Alan did an interview in Denmark in 2012 where he explained how he came up with the idea of making Enjoy the Silence an upbeat song; how he, by listening to Martin's demo on the harmonia, he could hear Neil Tennant from Pet Shop Boys and imagined how they would have arranged it. That talent of taking something and being able to set it in another direction than intented, is pure talent. Alan is dearly missed. Both in DM as much as in Recoil.
Yes, but he left DM. What a bad move for all of them. You get M. Gore and Dave G. to get better and then keep on producing. They were perfect together. I am sure Fletch is the "poorest" ? But he stayed !
From an old school fan perspective, I remember Ultra being the litmus test of sorts, "will the magic still be there without Alan in the mix?" and I must say, I wasn't disappointed. Having said that, I always had the impression that DM very consciencely produced the album to be as "Alanesque" as possible in order to prove that things would still be the same. So in this strange way, I almost view Ultra as the last album Alan had a "hand in". Everything else after that feels sterile to me. Alan Wilder will always be an essential part of this iconic band!
Good points. I’d like to add a comment Alan had made in response to the press asking which was his favorite album. He shared that SOFAD was it. It’s probably a tie with Violator for me. Interestingly I watched a documentary about the band where that time of their career was very difficult. SOFAD was very difficult to put together I recall seeing in the documentary.
The bottom line Ultra was also a masterpiece along with the others that rank well which is most albums. Alan is and was great,. And I love Recoil, but the power of “Depeche Mode and the reason why they stand out with their longevity and lure is in the song writing” Alan quotes and Alan definitely brought the best out of Martins songs as a masterful team. As Alan said himself “the longevity and the prolific power of Depeche Mode is in the song writing, and Martin has got it“,.. what’s nice about Martin is that he is modest and give God the credit of where he gets his songs from ,..many of those albums after he left or still masterpieces, just not picking like songs in Faith devotion, violator music for the masses, black celebration, and so many other great Depeche Mode albums. But they still stand tall and extremely entertaining, and only the true fans of Depeche Mode, like & enjoy the majority of their stuff, and the others are not really Devote material which have trouble seeing the genius and great work behind all the albums.
Ultra is to SOFAD what A Broken Frame is to S&S I think they tried to emulate what they were to some degree, but I what I love about Depeche Mode is that every album is a unique experience.
Alan Wilder was the architect. He was able to interpret Martin's songs and give them life by adding soundscapes, layers etc. He created the sound of Depeche Mode.
My two favourites of theirs, 'Playing the Angel' and 'A Broken Frame' - doesn't even involve AW. I too was worried when he left. However, the band is still as good - but as we can see from this thread too many decided that was it when he departed.
When i listen to Recoil, i always think : here is what is missing to Depeche Mode, it is like they miss one piece, that combination was perfect... how i miss Alan Wilder...
@@VaughnGeorge I`ve heard also that Alan Wilder used to listen to Kraftwerk ... and i love Kraftwerk, for example when i listen to "Pipeline" of Depeche Mode, i hear a sampled and slowed down voice (which Alan Wilder took from a porn movie :D they said ), and it sounds like Ralf Hutter voice repeating "Sterne" in "Radio Sterne" song... these things make me crazy :'(
I know Alan in person and I won’t go into many details for respect, but all I have to say (specially for the new kids on the Mode block) is this: Martin still writes wonderful songs and the band still sells out world tours, BUT name me your top 10 DM songs EVER. Then look how many had AW on them. I rest my case. They’re a pale shadow of what they used to be and sort of a cash cow on free fall. AW + DM reunion in the future? Don’t hold your breath for it.
Beth Mills agreed. I haven’t liked heir output since violator. It’s a zombie cash cow at the moment for me. Sad for me. But I have a treasure trove of their old songs to enjoy and love, still.
Sadly, it happens to too many groups. David Hepworth (Q,Word,Smash Hits) summed it up as once you have that adulation how can you say no? Plus, it's a routine (& cozy). It's not 4 me, but if others want to c old bands, & feel a sense of ' community' , great.Plus, even big acts of this century can't perform as well of those from the last.Cheers from Essex ( not Bas!).
K Stats They lost me after Violator as well. I got into different bands. They didn’t seem relevant anymore. But I do wonder how much longer they would have put out quality material even if Alan had stayed in. Recoil petered out around 2009 and I wonder if Alan just ran out of ideas. Would the same have happened if he has stayed with DM? Granted, we might have versions of Ultra and Exciter that are, well, actually ultra exciting. 🤦🏻♀️ I guess it’s all hand waving and I’ll go listen to SGR and think of what might have been.
10 top song of Dm ? Are you serious ☺️, 10 songs is boaaaa Hard to choose It’s around , without counting , I Ve got all and complete discographie + some rarities and bootlegs around 220 cd (must count them again didn’t done that since delta machine ) included alan recoil cds and some singles plus solo of Dave and Martin I Ve got that In 2 specia cds kind of spy gun soot case... To answer the question 10 songs of Dm Hummm : Not ranked of course otherwise need 1 hour to reflect properly 😜 So I would say , on this morning birds are singing and the sky is clear it’s 7.08 here where I am and I m gonna base my ranking on this elements : precious/heaven/get right with me/perfect/here is the 🏠 /and Then/ 🌏 in my Eyes/free 💗 (radio edit) /Home 🏡 /going backwards. It took me 11 mn honestly Without including b sides I’m outside the city in the countryside (farm) .... I m gonna make this list on my I pod and connect it to A pioneer super Audio cd Pd 30 (I pod plug too) with Yamaha speakers YST s25E old but absolutely fantastic (bro bought that 25 years ago) sound still (pre amp Yamaha cx 1000 + Yamaha Eq 630 30 band ... This is the half of the separate elements I would play cause my Mam still sleeping 😴 hahaha even if she is a big Dm fan with or without Alan (she’s 77) When we use to drive in late 90 in her 88 bmw 7.35 , cassette era , listening Dm from city to farm (220km) All way long , at a certain time on certain songs , she was sometimes telling me , hey is there something wrong with the car ? because some sound fx where like there is a puncture or a problem with something ( for example the lighter sample on blasphemous rumours hahah ...so much great and funny memories with my Mam , I m Dm since 19/12/1989 . First song heard : but not tonight (extended) stripped cassette 12 inch of my bro ( received it by hazard) I took it from he’s original cassettes collection. So much to say about Alan I will write something next time on this cool channel ...hope I will not write a book Because Dm subjects and Alan subjects are definitely soooooo Respectable as the band himself and this Genius Man who’s born on the same day as my Older bro (got2) , One day I would like to write a personal memory book as a Religious Dm devotee Fan 🙃... Also what I can say , is , in my experience and point of view (I do music for fun as well since 2008) , got some incomplete demos , Dm essence is not about only the orchestral mood or sounds , I understand clearly that Alan (my Fav member from the start ) was a key Element in Dm music process but Dm is about something Larger than that Dm is an institution , their Collection is An unlimited Ocean of Diamonds and rubies... Each season has his perfect Album and songs , that’s how is listen to them so one clear fact is that : Without Alan their dark songs became less darker in a way And their bright Songs became brighter Great day everybody I m going now to have a breakfast and a walk around orange trees listening this 10 songs inside then outside. Did I want Alan’s back : Of Courseeeeee As a producer this is a great idea As a member , it will be hard because peter and Christian are there since a longer period , so it seems difficult or they will become big 6 people working time , why Not , but I m pessimistic for that but who knows Depeche Mode surprised Us , me, more than twice ....So Nothing’s Impossible for Violator 30th year Anniversary, sure they are preparing some great archives for Fans as a world violation dvd (hope) and it will be like also 30 years for me as a Devotee ( I’m not superstitious, but with Dm I Am ) They prouves it to Me quiet Often , I think every Deep Fan has à linked elements of coïncidence In his life. That can be a good structure plan for a book Sorry for grammar mistakes or auto writing, English is not my language , never had a lesson in my Life , All my English comes from Depeche Mode , this I can proudly say it , swearing on the Grave of my Dad (passed away on his bday 5 years ago😞72) last song Dad heard was Heaven , 1 year before. He loved it and asked me too play it once again so he listened to it twice. Still have this image in my memory. All the best for your Channel 👍 and future videos and projects. Dm , Thanks to Exist.
Alan Wilder highlighted the musical flexibility that existed within Depeche Mode to a degree: “It’s really very simple. Martin submitted his demo in the usual way, and although I liked the song, his original idea was too lightweight for my taste - and, I felt, the mood of the album - so I pushed it in a darker, more atmospheric direction. This was the primary version of the song that was always intended to be on the album. Martin, however, was very attached to his more poppy demo and said that he wanted to record it, too - hence the ‘Spanish Taster’ [version]. It wasn’t a question of fighting with one another over this; it’s just that Martin saw the song in a different way to me. He just wanted to include his demo on the album. I don’t think there is a more perfect example of the musical differences between myself and Martin.”
We've found out so much in the year since Fletch died. It's now so terribly apparent that Martin Gore's ego will never make room for Alan's return. The stuff Dave and Martin said in the wake of Fletch's death, regarding songwriting and stuff really illuminated this fact for me.
I always dreamed of a last tour with Alan, no drums, no choir girls, nothing but the sound of the classic DM. For me, the SOFAD (Devotional Tour included) is the Alan´s testament to the world. I always loved the re-work for most of the iconic tracks they played on that tour: Everything Counts, Fly On The Windscreen, Behind The Wheel, I Want You Now, even the subtle changes in Policy Of Truth bass lines and drums, the EPIC Enjoy The Silence... I´ve never found Question Of Lust in a soundboard recording to complete the entire songs they played (oh, and the failed Something To Do they tried once). Martin and Alan made a great team, Alan has the gift to build a masterpiece with the Martin´s demos, the way they worked on the Violator era, the dramatic evolution of the harmonium version of Enjoy The Silence to become a Top 1 hit parade single all around the world.
You are dead right on about Alan Wilder! He is the best arranger, producer, etc that ever lived as far as synth bands has ever been. I'm a true DM fan and it was because of Wilder's moody arrangement of music that got me hooked on DM. It is true he never received the recognition he deserves. More power to you! Continue the good work you're doing!!! 👏👏👏
Dude! Do some videos about some of my other fave bands like information society, cause & effect (sounds like DM), and camouflage. I wanna hear your opinions about their music! More power to you! 👍🤘👏
@@johndeev hello mate!! Camouflage is a band that has been requested quite strongly by many subscribers so I will look into them. Thank you so much for your interest and support !! V :-)
@@VaughnGeorge please include Red Flag! Keep your vids coming i really enjoy them Respect to all music and sound producers. We so fortunate to grow up in the 80s! What an incredible decade of music!!!
There were times I felt Martin has gotten all the credit for Alan's contributions, I think Alan Wilder should've gotten credited for "Enjoy The Silence" since he did come up with an idea on how "Enjoy The Silence" should be.
Dave is actually the one that reached out to Alan for the "Sometimes" reunion. My personal opinion is that Dave was too much of a mess back in the 90's to ask Alan what the issue was with leaving. They are good friends. I believe that Fletch is one of the issues and Martin has a hard time giving up any power at all or giving any credit. That, again, is just my opinion. The truth is, as much as I love DM, their sound is nowhere near what it was and that is because Alan is not there. It is a shame, because they could be so much better, but I guess as long as they sell albums and sell out tours, it does not matter. A reunion tour, like you mentioned, would not doubt be a SLAM DUNK!!!!!!
Jim Schmus Slam dunk indeed it would be !! Thanks for your good message and yes it seems from the feedback I’m getting that indeed Dave and Alan were good mates. It does seem that Fletch was a rather prickly personality within the band and Martin simply steers clear of conflict at all costs. 😎👍V
What I’ve heard, but this may not be true as it’s just online gossip, is that Fletcher was key to Wilder’s departure. During the devotion tour, during a meeting Wilder announced that he was tired of what he saw as inconsiderate and childish behaviour on Gore and Gahan’s part, and he turned to Fletch to back him up as the “other adult in the room”. Fletch did quite the opposite, saying the band was built on Gore and Gahan’s work and he wasn’t about to turn on them. Feeling cut adrift in realising that Fletch wasn’t the ally he hoped he might be, Wilder decided he should get out.
Yes, I remember Dave saying that he called Alan and asked him to perform with them. Dave also said that they keep in touch via email, etc. I do not get the impression that Dave was snubbing Alan.
Fletch, the man who always stands and stare at concerts, doin nothin? Maybe they should have fired him instead of letting wilder go. The damage is already done, depeche mode lost the magic. Good coverband now, the fans at concerts are especially waiting for their hits from the wilder area, the other newer songs are more fillers, they're nice but a little bit boring, nothing really special anymore...
Ohuch! it's good to hear I'm not the only one thinking that Alan's departure meant a great change in DM sound. Miss him so much, a great person and artisti🎼🎹
His Recoil track "Edge To Life" with Toni Halliday on vocals still gives me goosebumps 25+ years later. They should hire Alan to produce the next album. He will get fees, royalties and no touring commitments. They will probably get a great album again.
