Customer Reviews

Paper Monsters

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

dave gahans first solo record was a suprise- what i imagined was some horrible cliche rock record but what i found was a very moody wellcrafted album that mixes the best of sofad-era depeche mode with some ry cooder electro blues slide guitar( nearly on a majority of the tracks. throw in some nice strings(ala richard ashcroft-verve) some plucked acoustic guitar and top it off with gahans best vocal performances and paper monsters is more or less a winner.

PROS: good vocals-great ambience-well produced- guitars are wonderful-continuity throughout the album- unconcerned with trying to be overly catchy( though there are a few radio hit attempts)- material reflects an older wiser gahan(not some sad attempt to rock out at 44-see rolling stones) slide guitar is choice- pretty good songs though some drag abit or take to long to get going(patience is rewarded though)!

CONS: lyrically flat-(lyrics are not in booklet-wise choice as they are pretty poor and cliche)-sometimes material is alittle sparse- both "bottle living" and "dirty sticky floors" sound like remakes of i feel you and personal jesus (too redundant of that style but not bad nonetheless. "I need you" sounds like depeche mode completely and doesnt sit well in this format. some may find the album slow but most work by older artists is( usually there is more depth and meaning to be found-here that is the case though better lyrics would have helped even more)

SOUNDSLIKE: sofad era depeche mode- slower acthung baby u2- hints of verve or richard ashcroft-ry cooder soundtrack work- abit of nick cave or scott walker in ambience.

FAVS: hold on-stay-bitter apple-bottle living-hidden houses

Overall: give this to the older brother who thought depeche mode were to synthy or poppy sounding- fans of depeche mode will probally have mixed opinions( i think its better than the last two depeche mode albums and gores solo effort). its a solid record that grows on you-( has to be listened to in one sitting to fully appreciate) doesnt stray too far from mode but is different. Worth getting especially if you can pick it up used but worth full price!

So this is what Dave Gahan sounds like when (finally) left to his own devices. Any other artist would have been nervous, or even scared, at the prospect of doing it their way after singing someone else's songs for over 20 years. But not Dave. While not a complete departure from Depeche Mode (some songs on the album, especially Hold On, could well have been heard on Exciter), Paper Monsters truly feels like Dave was ready to do his own thing and share his own views on life. Of course, like with any other solo debut from a member of a hugely sucessful band, Paper Monsters does somewhat leave you thinking that there's room for improvement. But make no mistake : this is the work of a true professional here, an artist who you feel has been there and done that and who knows what he's doing. With highly autobiographical and well-crafted lyrics, exquisite vocals (Dave's smooth barytone has never sounded better in my opinion) and some masterful arrangements, Dave's Paper Monsters may leave you wanting more...but it doesn't disappoint.

I only recently learned Dave Gahan came out with a solo album, and I bought it without hearing any of it beforehand. I never do this, and for once, it was a solid purchase!

As far as I'm concerned, this man could sing shampoo bottle instructions, and his voice would still set me on fire.

I was wondering, like the rest of you, how he'd do without Martin. Truth is, he does fantastic, and while Martin may have been the writer of DM, he was NOT the voice--Dave is. The DM tone does indeed carry into his album, but he's not trying to sound "DM minus Martin" on this album.

My favorite song on this album is "Hidden Houses"--it is a seductive song without being overt about it. I found myself being lulled away by the melody and the softness in his voice. Listen to this in your car, and you will miss your exit, like I did--guaranteed.

"Dirty Sticky Floors" is a bit elementary in its lyrics, but it is DAMN catchy, and you'll enjoy it despite the simple rhyming. I can hear this one becoming a standard in dance clubs. This was the best song to open up the CD, no question. It really sets the tone of edgy, faster music interspersed by slower, more intense lyrics. Perfect balance.

"Hold On" just defies description; I love it. Amazon doesn't give enough space for me to go on and on about this one.

