I love this song; it's one of my favorites of all-time and it never gets old. I prefer the "Hands and Feet" mix (the chromatic synth around the midpoint gives me chills) over the others. It's the perfect mix of the song; it keeps the integrity of the original but gives it a bit of darkness and hollowness that adds depth to it without sounding forced. Also, "Mephisto" is AWESOME. If I ever make a horror movie, Gore will do the soundtrack.
File under: One of the richest (and most diverse) catalogs in independent music
Flagship acts: Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Liars, Apparat, Erasure, S.C.U.M.
Based in: London, England
For an artist who adopted the moniker theNormal, Daniel Miller's life and career have been anything but. In 1978, he one-upped punk rock with an analog synthesizer: Since the keyboard required no musical knowledge whatsoever, he reasoned, it must be even more punk than an over-driven Gibson Les Paul. He founded his… more »
Depeche Mode is one of the unlikeliest success stories of fin-de-siecle rock: a band that rose from humble (if inspired) synth-pop origins to become an arena-filling behemoth, with a stature nearly on par with the likes of R.E.M. or U2, by virtue of what might seem to be insurmountable contractions and obstacles. They've flirted with androgyny, yet bare-chested singer Dave Gahan is one of the most macho frontmen in the last few decades. They've embraced… more »