Yes yes yes! Hire him just to be an engineer and give him royalties. He wouldn’t have to travel on tour. Maybe even change the name of the band to avoid legal conflict with Fletch’s estate.
@@sciencelabvideosl7558 I wrote that before Memento Mori which is one of my favourite DM albums now. The songwriting was in another league compared to Spirit. Same producer James Ford but there's only so much a producer can do with mediocre songs as was the case with Spirit imo.
@@Rolanoid Spirit was HOPELESS. It’s the only DM album I don’t like since 1987. I lost it and haven’t cared. I fave not listened to Memento. Delta Machine was my last favorite. Parts of it sounded like Elvis Presley had come back to life.
Dave Gahan actually has been writing a song here and there since "playing the Angel." "Suffer Well" is by him, and I think it's a brilliant song. I think Dave Gahan getting more involved since Wilder's departure has kept the band going pretty well.
Just tried listening to Alan's recoil material, I myself not just being a common "listener" of music,but 4 decades of instrumental music study,play,transcribing, etc....I do have to say,that Martin always was/is the Genius songwriter of DM,period!
Depeche is my favorite band of all-time, and Alan is my favorite member. I idolized him back in college, with my oversized poster from the Black Celebration concert hanging in my dorm room. Wish I knew what the reason behind him leaving was, but I'm sure I would side with him. It did seem that he never got the credit he deserved. It would be a dream to have the band do one more album and tour with Alan, but by the sounds of it, will never happen. :(
Recoil is amazing. Not necessarily as music, but as soundscapes and stories. Recoil demand more from the listener than most other artists in that genre.
Hi Vaughn. I agree with many of the points you make in this video...as a person who discovered Depeche Mode in 1983 seeing "Everything Counts"..which just resonated to my 14 yr old brain unlike anything else, I get it completely. Also, around 20 yrs old, trying to "get serious" with my own electronic based compositions--which I still have to this day--and Depeche being a huge influence. It's not about just the "sound"...it's about the emotions, embracing the "dark" with the rhythms (in those days, I didn't know that "alternative" or "dark wave" was..I just knew that things made sense..The Cure, The Smiths, Joy Division, Yaz, etc.). Obviously, in terms of the subject, things were VERY different from 1983 'till Alan left the band, and until now, 2020. To say I revere Alan Wilder, would be an understatement...and even though being a long time Depeche "fan", there have been some really tremendous "highlights" post Wilder, I think " Barrell Of A Gun", "It's No Good", "Nothing's Impossible", "Heaven"...many... oh man, we could go on and on. And also I would suggest Martin Gore's solo post Wilder "Counterfeit 2", really one of my favorite discs and Martin made these covers his own...almost to the point (for me) that I don't want to even listen to the originals. Alot...alot of love. More to say. Thanks for your viewpoint. I get it, very much!
Good association. If we count Christian Eigner & Peter Gordeno, Depeche Mode is like a 5-legged table. On which the central leg is longer, than the other four legs. Four is the right number. Check on Kraftwerk for reference. But at the end, Wilder's Recoil sounds more like Depeche Mode, than post Alan Wilder Depeche Mode
@@BiserAngelov1 sounds like depeche... but doesn`f feel like... that`s the diference. The thing is that the particular magic was between Gore and Wilder
Being in a band is where the creative efforts of each individual adds up to more than the sum of all the individuals. A great idea can become a masterpiece with the input of others. Those that have played in bands or with other creatives can resonate with this.
A few years ago, I’ve been getting into DM. And my parents surprisingly had Violator in their CD collection. My mom loved DM. I think Martin and Alan were the best partnership in the synth-dark wave era of the 80’s because Martin’s songwriting was very melodic, romantic, sexual, dark and moody. Alan’s production complimented that because he was a moody and sensual person as well when it came to visualizing what he thought Martin’s songs would sound like. I think Martin and Alan had more in common than they thought and it just never worked out because of how the business was handled. I felt like Alan deserved more than what he’s credited for as much as Martin because they were respectfully known as the brain and interpreter. I honestly think since the fact Fletcher was paid the equal amount as Alan, that’s what caused him to leave and piss him off. I would be pissed too if I was in a group and one person doesn’t do anything other than “clap” and tag along when I’m doing most of the work on the songs. And I also heard Fletcher was doing the finances for the group also at that time. Anyways, I think Martin and Alan reuniting was amazing to hear and I wished it had been Fletcher that left.
You're absolutely right! Alan brought a very atmospheric melancholic almost sinister sound to DM, it really complimented Martins lyrics......yes miss Alan bi time....the mood hasn't been the same.......
A reunion tour would be great, but this is a matter of pride. Wilder left Depeche Mode, unnecessarily. According to the documentaries, both Gore and Gahan regret not fighting for Wilder. I believe Gahan, in his heroin stupor, remembered shrugging it off; but you can see regret in his face. And Gore, in his alcohol fueled days, remembered being a bit numb to it. Wilder made a decision that he felt he needed to make at the time, but their lack of response must have validated his feelings. It helped push him out. But, later, Gore declared that they always saw Wilder as the teacher who put it all together. Fletch showed no remorse whatsoever and actually said that at the time, in his depressive state, he would never do another record with Wilder. THERE was the obvious problem. But it's been so long now. Wilder left them and he refuses to show regret (which you know he feels) and I'm sure the "we don't need him" attitude prevails. Gore and Gahan's drug addiction issues were clearly temporary. Wilder just needed to weather it out for a couple more years, most of which they wouldn't have even worked together on a new album. Makes me angry.
Alan was quite outspoken about how difficult it was for him to make ends meet with Recoil being such a fringe act. I even remember reading an interview in which Alan talked about how he would love to do a film score, but no one ever gave him the opportunity. Anyone even tangentially familiar with Recoil can see how cinematic Alan's music is. It's particularly shocking, and a huge loss, especially seeing how in recent years even someone like Trent Reznor who, IMO, is creatively a pale shadow of his former self - and whose music has become so utterly mediocre, has become a fixture in film scores.
@@VaughnGeorge I would disagree with you there, The Downward Spiral is so full of texture and organized chaos in it's sound, with heavy, dark and atmospheric sound present in a lot of it's tracks. I love Alan's sound but in terms of setting atmosphere, Trent too is an absolute genius. (Even when it comes to stripped down, quiet instrumentals; listen to the NIN album Still for example) Also, Trent utilizes sampling in a very subtle but flavorful level. So atmosphere and textures are something both him and Alan are masters at in my opinion. Fun fact: Trent has stated that one of his biggest inspirations in the late 80's era was Black Celebration and I think that can be heard on Pretty Hate Machine too. Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails both are super important bands in my life though! And I really like your vids man, keep it up :) Just discovered your channel a couple of months ago and I'm eating up all da depeche mode lore
I cant read all the comments so someone may have already said, but I was in top tier of the Royal Albert Hall gig and I can categorically say that Dave hugged Alan as he walked off behind the stage. So no rift!!
Alan had the musical talent, the ear to bring the melodic sounds to depeche mode, Martin brings in the lyrics and vocals. Alan left and the music suffered
I think I commented on the Gahan not showing up after Somebody: rest assured, Alan's true friend in the band was always Dave, it was Dave's idea to call Alan to play at the RAH concert, and it was him who texted Wilder to ask him if he was up for it, according to the latter. Dave also showed up a bit later at a Recoil show in NY. Guess who's the only band member who didn't attend any Recoil show.
I always took Dave’s reason for not coming out after Somebody as the same reason they picked Somebody in the first place: it was Alan and Martin’s moment. Alan and Dave both called each other their best friend in the band back in the day, whereas Alan has bluntly said it was largely his differences with Martin during SoFaD that lead him to quit the band. I think this was their onstage musical reconciliation/reunion, and Dave just wanted to let them have that. Pure speculation
@@bandit217 I really like that theory and I think you are absolutely correct !! From the info I've been receiving form my subscribers, it seems very clear that Dave clearly had no hard feelings towards Alan and it's good to know !! V :-)
Piano & Keyboard Artist just to emphasize the point about Dave being cool with Alan and that he in fact did show up after the song, note that in this video which combines footage from multiple angles, at the 6:09 mark, Dave gets on the mic to thank Alan: th-cam.com/video/vL6VNr43rNw/w-d-xo.html
Man, as amazing as it is to consider a new album and tour with Alan Wilder i feel that it would create friction among the drummer and not to mention the keyboardist, who it is my understanding demanded to contribute songs to the last album, which means he considers himself Depeche Mode( i guess that debatable), but as Alan once told me during a record signing back in 2010 "you never know" . Cheers , I enjoy your content, these are the conversations i wish i could have with friends .
Squire Muldoon hello to you my friend and welcome to the channel!! Thank you for your comment , it’s great for me to learn new things by reading the comments so please continue to contribute !! These are indeed the discussions I wish I could have with friends and this is the beauty of TH-cam as it allows me to reach out to DM FANS throughout the world !! I believe that great friendships will be made on the channel!! Thanks to you my friend !!😎V
Sounds great with Alan Wilder.. Depeche mode would definitely sell out dodger stadium like they did back during the violator tour.. He also has great backing vocals.. If only
paul thank you for your comment and yes I agree they’d have no problems filling up stadiums !! Thank you for also pointing out the fact that Alan was a good backing singer too!! V😎
Unfortunately, it's been made apparent that David Gahan is repelled by the idea and Martin has said they haven't asked him nor do they think Alan Wilder would be interested in coming back.
Another excellent video! Thank you for putting in the time and work to produce these - they truly are interesting and worth minute viewing them. Your perspectives and opinions and insightful and always a pleasure to hear. Well wishes on all of your endeavors inside and out of the studio.Very much looking forward to your future videos!
it’s entertaining to read all these rumours flying back and forth on what exactly what and whom was the root of the split. But take ANY band on tour for months on end, add drugs and alcohol, unresolved suppressed issues and lack of personal space and most bands implodes from the pressure. But they’re still around and Martin Gore still makes beautiful songs. The ones that’s well produced really shine. (e.g. Cover Me) But there’s no doubt their sound has definitely lost that certain something after Wilder's departure. People keep harping on about this but that’s cause there was a nerve in those albums. Still: We love DM and they will still fill up stadiums as long as they want, cashing in even if they just play their biggest hits. Yet there’s always hope for a reunion and creation of new magic. I know I do. And just imagine Vince Clarke taking part as well. It could be an iconic event in musical history.
They split as Martin wrote, Alan gave the distinctive DM sound with Martin in the background. Alan produced the sound as he was a talented musician. He attended the cuttings to check the quality before release. Not Martin. Dave, Alan, and with Martin chipping in on direction ONLY, through fletch, as Martin stepped away once the song was finalised. Fletch told Dave, Alan, this way. They then did that and finished it all off. Fletch did nothing else only wave and clap. Fletch was the messenger for Martin to Dave and Alan. Alan then felt not enough credit or support was given, then decided it's over. Maybe one day again, all on the world stage. It's not the same now, no matter how you look at it.🤗
yep, i thoutgh that the band was participated on 2 groups of friends: Alan and Dave, Mart and Fletch. And Alan left cos he felt himself alone wile Dave was "far away". Sorry for mistakes - eng is not my native.
The "feud" if there is one, is probably between Fletch and Alan, not between Dave and Alan. I've seen in interviews that Dave is still in touch with Alan sometimes.
Om det inte vore för Martin, Fletch skulle förmodligen ha rykt för länge sen. Både Alan och Dave har garanterat skavt med Fletch mer än en gång under åren.
Lately I’ve been thinking how the four members of the best Depeche line-up-Martin, Dave, Alan, and Fletch-were crucial to creating a really awesome. When I first started listening to DM around 1990, I thought of Martin as being the musical genius of the group. Then as I learned more about Alan, I started to think he was the genius behind the music. However, I think Depeche Mode’s music-especially 1983 to 1993 is better than any of the individual members’ solo work. I like Recoil, but not all of it. I would much rather that Alan were still working with Depeche Mode to lend his atmospheric production to Martin’s fabulous song-writing. I like Dave’s solo and Soulsavers work and am looking forward to “Imposter,” but I still think Dave’s voice is put to best use in Depeche Mode. And then there’s Fletch, and, um, well . . . perhaps he’s the glue that keeps them together as Depeche Mode, which is grade. But my main point is that the talents of Alan, Martin, and Dave (and Fletch?) we’re and are most apparent as they have contributed to Depeche Mode.
I’ve always just felt grateful to still have DM around. I remember when we didn’t even know if DG was going to live to sing another album or tour, and here we are six albums later still enjoying them. Still, there is a sense that there’s been something missing from their sound. I’ve always just attributed it to their changing style, but after watching your videos it’s really apparent that AW had a tremendous influence on their classic sound. Although I’m grateful to still get a new DM album every few years, it is truly a shame to think about what would have been had AW just gotten the credit he deserved.
