Depressed Mode?
Sounds and Rhythms from the Electronic Infinite

By Dominick Scala

Next year English electronic rockers Depeche Mode will celebrate three decades of staying true to their new wave jagged, synth-pop style. With a massive discography, Depeche Mode has influenced and inspired countless artists, and it is no great mystery how they are still able to sell out shows around the globe.

Unfortunately, it may have been that same hectic schedule that will have hundreds of thousands of die-hard fans pretty depressed — vocalist Dave Gahan sustained a couple of injuries on this years “Tour of the Universe,” and the band has been forced to cancel a handful of European shows due to gastroenteritis and a leg injury. Two west coast dates were also cancelled in recent days, due to doctor’s orders of 48 hours of complete vocal rest. Hopefully the short pause will be enough to get Gahan back on his feet to finish out the tour. 

Depeche Mode was formed in England in 1980 by Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher and Vinnie Clarke. Clarke left the band a year later to form Yazoo (Yaz in the states) with English blues vocalist Alison Moyet, The Assembly and eventually the more successful Erasure. Alan Wilder joined the band in 1982 as keyboardist for the live shows and became an official member later that year. He left the band in 1995 to focus primarily on his side project, Recoil.  Gahan, Goren and Fletcher have comprised Depeche Mode ever since, relying on musical ‘hired guns’ as live gig extras. 

During the span of Depeche Mode’s vast catalog of music, their sound has evolved, devolved and has again come full circle with their latest release “Sounds of the Universe.” If you did’nt know any better, it would be difficult to discern whether “Sounds” was recorded last week or 25 years ago. Most bands that last longer than a couple of records will eventually try to reinvent themselves, possibly through a necessary progression. With Depeche Mode, however, record after record reveals a constant timeless synergy. Upon a first listen of ‘Sounds,’ I was reminded of my old Atari 2600, with it’s blips and beeps, but with rhythm layered with some guitar. Dave’s classic voice is in harmony with these strange somewhat ancient sounds. Lyrically speaking, the album is burning with spirituality, temptation, lust, and romance.

For being together as long as they have, Depeche Mode still possesses the creative chemistry and passion needed to produce a great record. Hopefully the inertia of the universe willing, South Florida will get to see it all live.

Depeche Mode is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 at the BankAtlantic Center, One Panther Parkway, Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $36.75 to $86.75. Call 954-835-7000 for more information.

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