Suicide Commando by NO MORE (Official Video of the Original Version – 1981)

This appeared in my inbox this morning and I just had to share it. Absolutely love this track. Enjoy!

For more information go to Nomoremusic.eu or Facebook page here.

An In Studio Performance of Broken by Depeche Mode

There is lots of trainspotting for all of us techno heads in this in-studio performance of Broken by Depeche Mode.

Check out the Teenage Engineering OP-1, Roland Jupiter 8 synthesizer, Oberheim OB8,  Korg MS20 and Korg MonoPoly synthesizers. Not to mention, the tasty Eurorack modules that have been seen in pictures of the Delta Machine studio sessions. 

With all that said, this is also one great song and I really liked this performance.  Martin L. Gore and David Gahan sound amazing too.

For more on Delta Machine click here.

A Fanboys Review of Depeche Mode’s Delta Machine (Deluxe Version)

My oldest and closest friend was amongst the first of my circle of friends to put his ears on this LP.  When I finally discovered it, he joked that he was surprised it had taken me so long to find it. Good things come to those who wait, though. However, he was quick to provide me with highlights of the album. Thanks, my good friend!

His initial observations of Delta Machine highlighted that perhaps something was missing. I joked that perhaps it was Alan Wilder! Though we both know that’s not really it, right? So, I was left pondering what he meant as similar comments have appeared in other reviews too.  Heck, I even started to believe it, though only for a moment.

The funny thing is a few days later he responded that the album had grown on him and that he was really starting to like it. I quickly remembered he had said the same things about Radiohead’s OK Computer about a decade before. And guess what? It became amongst one of our all time favorite albums.

Most good albums take a while to grow on you. Delta Machine is no exception in my estimation. This album has been on constant rotation. I have only taken a break from listening to it when playing Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s English Electric. Yet another gem, for sure.

I don’t know that Delta Machine will ever rival the likes of A Broken Frame, Some Great Reward, Black Celebration, Violator, Songs of Faith and Devotion or Music for the Masses. Those albums are tied to another decade. They are tied to a different time in my life. It is an era I think of fondly but I’m not so sure I want to recreate it or, for that matter, have my musical idols do so either. Those great albums are tied to a different time in the members of Depeche Mode’s lives too. They have moved on and so should you!

Like lazy comparisons, I think people get caught up in reviewers high expectations of new albums from bands that have been at it for well over 3 decades. They expect that same feeling they had during their youth. They expect each track should be a radio hit. I am not as convinced this is a necessity anymore. Especially when we can connect with artist so quickly via the web.

I’m not a Hipster nor a young music consumer. Some magazines and critics have highlighted that these consumer segments might not find this new Depeche Mode album has enough pop sensibilities to offer. That perhaps, it is more blues than pop and the implication that this might now be a good thing for the music-buying public. I say, and will argue, that Depeche Mode has already done the pop thing. Haven’t they already proven themselves to be pop icons? Why do they need to be all those things to all those people now.

Delta Machine is exactly the album I expected from Depeche Mode right now, in the year 2013. It is exactly the album I expected from them after the Martin L. Gore team up with Vince Clarke for their VCMG project. The album that should be with David Gahan now sharing some writing duties with Martin Gore.

I expected lots of analog inspired tracks. I wanted an abundance of synthesizer, and Delta Machine has plenty of it. Pictures of their studio during the making of this album highlight the usual suspects of a rack full of ARP 2600′s, the Eurorack modules, Moog Memorymoog, the Moog Minimoog and a few other analog classics too. Apparently, Martin Gore has rediscovered his passion for the analog family of synthesizers. You can even hear a few lo-fi sounding analog drum machines, like on Heaven, for example.

With all the analog synthesizer goodness on this LP, there are still several piano samples and of course the now signature blues guitar sound of Martin Gore.

Delta Machine is filled with plenty of the dark sophistication I have grown to love of my musical idols. You can read into all those reviews comparing to or longing for something from the past. Though I think if you can convince yourself that nostalgia is not always a good thing, you will grow to love this album as I have.

Some of the standout tracks for me so far are as follows:

• Slow
• Broken
• Welcome To My World
• Should Be Higher, Always
• All That’s Mine
• My Little Universe
• Secret to the End

Delta Machine is out now on Columbia Records.

Electronic Sound (The voltage controlled music magazine) Out Now! @ElectronicMagUK

As a large consumer of all things electronic, I’m always eager to read different perspectives on all things voltage controlled. I was a big fan of that special issue of Electronic magazine release last year. I was wondering what had happened to the magazine. I thought maybe it was a one off situation and was left wanting more.