The foundation in Depeche More are three persons: Daniel Miller, Martin L. Gore and Alan Wilder, that is why many years they did not need anyone, now without Daniel and without Alan they need many hands and many hands reduce quality, now Depeche Mode is just a good product
A nice dream most of us have had. But, Martin is quite good friends with Peter, and Dave with Cristian, so...yeah. Also, as others have mentioned, Dave instigated the RAH Alan appearance. He was just off stage when the song ended and probably tied up. I'm sure they spoke after the show. His comments before the next song started were very sincere, something along the lines of it having been "magical." So, the bad blood wasn't between Dave and Alan at any rate.
Gore gives the lyrics and the melody, Wilder envisions the potencial and possible end results, choses the best one and constructs the layers of sound needed to achieve that best result and puts it all together, in the end what you get is a work of art. DM been on a downhill since he left, they are just doing their jobs now, cashing the cow and having a good life, they dont seem to want or have anything to tell the public anymore, just making their money. Great interview, your idea would be amazing, sadly i doubt it will ever happen
I think this quote from Joe Strummer about the Clash falling apart and never being the same after the original line up split up applies perfectly to Alan leaving DM “Whatever a group is it was the chemical mixture of those four people that makes a group work. That's a lesson everyone should learn, "Don't mess with it!" If it works just let it... Do whatever you have to do to bring it forward but don't mess with it. And like, we learned that... bitterly.”
nick wood well said matey !! We’ve seen this with so many bands in history !! Egos and pettiness get in the way and instead of compromising, they fragment and screw it all up. So many examples of this exist and it’s frustrating to see good bands ruined by this !! Thanks so much for your comment my friend 😎👍V
That's all very well but what Uncle Joe failed to mention is that much of "their" best work (Sandinista) isn't even them playing. It's well known that Ian Dury's band played a lot of that music and some of it was even written with none of The Clash members being present at the time! Yet those songs are still credited to The Clash.
The set of album documentaries, in which there are multiple contributions from Daniel Miller, Flood etc. give us a fairly definitiive insight regarding the 'real' situation within Depeche Mode. Alan Wilder was THE one putting in the time, effort and dedicatin and ingenuity - to create the sound that we all love. Dave Gahan brought presence, attitude and vocal ability. Martin Gore ideas. fletch - nothing. I am not going to rewrite history, just because someone has died. For me, the great shame is that Alan Wilder did not recreate anything (not being deliberately dismissive) with Recoil. Perhaps it demonstrates that he is not an 'ideas' man. Ultra is a great album. Exciter has several great songs. Other high points include Precious and Wrong. We can imagine what Alan Wilder's contribution could have been for Ultra onwards.
To me Alan Wilder is the reason of DM's ongoing success, but dont't forget Flood (Mark Ellis)! About an 'Alan-Wilder-DM-Comeback-Tour'? I'd rather go back to 1993 ;-)
And Daniel Miller. I'm pretty sure Alan's role in his first albums with the band was more of an apprentice, until he perfected his skills from Music for the Masses onwards.
Piano & Keyboard Artist Vaughn. Have you ever heard the electronic band MESH? If you like Depeche Mode you will undoubtedly like these chaps. I discovered them about 4 years ago - as a musician I consider myself to be quite switched on in this genre but was amazed to learn they had about 7 albums. For a period of time I became quite obsessed with their music. They sound more Depeche Mode than Depeche Mode at times and their singer doesn’t sound dissimilar to Mr Martin L. Gore. Check out the tracks “My Protector” or “Can You Mend Hearts”. I think you’ll like.
Just wanted to add 2 comments - a) It is much harder to write good happy tunes than sad, melancholic ones. Sad songs engage the listener on an emotional level to induce a personal bond with the song. They tend to make one vulnerable and more susceptible to accept the mood set by the song. As Beethoven once wrote - "It is the power of music to carry one directly into the mental state of the composer. The listener has no choice. It is like hypnotism." Happy dance tunes on the other hand, do not benefit from this emotional power and need to be crafted in a much clever way to make a personal impact. b) We all can come up with ideas but a musical idea does not make a song. Just like a sketch drawing does not make it a painting. The amount of work that goes into shaping a concept into a final product is unbelievable. Most of this work is done by producers, using their technical and artistic abilities, not to mention their own sound libraries, instruments, etc. So for this reason, I am of the opinion that producers have a legitimate claim to be considered as co-writers.
Neon Light wow thank you for your detailed comment !! As a producer I never thought of it that way myself but you are so right if we look are how much work we often put into productions !! I appreciate your insight and really insightful comment !! Thank you so much , it’s people like you who not only teach me a thing or too but also make my job as a TH-cam an absolute joy!!😎V
@@VaughnGeorge You're very welcome. Also forgot to add that I'm not involved in any way in the music business. But it always bothered me that just one person would take the credit for the song writing when there would have been a bunch of other people involved in the creative process, including the other band members themselves. So one can fully understand AW's frustration with the lack of recognition when in fact, he was the guru behind each and every the song. That must have hurt.
@Judy 1989 "Why would anyone be so cruel to Wilder?!?!". Forget the official statements. The answer to your question is "ENVY". With the exception of Dave, he upstaged them all in the public eye and the media loved him. Looks, class and talent are a powerful combination and fans recognised that. Dave is the lead singer and the embodiment of the band who's adored by the fans so he doesn't need ego trips. MG is a prolific song writer but lacks confidence and is mean spirited. As for AF, oh well....
@@neonlight7669 There were rumours that AF's depression came from his lack of musical skills and contribution in band work. In the beginning he had some things to play on stage (was given some) but as the band became big succes he couldn't deal with being useless.
I agree. He could simply just produce, and wouldn't have to deal with the stresses of being in a band or touring, like he has mentioned. It's a dream to see him produce a DM album, but I think that's more of a pipe dream really. I don't think Martin or Fletch would want to see him involved again somehow. I also think there's some truth to what Paul McCartney said about the reformation of the Beatles, and that "you can't reheat a souffle". Would the magic still be there? A lot of time has passed and people change. And if Alan is not motivated to produce anymore, then we are not going to see it. The last DM album sounds like a collection of very good demos. Alan has said himself that they need a good producer to push them to go further and outside their comfort zone, in the same way that he did. Martin is still a very good songwriter, but that extra dimension is missing. And I don't think they are interested in pushing themselves in the area of production, or we would have seen that already. Not to mention you have a section of their fanbase who loves their albums post-Alan, and thinks that SOFAD is their worst album. It's sad, but I'm also grateful for the work that Alan contributed to, and the legacy that he has left.
Timothy Cole Hello mate and Amen to everything you have said there !! Thanks for that !! I am so impressed by the quality of the comments and the feedback this channel is receiving !! I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with that Paul McCartney saying !! Cheers matey 😎👍V
Watch the video from the remastered of "Music for the Masses", Dave makes a comment about Alan kinda taking the lead to produce along with producer of course and "schooling", he said that that was something that they didn't appreciate back then, you can see he misses him.
When I last saw him, he seemed down, and also at a Q&A bitter about the music industry. There are 2 things he can do, withdraw totally (like he seems to have done), or lift his chin, self produce a really great new Recoil LP - and either Kickstart it or self finance - he is sure to sell I don't know, 10 or 20 thousand copies? Physical copies only. Personalise them some how! (that's a lot of signatures though!) I am sure he'd make more money than doing nothing. We are a loyal fan base
So, first of all, great video and it was great seeing the thoughts you had on the whole situation, despite the fact that DM are a close-knit group with little stuff leaking outside especially when it comes to their inner workings as a group and as such we don't know much about the whole dynamic. So, here are my two cents(on a completely random order) a)Dave has long been the only person in the band with whom Alan has contact with, they even visit each other occasionally and have remained friends throughout, with Dave even saying in interviews how he misses him and how he should have stood up more when it came down to AW leaving. The only reason he wasn't out there is(as far as I'm aware) because he goes backstage to rest during Martin's well-placed solo performances within DM concerts. b)According to Wilder himself, the band had an extremely good 50-50 split b/w them and Mute, with each person having the same percentage of royalties. This could be a factor in his decision to leave, as according to some people close to the band, he felt it was extremely unfair how he took most of the work on the studio and was paid the same as Fletch, who(as the band have, to their credit, admitted several times) does absolutely nothing on the studio and just ofters criticism, a fact that didn't go unnoticed with Alan, who already hated the fact that he was essentially "the handsome keyboard player" in the band and got close to no recognision from the casual fanbase. c)I really recommend going to Alan's Recoil site, where he has an INCREDIBLE Q+A section(not updated since the early 00's, but still), and he shines a light on almost every aspect of his time in DM, among other things: from what he thought on MLG's infamous "misanthropist" comment about him when they were promoting Ultra, to the workings around the Devotional Tour, it is quite a read. Anyway, that's all from me, I'm looking forward to seeing other topics from you as well!
longviewhysteria wow thank you so much for this detailed and insightful comment !! I really appreciate people who take the time to write such long and descriptive comments. I would like to welcome you to the family my friend and I look forward to more interactions from you in the future !! So I’m off to the Recoil site to do some more research based on your recommendation!! Thank you so much again and see you soon on the next video coming soon!! V 😎
Alan should come back for a tour. Alan was dignified in the way he left the band and has remained a class act about it. Unlike say, Peter Hook. New Order have been my favorite band for 31 years (and no I'm not saying they're better than DM) and we all know the mess that is Peter Hook vs New Order. Believe me it kind of hurts when I watch footage of New Order with Hook in the days of their youth and and knowing what was to eventually come.
It's quite funny that we kind of have the same "dream". Final Depeche Mode album (we know the time is coming eventually) and tour being "Alan Wilder is back for one last shot" would be completely out of this world. I've watched DM live a few times but they have all been in the post-Exciter era (they didn't really come to Portugal before 2006 except in 1993 when I was still a bit young) so I've never really seen them with Alan except in DVD releases (101, devotional live, ...) and that would just be an absolute must watch concert.
I’d love it if Depeche Mode took your advice and hired Alan Wilder for one more album and tour! I think it would be the most successful thing they would ever do...just with all of the Alan Wilder fans who would flock to it!
Take the first album and hear the influence of Vince Clarke. Take all the D.M. albums from 1983 to 1993 and you hear the brilliant influence of Alan Wilder. Since 14 April 1997, with the release of "Ultra", you hear that Depeche Mode are missing people like Vince Clark and Alan Wilder. The albums from 1981 - 1993 are still played here regularly. The albums from 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2017 I also own, of course, but they're really only on my record shelf. Reason: I still love the influence of Alan Wilder and since his departure, the music of Depeche Mode is actually no longer my music. And yes, I still regularly run to concerts by this band, because they accompanied me through my childhood, shaped my musical taste and influenced many other things. Like my taste in clothes, for example.
Alan Wilder first started out as a touring keyboardist 1982 and the rest is history... He certainly helped shape the sound of the band from Construction Time Again and also contributing with a couple of songs including the joint written Get the balance right b side instrumental Great Outdoors Not forgetting if you want track on Some great reward.. In your memory B Side to People are People and Christmas Island Co write B Side of A Question of Lust..
Ultra was not that bad and Playing the Angel is a masterpiece. It shows what DM is capable of even without AW when they dont get lazy. I disagree with the way people see how Depeche Mode evolved only based on the absence of AW. Time passed by and the music industry has changed. DM had to change to fit in this era where electronic bands are no longer uncommon and music rather provided by streaming platforms. Even if AW was still there, DM would be different from before 1995. From my point of view, the band is surfing on their name, their reputation and the blind love of their fans so the ‘’decreasing quality’’ of their work cannot be explained only by the absence of AW. Dont take me wrong, I have a great respect for this guy but open your eyes (ears) and listen to other bands, musicians and artists; there are lots of AW out there. He s not a god. Just a very talented artist among others. He s gone 20 years ago so maybe it s time to get over it.
Alan is a true genius if you listen to Depeche mode before and after its very clear to hear that he is no longer around.Just listen to his Recoil project its so impressive and dark pure genius.
New subscriber, love the channel by the way. I've followed Depeche since 1982. I love Martin's songs , I've always thought of the whole Martin and Alan "partnership" thing like this - Martin writes the songs in black and white and then Alan adds the colour.
You summed up how I feel about Depeche Mode, my favourite band. They have gone a bit monochromatic musically since his departure. I've not been interested in the internal politics or feelings between them, but wouldn't Alan want to work with the duo again, or don't they want to know... Pride comes before a fall. Such a shame, but have such hopes for the new album after dis-'Spirit'. Ohh and Vaughny, thanks for a great channel, why haven't I found you before. Keep up the excellent work
Hi! again! a great video about DM, I wish the same as you ...Alan in tour with the rest of the guys..GOD! it could be amazing! the best thing that they could do for themselves...great job again!
It just cant be worth it for either Martin or Alan. Martin is even more loaded financially now. And the band works in other dimensions that it couldnt with the old setup. As much as Alan was great, DM still have moments where they shine. Their strength has been to evolve sonically. And that means that often people are disappointed when they dont want them to change.
