Counterfeit2

Martin L. Gore | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 29, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B00008VGL6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,293 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. In My Time Of Dying

2. Stardust

3. I Cast A Lonesome Shadow

4. In My Other World

5. Loverman

6. By This River

7. Lost In The Stars

8. Oh My Love

9. Das Lied Vom Einsamen Madchen

10. Tiny Girls

11. Candy Says

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Counterfeit proves that Martin Gore has exemplary taste in music. The Depeche Mode songwriter's first full-length solo excursion is a covers album in the tradition of David Bowie's Pin-Ups. The 11 selections range from obviously classic works by rock lords Lou Reed, Nick Cave, Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, and John Lennon; to a pop-trash wildcard--a winsome version of David Essex's "Stardust." What’s more, most of the songs fit in with Depeche Mode’s fascination with masochism, drugs, decay, and disillusion. The problem lies in Gore's lack of emotional and musical range. Fans will take great comfort in the set's familiar moody minor chords, electronic touches, echoing darkness, and Gore's vocals. But the end result is uniform in texture and tempo, and songs as originally powerful as "In My Time of Dying" or Cave’s "Loverman" just seem to float into the background, deprived of edge and individuality. Still, Gore plays Weill’s "Lost in the Stars" piano-and-strings straight, and seekers of tasteful ambience may enjoy the idea of various cult rock, folk, and country songs being transformed into Mode-ish mood music. --Garry Mulholland

Product Description

Songwriter and one of the founding members of Depeche Mode, offers the second installment in this counterfeit cover-version series. Featuring classic tunes by Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, Kurt Weill and John Lennon. 11 tracks. Mute. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Different times, different music, May 1, 2003

By 

Hans-Juergen Philippi (Weiterstadt, Deutschland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Counterfeit2 (Audio CD)

Being a Depeche Mode fan for about 20 years now, I own (and -in most cases- adore) every piece of music the guys ever made. Thus I own the first Martin Gore solo album, "Counterfeit", and had to have this new output immediately.
And how is it then?

Like the first "Counterfeit", it consists of cover versions only. Some very strong tunes (I did not know any of them before) with deep, meaningful, and sometimes strange lyrics, sophisticated arrangements - and Martin's lovable warm voice, that fits to the songs absolutely perfect.
In my eyes the latest Depeche Mode work, "Exciter", falls behind the terrific "Black Celebration", "Music for the Masses", or "Violator" periods. It's a skillful album, no doubt about that, but it will never touch me as deeply as the the mentioned albums did/do. And in a similar way the latest "Counterfeit²" cannot keep up with Martin's first solo project.
In fact, I was expecting this. The times have changed, I have changed, and so did the guys from Basildon near London and their music.

Well, to prevent a misunderstanding: The CD is good, even better than I was hoping it to be.
I cannot rate it 5 stars because it didn't produce the instant "Wow!!!"-effect like a Depeche Mode "Violator" and also his first solo CD did. But I can honestly assign 4 stars to a very complex and ambitious piece of music...

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words don't explain..., August 16, 2006

By 

Eddie Jones "EJ6" (Slovakia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Counterfeit2 (Audio CD)

I can perfectly see, based on the reviews in here, how it works on people - it either gets a 5-star review by an amazed listener or a 1-star review by a person who asks what is this supposed to be. Well, being a DM fan for so many years I can tell that DM fans are so incredibly diverse that I can almost understand such varied reactions.

This album represents what Martin truly is and I'm sure that there can hardly be any closer expression of himself. I've heard it dozens of times but there's just no way I can get bored with it, it's so unbelievably catchy and profound, so incredibly loaded with emotion that is works like a drug. Those who just don't get it say it's monotone and disappointing and that's just because it's not really an easy listening, you've got to devote your time to really get into it... words just can't explain, I'm not a native english speaker so I can't describe it in such an impressive way. You have to feel this one inside out, this is for people who understand the deepest dimensions of music and once you get it, I'm absolutely sure it'll tremendously reward you and never get away from you. There's just nothing in between - you either understand it or you don't.

You ask how can it be so much special when considering Martin is the brain of DM? It's extremely irresponsible to state that it's just because he could've done better with this album - those who said it in here could have done much better when they listened to it and made such vague statements about this "one-of-a-kind" album. My ultimate viewpoint is that after hearing this album I understood that DM is actually the "commercially-friendly" version of Martin's world and his ideas, although still being so stellar and fantastic to all of us. Although I'm a musician and constantly listen to such a broad spectre of music I must admit that Martin L. Gore is so unbelievably gifted that he can't be denied the spot among the very unique geniuses that this world has ever seen.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Haunting, darkly beautiul, November 22, 2005

By 

A Reader "dbouquet" (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Counterfeit2 (Audio CD)

This beautiful little covers album is not, of course, a Depeche Mode album. It doesn't have the production investment behind it or a point to prove. But it is a wonderful discovery of torch songs, beautifully sung with minimal instrumentation and basic but very satisfying production. Many of the songs are far from immediate but the album has grown steadily on me for the past two years and is now becoming a favourite. The choice of songs is unusual and brave- not many would take on an Alvin Stardust cover- but Martin Gore brings a uniquely beautiful darkness to each song. He understands perfectly the crossover between glam rock and the darker side of Bowie albums such as Low. What we get is a dark modern electronic take on that.

The strongest track is probably his cover of Julie Cruise's In My Other World which is very atmospheric and has a haunting guitar riff. But his versions of Nick Cave's Loverman and Iggy Pop's Tiny Girls are joys to behold. The album ends with a narcotic rendition of The Velvet Underground's Candy Says which envelopes the listener. I would recommend the album to anyone who likes Martin Gore's songs on the Depeche Mode albums and is used to appreciating independent music. This is free from the shackles of major label input and you'll never hear a collection of songs like it- unless, of course, Martin Gore releases another one. Given the 14 year interlude between Counterfeit and Counterfeit2 it's unlikely but I, for one, hope he will.