Customer Reviews

Color Theory presents Depeche Mode

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

As a person who works in the synthpop / electronic pop scene for many years, I've seen an endless flood of Depeche Mode tributes, usually flowing out of Germany and Sweden. It seems that any start-up synthpop band has to crank out a Depeche Mode song or two and throw it on a tribute CD to be taken seriously in Europe. With a couple of the earlier tributes, I enjoyed hearing different electronic takes on the pioneers ("Your World in Our Eyes" or the DM cover band Diesel Christ "Diesel Mode"). But honestly, I just got tired of it after a while.

However, this new tribute by Color Theory was quite refreshing because it did a few things differently than the other tributes. For one thing, it's all by one artist, which brings some continuity (sometimes a good thing), but the song selection was also much more interesting, choosing tracks that fit Color Theory's established sound. Rather than picking the over-killed DM hits, Color Theory interprets the more romantic, lusty, melancholy side of DM, and does it with creative flare. It isn't an attempt to clone what's already been done-- instead it throws a new light on the songs and takes them in Color Theory's own direction. The artist is also talented enough not to slaughter any of the songs (a trait sadly lacking in many tributes).

If you're a DM purist, you may not get into this tribute, or any other. If all you want is Depeche Mode, then keep buying those hits and remix compilations. But if you don't mind hearing those great songs with a fresh perspective, this is a good CD to check out.

What I look for in a cover is something that maintains the integrity of the original but adds something new or interesting, and this album definitely makes the grade. (in contrast to most of the covers on 'for the masses,' which add nothing to the originals)

First and foremost, the piano on 'but not tonight' is incredible. rain. for me it was dangerous to touch this song since i love the original so much, have the single, etc. but the piano, the piano...it goes straight to my heart, and i can see the raindrops plopping and bouncing off the streetlamp lit ground with the piano strokes, and dave gahan dancing around in circles with his arms out, face turned up to the sky, ruining his leather boots in the rain.

My other favorite on this album is 'it doesn't matter', with these lovely bells. and i like how it ends it with the line "i am happy, i am happy, i am happy even though you're not here now." which is a better closing line, and the repetition of the "I am happy" part leaves the listener to think about whether the singer is truly happy and ok with the situation, or whether he is trying to convince himself that he is happy.

The pace and dancy-ness of "i want you now" gives it a different feel, makes it lighter, flirtier, a little less...desperate, sleazy....
conversely, the heavy beat on 'one caress' makes it a little more insistent, with a deeper emotion, or urgency, rather than the more sweet character of the original.

The ending of 'world full of nothing' is this very interesting, beautiful, eastern-esque instrumental interlude, like peacefully pondering love, pondering the world, is it full of nothing? maybe it's peacefully full of nothing?

"I am you" is better than the original, which I find boring except for the ending with the orchestration. Color Theory's version is a little faster, with a more interesting instrumentation. It changes dynamics and uses silence in ways that make the song move somewhere, so that you can FEEL something- it's far more emotional than the original.

"sister of night" is another song in which color theory makes it loads better than the original by making it more emotional. For me, the original is largely one emotion and every time I want it to get more or less intense, it doesn't. So the original feels so flat for me.
Color theory's version has an interesting intro, with a different beat and instruments/sounds, and it sets it up in a way to allow for darkness of different kinds, it can increase intensity so that it becomes more urgent, then releases the tension with the piano which is, for me, calming, but not necessarily less dark.

Lets start with the Jewel case.....it is a great jewel case. Inside you will find all the information you need about Color Theory, a bit of history on why he did this project. It even includes the lyrics to "Ponytail Girl". So know lets go to the songs. Here are my thoughts

1) I Want You know: It begins with suspense like sound (Like is saying; "Are you ready for my take on one of the greatest band of all time?"). It then picks up. I have always been a fan of the song. CT's take is more upbeat. I like what he did with it. What's next???

2) Sister of Night: CT's take is definitely a great one. I'm not going to compare it to any other bands cover of the song, because there is no comparison. The programming is great, the vocals are fantastic. One of my favorites.

3) It Doesn't Matter: "Oh it does." A fantastic cover. The music sounds like is a fairytale theme song. The programming on this cover is good. Brian's voice sounds fantastic.

4) Sweetest Perfection: I like this cover!! I was never a fan of the original song, but this cover is fantastic. Very catchy it gets you moving with the beat. Also one of my favorites.

5) Here Is the House: I was looking forward to this song. My gosh it is great!!!! Very upbeat, Beautiful programming, Brian's voice sounds great!!! My favorite one. If you never liked the song, you will know.

6) I Am You: I had to listen to "Exciter" again. I have to be honest, I didn't remember the song (then again Exciter wasn't so exciting). CT's take of the song made the song enjoyable to listen, at least for me.

7) World Full of Nothing: I had to listen to CT's cover a few times. Not because it wasn't good, but because it was never a fan of the song and never really paid attention to it. CT's take has a great beat but mellow at the same time. I really enjoy the song.

8) Surrender: Here is another song that I'm not a fan of the original. The programming is great. Brian's voice sounds great, CT's take made me give the song another chance.

9) But Not Tonight: Another song that I was looking forward to listen to. Right from the start it grabs you. The piano made the difference for me. The Programming is great. Is a bit slow from the original but it still gets you moving. I like it so much I played it again and again before I went to the next song.

10) One Caress: CT's take sounds very deep and dark, but enjoyable. I have to admit, Brian's voice sounds very much like martin's on this song.