I love DM. Lots of people feel Alan was under appreciated, and I agree. However, writing the song is the really tough part. Enjoy the Silence isn’t a good example because it’s an outlier in a way. Many of Martin’s demos sound very close to the final record. There are many people who can produce and fill songs out. Maybe Alan was one of the best, but many can do it. Very few can do what Martin Gore does. The Beatles had George Martin, Geoff Emerick, and other engineers who did a lot to help the songs, but what Lennon and McCartney could do in writing the song is where the real genius is. Same with Depeche Mode.
Tom Hunt hello mate and thanks for your detailed comment !! Yes the song is the most important thing at the end of the day and Martin is the master of this 👍😎V
Personally, I much prefer the harmonium version of Enjoy the silence to the one that everybody apart from me seems to love. Regarding The Beatles' songwriting genius: "its" name was Theo Adorno according to some sources and the more I think about it the less incredulous I become.
You are a genius, you said what was needed to be said, YOU KNOW THE TRUTH and I totally relate to the phrase 'if you don't like depeche mode you have bad taste'
I love how you can be both sharp & acid and still wonderfully tactful at the same moment. PLEASE do a video (or several!) on RECOIL -- wouldn't that be a treat for all of us Alan Wilder fans out there! :)
Watch the video of Flood discussing Enjoy the Silence, according to him much of the sound ideas came from him. Even if that's true, I do agree that Alan's contribution to Martin's songs is what makes up the Depeche Mode sound that we love.
I wouldn't have even liked any depeche MODE without the awesome keyboard sounds. How many of the keyboard sounds were played though by Gore, compared to Wilder?
It seems like one of the main issues was that DM were applying a standard band writer, performer arrangement when they weren’t a standard band. Because they were electronic they needed someone to create the music, which is different to a standard band who would usually jam the new material and contribute much more to the creation of the songs. Alan in effect contributed to the writing of the songs and probably should have had shared credits. It’s a shame they couldn’t have that conversation. Might have had something to do with him being the last man in so to speak.
Depeche mode used to be a synth-band and that's why I fell in love with them and their sound in the early eighties, today they are a rock-band using synthesizers. I also, always adored Alan's contributions to the band and was very sad when he left. His recoil work was like you described very interesting and I listened a lot to it when it came out and like you say, it is more atmospheric than melodic and that ingredience is what created the magic symbiosis with the great composing skills of Martin Gore. I feel excited but also a bit disappointed everytime a new album is released nowadays, DM's sound has evolved but not in the direction of my preference. As for Alan coming back to the band, as great as it would/could be, I have given up a long time ago... Good work on the channel BTW. I enjoy conversations here a lot even though I am not contributing a lot in the comments. Thanks, and looking forward to future videos.
I too preferred their electronic sound. Today they just sound like a generic rockband. And it just doesn't suit them or their songs. In fact it actually downright devalues them. Alan was managed to form and shape a sound that would ALWAYS make you say "THAT is Depeche Mode!".
I could talk all night about this topic. Great video! I too have thought Alan should come back for one more album and tour- the fan response would be HUGE.
@@werideatdusk David Gahan b. May 9, 1962, Taurus, Earth; Alan Wilder b. June 1, 1959, Gemini, Air; Martin Gore b. July 23, 1961, Leo, Fire; Andy Fletcher b. July 8, 1961, Cancer, Water
Vaughn oh my I totally get you. I listened to that demo by Martin. It is naked. And Alan should have been equally rewarded for his work as Martin, cause without his touch there is no good Enjoy The Silence.
As a producer and first/foremost as a musician, Alan can hardly be described other than a pioneer and a visionary. In nearly every interview with him, you can tell the man knows what makes a ‘signature’ sound, what samples drive a very specific type of audio character and how all the production elements should blend and play well together. I am not a musician nor an expert on music production but have been closely following the electronic music for many years and found Alan Wilder in the same league (if not better) with Moby, Flood or even Brian Eno. I also find fascinating to see how Alan managed to inspire and help other emerging artists in their early efforts - Nitzer Ebb, Leather Strip come to mind. Actually, would be interesting to get your view on the EBM music in general and its different slightly different take on synthesizers and electronic music in general. To pile some more questions (forgive me), did you have a chance to explore other areas of electronic music such as dark ambient that relies heavily on the use samplers, sequencers and other techniques for a whole another artistic expressions. Brian Eno was a pioneer here (his Music for the Airports is legendary), and Lustmord, Thomas Köner are worth checking as well. Love the channel, very interesting topics with some well-balanced views on what are often controversial topics. All the best! Dan.
You're videos are really enjoyable, good job. Being an old and longtime DM fan myself, I completely agree with many of your views in regards to Alan. His sound and visions was what I loved about DM and lost with his departure. Bringing him back for one last album would defiantly be a welcome dream. And how about this for a thought: Let Daniel Miller be a part of the productionteam on that final album....and Gareth Jones should mix it!
@@VaughnGeorge it's not just the music production for lost but also Dave decided to reinvent himself for the Exciter tour into a Jagger and also how he sang changed.....to me their live sound is no better than a cover band
@@daveaskew2105 I find Dave Gahan's stage person very, very irritating, if I'm being honest. I wouldn't pay good money just to hear him shouting "Come on!" every few minutes. I've liked all their recent albums apart from Spirit but live, I just don't think they cut it anymore. Then again, being a stadium band never suited them any way and they don't play small venues.
I can agree that Wilder was the mastermind behind the sound that the band found after Clarke left. But i still find the sound is just as good now, only different. And actually two of the songs on the latest album, "Going Backwards" and Cover Me" are two of the best songs they've ever done. And for me, a band that can actually change their sound or image and move into other directions but still sound great is the reason why i still love their music. But of course i'd love to see Wilder back for one more album and tour, cause i think the sound would move into a completely new sound again….not back to the old sound, but into a greater new sound. Maybe when they deside to write their last album Wilder will be back!
Alan wilder is that kind of mysterious forces with a feline spirit, but when you put him to work he is revolutionary and his creations came to have magic (with depeche) and as I always say, mart and Al were the perfect ying yang
I disagree. Ben Hillier did a sterling job with some sub standard songs. Precious is better than Enjoy the silence, in my opinion. James Ford seems like the wrong choice of producer and I hope that Spirit is the only album he produces. I'd like Alan Wilder to produce their next album but I greatly doubt that Gore would allow that to happen. Failing that, I'd like Gore to self produce them, as I really liked his MG album, which is a real grower. I also think that John Cale or Ryuichi Sakamot might might prove an interesting choice of producer for DM and would've loved to have heard what Scott Walker (R.I.P.) might've been able to do with them.
MisAnnThorpe Ben Hillier did get a bit of aggro from several fans . I actually really rate The Playing the Angel album really highly !! This just goes to show how fans of the same band can have such vastly different opinions . V👍😎
@@MisAnnThorpe No Ben Hillier is terrible , he only does well when the demo is already good as must have been the case with songs like Precious . But if you listen to some of those Sounds of the Universe demos it becomes clear that allot of times Hillier added very little which kinds of begs the question what he was there for . I would agree that James Ford is not the best choice either , he sounds too similar to Hillier for starters . As for Alan I read Martin saying in an interview that Alan never approached them asking to rejoin the band or work with them which must mean he doesn't want to or he just won't ask . My guess is neither Alan or the band would ever ask , there is probably still some pride to be hurt there . As for who should produce their next record ... I would quite like to hear what someone like Trevor Horn could do for them . He has a nice full sound .
@@VaughnGeorge Playing the Angel is the best Hillier album but most likely only because the songs and demos were already good . With the albums that followed it was always fairly easy to find fan mixes that sounded better than what Hillier did which kind of says it all .
Thank you for this....I've had many many conversations regarding this.... Interesting point about Recoil's sound. I've always felt that most people wouldn't really like Recoil because Wilder's songs really don't have much structure....or I should say, they don't follow a familiar structure....very open ended and atmospheric and not really made for mass consumption. Whereas Gore's songs are definitely more structured...However.... with just Gore, we get albums like Spirit and Delta Machine... this is great though....
Grey Room hello mate and thank you for this comment !! You explain exactly what I mean and your explanation is even clearer than mine !! Yes Recoil is very much concept music and it very much an experimental style which is really not to most people’s taste . V 😎
Alan did an interview in Denmark in 2012 where he explained how he came up with the idea of making Enjoy the Silence an upbeat song; how he, by listening to Martin's demo on the harmonia, he could hear Neil Tennant from Pet Shop Boys and imagined how they would have arranged it. That talent of taking something and being able to set it in another direction than intented, is pure talent. Alan is dearly missed. Both in DM as much as in Recoil.
Amen to that statement !! VG :-)
I much prefer the harmonium version to the far more familiar one.
So you mean someone who'll help him see (or hear) things in a different light? 😉
@@MisAnnThorpe In life, I prefer Alan's take. But when I die, I think the Harmonium version will sound great at my funeral. 😄
Alan gave the sound to DM, his arrangement took them to another level. All the best to Maestro Wilder, one of the most underrated musician of ever
Absolutely agree with you matey!!
Worse than underrated, he was unappreciated. DM owes so effing much to him. Will never be forgiven.
So bloody true...to my deepest regret
Yes, but he left DM. What a bad move for all of them. You get M. Gore and Dave G. to get better and then keep on producing. They were perfect together. I am sure Fletch is the "poorest" ? But he stayed !
From an old school fan perspective, I remember Ultra being the litmus test of sorts, "will the magic still be there without Alan in the mix?" and I must say, I wasn't disappointed. Having said that, I always had the impression that DM very consciencely produced the album to be as "Alanesque" as possible in order to prove that things would still be the same. So in this strange way, I almost view Ultra as the last album Alan had a "hand in". Everything else after that feels sterile to me. Alan Wilder will always be an essential part of this iconic band!
Rob Grossi agree with you!! The ghost of Alan was evident in Ultra and then blatantly missing from Exciter!! V😎👍
I think Tim Simeone did an outstanding job in the Alan role. I found it a little sparce when it first came out but Ultra has aged really well.
Good points. I’d like to add a comment Alan had made in response to the press asking which was his favorite album. He shared that SOFAD was it. It’s probably a tie with Violator for me. Interestingly I watched a documentary about the band where that time of their career was very difficult. SOFAD was very difficult to put together I recall seeing in the documentary.
The bottom line Ultra was also a masterpiece along with the others that rank well which is most albums. Alan is and was great,. And I love Recoil, but the power of “Depeche Mode and the reason why they stand out with their longevity and lure is in the song writing” Alan quotes and Alan definitely brought the best out of Martins songs as a masterful team.
As Alan said himself “the longevity and the prolific power of Depeche Mode is in the song writing, and Martin has got it“,.. what’s nice about Martin is that he is modest and give God the credit of where he gets his songs from ,..many of those albums after he left or still masterpieces, just not picking like songs in Faith devotion, violator music for the masses, black celebration, and so many other great Depeche Mode albums. But they still stand tall and extremely entertaining, and only the true fans of Depeche Mode, like & enjoy the majority of their stuff, and the others are not really Devote material which have trouble seeing the genius and great work behind all the albums.
Ultra is to SOFAD what A Broken Frame is to S&S
I think they tried to emulate what they were to some degree, but I what I love about Depeche Mode is that every album is a unique experience.
Alan Wilder was the architect. He was able to interpret Martin's songs and give them life by adding soundscapes, layers etc. He created the sound of Depeche Mode.
My two favourites of theirs, 'Playing the Angel' and 'A Broken Frame' - doesn't even involve AW.
I too was worried when he left. However, the band is still as good - but as we can see from this thread too many decided that was it when he departed.
i miss alan wilder... -.-
When i listen to Recoil, i always think : here is what is missing to Depeche Mode, it is like they miss one piece, that combination was perfect... how i miss Alan Wilder...
I could not agree more month you my friend!! V:-)
@@VaughnGeorge I`ve heard also that Alan Wilder used to listen to Kraftwerk ... and i love Kraftwerk, for example when i listen to "Pipeline" of Depeche Mode, i hear a sampled and slowed down voice (which Alan Wilder took from a porn movie :D they said ), and it sounds like Ralf Hutter voice repeating "Sterne" in "Radio Sterne" song... these things make me crazy :'(
I know Alan in person and I won’t go into many details for respect, but all I have to say (specially for the new kids on the Mode block) is this: Martin still writes wonderful songs and the band still sells out world tours, BUT name me your top 10 DM songs EVER. Then look how many had AW on them. I rest my case.
They’re a pale shadow of what they used to be and sort of a cash cow on free fall.
AW + DM reunion in the future?
Don’t hold your breath for it.
I so agree as an old skool DM fan (since 1986). They haven't been the same since Alan left and, honestly, I think they should call it a day.
Beth Mills agreed. I haven’t liked heir output since violator. It’s a zombie cash cow at the moment for me. Sad for me. But I have a treasure trove of their old songs to enjoy and love, still.
