That's one thing I like about Bernard Sumner and New Order, also in their remixes: not choosing something because it has got underground credibility in all the scene mags and with their devoted readers, but in a somehow irrational way just doing things without any logic or explanation to them. If you want "tasteful" and "carefully chosen" mixes and collabs, become a Depeche Mode fan.
AJ Wells' interpretation of being "innovative" is a very common one.
And I love his voice. Now sadly out of time, but in its heyday the perfect companion to Neil Tennant.