Any Depeche Mode fans here?

Just curious to see how many NOOLers are fans of DM. The seem to big a lot bigger in the states compared to NO. Largely due to more air time I am sure.

Yeah, I like 'em, but not nearly as much as NO. They're more of a silly pop band and most of their early stuff is pure shit. They have put out a few decent albums, though.

I became a fan of Depeche at the age of 17, with the release of 101. My love and devotion peaked with Violator, with me buying all t-shirts and posters, organising special DM nights with friends, etc.

Since Ultra, my interest in the band has decreased a lot, and I find the last two albums rather anecdotic. Martin's magic has kind of vanished, and Alan Wilder's leaving has seriously impaired their musical creativity.

On the other hand, I discovered New Order in 1987. I was 15 and these were my first nights in clubs, during the summer hollidays. They used to play True Faith, BLT and Blue Monday every night (I guess Substance had just been released). Yet, although I liked the music, I didn't know the band's name, and its only 3 years later that a friend of mine introduced me to NO's music. He taped Substance for me and it was a revelation to me. I rented all NO albums and taped them. I found it a little difficult to get into the more guitar-oriented songs, because I was very much in synth music then (DM, PSB). But it eventually grew on me, leading me to discovery of Joy Division.

NO's Substance was the very first CD I bought, in the early 1990s. My interest into NO increased as my interest into DM decreased. I didn't even buy all remixes from Songs of Faith and Devotion, while I did buy those from Republic (even the crap Ruined in a Day limited edition remixes).

Today, NO sounds more appealing to me than DM; as well the old stuff as the recent releases. Yet, I re-discovered Violator and the 6 B-sides of this era with great pleasure recently. It's definitely what DM did best.

I also have to agree with the pope: Early DM is stinky cheese, while early NO is pure class. I however haven't always thought so (shame on me).

i loved depeche mode, and am still a big fan but interest has decreased since exciter and that boring ass tour. i loved ultra though.

The singles they released in the early 80`s are classics of that time and bring back great memories,but apart from the "I Feel Loved" single a couple of years back i think they lost their way after "Violator".

Err, I've got a couple of their singles, but do not own any of their albums. Bought the 12" of People Are People mostly cause it was produced by Adrian Sherwood, I found it a bit funny that they decided that they wanted to sound more like Einsturzende Neubauten than, say, Blancmange.

I have the CD single of It's No Good, mostly because of a female. Nuff said.

Taped a remix of them and DJ Shadow called Painkiller that I like.

Oh yeah, Enjoy The Silence was the summer theme song of our house in 91, I think, my roommate loved that one.

I don't own any of their albums, but I have 2 year old downloads and listen to them at least once every two days. Violator is by far their greatest accomplishment, and my second favorite album is probably Construction Time Again because of the AWFUL-ly funny lyrics.

I own a couple of their albums, but the stuff from the middle of their career (circa Music for the Masses) is the only stuff worth listening to. The early stuff is hilariously bad and the more recent stuff is boring.

Dep who ? Not that strange lot from Basildon ? Are they still going ?

I love Depeche Mode almost as much as I love New Order, they're one of my Top 5 bands. I own all their records (and few DVDs), though I've never had the chance to see them live (just saw Dave Gahan, but it's obviously not the same... though he's sexy ;)). I think they're a really good band, even though some of their records are not very good (i.e. the first and last -Exciter- stuff). Anyway, they've got amazing tunes, really good lyrics, attitude and looks! (sometimes I wish New Order had The looks... and some of their lyrics... :()

I was resetting radio stations in me Jag yesterday and stumbled upon Enjoy the Silence. Forgot what a great song that was. That was the second to the last DM album I purchased. Or was it 101--a great album and video too. I bought Ultra and listened to it once.

Frankly, they sound like a bunch of whiney sissy boys IMHO. But they have song great tunes. Everything Counts is my favorite. Spread the Disease is a really good early DM song. the cover of Route 66 I hunted down to buy. And the list can go on. But what separates them from NO or other synth/electronic bands is a good dose of testerone--Front 242 had it, Nitzer Ebb had it, Thrill Kill Cult had it, KMFDM had it, Meat Beat Manifesto has it and NO has it. Instrumentally they have it its just the vocals start to become annoying and that's why I do not go out of my way to put one of their albums on. Get some anger, quit whining.

Originally posted by twist Spread the Disease

I wish that was the title of the song. It's Shake the Disease, but looking at what Martin wears, I bet he had a few STD's he did spread around.

LOL Still a good song!

I'm a HUGE Depeche Mode fan, since around 81-82, which is when I also got into New Order. I think they've been the best two UK bands ever since then. Despite 3 or 4 great tracks, Ultra was a bit disappointing, but I think Exciter was superb and can't wait for both theirs and NO's next albums. Long live the heavyweights of the UK music scene!

yeah i rate 'em , but not so much live anymore

Ooooh, DM! I think they are JUST GREAT! Dave is one of the best singers ever. Martin sings well, too! HOME-great song! I often listen to them, but NO is No. 1.

I'll admit it. I am. They came shortly after I started listening to New Order. I wasn't impressed with them at first (as opposed to NO, I loved them immediately), but they grew on me. The more I heard them, the more I liked them.

*** and that concludes my first ever post here. officially out of lurking.

This "Save the Forests" stuff is really getting popular, innit?

You could say I’m a Depeche Mode fan.

I actually grew to like New Order before Depeche Mode.

I think this was because (‘Republic’, and to an extent, ‘Get Ready’ aside), my favourite New Order records were their 12” mixes, and some teenagers often find 7-minute singles easier to digest than 40-minute albums (although Depeche Mode made some outstanding 12” mixes of their own too).

Many music fans on both this and many Depeche Mode forums reckon Depeche Mode’s music is missing Alan Wilder’s performance and production. There are arguments on both sides.

A mistake that the band as a whole have made is not trying to take more active roles in the other personnel’s roles. Too much of the production on Exciter, superb though it was, was left entirely to the producer (Mark Bell). But having listened to Dave’s recent interviews, I think he has noticed this, and though I’m not convinced of his songwriting skills just yet, I think he has the charisma to bring out more from the other members.

Martin Gore’s songwriting has both matured and mellowed at the same time. He is constantly finding new song formats, and comes up with some brilliant lyrics. But I feel that he is almost too relaxed, not as in ‘self-indulgent’, but not really appearing to be moved as much (fatherhood aside).

I would also like to point out that Vince Clarke may not be having too much success with Erasure in recent times (the Kenny Hayes remix of ‘Oh L’amour’ aside), but his writing of the 2002 Simple Minds instrumental ‘The Floating World’ and his remix of Simple Minds – Buzzcocks cover of ‘Homosapien’ are still worth checking out.

I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that both bands’ albums have matured very well over the past 20+ years. Long may it continue.

EmpressTouch

I love DM and New Order equally for different reasons.

Originally posted by Zachery Starkey I love DM and New Order equally for different reasons.

Me too, they're two of my favourite bands. I don't get why some people think you can't like them both.

Bit too camp for me to be honest.

Originally posted by Adam R Bit too camp for me to be honest.

Not as much so as Erasure, though.