Sadly, it happens to too many groups. David Hepworth (Q,Word,Smash Hits) summed it up as once you have that adulation how can you say no? Plus, it's a routine (& cozy). It's not 4 me, but if others want to c old bands, & feel a sense of ' community' , great.Plus, even big acts of this century can't perform as well of those from the last.Cheers from Essex ( not Bas!).
K Stats They lost me after Violator as well. I got into different bands. They didn’t seem relevant anymore.
But I do wonder how much longer they would have put out quality material even if Alan had stayed in. Recoil petered out around 2009 and I wonder if Alan just ran out of ideas. Would the same have happened if he has stayed with DM? Granted, we might have versions of Ultra and Exciter that are, well, actually ultra exciting. 🤦🏻♀️
I guess it’s all hand waving and I’ll go listen to SGR and think of what might have been.
10 top song of Dm ?
Are you serious ☺️, 10 songs is boaaaa
Hard to choose
It’s around , without counting , I Ve got all and complete discographie + some rarities and bootlegs around 220 cd (must count them again didn’t done that since delta machine ) included alan recoil cds and some singles plus solo of Dave and Martin
I Ve got that In 2 specia cds kind of spy gun soot case...
To answer the question 10 songs of Dm
Hummm :
Not ranked of course otherwise need 1 hour to reflect properly 😜
So I would say , on this morning birds are singing and the sky is clear it’s 7.08 here where I am and I m gonna base my ranking on this elements :
precious/heaven/get right with me/perfect/here is the 🏠 /and Then/
🌏 in my Eyes/free 💗 (radio edit) /Home 🏡 /going backwards.
It took me 11 mn honestly
Without including b sides
I’m outside the city in the countryside (farm) ....
I m gonna make this list on my I pod and connect it to A pioneer super Audio cd Pd 30 (I pod plug too) with Yamaha speakers YST s25E old but absolutely fantastic (bro bought that 25 years ago) sound still (pre amp Yamaha cx 1000 + Yamaha Eq 630 30 band ...
This is the half of the separate elements I would play cause my Mam still sleeping 😴 hahaha even if she is a big Dm fan with or without Alan (she’s 77)
When we use to drive in late 90 in her 88 bmw 7.35 , cassette era , listening Dm from city to farm (220km) All way long , at a certain time on certain songs , she was sometimes telling me , hey is there something wrong with the car ?
because some sound fx where like there is a puncture or a problem with something ( for example the lighter sample on blasphemous rumours hahah ...so much great and funny memories with my Mam ,
I m Dm since 19/12/1989 .
First song heard : but not tonight (extended) stripped cassette 12 inch of my bro ( received it by hazard) I took it from he’s original cassettes collection.
So much to say about Alan I will write something next time on this cool channel ...hope I will not write a book
Because Dm subjects and Alan subjects are definitely soooooo Respectable as the band himself and this Genius Man who’s born on the same day as my Older bro (got2) ,
One day I would like to write a personal memory book as a Religious Dm devotee Fan 🙃...
Also what I can say , is , in my experience and point of view (I do music for fun as well since 2008) , got some incomplete demos , Dm essence is not about only the orchestral mood or sounds , I understand clearly that Alan (my Fav member from the start ) was a key Element in Dm music process but
Dm is about something Larger than that
Dm is an institution , their Collection is An unlimited Ocean of Diamonds and rubies...
Each season has his perfect Album and songs , that’s how is listen to them so one clear fact is that :
Without Alan their dark songs became less darker in a way
And their bright Songs became brighter
Great day everybody I m going now to have a breakfast and a walk around orange trees listening this 10 songs inside then outside.
Did I want Alan’s back : Of Courseeeeee
As a producer this is a great idea
As a member , it will be hard because peter and Christian are there since a longer period , so it seems difficult or they will become big 6 people working time , why Not , but I m pessimistic for that but who knows
Depeche Mode surprised Us , me, more than twice ....So
Nothing’s Impossible for Violator 30th year Anniversary, sure they are preparing some great archives for Fans as a world violation dvd (hope) and it will be like also 30 years for me as a Devotee ( I’m not superstitious, but with Dm I Am )
They prouves it to Me quiet Often , I think every Deep Fan has à linked elements of coïncidence In his life.
That can be a good structure plan for a book
Sorry for grammar mistakes or auto writing, English is not my language , never had a lesson in my Life ,
All my English comes from Depeche Mode , this I can proudly say it , swearing on the Grave of my Dad (passed away on his bday 5 years ago😞72) last song Dad heard was Heaven , 1 year before.
He loved it and asked me too play it once again so he listened to it twice.
Still have this image in my memory.
All the best for your Channel 👍 and future videos and projects.
Dm , Thanks to Exist.
Alan Wilder highlighted the musical flexibility that existed within Depeche Mode to a degree:
“It’s really very simple. Martin submitted his demo in the usual way, and although I liked the song, his original idea was too lightweight for my taste - and, I felt, the mood of the album - so I pushed it in a darker, more atmospheric direction. This was the primary version of the song that was always intended to be on the album. Martin, however, was very attached to his more poppy demo and said that he wanted to record it, too - hence the ‘Spanish Taster’ [version]. It wasn’t a question of fighting with one another over this; it’s just that Martin saw the song in a different way to me. He just wanted to include his demo on the album. I don’t think there is a more perfect example of the musical differences between myself and Martin.”
We've found out so much in the year since Fletch died. It's now so terribly apparent that Martin Gore's ego will never make room for Alan's return. The stuff Dave and Martin said in the wake of Fletch's death, regarding songwriting and stuff really illuminated this fact for me.
I always dreamed of a last tour with Alan, no drums, no choir girls, nothing but the sound of the classic DM.
For me, the SOFAD (Devotional Tour included) is the Alan´s testament to the world. I always loved the re-work for most of the iconic tracks they played on that tour: Everything Counts, Fly On The Windscreen, Behind The Wheel, I Want You Now, even the subtle changes in Policy Of Truth bass lines and drums, the EPIC Enjoy The Silence...
I´ve never found Question Of Lust in a soundboard recording to complete the entire songs they played (oh, and the failed Something To Do they tried once).
Martin and Alan made a great team, Alan has the gift to build a masterpiece with the Martin´s demos, the way they worked on the Violator era, the dramatic evolution of the harmonium version of Enjoy The Silence to become a Top 1 hit parade single all around the world.
He took Fly On The Windscreen and made it sexy!
You are dead right on about Alan Wilder! He is the best arranger, producer, etc that ever lived as far as synth bands has ever been. I'm a true DM fan and it was because of Wilder's moody arrangement of music that got me hooked on DM. It is true he never received the recognition he deserves. More power to you! Continue the good work you're doing!!! 👏👏👏
Thank you so much John!! V :-)
Dude! Do some videos about some of my other fave bands like information society, cause & effect (sounds like DM), and camouflage. I wanna hear your opinions about their music! More power to you! 👍🤘👏
@@johndeev hello mate!! Camouflage is a band that has been requested quite strongly by many subscribers so I will look into them. Thank you so much for your interest and support !! V :-)
@@VaughnGeorge please include Red Flag! Keep your vids coming i really enjoy them Respect to all music and sound producers. We so fortunate to grow up in the 80s! What an incredible decade of music!!!
There were times I felt Martin has gotten all the credit for Alan's contributions, I think Alan Wilder should've gotten credited for "Enjoy The Silence" since he did come up with an idea on how "Enjoy The Silence" should be.
Dave is actually the one that reached out to Alan for the "Sometimes" reunion. My personal opinion is that Dave was too much of a mess back in the 90's to ask Alan what the issue was with leaving. They are good friends. I believe that Fletch is one of the issues and Martin has a hard time giving up any power at all or giving any credit. That, again, is just my opinion. The truth is, as much as I love DM, their sound is nowhere near what it was and that is because Alan is not there. It is a shame, because they could be so much better, but I guess as long as they sell albums and sell out tours, it does not matter. A reunion tour, like you mentioned, would not doubt be a SLAM DUNK!!!!!!
Jim Schmus Slam dunk indeed it would be !! Thanks for your good message and yes it seems from the feedback I’m getting that indeed Dave and Alan were good mates. It does seem that Fletch was a rather prickly personality within the band and Martin simply steers clear of conflict at all costs. 😎👍V
What I’ve heard, but this may not be true as it’s just online gossip, is that Fletcher was key to Wilder’s departure. During the devotion tour, during a meeting Wilder announced that he was tired of what he saw as inconsiderate and childish behaviour on Gore and Gahan’s part, and he turned to Fletch to back him up as the “other adult in the room”. Fletch did quite the opposite, saying the band was built on Gore and Gahan’s work and he wasn’t about to turn on them. Feeling cut adrift in realising that Fletch wasn’t the ally he hoped he might be, Wilder decided he should get out.
Yes, I remember Dave saying that he called Alan and asked him to perform with them. Dave also said that they keep in touch via email, etc. I do not get the impression that Dave was snubbing Alan.
@@kayfimt7769 You are not far from the truth there Matthew
Fletch, the man who always stands and stare at concerts, doin nothin? Maybe they should have fired him instead of letting wilder go. The damage is already done, depeche mode lost the magic. Good coverband now, the fans at concerts are especially waiting for their hits from the wilder area, the other newer songs are more fillers, they're nice but a little bit boring, nothing really special anymore...
Ohuch! it's good to hear I'm not the only one thinking that Alan's departure meant a great change in DM sound. Miss him so much, a great person and artisti🎼🎹
Valentina X thank you for your comment and welcome to the community !! We all agree with you !!V😎👍
that’s so painful, i’m literally going to cry when i think about wilder’s leaving..
The Sound of DM is not the same anymore since Mr. Wilder left..
Absolutely true!! V :-)
Amen to that bud!! V :-)
His Recoil track "Edge To Life" with Toni Halliday on vocals still gives me goosebumps 25+ years later. They should hire Alan to produce the next album. He will get fees, royalties and no touring commitments. They will probably get a great album again.
Yes yes yes! Hire him just to be an engineer and give him royalties. He wouldn’t have to travel on tour. Maybe even change the name of the band to avoid legal conflict with Fletch’s estate.
@@sciencelabvideosl7558 I wrote that before Memento Mori which is one of my favourite DM albums now. The songwriting was in another league compared to Spirit. Same producer James Ford but there's only so much a producer can do with mediocre songs as was the case with Spirit imo.
@@Rolanoid Spirit was HOPELESS. It’s the only DM album I don’t like since 1987. I lost it and haven’t cared. I fave not listened to Memento. Delta Machine was my last favorite. Parts of it sounded like Elvis Presley had come back to life.
Dave Gahan actually has been writing a song here and there since "playing the Angel." "Suffer Well" is by him, and I think it's a brilliant song. I think Dave Gahan getting more involved since Wilder's departure has kept the band going pretty well.
All Fans lovers of DM want Alan Wilder back!
Yes !!!!!!!!😘😘😘😘😘😘😘
Yesssss
I dont mind, if he's in or not. i just don't care. the essence is martin and dave's show
Totally!,,,
Only Dave and Martin ❤⚘ bye Alan
Just tried listening to Alan's recoil material, I myself not just being a common "listener" of music,but 4 decades of instrumental music study,play,transcribing, etc....I do have to say,that Martin always was/is the Genius songwriter of DM,period!
Depeche is my favorite band of all-time, and Alan is my favorite member. I idolized him back in college, with my oversized poster from the Black Celebration concert hanging in my dorm room. Wish I knew what the reason behind him leaving was, but I'm sure I would side with him. It did seem that he never got the credit he deserved. It would be a dream to have the band do one more album and tour with Alan, but by the sounds of it, will never happen. :(
Martin and Alan created magic together, so I would be so great full if Alan came back.
Recoil is amazing. Not necessarily as music, but as soundscapes and stories. Recoil demand more from the listener than most other artists in that genre.
Agreed 100%
Hi Vaughn. I agree with many of the points you make in this video...as a person who discovered Depeche Mode in 1983 seeing "Everything Counts"..which just resonated to my 14 yr old brain unlike anything else, I get it completely. Also, around 20 yrs old, trying to "get serious" with my own electronic based compositions--which I still have to this day--and Depeche being a huge influence. It's not about just the "sound"...it's about the emotions, embracing the "dark" with the rhythms (in those days, I didn't know that "alternative" or "dark wave" was..I just knew that things made sense..The Cure, The Smiths, Joy Division, Yaz, etc.). Obviously, in terms of the subject, things were VERY different from 1983 'till Alan left the band, and until now, 2020. To say I revere Alan Wilder, would be an understatement...and even though being a long time Depeche "fan", there have been some really tremendous "highlights" post Wilder, I think " Barrell Of A Gun", "It's No Good", "Nothing's Impossible", "Heaven"...many... oh man, we could go on and on. And also I would suggest Martin Gore's solo post Wilder "Counterfeit 2", really one of my favorite discs and Martin made these covers his own...almost to the point (for me) that I don't want to even listen to the originals. Alot...alot of love. More to say. Thanks for your viewpoint. I get it, very much!
