 February 2013 14:35 (eleven years ago) link
You know, I completely missed the B-side! I just now saw it was in a separate package from the remix EP. But at least I can buy it individually so...
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 2 February 2013 15:13 (eleven years ago) link
More energetic, still understatedly moody, I can see why people like it more on first blush but it's a B-side for sure.
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 2 February 2013 15:16 (eleven years ago) link
the "heaven" video was shot at the place i'm getting married in like 5 months! not really relevant but i saw the video and freaked out a little bit, because i am a child.
― adam, Monday, 4 February 2013 17:25 (eleven years ago) link
We got some word from the Quietus:
Depeche Mode fans! Just been to listen to new LP Delta Machine! A return to leathery electronics, and you can really hear that Martin Gore's work with VCMG has had a big impact.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 5 February 2013 15:29 (eleven years ago) link
Interesting! Maybe the single is a bit of a red herring, then? Nevertheless, it's pretty much a given that I'm going to listen to this record as quickly as I possibly can after it drops.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 15:45 (eleven years ago) link
Huh. I don't get glossy technorobics from "Heaven" at all
― Ima R.A.E.D. (DJP), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 15:46 (eleven years ago) link
I'm hoping that 'Heaven' is a deliberate attempt to wrong-foot everybody :/
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 15:49 (eleven years ago) link
Why the hell would the band want to do that?
"Hey guys, I've got a great idea! Let's release a single that might actually lower interest and expectations!"
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 5 February 2013 15:53 (eleven years ago) link
Because a band at Depeche Mode's level can.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 15:56 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.
"We've tried being successful. Now let's try being unsuccessful on purpose!!!!"
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 5 February 2013 15:58 (eleven years ago) link
You're missing the point, as usual. It has absolutely nothing to do with 'lowering interest/expectations' or being 'unsuccessful on purpose'. I'm thinking more in terms of how 'Barrel Of A Gun' was the first single for Ultra, and how it isn't really the most representative track on the album. I'm hoping that 'Heaven' isn't indicative of the rest of the record - quality wise, production wise, mood wise.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 16:05 (eleven years ago) link
Besides, Depeche Mode are at the stage of their career where they have a very large, fiercely loyal worldwide fanbase - and I don't think they're going to lose that very large, fiercely loyal worldwide fanbase due to one particular single. Usually with Depeche Mode, everyone waits for the album before they make a full judgement, and lo and behold that's exactly what's happening.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 16:11 (eleven years ago) link
You're missing the point, as usual.
Ha, as usual. Good one ... as usual.
Of course Depeche Mode will turn out fine. They could probably put out a couple of albums of straight shit and they'd still do fine. I just think it's funny to imagine DM putting out a dud track just for the sake of misdirection. Because I will say, no matter what the album actually sounds like, I can probably guess what it will largely sound like. Hint: Depeche Mode.
I like "Barrel of a Gun." I don't like this one.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 5 February 2013 16:19 (eleven years ago) link
Because I will say, no matter what the album actually sounds like, I can probably guess what it will largely sound like. Hint: Depeche Mode.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, February 5, 2013 4:19 PM (14 seconds ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Indeed. But, I'm hoping it's going to be at least a good Depeche Mode record rather than a not-so-good Depeche Mode record and that the forthcoming album at least contains enough good songs on it for me to be able to conveniently ignore this one.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 16:26 (eleven years ago) link
I think I'm in the minority here since I really like "Heaven" and wouldnt mind a whole album of noirish slow burners. Anyway, DM is pretty used to releasing misleading first singles. "Personal Jesus" anyone? Even "Wrong" was not really representatives (unfortunately).
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 16:46 (eleven years ago) link
An album full of "It Doesn't Matter" or "A Question Of Lust" clones would be amazing. "Condemnation" clones, not so much.
― Ima R.A.E.D. (DJP), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 18:34 (eleven years ago) link
I reckon "Heaven" is OK. Putting out a ballad as a first single is always kind of risky, but I guess it works out when you have been in the biz for more than 30 years.
