Paper Monsters

Dave Gahan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reprise Records
• ASIN: B00009KTWU
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,780 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Dirty Sticky Floors

2. Hold On

3. A Little Piece

4. Bottle Living

5. Black & Blue Again

6. Stay

7. I Need You

8. Bitter Apple

9. Hidden Houses

10. Goodbye

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Black & Blue Again, July 30, 2003

By 

Clarissa "MoonGoddess" (Ontario, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Paper Monsters (Audio CD)

First off, I'm a huge Depeche Mode fan. It took me a while to get this CD because of the mixed reviews (more negative than positive) but when I found a cheap promo copy used online I decided to give Dave Gahan's solo project 'Paper Monsters' a try. He's been the lead vocalist for Depeche Mode since the early 80s and although he doesn't deliver any power performances as strong as his groups previous works (primarily 'Violater'), he attempts the role of band member Martin L. Gore and, while he doesn't cover any new grounds, he writes his own lyrics for the very first time and does a pretty good job of it. "Dirty Sticky Floors" is a catchy song but the album as a whole falls short and it unfortunately doesn't get much better than the first single. Despite some lovely string orchestrations I wasn't really taken by any of the ballads but I enjoyed the upbeat tracks enough to not regret my purchasing this. "Bottle Living" is an aggrassive, western rock tune about his former drug addiction and "I Need You" has a slight techno beat; both sounding like a couple of lost songs found to Depeche Mode's last album, 'Exciter'. This record may resemble DM a little but it's definitely not a clone of them. It's less electronica and much more rock 'n' roll as it further relies on drums and guitars. I wouldn't call this flawless but it's a worthy debut with a lot of promise.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gahan With the Wind., June 7, 2003

By 

The Groove (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paper Monsters (Audio CD)

Nearly a quarter century since the release of his band's debut, the vocalist for Depeche Mode finally decides to release his solo album. And you know what? It's actually quite good. For over 20 years, Dave Gahan was the voice of the Mode, but he never wrote so much as a note of the music he sang. Now, for the first time ever, he assumes the duty of songwriter, and with help of producer Ken Thomas, he comes up with "Paper Monsters." The album offers 10 solid tracks of guitar-laced electronica that represent a step forward from the dark synth pop of DM. The opener and debut single, "Dirty Sticky Floors" is a nice combo of drum loops, rough guitars, and Gahan's familiar moan, while "Bottle Living" sounds like a metaphor for alcoholism (Gahan himself is a recovering addict following a nasty fling with drugs back in the 1990s). As a lyricist, Gahan isn't going to make anyone forget about Martin L. Gore, but he makes particularly strong impressions on tracks like the mellowed out "I Need You" and "Black and Blue Again," a tale of a relationship gone wrong. This is an overall impressive solo release; it doesn't stray too far from his DM roots and yet it manages to present Gahan in a fresh new light. It's one of those records that gradually grows on you with each passing listen.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hello, I am Dave Gahan, an integral part of Depeche Mode., June 4, 2003

By 

Alan Taylor "Music Addict, Pop Culture Guru, ... (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paper Monsters (Audio CD)

Being a long-time Depeche Mode fan, I ran to the store to buy my copy of "Paper Mosters," on the day of its release. I approached the purchase with both excitement and a bit of anxiety. What would Dave Gahan do, being free to express himself without Martin Gore's words and melodies? What would have to say? And the biggest question... does he have what it takes to release a solo album? In essence, "Would it stink?"

Well, he sings about the expected subjects...drugs, alcohol, failed relationships, and the songs feel very autobiographical and personal. However, what is somewhat surprising is that not one of these songs radically departs from that familiar Depeche Mode(ish) sound. Some may see this as a shortcoming, but in my opinion, that's what makes these songs instantly likeable and acessable. Some might say the he is trying to duplicate the sound of Depeche Mode. However, what this album does is affirms that he is very much an irreplacable part of Depeche Mode, regardless of the songwriting credits. It's as if he's saying, "Hello, I am Dave Gahan, and I have every right to sound like Depeche Mode, because I am an integral part of Depeche Mode." Most importantly, he's right.

Of course, let's not overlook that there are some truly good tunes here. Nothing as catchy as "Enjoy the Silence," or nothing as dramatically beautiful as "Home," but there are some truly worthwhile tracks. The slow moody songs are my faves, try "A Little Piece," or "Stay," and you'll be hooked. Though the rest of the album is quite good too. This is one that will be played more than once out of curiosity. It's a keeper.

So, Depeche Mode fans, it may not be groundbreaking... but it's a darn good CD. Buy it... you'll like it.