Webbsounds thank you for sharing your thoughts and I am glad to see that you agree with my views !! VG 🎹👍😎
DEPECHE MODE without Alan is like a three-legged table.
Good association. If we count Christian Eigner & Peter Gordeno, Depeche Mode is like a 5-legged table. On which the central leg is longer, than the other four legs. Four is the right number. Check on Kraftwerk for reference.
But at the end, Wilder's Recoil sounds more like Depeche Mode, than post Alan Wilder Depeche Mode
They exist, you know
A round table? wtf
Sooo... The sturdiest of all tables?
@@BiserAngelov1 sounds like depeche... but doesn`f feel like... that`s the diference. The thing is that the particular magic was between Gore and Wilder
I was searching for DM content on TH-cam for a very long time. And oh boy, it was worth the waiting.
Thank you Anna and welcome to the channel!! V:-)
Being in a band is where the creative efforts of each individual adds up to more than the sum of all the individuals. A great idea can become a masterpiece with the input of others. Those that have played in bands or with other creatives can resonate with this.
A few years ago, I’ve been getting into DM. And my parents surprisingly had Violator in their CD collection. My mom loved DM. I think Martin and Alan were the best partnership in the synth-dark wave era of the 80’s because Martin’s songwriting was very melodic, romantic, sexual, dark and moody. Alan’s production complimented that because he was a moody and sensual person as well when it came to visualizing what he thought Martin’s songs would sound like. I think Martin and Alan had more in common than they thought and it just never worked out because of how the business was handled. I felt like Alan deserved more than what he’s credited for as much as Martin because they were respectfully known as the brain and interpreter. I honestly think since the fact Fletcher was paid the equal amount as Alan, that’s what caused him to leave and piss him off. I would be pissed too if I was in a group and one person doesn’t do anything other than “clap” and tag along when I’m doing most of the work on the songs. And I also heard Fletcher was doing the finances for the group also at that time. Anyways, I think Martin and Alan reuniting was amazing to hear and I wished it had been Fletcher that left.
You're absolutely right! Alan brought a very atmospheric melancholic almost sinister sound to DM, it really complimented Martins lyrics......yes miss Alan bi time....the mood hasn't been the same.......
Roland Wagner hello mate and thanks for your comment !! Many fans feel the same as you and I do!! V😎👍
A reunion tour would be great, but this is a matter of pride. Wilder left Depeche Mode, unnecessarily. According to the documentaries, both Gore and Gahan regret not fighting for Wilder. I believe Gahan, in his heroin stupor, remembered shrugging it off; but you can see regret in his face. And Gore, in his alcohol fueled days, remembered being a bit numb to it. Wilder made a decision that he felt he needed to make at the time, but their lack of response must have validated his feelings. It helped push him out. But, later, Gore declared that they always saw Wilder as the teacher who put it all together. Fletch showed no remorse whatsoever and actually said that at the time, in his depressive state, he would never do another record with Wilder. THERE was the obvious problem. But it's been so long now. Wilder left them and he refuses to show regret (which you know he feels) and I'm sure the "we don't need him" attitude prevails. Gore and Gahan's drug addiction issues were clearly temporary. Wilder just needed to weather it out for a couple more years, most of which they wouldn't have even worked together on a new album.
Makes me angry.
Alan was quite outspoken about how difficult it was for him to make ends meet with Recoil being such a fringe act. I even remember reading an interview in which Alan talked about how he would love to do a film score, but no one ever gave him the opportunity. Anyone even tangentially familiar with Recoil can see how cinematic Alan's music is.
It's particularly shocking, and a huge loss, especially seeing how in recent years even someone like Trent Reznor who, IMO, is creatively a pale shadow of his former self - and whose music has become so utterly mediocre, has become a fixture in film scores.
fastfoodi totally Agree with you there!! Trent is nowhere near Alan Wilder as far as musicality is concerned 😎👍
@@VaughnGeorge I would disagree with you there, The Downward Spiral is so full of texture and organized chaos in it's sound, with heavy, dark and atmospheric sound present in a lot of it's tracks. I love Alan's sound but in terms of setting atmosphere, Trent too is an absolute genius. (Even when it comes to stripped down, quiet instrumentals; listen to the NIN album Still for example) Also, Trent utilizes sampling in a very subtle but flavorful level. So atmosphere and textures are something both him and Alan are masters at in my opinion. Fun fact: Trent has stated that one of his biggest inspirations in the late 80's era was Black Celebration and I think that can be heard on Pretty Hate Machine too. Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails both are super important bands in my life though! And I really like your vids man, keep it up :) Just discovered your channel a couple of months ago and I'm eating up all da depeche mode lore
Alan and David Lynch would have been a great mix.
Dave and Alan are still friendly with each other btw.
Viktor Rietveld thank you matey and I am glad to hear this .😎👍V
How do you know this?
@@thehighpriestess8431 That was from Alan's side, in interviews and on some more 1 to 1 conversations on FB
I cant read all the comments so someone may have already said, but I was in top tier of the Royal Albert Hall gig and I can categorically say that Dave hugged Alan as he walked off behind the stage. So no rift!!
DM has never had a post Wilder hit. THAT is how important Alan was to them.💖
I have been thinking the same for years, alan comes back for one more album and tour. It would be huge
It would be huge indeed! V :-)
A weird, perhaps, point: Martin and Alan together were hugely creative in spite of all odds. Both definitely lost a lot when their paths diverged.
Alan had the musical talent, the ear to bring the melodic sounds to depeche mode, Martin brings in the lyrics and vocals. Alan left and the music suffered
Spot on!! V :-)
Nigel Day unusual choice for a favourite for most Mode fans but yes it is one of the better albums !!😎👍V
@Nigel Day Thats great matey!! At least you have your own mind and a strong opinion on which you like and I respect you for that!! V:-)
@Nigel Day You've just named (along with Black celebration and Music for the masses) my 2 favourite Depeche mode albums.
I think I commented on the Gahan not showing up after Somebody: rest assured, Alan's true friend in the band was always Dave, it was Dave's idea to call Alan to play at the RAH concert, and it was him who texted Wilder to ask him if he was up for it, according to the latter. Dave also showed up a bit later at a Recoil show in NY. Guess who's the only band member who didn't attend any Recoil show.
Alejandro Morales thanks for this !! I’m guessing that Fletch was the only one never to go to a Recoil gig? V 👍
I always took Dave’s reason for not coming out after Somebody as the same reason they picked Somebody in the first place: it was Alan and Martin’s moment. Alan and Dave both called each other their best friend in the band back in the day, whereas Alan has bluntly said it was largely his differences with Martin during SoFaD that lead him to quit the band. I think this was their onstage musical reconciliation/reunion, and Dave just wanted to let them have that.
Pure speculation
@@bandit217 I really like that theory and I think you are absolutely correct !! From the info I've been receiving form my subscribers, it seems very clear that Dave clearly had no hard feelings towards Alan and it's good to know !! V :-)
Piano & Keyboard Artist just to emphasize the point about Dave being cool with Alan and that he in fact did show up after the song, note that in this video which combines footage from multiple angles, at the 6:09 mark, Dave gets on the mic to thank Alan: th-cam.com/video/vL6VNr43rNw/w-d-xo.html
@Juan Perez hahahahaha FLECTH MODE!! I love it!! You're right, he was the founding member!! V ;-)
Man, as amazing as it is to consider a new album and tour with Alan Wilder i feel that it would create friction among the drummer and not to mention the keyboardist, who it is my understanding demanded to contribute songs to the last album, which means he considers himself Depeche Mode( i guess that debatable), but as Alan once told me during a record signing back in 2010 "you never know" . Cheers , I enjoy your content, these are the conversations i wish i could have with friends .
Squire Muldoon hello to you my friend and welcome to the channel!! Thank you for your comment , it’s great for me to learn new things by reading the comments so please continue to contribute !! These are indeed the discussions I wish I could have with friends and this is the beauty of TH-cam as it allows me to reach out to DM FANS throughout the world !! I believe that great friendships will be made on the channel!! Thanks to you my friend !!😎V
Everytime AW is asked what he misses most about being in DM, his answer is "the money"
I miss Alan Wilder! Such talent and so unappreciated by the rest of the band.
Sounds great with Alan Wilder.. Depeche mode would definitely sell out dodger stadium like they did back during the violator tour.. He also has great backing vocals.. If only
paul thank you for your comment and yes I agree they’d have no problems filling up stadiums !! Thank you for also pointing out the fact that Alan was a good backing singer too!! V😎
Unfortunately, it's been made apparent that David Gahan is repelled by the idea and Martin has said they haven't asked him nor do they think Alan Wilder would be interested in coming back.
Another excellent video! Thank you for putting in the time and work to produce these - they truly are interesting and worth minute viewing them. Your perspectives and opinions and insightful and always a pleasure to hear. Well wishes on all of your endeavors inside and out of the studio.Very much looking forward to your future videos!
You are most welcome my friend !! Thankyou for being here !! VG :-)
it’s entertaining to read all these rumours flying back and forth on what exactly what and whom was the root of the split. But take ANY band on tour for months on end, add drugs and alcohol, unresolved suppressed issues and lack of personal space and most bands implodes from the pressure.
But they’re still around and Martin Gore still makes beautiful songs. The ones that’s well produced really shine. (e.g. Cover Me) But there’s no doubt their sound has definitely lost that certain something after Wilder's departure. People keep harping on about this but that’s cause there was a nerve in those albums.
Still: We love DM and they will still fill up stadiums as long as they want, cashing in even if they just play their biggest hits.
Yet there’s always hope for a reunion and creation of new magic. I know I do. And just imagine Vince Clarke taking part as well. It could be an iconic event in musical history.
They split as Martin wrote, Alan gave the distinctive DM sound with Martin in the background. Alan produced the sound as he was a talented musician. He attended the cuttings to check the quality before release. Not Martin. Dave, Alan, and with Martin chipping in on direction ONLY, through fletch, as Martin stepped away once the song was finalised. Fletch told Dave, Alan, this way. They then did that and finished it all off. Fletch did nothing else only wave and clap. Fletch was the messenger for Martin to Dave and Alan. Alan then felt not enough credit or support was given, then decided it's over. Maybe one day again, all on the world stage. It's not the same now, no matter how you look at it.🤗
And let's not forget about Daniel Miller.
Indeed!! Full respect to Daniel Miller !! V:-)
Daniel was instead Wilder while they recorded "Broken Frame".
@ Agree!! V:-)
It was Dave Gahan who texted Alan to do the Royal Albert Hall gig
yep, i thoutgh that the band was participated on 2 groups of friends: Alan and Dave, Mart and Fletch. And Alan left cos he felt himself alone wile Dave was "far away". Sorry for mistakes - eng is not my native.
The "feud" if there is one, is probably between Fletch and Alan, not between Dave and Alan. I've seen in interviews that Dave is still in touch with Alan sometimes.
Om det inte vore för Martin, Fletch skulle förmodligen ha rykt för länge sen. Både Alan och Dave har garanterat skavt med Fletch mer än en gång under åren.
Lately I’ve been thinking how the four members of the best Depeche line-up-Martin, Dave, Alan, and Fletch-were crucial to creating a really awesome. When I first started listening to DM around 1990, I thought of Martin as being the musical genius of the group. Then as I learned more about Alan, I started to think he was the genius behind the music. However, I think Depeche Mode’s music-especially 1983 to 1993 is better than any of the individual members’ solo work. I like Recoil, but not all of it. I would much rather that Alan were still working with Depeche Mode to lend his atmospheric production to Martin’s fabulous song-writing. I like Dave’s solo and Soulsavers work and am looking forward to “Imposter,” but I still think Dave’s voice is put to best use in Depeche Mode. And then there’s Fletch, and, um, well . . . perhaps he’s the glue that keeps them together as Depeche Mode, which is grade.
But my main point is that the talents of Alan, Martin, and Dave (and Fletch?) we’re and are most apparent as they have contributed to Depeche Mode.
I think DM should hire AW to produce their albums.
That's what I say. Just a hired producer.
I’ve always just felt grateful to still have DM around. I remember when we didn’t even know if DG was going to live to sing another album or tour, and here we are six albums later still enjoying them. Still, there is a sense that there’s been something missing from their sound. I’ve always just attributed it to their changing style, but after watching your videos it’s really apparent that AW had a tremendous influence on their classic sound. Although I’m grateful to still get a new DM album every few years, it is truly a shame to think about what would have been had AW just gotten the credit he deserved.
The foundation in Depeche More are three persons: Daniel Miller, Martin L. Gore and Alan Wilder, that is why many years they did not need anyone, now without Daniel and without Alan they need many hands and many hands reduce quality, now Depeche Mode is just a good product
Julio Rodrigo Marquez Garcia a very good insight there !! Thank you 😎V👍
Yann Antimoine indeed
Problem is that 'Playing the Angel', 'Spirit' and 'Memento Mori' show that they are more than just a "good product".