11) Leave In Silence: WOW!!!!!!!! If you didn't like the original, you will like CT's take. Very catchy and the programming is good.

12) Ponytail Girl: Most of us know the history of the song. The mysterious unreleased single from the "Exciter" cd. This is how most of us came across Color Theory's music; at least this is the case for me. I've been hooked to CT's music ever since.

I have to admit, I was expecting a good cd and it was great. CT's take of the songs made me a fan of some of the songs I didn't like. It made me realize the talent that Brian has. How he transform the songs to a whole different dimension. Most artists when they do covers, they stick to the same sound and speed of the original. I feel that when you cover another artist's song, it should be a bit different (besides the voice). The programming is great; some songs are mellow, while others are a bit more upbeat. Brian's voice sounds great. I have to admit one thing; there were times that it sounded like Martin Gore was doing the backing vocals. (Sorry Brian). The tribute is close enough to be DM, but different enough to know that is Color Theory. This is a must get for all Depeche Mode and Color Theory fans.

Color Theory is actually a one-man band, musician Brian Hazard, and his tribute to Depeche Mode is in my opinion the best DM tribute album available. It helps that Hazard sounds an awful lot like Martin L. Gore of Depeche Mode, but there's more to Color Theory than the singing; the music is a fabulous mix of old-style synth-pop and 21st century electronica.

The choice of Depeche Mode songs covered represents an eclectic mix of old and new, all great Depeche Mode songs that did not get the attention they deserved when released, such as the single "Here is The House" from "Black Celebration" and my favorite track from "Violator," "Sweetest Perfection."

Included in this mix is Hazard's own single "Ponytail Girl," a song many thought was recorded by Depeche Mode when it was released. Some may come away with the impression that Hazard is simply imitating Depeche Mode, but that's just not the case. Hazard is a great musician, and Color Theory is music equal to the greatness of Depeche Mode, and not just an imitation.

CT's realisation of these fantastic songs is a true testament, FINALLY, to Martin Gore's brilliance as a songwriter. Beyond that it has a certain nostalgic warmth of giving you an experience similar to hearing these beautiful melodies and words for the first time.

Spend the money. If you have a DM fan to shop for: Guess what?? There's no new DM Material this year... BUY THEM THIS!

I read that Color Theory's tribute was unlike any other previous collection of DM songs. So I gave it a shot. To my surprise, it was everything I was promised.

The album has a album-like flow to it. I was re-united with some long-lost Depeche Mode songs. Songs I haven't heard in some time. Although the selection came from so many different albums, it all seemed to flow.

And the music... I own two other Color Theory albums. And at first, I couldn't decide what I was listening to. Depeche Mode covers or Color Thoery originals. The tunes are familair, but with a Color Theory twist.

There are complex underlying themes/melodies that I feel make the album. Color Theory's piano pieces add a touch of warmth to the old tunes.

It Doesn't Matter, Sister Of Night and Sweetest Perfection are among my favorites.

I also read about the Ponytail scandal. People thought it was a Depeche Mode b-side for years.. and still do I suppose. But it's not. I can see that point. I thought it was a DM song I didn't own personally. And I thought I had every 12" made. At first, I didn't appreciate the song. It felt like a DM recording made as a test. A little quirky. But, it's growing on me with each listen.

I'd like to see Color Theory do Yazoo now!!!

I'm not a huge DM fan - I've listened to most all of their albums (I refused to buy Exciter after hearing the single "I Feel Love"). But Brian Hazard has re-interpreted the songs presented here into works of sheer beauty. Even songs I detested in their original form ("Sweetest Perfection") are rendered into a wonderful musical form that I find myself listening to over and over. Every DM fan or Color Theory enthusiast owes it to themselves to get this.. and every fan of great, heartfelt music should give this a try as well. A spectacular sixth album from Color Theory.

I am usually a sceptic when it comes to tribute albums, especially when it comes to a group that I hold in such high regard. However, Color Theory provides a fresh take on these much loved but often overlooked Depeche Mode songs. Intricately crafted synthpop arrangements accompany beautiful vocals to add a new emotional dimension to each song. Upon first listen, the surpringly upbeat "I Want You Now" and the passionate "Surrender" particularly stand out, bringing out the depth and emotional complexity of the original songs. Worth a listen for both the devoted Depeche Mode fan and the casual listener.

inspiring interpretations that add any further dimensions and textures to quite wonderful songs.

I've been a fan of Depeche Mode since the mid-'80's, and a fan of Color Theory since the mid-'90's. The influence of Martin Gore on Brian Hazard has always been there - I would say even Alan Wilder's influence could be heard too - but now it's all out in the open.

A few things make this album stand out from all the other Depeche Mode tributes out there: 1) Everything on this disc is either good or great - everything is worthy of Depeche Mode. 2) It's consistent in tone and production - instead of being a compilation disc of multiple artists, this is a unified album by one very talented and accomplished artist. 3) This disc never attempts to sound like Depeche Mode, except perhaps insofar as Brian's voice is somewhat reminiscent of Martin's.

I recommend this to anyone who likes good songwriting or progressive synthpop, whether or not you were a Depeche Mode fan or not. Standout tracks include "Here Is the House", "World Full of Nothing", "But Not Tonight" and the absolutely breathtaking "It Doesn't Matter" (10 out of 10 for that track; incredible). Plus, of course, Color Theory's own "Ponytail Girl", which has been one of my favourite CT tracks since I first heard a pre-release version of it.

You will enjoy this album!