As someone who’s musical appreciation came of age in the 1980s, Depeche Mode was a key “elective” in my courseware. Not truly a “core competency” course like The Beatles or even Chuck Berry. But still very, very important.
Over the years, I’ve continued to follow the band and since my wife Julie is also a big fan so we’ve attended most the concert tours over the past twenty years. And in the last decade the band has continued to put out good material. Though, truth be told, lead singer Dave Gahan’s two solo albums were better than the last couple DM albums. And not by a close margin either.
In any case, Depeche Mode is back with another album in March and according to the band it should remind fans of Violator (1990) and Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993). Well, if the Delta Machine album is anything like the lead single “Heaven” we will be in great shape. Because, “Heaven” is easily the best DM song in a decade. Clearly similar to the best of the group’s mid-tempo ballads, the song has a clean sound that most definitely sounds more like classic DM than some of the recent “noise” filled albums. Â The video below is pretty outstanding, too.