A nice dream most of us have had. But, Martin is quite good friends with Peter, and Dave with Cristian, so...yeah. Also, as others have mentioned, Dave instigated the RAH Alan appearance. He was just off stage when the song ended and probably tied up. I'm sure they spoke after the show. His comments before the next song started were very sincere, something along the lines of it having been "magical." So, the bad blood wasn't between Dave and Alan at any rate.
Gore gives the lyrics and the melody, Wilder envisions the potencial and possible end results, choses the best one and constructs the layers of sound needed to achieve that best result and puts it all together, in the end what you get is a work of art. DM been on a downhill since he left, they are just doing their jobs now, cashing the cow and having a good life, they dont seem to want or have anything to tell the public anymore, just making their money. Great interview, your idea would be amazing, sadly i doubt it will ever happen
I think this quote from Joe Strummer about the Clash falling apart and never being the same after the original line up split up applies perfectly to Alan leaving DM “Whatever a group is it was the chemical mixture of those four people that makes a group work. That's a lesson everyone should learn, "Don't mess with it!" If it works just let it... Do whatever you have to do to bring it forward but don't mess with it. And like, we learned that... bitterly.”
nick wood well said matey !! We’ve seen this with so many bands in history !! Egos and pettiness get in the way and instead of compromising, they fragment and screw it all up. So many examples of this exist and it’s frustrating to see good bands ruined by this !! Thanks so much for your comment my friend 😎👍V
That's all very well but what Uncle Joe failed to mention is that much of "their" best work (Sandinista) isn't even them playing. It's well known that Ian Dury's band played a lot of that music and some of it was even written with none of The Clash members being present at the time! Yet those songs are still credited to The Clash.
MisAnnThorpe I didn’t know that about Sandinista - thanks,
@@MisAnnThorpe Are The Blockheads officially credited as studio musicians on that album at all? (I didn't know that.)
The set of album documentaries, in which there are multiple contributions from Daniel Miller, Flood etc. give us a fairly definitiive insight regarding the 'real' situation within Depeche Mode. Alan Wilder was THE one putting in the time, effort and dedicatin and ingenuity - to create the sound that we all love. Dave Gahan brought presence, attitude and vocal ability. Martin Gore ideas. fletch - nothing. I am not going to rewrite history, just because someone has died. For me, the great shame is that Alan Wilder did not recreate anything (not being deliberately dismissive) with Recoil. Perhaps it demonstrates that he is not an 'ideas' man. Ultra is a great album. Exciter has several great songs. Other high points include Precious and Wrong. We can imagine what Alan Wilder's contribution could have been for Ultra onwards.
To me Alan Wilder is the reason of DM's ongoing success, but dont't forget Flood (Mark Ellis)!
About an 'Alan-Wilder-DM-Comeback-Tour'? I'd rather go back to 1993 ;-)
Kornhaus yep , if only we could turn back time !!👍😎
And Daniel Miller. I'm pretty sure Alan's role in his first albums with the band was more of an apprentice, until he perfected his skills from Music for the Masses onwards.
@@alejandromorales8715 yes indeed!! He certainly learnt a lot from spending time with Gareth Jones, Daniel Miller and Flood!! V :-)
Piano & Keyboard Artist Vaughn. Have you ever heard the electronic band MESH?
If you like Depeche Mode you will undoubtedly like these chaps.
I discovered them about 4 years ago - as a musician I consider myself to be quite switched on in this genre but was amazed to learn they had about 7 albums.
For a period of time I became quite obsessed with their music.
They sound more Depeche Mode than Depeche Mode at times and their singer doesn’t sound dissimilar to Mr Martin L. Gore.
Check out the tracks “My Protector” or “Can You Mend Hearts”. I think you’ll like.
@@markwibrow9126 thank you !! I am onto that right now!! V:-)
Just wanted to add 2 comments -
a) It is much harder to write good happy tunes than sad, melancholic ones. Sad songs engage the listener on an emotional level to induce a personal bond with the song. They tend to make one vulnerable and more susceptible to accept the mood set by the song. As Beethoven once wrote - "It is the power of music to carry one directly into the mental state of the composer. The listener has no choice. It is like hypnotism." Happy dance tunes on the other hand, do not benefit from this emotional power and need to be crafted in a much clever way to make a personal impact.
b) We all can come up with ideas but a musical idea does not make a song. Just like a sketch drawing does not make it a painting. The amount of work that goes into shaping a concept into a final product is unbelievable. Most of this work is done by producers, using their technical and artistic abilities, not to mention their own sound libraries, instruments, etc. So for this reason, I am of the opinion that producers have a legitimate claim to be considered as co-writers.
Neon Light wow thank you for your detailed comment !! As a producer I never thought of it that way myself but you are so right if we look are how much work we often put into productions !! I appreciate your insight and really insightful comment !! Thank you so much , it’s people like you who not only teach me a thing or too but also make my job as a TH-cam an absolute joy!!😎V
@@VaughnGeorge You're very welcome. Also forgot to add that I'm not involved in any way in the music business. But it always bothered me that just one person would take the credit for the song writing when there would have been a bunch of other people involved in the creative process, including the other band members themselves. So one can fully understand AW's frustration with the lack of recognition when in fact, he was the guru behind each and every the song. That must have hurt.
@@neonlight7669 You are not in the music biz and yet you nailed it! Why would anyone be so cruel to Wilder?!?! 💔 I will NEVER EVER understand!
@Judy 1989 "Why would anyone be so cruel to Wilder?!?!". Forget the official statements. The answer to your question is "ENVY". With the exception of Dave, he upstaged them all in the public eye and the media loved him. Looks, class and talent are a powerful combination and fans recognised that. Dave is the lead singer and the embodiment of the band who's adored by the fans so he doesn't need ego trips. MG is a prolific song writer but lacks confidence and is mean spirited. As for AF, oh well....
@@neonlight7669 There were rumours that AF's depression came from his lack of musical skills and contribution in band work. In the beginning he had some things to play on stage (was given some) but as the band became big succes he couldn't deal with being useless.
I agree. He could simply just produce, and wouldn't have to deal with the stresses of being in a band or touring, like he has mentioned. It's a dream to see him produce a DM album, but I think that's more of a pipe dream really. I don't think Martin or Fletch would want to see him involved again somehow. I also think there's some truth to what Paul McCartney said about the reformation of the Beatles, and that "you can't reheat a souffle". Would the magic still be there? A lot of time has passed and people change. And if Alan is not motivated to produce anymore, then we are not going to see it.
The last DM album sounds like a collection of very good demos. Alan has said himself that they need a good producer to push them to go further and outside their comfort zone, in the same way that he did. Martin is still a very good songwriter, but that extra dimension is missing. And I don't think they are interested in pushing themselves in the area of production, or we would have seen that already. Not to mention you have a section of their fanbase who loves their albums post-Alan, and thinks that SOFAD is their worst album. It's sad, but I'm also grateful for the work that Alan contributed to, and the legacy that he has left.
Timothy Cole Hello mate and Amen to everything you have said there !! Thanks for that !! I am so impressed by the quality of the comments and the feedback this channel is receiving !! I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with that Paul McCartney saying !! Cheers matey 😎👍V
@@VaughnGeorge No problem! Keep up the good work. I've subbed ;)
Timothy Cole thank you so much matey !! I promise to do my best to give you the best value and quality content I possibly can !! V 😎👍
I can only say, Alan will always be the boss.
The boss for sure!! Alan always !! V :-)
Watch the video from the remastered of "Music for the Masses", Dave makes a comment about Alan kinda taking the lead to produce along with producer of course and "schooling", he said that that was something that they didn't appreciate back then, you can see he misses him.
and by the way: "if you want" is one of my all time favourites off DM catalogue.
That is one of my favourites too!! V:-)
Some of his songs are among my DM favorites, even thought they're overlooked, like "The Landscape Is Changing" or "In Your Memory".
Now 'In your Memory' there is a good song. I remember playing it death, as I bought it as a b-side to some 12" (was it 'People are People'?)
Another 20 minutes of my time well spent 👍 thank you
Colin thank you so much matey!! V :-)
When I last saw him, he seemed down, and also at a Q&A bitter about the music industry. There are 2 things he can do, withdraw totally (like he seems to have done), or lift his chin, self produce a really great new Recoil LP - and either Kickstart it or self finance - he is sure to sell I don't know, 10 or 20 thousand copies? Physical copies only. Personalise them some how! (that's a lot of signatures though!) I am sure he'd make more money than doing nothing. We are a loyal fan base
Perhaps he could get Andy Fletcher to forge his signature? It would give him something to do, at least!
So, first of all, great video and it was great seeing the thoughts you had on the whole situation, despite the fact that DM are a close-knit group with little stuff leaking outside especially when it comes to their inner workings as a group and as such we don't know much about the whole dynamic. So, here are my two cents(on a completely random order)
a)Dave has long been the only person in the band with whom Alan has contact with, they even visit each other occasionally and have remained friends throughout, with Dave even saying in interviews how he misses him and how he should have stood up more when it came down to AW leaving. The only reason he wasn't out there is(as far as I'm aware) because he goes backstage to rest during Martin's well-placed solo performances within DM concerts.
b)According to Wilder himself, the band had an extremely good 50-50 split b/w them and Mute, with each person having the same percentage of royalties. This could be a factor in his decision to leave, as according to some people close to the band, he felt it was extremely unfair how he took most of the work on the studio and was paid the same as Fletch, who(as the band have, to their credit, admitted several times) does absolutely nothing on the studio and just ofters criticism, a fact that didn't go unnoticed with Alan, who already hated the fact that he was essentially "the handsome keyboard player" in the band and got close to no recognision from the casual fanbase.
c)I really recommend going to Alan's Recoil site, where he has an INCREDIBLE Q+A section(not updated since the early 00's, but still), and he shines a light on almost every aspect of his time in DM, among other things: from what he thought on MLG's infamous "misanthropist" comment about him when they were promoting Ultra, to the workings around the Devotional Tour, it is quite a read.
Anyway, that's all from me, I'm looking forward to seeing other topics from you as well!
longviewhysteria wow thank you so much for this detailed and insightful comment !! I really appreciate people who take the time to write such long and descriptive comments. I would like to welcome you to the family my friend and I look forward to more interactions from you in the future !! So I’m off to the Recoil site to do some more research based on your recommendation!! Thank you so much again and see you soon on the next video coming soon!! V 😎
Alan should come back for a tour. Alan was dignified in the way he left the band and has remained a class act about it. Unlike say, Peter Hook. New Order have been my favorite band for 31 years (and no I'm not saying they're better than DM) and we all know the mess that is Peter Hook vs New Order. Believe me it kind of hurts when I watch footage of New Order with Hook in the days of their youth and and knowing what was to eventually come.
What Alan did with some of the Talk Talk songs are amazing.
It's quite funny that we kind of have the same "dream". Final Depeche Mode album (we know the time is coming eventually) and tour being "Alan Wilder is back for one last shot" would be completely out of this world. I've watched DM live a few times but they have all been in the post-Exciter era (they didn't really come to Portugal before 2006 except in 1993 when I was still a bit young) so I've never really seen them with Alan except in DVD releases (101, devotional live, ...) and that would just be an absolute must watch concert.
Diogo Bastos thank you for your comment mate and welcome to the family !!😎👍V
I’d love it if Depeche Mode took your advice and hired Alan Wilder for one more album and tour! I think it would be the most successful thing they would ever do...just with all of the Alan Wilder fans who would flock to it!
Take the first album and hear the influence of Vince Clarke.
Take all the D.M. albums from 1983 to 1993 and you hear the brilliant influence of Alan Wilder.
Since 14 April 1997, with the release of "Ultra", you hear that Depeche Mode are missing people like Vince Clark and Alan Wilder.
The albums from 1981 - 1993 are still played here regularly. The albums from 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2017 I also own, of course, but they're really only on my record shelf. Reason: I still love the influence of Alan Wilder and since his departure, the music of Depeche Mode is actually no longer my music. And yes, I still regularly run to concerts by this band, because they accompanied me through my childhood, shaped my musical taste and influenced many other things. Like my taste in clothes, for example.
Alan Wilder first started out as a touring keyboardist 1982 and the rest is history... He certainly helped shape the sound of the band from Construction Time Again and also contributing with a couple of songs including the joint written Get the balance right b side instrumental Great Outdoors
Not forgetting if you want track on Some great reward.. In your memory B Side to People are People and Christmas Island Co write B Side of A Question of Lust..
RPJ Mullin thank you fir your comments!! I’d like to discuss B-sides in up coming videos 😎👍V
The DM of old is long gone. DM is just living off of their reputation. The past few albums is just terrible compared to the 1997 album and earlier.
jo pump many hardcore fans would agree with you on that my friend 👍😎V
jo pump playing the angle was a damn good album
@@gabemcknight8933 Yes , I agree, it was one of the better ones they did post Wilder V :-)
Playing the angel was quite gopd but even that one is 14 years old, the same gap between construction time and ultra!!!