― The GeirBot (Geir Hongro), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 18:37 (eleven years ago) link
Oh hey Geir, what's up?
― Ima R.A.E.D. (DJP), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 19:53 (eleven years ago) link
geirbot?!
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 19:59 (eleven years ago) link
US tour dates, tickets on sale in April:
• Aug. 22 - Detroit
• Aug. 24 - Chicago
• Aug. 27 - St. Paul
• Sept. 1 - Toronto
• Sept. 3 - Montreal
• Sept. 6 - Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Sept. 8 - Wantagh, N.Y.
• Sept. 10 - Washington
• Sept. 12 - Atlanta
• Sept. 14 - Tampa
• Sept. 15 - Ft Lauderdale
• Sept. 18 - Houston
• Sept. 20 - Dallas
• Sept. 22 - San Diego
• Sept. 24 - Santa Barbara, Calif.
• Sept. 26 - Mountain View, Calif.
• Sept. 28 - Los Angeles
• Sept. 29 - Los Angeles
• Oct. 8 - Phoenix
Also I gather they're on Letterman tonight.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 11 March 2013 17:44 (eleven years ago) link
That St Paul, MN date is at the MN State Fair, heh, culture clash.
― chr1sb3singer, Monday, 11 March 2013 17:52 (eleven years ago) link
wait really
― Darth Icky (DJP), Monday, 11 March 2013 17:52 (eleven years ago) link
Apparently
― chr1sb3singer, Monday, 11 March 2013 17:57 (eleven years ago) link
goddammit
we were planning a European trip during that time frame but how can I pass that up
― Darth Icky (DJP), Monday, 11 March 2013 17:58 (eleven years ago) link
No Boston :(
― go to party leather (ENBB), Monday, 11 March 2013 18:02 (eleven years ago) link
More info
https://www.facebook.com/events/356508044461677/
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 11 March 2013 18:36 (eleven years ago) link
hahaha goddamnit that is the due date for my kid, looks like im delivering a baby in the grandstand
― O_o-O_O-o_O (jjjusten), Monday, 11 March 2013 19:07 (eleven years ago) link
That would be a pretty great birth story.
― go to party leather (ENBB), Monday, 11 March 2013 19:08 (eleven years ago) link
Pretty sure there is a birthing station over by the Leinie's Lodge
― chr1sb3singer, Monday, 11 March 2013 19:12 (eleven years ago) link
miracle of birth barn imo
― O_o-O_O-o_O (jjjusten), Monday, 11 March 2013 19:20 (eleven years ago) link
this must happen
― Darth Icky (DJP), Monday, 11 March 2013 19:21 (eleven years ago) link
promises me I'm safe as housesas long as I remember to PUSH
If I recall correctly people born at the Fair get a lifetime pass, so from that stand point it doesn't make sense to have the baby anywhere but at the Fair
― chr1sb3singer, Monday, 11 March 2013 19:29 (eleven years ago) link
"But DAD these dudes are like 100 years old, why do we always have to go see them everytime we're in town?"
"BACK IN MY DAY YOU COULD WEAR A RAT-TAIL AND NOT GET LAUGHED AT."
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 11 March 2013 19:41 (eleven years ago) link
strictly speaking, this wasn't true
― Darth Icky (DJP), Monday, 11 March 2013 19:42 (eleven years ago) link
My apologies. Three rat-tails.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 11 March 2013 19:43 (eleven years ago) link
Gonna be a mad scramble to get DC tix for the wife
― Raymond Cummings, Monday, 11 March 2013 20:05 (eleven years ago) link
Brooklyn, NY? Where?
― That elusive North American wood-ape (Capitaine Jay Vee), Monday, 11 March 2013 21:21 (eleven years ago) link
Brooklyn Bowl oh wait
That Barclays place, I'd imagine.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 11 March 2013 21:44 (eleven years ago) link