1984
Articles,
reviews of concerts and releases, and band member interviews from
magazines and newspapers.
Singles:
'People Are People', 'Master And Servant', 'Blasphemous Rumours /
Somebody'
Albums: 'Some Great Reward', 'People Are People' (USA)
'People Are People' reaches the band's joint-highest ever UK chart position at No.4, and their first American hit.
[Melody Maker, 11th February 1984. Words: Simon Scott. Picture: Uncredited.]
A sceptical review of a Depeche Mode performance, apparently purely for TV and not part of a tour. The author considers the band to have stayed static or even gone backwards in terms of their music and stage presence, and consequently draws the conclusion that the wild crowd reaction is purely because it's being filmed. I'd love to prove him wrong, but to do so I'd have to refer to... filmed performances. Oh well.
[489 words]
[Melody Maker, 10th March 1984. Words: Micky Senate. Picture: Tom Sheehan.]
Despite having a title that every journalist thinks they're the first to discover, this is a very worthwhile article where the writer has taken care to look for the human beings behind Depeche Mode rather than just follow the usual avenues. It looks into the musical developments they were making, especially in lyrics, and makes a concerted effort to show the band as much more than the usual stereotypes. Includes a brief news item.
[1129 words]
Clunk
Clunk Every Trip
[Record
Mirror, 10th March 1984. Words: Jim Reid. Pictures: Uncredited.]
Interview
of Andy, Martin and Alan shortly after the release of People Are
People, examining their continued move towards a harder, more metallic
sounds. The article concentrates on why and how they decided to
broaden their horizons, and goes into some detail on the processes
involved in making the more recent singles. Surprisingly easy to read
given the subject matter.
[1299 words]
Are
These Men Really Miserable?
[Smash Hits,
15th - 28th March 1984. Words: Johnny Black / Peter Martin. Picture: Paul Ashworth.]
Short, easy
going conversation with the band that ought to dispel easily any
notions of the band being over-serious in the wake of Construction
Time Again. The piece doesn't touch all that much on the music, but
the chattiness and humour of all the band members makes you feel you
know them more as people. Also
includes a review of "People Are People" which was later quoted
in the Singles 81-85 sleeve.
[1245
words]
[Melody Maker, 19th May 1984. Words: Uncredited. Picture: Uncredited.]
A brief news article detailing Depeche Mode's tour plans for the coming year. Also contains the only mention I have found so far of Dave crashing his car this year, although as it sounds fairly minor I'm not certain it's the same incident you may know of from the biographies.
[313 words]
Construction
Time Again
[Smash Hits, 16th August 1984. Words: Tim de Lisle. Pictures:
Mike Putland.]
An article that makes no secret of
advertising the forthcoming "Master And Servant" single. The
writer interviews Martin and Andy while the band mix the single in Berlin,
and is consequently wide-eyed at all things technical. A light article,
but with some discussion on studio matters and the band's changing fan
base.
[951
words]
Blasphemy
Rewarded
[Melody Maker, 22nd September 1984. Words: Mark Jenkins. Pictures:
Tom Sheehan.]
A
balanced, nimble and thoughtful band interview allowing the band to speak
about the impetus behind the Some Great Reward album without hindrance,
the interviewer wisely refraining from comment for the sake of it. The
band also discuss the practical matters behind recording and performing.
One of the meatier 1984 articles.
[2734
words]
[Melody Maker, 22nd September 1984. Words: Uncredited. Picture: Tom Sheehan.]
Short news item (not a review) announcing the release of Some Great Reward and the subsequent tour.
[117 words]
Greatness
And Perfection
[Melody Maker, 29th September 1984. Words: Barry McIlheney.
Picture: Uncredited.]
A
rapturous review of Some Great Reward, long enough to go into detail on
eight of the nine tracks (sadly, the exception is the sole Alan Wilder
track, If You Want). One of the earliest articles of any description to
wake up to the progress the band was making, and refreshing in that the
author finds space to look at the tracks individually.
[799
words]
Master
Of The Game
[Record Mirror, 29th September 1984. Words: Eleanor Levy. Pictures:
Paul Cox.]
Brief and un-taxing discussion with
the band looking at the Master And Servant single and the touch of
controversy it courted. The band also explain their perspective on
remixes, and begin by mercilessly picking on Fletch for his very small
what-do-you-call-its.
[1029
words]
[Melody Maker, 6th October 1984. Words: Penny Kiley. Picture: Tom Sheehan.]
The author of this review captures the lively atmosphere of a Depeche Mode concert, although she has reservations about how well the more experimental tone they were taking at the time can really come through at the same time as Dave's gleeful crowd-pleasing. It's a very sensible reservation, and she wasn't the only one to be having it at this time.
[367 words]
[Number One, 20th October 1984. Words: Glenn Rice. Pictures: Bryn Jones.]
A fairly brief and basic piece combining a lively show review with a backstage interview, covering the risque tone of the band's recent singles, and some comment on touring in general. Comes with a page of impressive photos.
[541 words]
[Number One, 27th October 1984. Words: Uncredited. Picture: Uncredited.]
Brief news item detailing the (very lavish!) release of Blasphemous Rumours.
[90 words]
Sampling
Mode
[International Musician And Recording World, November 1984. Words:
Adrian Deevoy. Pictures: Les Drennan.]
An early technical article from when the band first hit a stride with sampling.
Alan and Martin discuss in detail how sounds on Some Great Reward were
constructed. Plenty of focus on equipment and methods, and aspects such as
timing and sequencing. Although some of it will go over the average reader's
head, the article is full of anecdotes which keep it interesting.
[2445
words]
Strange
But True
[Smash Hits, 22nd November
- 5th December 1984. Words: Neil Tennant. Pictures: Eric Watson
(cover) / Paul Rider.]
Wry collection of
curious and amusing tidbits put together when Neil Tennant hitched a
ride on the Mode tour bus. Not remotely as 'torrid' as the opening
implies: I could get snooty and say it's trying to drag their image
back to their cheesy days at a time when they were maturing
nicely...but instead I'll say it's pleasant enough trivia. Enjoy it!
[1109 words]
[Record Mirror, 24th November 1984. Words: Eleanor Levy. Picture: Joe Shutter.]
A brief but informative - and very eager! - review of an unnamed live show. The writer approaches the show with an open mind and doesn't fall into the familiar trap of just reviewing the songs. Instead, they concentrate on the sense of energy at the shows and Dave's growing stage presence. A treat to read - with a stunning photograph!
[273 words]
Deconstruction
Time Again
[NME, 22nd December 1984. Words: Don Watson. Pictures: Derek
Ridgers.]
A lively and absorbing long article / discussion looking at Depeche Mode in the
year which, more than any other, they broke out of their mould. The author
actually sounds genuine when he pokes holes in the old "red rockers"
stereotype just as easily as the even older one of "wimps with
synths". This gives them a fair hearing as far as influences are concerned,
as well as providing some amusing anecdotes about their continental following.
[2710
words]
From "The Sony Tape Rock Review"
[Rambletree Pelham, 1984. Words: David Dorrell (ed. Lesley-Ann Jones, Robin Eggar, Phil Swern). Pictures: Uncredited.]
Reasonable, if condensed, piece detailing the band's career up to early 1984. The piece gives more in the way of a general outline than colourful details due to the obvious space constraints and as such comes across a little bland, but as a quick resume for someone new to the band, the main points are there.
[884 words]
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