Ultra was not that bad and Playing the Angel is a masterpiece. It shows what DM is capable of even without AW when they dont get lazy.
I disagree with the way people see how Depeche Mode evolved only based on the absence of AW. Time passed by and the music industry has changed. DM had to change to fit in this era where electronic bands are no longer uncommon and music rather provided by streaming platforms. Even if AW was still there, DM would be different from before 1995.
From my point of view, the band is surfing on their name, their reputation and the blind love of their fans so the ‘’decreasing quality’’ of their work cannot be explained only by the absence of AW.
Dont take me wrong, I have a great respect for this guy but open your eyes (ears) and listen to other bands, musicians and artists; there are lots of AW out there. He s not a god. Just a very talented artist among others.
He s gone 20 years ago so maybe it s time to get over it.
Alan left, and took all the magic of DM with him. Thanks for making these videos. :)
Thank you for your kind comments!! V:-)
Piano & Keyboard Artist It is always a pleasure to listen, learn and respect. Greetings from Spain. :)
butnot mj greetings to you in Spain from the uk!! Thank you and lots of love !! V 😎👍xx
Alan is a true genius if you listen to Depeche mode before and after its very clear to hear that he is no longer around.Just listen to his Recoil project its so impressive and dark pure genius.
Yes I love the recoil stuff !! V :-)
New subscriber, love the channel by the way. I've followed Depeche since 1982. I love Martin's songs , I've always thought of the whole Martin and Alan "partnership" thing like this - Martin writes the songs in black and white and then Alan adds the colour.
Hello my friend and welcome to the group!! There is also a Vaughn George facebook group which is a lot of fun if you fancy joining it? Cheers!! VG:-)
You summed up how I feel about Depeche Mode, my favourite band. They have gone a bit monochromatic musically since his departure. I've not been interested in the internal politics or feelings between them, but wouldn't Alan want to work with the duo again, or don't they want to know... Pride comes before a fall. Such a shame, but have such hopes for the new album after dis-'Spirit'.
Ohh and Vaughny, thanks for a great channel, why haven't I found you before. Keep up the excellent work
Hi! again! a great video about DM, I wish the same as you ...Alan in tour with the rest of the guys..GOD! it could be amazing! the best thing that they could do for themselves...great job again!
Jonas Andoney Thank you for your kind comments bro!! I’m glad you are enjoying the channel !!😎👍V
Agree with you. Just listen to Violator for the subtleties there in. Alan added alot.
Jacob Gardner thank you fir your comment my friend !! Glad you are onboard .😎👍V
It just cant be worth it for either Martin or Alan. Martin is even more loaded financially now. And the band works in other dimensions that it couldnt with the old setup. As much as Alan was great, DM still have moments where they shine. Their strength has been to evolve sonically. And that means that often people are disappointed when they dont want them to change.
Well said Spencer!! Thank you for staking the time to comment!! V:-)
I love DM. Lots of people feel Alan was under appreciated, and I agree. However, writing the song is the really tough part. Enjoy the Silence isn’t a good example because it’s an outlier in a way. Many of Martin’s demos sound very close to the final record. There are many people who can produce and fill songs out. Maybe Alan was one of the best, but many can do it. Very few can do what Martin Gore does. The Beatles had George Martin, Geoff Emerick, and other engineers who did a lot to help the songs, but what Lennon and McCartney could do in writing the song is where the real genius is. Same with Depeche Mode.
Tom Hunt hello mate and thanks for your detailed comment !! Yes the song is the most important thing at the end of the day and Martin is the master of this 👍😎V
Totally agree!
I've always thought To Have and To Hold is a better example than Enjoy the Silence of what Alan brought to the table
Yes that is a brilliant example!! V :-)
Personally, I much prefer the harmonium version of Enjoy the silence to the one that everybody apart from me seems to love. Regarding The Beatles' songwriting genius: "its" name was Theo Adorno according to some sources and the more I think about it the less incredulous I become.
You are a genius, you said what was needed to be said, YOU KNOW THE TRUTH and I totally relate to the phrase 'if you don't like depeche mode you have bad taste'
Orange_Juice. Hahaha I’m not sure about me being a genius but I am happy you enjoyed the video!! Thank you so much for your support my friend !! V😎👍
I love how you can be both sharp & acid and still wonderfully tactful at the same moment. PLEASE do a video (or several!) on RECOIL -- wouldn't that be a treat for all of us Alan Wilder fans out there! :)
Sandy Szypowska thank you and a good suggestion there !! VG🎹👍😎
Watch the video of Flood discussing Enjoy the Silence, according to him much of the sound ideas came from him. Even if that's true, I do agree that Alan's contribution to Martin's songs is what makes up the Depeche Mode sound that we love.
I wouldn't have even liked any depeche MODE without the awesome keyboard sounds. How many of the keyboard sounds were played though by Gore, compared to Wilder?
It seems like one of the main issues was that DM were applying a standard band writer, performer arrangement when they weren’t a standard band. Because they were electronic they needed someone to create the music, which is different to a standard band who would usually jam the new material and contribute much more to the creation of the songs. Alan in effect contributed to the writing of the songs and probably should have had shared credits. It’s a shame they couldn’t have that conversation. Might have had something to do with him being the last man in so to speak.
Depeche mode used to be a synth-band and that's why I fell in love with them and their sound in the early eighties, today they are a rock-band using synthesizers. I also, always adored Alan's contributions to the band and was very sad when he left. His recoil work was like you described very interesting and I listened a lot to it when it came out and like you say, it is more atmospheric than melodic and that ingredience is what created the magic symbiosis with the great composing skills of Martin Gore.
I feel excited but also a bit disappointed everytime a new album is released nowadays, DM's sound has evolved but not in the direction of my preference.
As for Alan coming back to the band, as great as it would/could be, I have given up a long time ago...
Good work on the channel BTW. I enjoy conversations here a lot even though I am not contributing a lot in the comments.
Thanks, and looking forward to future videos.
I too preferred their electronic sound. Today they just sound like a generic rockband. And it just doesn't suit them or their songs. In fact it actually downright devalues them. Alan was managed to form and shape a sound that would ALWAYS make you say "THAT is Depeche Mode!".
I will allways love DM but Alan Wilder brought life into every track he worked on. Recoil =🤯❤
I could talk all night about this topic. Great video! I too have thought Alan should come back for one more album and tour- the fan response would be HUGE.
Rick Blasing thank you for your interest in the channel and kind words!! V😎👍
You are spot on here. Brilliant perspective. Thanks.
Depeche Mode= Earth/David Gahan, Air/Alan Wilder, Fire/Martin Gore, Water/Andy Fletcher
Dave (fire) martin (water) alan (air) fletch (earth)
@@werideatdusk
David Gahan b. May 9, 1962, Taurus, Earth; Alan Wilder b. June 1, 1959, Gemini, Air; Martin Gore b. July 23, 1961, Leo, Fire; Andy Fletcher b. July 8, 1961, Cancer, Water
@@14Titus haha, Fletch = cancer
Vaughn oh my I totally get you. I listened to that demo by Martin. It is naked. And Alan should have been equally rewarded for his work as Martin, cause without his touch there is no good Enjoy The Silence.
Wilder was the driving force really. What did fletcher do exactly? There wasn’t equal effort going in. Wilder was doing more than the others tbt.
As a producer and first/foremost as a musician, Alan can hardly be described other than a pioneer and a visionary. In nearly every interview with him, you can tell the man knows what makes a ‘signature’ sound, what samples drive a very specific type of audio character and how all the production elements should blend and play well together. I am not a musician nor an expert on music production but have been closely following the electronic music for many years and found Alan Wilder in the same league (if not better) with Moby, Flood or even Brian Eno. I also find fascinating to see how Alan managed to inspire and help other emerging artists in their early efforts - Nitzer Ebb, Leather Strip come to mind. Actually, would be interesting to get your view on the EBM music in general and its different slightly different take on synthesizers and electronic music in general. To pile some more questions (forgive me), did you have a chance to explore other areas of electronic music such as dark ambient that relies heavily on the use samplers, sequencers and other techniques for a whole another artistic expressions. Brian Eno was a pioneer here (his Music for the Airports is legendary), and Lustmord, Thomas Köner are worth checking as well.
Love the channel, very interesting topics with some well-balanced views on what are often controversial topics. All the best! Dan.
Daniel Bahula than you my friend !! Appreciate you encouraging comments and happy to have you on board !!😎👍V
You're videos are really enjoyable, good job.
Being an old and longtime DM fan myself, I completely agree with many of your views in regards to Alan. His sound and visions was what I loved about DM and lost with his departure. Bringing him back for one last album would defiantly be a welcome dream. And how about this for a thought: Let Daniel Miller be a part of the productionteam on that final album....and Gareth Jones should mix it!
Thank you for your kind words my friend!! V:-)
Alan Wilder's accompaniment is a separate art form. Not overly complex, but not easy either. Alan is a separate art form
Totally agreed.....i don't listen to anything of theirs post Wilder
Many fans feel the same as you do mate!! V :-)
@@VaughnGeorge the majority of fans attending their shows these days are obsessed with Dave and not so much the live sound.....
This is true!! I'm sure though that you and I other hardcore fans focus more on the entire show as opposed to only Dave !! V :-)
@@VaughnGeorge it's not just the music production for lost but also Dave decided to reinvent himself for the Exciter tour into a Jagger and also how he sang changed.....to me their live sound is no better than a cover band
@@daveaskew2105 I find Dave Gahan's stage person very, very irritating, if I'm being honest. I wouldn't pay good money just to hear him shouting "Come on!" every few minutes. I've liked all their recent albums apart from Spirit but live, I just don't think they cut it anymore. Then again, being a stadium band never suited them any way and they don't play small venues.
I can agree that Wilder was the mastermind behind the sound that the band found after Clarke left. But i still find the sound is just as good now, only different. And actually two of the songs on the latest album, "Going Backwards" and Cover Me" are two of the best songs they've ever done. And for me, a band that can actually change their sound or image and move into other directions but still sound great is the reason why i still love their music. But of course i'd love to see Wilder back for one more album and tour, cause i think the sound would move into a completely new sound again….not back to the old sound, but into a greater new sound. Maybe when they deside to write their last album Wilder will be back!
Alan wilder is that kind of mysterious forces with a feline spirit, but when you put him to work he is revolutionary and his creations came to have magic (with depeche) and as I always say, mart and Al were the perfect ying yang
Dave was the one who called Alan to play that show.
That's the problem with people like Ben Hillier or James Ford , they can't seem to see take Martin's songs to that next level .
This is true !! V :-)
I disagree. Ben Hillier did a sterling job with some sub standard songs. Precious is better than Enjoy the silence, in my opinion. James Ford seems like the wrong choice of producer and I hope that Spirit is the only album he produces. I'd like Alan Wilder to produce their next album but I greatly doubt that Gore would allow that to happen. Failing that, I'd like Gore to self produce them, as I really liked his MG album, which is a real grower. I also think that John Cale or Ryuichi Sakamot might might prove an interesting choice of producer for DM and would've loved to have heard what Scott Walker (R.I.P.) might've been able to do with them.
MisAnnThorpe Ben Hillier did get a bit of aggro from several fans . I actually really rate The Playing the Angel album really highly !! This just goes to show how fans of the same band can have such vastly different opinions . V👍😎
@@MisAnnThorpe No Ben Hillier is terrible , he only does well when the demo is already good as must have been the case with songs like Precious . But if you listen to some of those Sounds of the Universe demos it becomes clear that allot of times Hillier added very little which kinds of begs the question what he was there for . I would agree that James Ford is not the best choice either , he sounds too similar to Hillier for starters . As for Alan I read Martin saying in an interview that Alan never approached them asking to rejoin the band or work with them which must mean he doesn't want to or he just won't ask . My guess is neither Alan or the band would ever ask , there is probably still some pride to be hurt there . As for who should produce their next record ... I would quite like to hear what someone like Trevor Horn could do for them . He has a nice full sound .
@@VaughnGeorge Playing the Angel is the best Hillier album but most likely only because the songs and demos were already good . With the albums that followed it was always fairly easy to find fan mixes that sounded better than what Hillier did which kind of says it all .
Thank you for this....I've had many many conversations regarding this.... Interesting point about Recoil's sound. I've always felt that most people wouldn't really like Recoil because Wilder's songs really don't have much structure....or I should say, they don't follow a familiar structure....very open ended and atmospheric and not really made for mass consumption. Whereas Gore's songs are definitely more structured...However.... with just Gore, we get albums like Spirit and Delta Machine... this is great though....
Grey Room hello mate and thank you for this comment !! You explain exactly what I mean and your explanation is even clearer than mine !! Yes Recoil is very much concept music and it very much an experimental style which is really not to most people’s taste . V 😎