Well, they’re back and with a format that is sure to resonate with the Futurist in all of us. The magazine is currently only available for the iPad via the iTunes app store, but I’m sure with this type of content, they will expand to other formats very soon. For those of you that can and do have an iPad, don’t pass up the chance to read this magazine.

I am a much bigger fan of tactile things. So, a paper based magazine seemed more logical to my sensibilities. That is what some of you nostalgic lot might say too. Still, in the end, what I care about most is the content and right here it is well worth it.

You’ll be scrolling down, sideways, and consuming sound and video along with the articles within. All in all, I enjoyed the entire interactive experience of this premiere issue of Electronic Sound (The voltage controlled music magazine).

I got this yesterday and consumed it almost entirely in one sitting. Truth be told, they had me at the cover story with Karl Bartos of Kraftwerk. Still, the rest of it wont disappoint at all. Just take a look at that cover and make your own deductions.

Makers of Electronic magazine launch one fantastic interactive magazine for your iPad. Absolutely brilliant!

Electronic Sound is a new UK-based magazine dedicated to the very best in electronic music. We’ve drawn a line through the entire history of electronica and we’re intent on finding new ways to join the dots. Each month, we’ll features weighty interviews, in-depth reviews, great photography, and lots of video and audio clips. Tune in and oscillate!

For more information on this awesome magazine click here

Enjoy!

Giorgio Moroder Talks Moog Modular Synthesizers, Disco and Daft Punk (VIDEO)

I saw this a few days ago and it has made its way around the blogosphere. I’m not going to lie, I’ve seen it a few times too. Still, I had to share it here. Besides, its been a while since I’ve posted something.

In this super awesome video interview the legendary Giorgio Moroder talks about his first experience with the Moog Modular System in Germany. He highlights how dance has become the new pop, how 120 beats per minutes was ideal for the dance floor, vocoders, Disco, Donna Summer and of course Daft Punk. This is a great video for all Giorgio Moroder and Daft Punk fans. You shouldn’t miss it. Enjoy.

R.I.P. Gérard Pelletier (1952-2013), Synth-Pop Icon of Deux

I was quite saddened to read about the passing of Gérard Pelletier (Deux).  I didn’t know much about him a few years back. However, the re-releases of Deux material on Minimal Wave Records label quickly became a favorite of ours.  In a very short time we fell in love with the music of Deux.  Their music sounds so much like it could have easily been created today.  Yes, it does sound timeless.  I could not resist the beauty & near synth-pop perfection of Decadence especially tracks like Paris/Orly, Felicita, Dance With Me and Game and Performance.  I quickly became a fan, and am thankful of the great music he was able to leave for us to enjoy. R.I.P. Gérard.

Excerpt from Minimal Wave:

When asked about Deux several years ago, Gérard recalled, “I was in Germany when I heard Kraftwerk for the first time. It was a revelation for me… and I thought “I want to make electronic music” ! A month later, I took the train to Strasbourg with the intention of buying a synthesizer and I found my first electronic machine, a Kawai made of metal and wood. It was a sound research machine, not very easy to use but I found it very powerful to create my own sounds. I began to sing with other friends of mine every Saturday night and so started the beginning of what would become Deux. In 1979, I decided to leave Germany and return to France. I found a work place in Lyon (the 2nd largest city in France). I was also working on my music every weekend but I was alone. Then one day, I met Cati and I spoke with that magical girl about music the entire night. Deux was born”

For more visit  Minimal Wave

Chris Carter (Throbbing Gristle, X-TG, Chris & Cosey): I Dream Of Wires Extended Interview #9

In this video the makers of I Dream Of Wires give us more teasers of their upcoming documentary. This time we get an extended clip of one of The Synthesizer Book all-time favorites…Chris Carter.

From the build-up of modular synthesizers like his Roland System 100m, custom made noise boxes, the liquidation of his analogs (regret!), a decade of software and his new found passion for Eurorack modulars, we get a good brief glimpse into the mindset and studio of the legendary Chris Carter.

In the early 90′s things like Roland D-50′s and digital synthesis began to play a more prominent role in Carters compositions. Later though, feeling regret at his decision to liquidate the retro-gear, a new found passion takes place and this is the focus here.

In addition, if you haven’t gotten your hands on the newly released Desertshore/The Final Report, do it. It’s chock full of Nico/Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson goodness. As well as, collaborations that compliment the recordings significantly. It’s been on repeat mode in our studio for the last couple of weeks. Some of the artist featured on this recording are: Marc Almond (Soft Cell), Sasha Grey, Blixa Bargeld, Gaspar Noé and Antony. I’m sure Sleazy would be proud that his long-standing dream project finally saw the light of day.

For information on this project visit Boomkat.com