Customer Reviews

Counterfeit2

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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...

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.

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.

Depeche Mode being my favourite band, of course i was looking forward to this release. the ballads on the depeche albums sung by martin gore were always a highlight for me. I love his voice but i think that his strengths lie in his lyrics. Of course on this solo cd these are covers, so i think that takes away a little for me. Also - and i hate to agree with this- i do think what the amazon.com reviewer said is true about this collection--martin does not sing a lot of these songs with great emotion.or at least the emotion we're used to getting from him.Could it be because he didn't compose them?- i don't know. this is a great collection of songs, my faves are "stardust", "loverman" and "in my time of dying". i think Gore did an awesome job of making them his own.overall this is a great cd, definately worth buying just for his uniquely beautiful voice, but no, i'm sorry' its not as good as his first solo album.

Martin L. Gore is one of few male vocalists that give me chills down my spine. Moreover, he's an extremely talented producer, who brings some of his favorite songs to a whole new level. Actually I prefer Martin's covers to the original versions, which is just amazing. His electronica is full of soul and heart-felt, so is his singing. I hope he makes more things on his own, because he's really talented. Believe me, "Counterfeit²" is a must-have.

My general feeling is that this is an album for those who wanted more of Gore's voice than Depeche Mode fans have been accustomed to, especially the last few years. Anyone not a fan of Gore/Depeche Mode probably isn't going to become one now.

The album has a consistent tone (albeit skeletal), but that is often part of the nature of electronica, I suppose.

The songs are very interesting, and Gore does seem to vary between being under- and over-emotive. While not ground-breaking, this album is a collection of eccentric songs as performed by a talented artist. I enjoy this album, but I do consider it to be an acquired taste not for everyone.

Typically when an artist covers a song its either a hit or miss. This is an album of hits. Martin takes these songs and makes them his own. Although Martin defintely does not lack the talent to create and write his own music, his interpretation of these songs is mesmerizing. He puts you in a dreamlike state you'd rather not awake from. Hopefully the Counterfeit series will become a trilogy sooner rather than later.

This album is very, very good......Martin Gore has such deep emotions in his voice and I really like the song chioces. I did know most of the tracks (they are covers) before I get the album so it was very fresh for me. Musically, it is similar to Depeche Mode's Exciter but a little more interesting. I do wish there were a few more driving beats a la Violator but I can respect that Martin is more interested in electronic textures and atmospheres than dance beats. I bet Dave Gahan will take care of that when he releases his solo album this June. Overall, this is an excellent CD that capture all the things I like about Martin Gore and Depeche Mode. The romance, the pain, the longing, the twistedness. This is definately an album to light a candle too and listen to in the dark with someone you love.

Martin Gore's second solo effort, definitely needs several listens to get through it (as well as the first one, I may add). Not only the songs selection, but the arrangements are dark, very Counterfeit Ep's "Smile In The Crowd" like. But once it gets through you, you will enjoy it a lot - but give it the time it needs to do so. It's weird to hear Martin's voice surrounded by almost trip-hoppy ambience, but it certainly is refreshing. I wouldn't recommend this album for the casual listener, but Depeche Mode fans (as me), would be thrilled listening the mastermind behind, having fun at the studio arranging some of his favourite songs (I suppose they are so) into a more synth-trip-hop (and, obviously, Depeche Modish) driven form. Highly recommendable for those DM fans who weren't satisfied with Exciter. Dave Gahan's Paper Monsters is even better!!

Track Listing
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 Star
8. Oh My Love
9. Das Leid
10. Tiny Girls
11. Candy Says