"New Rides Of The Furious Swampriders" compilation CD

A curious compilation here, arranged by German label Sireena Records, and the 4th in a series. Based on the inspiration of "swamp rock" and the Gun Club, the artists here pay homage to this influence, and it's pretty well a fun listen through and through.

Notables included here are Deborah Harry (with Chris Stein and Jeffrey Lee Pierce), Sixteen Horsepower, Lydia Lunch (with Dave Alvin and Kid Congo Powers), the Raymen, the Walkabouts, and a weird folky cover of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence" by German group M.Walking On The Water. A handful of mostly German groups round out the 14-track set, and, surprisingly, it's a pretty well cohesive set of darkly soulful swamp blues rockers. Jeffrey Lee Pierce would be proud of his "children" and friends here. (Sireena Records)

Depeche Mode - "30 Years At The Edge" 2xDVD

Reprising a couple of previously-released Depeche documentaries, this nicely-packaged set is unauthorized, but a wholly entertaining watch for fans of this influential electronic act.
Reflecting on a career that quickly rose from teen-dance pop to dark-edged electronica, these bios feature interviews with many Depeche collaborators, peers, and journalists, and offer critical analysis as well as review of the band's works.
I already reviewed part of this one, "Depeche Mode - The Dark Progression" here.
The other disc I wasn't familiar with, but it seems to have been released previously, as well, under different titles ("Random Access Memory" and "The Ministry Of Sound"), and is less valuable, even going so far as to interview a Depeche Mode cover band. Fans, beware of this dubious release. Anyone who's not seen any prior unauthorized documentary bios, pick this one up if it's cheap. (Pride DVD via MVD Visual)


Depeche Mode official site

Nitzer Ebb - "Industrial Complex" CD

In the roughly 15 years since the last new Ebb material, Nitzer Ebb's instrumentalist Bon Harris has spent time programming for bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Marilyn Manson, while vocalist Douglas McCarthy has worked with Ebb-inspired dance producer Terrence Fixmer, as well as Alan Wilder's electro-blues project, Recoil. But these influential English electro-dance-punks reunite with the impressively strong "Industrial Complex", and they do a right good job reclaiming the harsh sequencer-driven sound of their earliest work (a la "That Total Age"), especially on the energetic opener, "Promises" (which made it's debut on the "NCIS" soundtrack). The sloganeering and authoritarian ranting of their old days is gone, though, replaced by more developed songwriting and production. There are also softer electro ballads like "Going Away", which reminds of (old friends, tourmates, and collaborators) Depeche Mode. No coincidence that Depeche's Martin Gore himself guests on "Once You Say", which bears a similarity to Mode's "I Feel You" a wee bit. But that's not to say this is a mope-fest by any means. Cuts like "Hit You Back" are more rock-oriented, echoing their later work on albums like "Ebbhead". And the thunderous "Payroll", originally heard on the "Saw IV" soundtrack, is a welcomed injection of aggressive electronics and McCarthy's half-rap-shouted vocals. "I Don't Know You" is a retro-edged bit of synth-driven hypnoticism that shows Ebb's DAF-meets-Die Krupps roots more than amicably. "My Door Is Open" continues this trend, and is easily among the duo's more intense offerings since 1991's "Godhead". "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" is another stomper that could be wicked on a dancefloor, but probably rocks too hard for most club-goers. It all ends on a lighter note with "Traveling", which is a more song-based piece that's as close to a pop song as this lot goes. Surprisingly good, sturdy, and potent work from a group that has successfully resurrected itself from the ashes. (Alfa Matrix)

Nitzer Ebb web

Depeche Mode - "The Dark Progression" DVD

Reviewing these unauthorized documentaries is kinda tough. After all, they themselves are critical reviews. This particular one examines the origins and rise of England's masters of dark electronic pop/rock, from their days as the teeny new wavers of 'Speak & Spell' to the international rock superstardom of 'Violator' and 'Songs Of Faith And Devotion'. This one's nice in that it features interviews with peers like Gary Numan, OMD, and Thomas Dolby, as well as producers Gareth Jones, Dave Bascombe, and the usual critics and biographers. There's plenty of clips from Depeche's classic videos, and brief interviews with the band to round things off. Quite enjoyable for fans, as there's some nice little trivia included here. My only real gripe? The fact that the assessments only go on through 'Faith & Devotion' (that was 16 years ago, folks!) with no time given to the band's later years. So this one's probably a rehash/re-edit of an earlier release. Ah well. It's still a worthy addition to any serious fan's collection. Newbies? Head towards one of the group's fine 'best of' collections first. This is one strictly for the hardcore. (Chrome Dreams/Sexy Intellectual via MVD Visual)

Depeche Mode - "Sounds Of The Universe" CD

At this point in time, I'm not going to convince any of you non-DM fans to buy this. It's really what you'd expect from these oldster electro-rockers -- dark-edged electronic pop, with some hints of subversion among the anthemic hooks and 'ready-for-club-mix' beats. What I can do, however, is present old fans with a hint at what 'SOTU' has to offer. The integration of vocalist Dave Gahan as part-time songwriter hasn't hurt the band at all. And his vocals have really come together in recent years -- he's found his range and strengths. Gahan's now a perfect foil (and duet partner) with Martin Gore, and the two seem to blend their voices almost seamlessly in tracks like the opener, 'In Chains'. The lead-off single, 'Wrong', is a heavier and darker cut with a video that needs to be seen to be believed (I would have linked it below, but dmode.cm has disabled all embedding, sorry!). 'In Sympathy' is a funky little 80's-retro number, and another possible single. 'Jezebel' is the requisite M.Gore ballad, and as such is kinda melodramatic and schmaltzy, but that's DM, right? 'Sounds Of The Universe' is a strong album, for sure, but I can't help but feel that this is by-the-numbers Depeche Mode. Which for some bands, would be career-making. I'm just not thrilled. (Mute)

Depeche Mode website

Dave Gahan - "Hourglass" CD

The second solo effort from Depeche Mode frontman Gahan is a subtle and cohesive collection of tunes that move further from the rock-oriented directions of his previous solo work, and actually rival (or surpass) Depeche's own pieces of late. “Kingdom” is the obvious single, and is a top-shelf electro-rock anthem, whereas “Use You” is an industrial-tinged slice of bad-vibe and malediction. It seems that Gahan's tough-living bout in the 90's is well behind him, as he's making some of the most mature and intelligent music of his career here. Gahan's never sounded more confident and diverse, as tracks like the raw and edgy “Endless” illustrate. A few pieces falter a bit, as with the overdramatic and uncatchy “Miracles.” Nonetheless, 'Hourglass' is a solid and potent set of dark-edged reflections from one of the most influential vocalists in the genre. (Mute)