All in all, it was a great purchase, and my lone regret is that I didn't buy the version with the bonus DVD. If you like Dave and his rich voice, BUY his CD, and you won't be sorry.

The Editorial Review from amazon.com pretty much sums it up.The strongest cut here is the lead single, "Dirty sticky floors". Actually it is a great song -and hopefully it will break this album for him. Another great track is "Hidden Houses". Many of this albums songs are slow and mellow -and remind me of two things: how much many of these songs remind me of DM's last album,"EXCITER" (which i wasn't too impressed with) and that I prefer to hear Dave Gahan sing more of the uptempo songs and leave the ballads to Martin Gore. I'm not saying I don't like it, I just prefer it. On "Black and Blue again", which is a slower cut, Dave shines- but on "A Little Piece" i'm just not feeling it. I'm sure everyone wants to know if this record sounds like DM. well there are similarities. For example "Bottle Living" reminds me of "personal Jesus",but toned down a bit. And "I need Love" reminds me of " I feel Love". I have to say i am very impressed with Dave Gahan's songwriting. Hopefully he will do more of it in the future because he's actually very good at it. and although i didn't like a couple of the songs on here, the most important thing i have to say about this cd is that Dave Gahan's voice has NEVER sounded better. He sounds comfortable and passionate singing HIS songs. Good for him.

With every year, Dave's voice improves, and on this album, his voice sounds better than ever. Every song on this album is good and grows on you.

The fact that this album was made is awesome. To recall some of the outlandish things that happened to David Gahan during his career as a musican, it is a wonder he is still around. After all, it was only yesterday that he was addicted to drugs and overdosed on a speedball of smack and coke. Does anyone remember that he was legally dead for like three minutes?

Then he arose from the ashes and made three more Depeche Mode albums (to date) Ultra, Exciter and Playing the Angel. In between the latter two, David Gahan recorded his first solo album, Paper Monsters.

It appears that the Paper Monster album has been twenty plus years in the making. As the front man of the alternative electronic-rock band Depeche Mode, David Gahan has paid his dues. However the one endeavor that he had never done was pen any of the songs that he sung. It seemed strange that the (main) voice of the Depeche Mode, didn't write any of the words he sang. The job of song writing belongs to Martin L. Gore, or at least it did. This solo effort is what proved David Gahan could write and allowed him to compose three songs for the next Depeche Mode album, Playing the Angel.

As for Paper Monsters itself, it is a bit of a departure from the idealism that is Depeche Mode. Which is good, why not a toss it up a bit. The content isn't quite as enigmatically as Depeche Mode, but does offer some dark and moody elements, as in Black and Blue Again. Yet there are other songs that are paradox. For instance, Dirty Stick Floors is about David Gahan being an addict and the cause and effect it had on his life. Now with that type of foundation, it would seem that this song would be malicious and/or sullen. In fact, Dirty Stick Floors is a satire and is poppy and jovial in nature. Many of the other songs appear to have a blues, jazz, and rock `n' roll feel to them. The only song that really seems like it could be a Depeche Mode song is I Need You. So yes one could say that this album sounds like Depeche Mode, but perhaps David Gahan has been "typed-cast". After all, Depeche Mode is all he had done until the recording of Paper Monsters.

As for the debate: David Gahan isn't a better writer than Martin L. Gore. Well David Gahan is no Martin L. Gore and vice versa. Martin L. Gore is an amazing songwriter and has been writing songs for like twenty-five years. However, there were many people quizzical of Martin L. Gore writing songs for Depeche Mode after Vince Clark left the group in 1982. For those of you that aren't aware, Vince Clark did all the writing for Depeche Mode's first album Speak and Spell. He then quit the band to form Easure. As for David Gahan's writing, it isn't Martin L. Gore style, it is different. But it should be noted that different doesn't equal bad.

I found Paper Monsters to be a very enjoyable album and I am pleased to see David Gahan writing songs. I believe that this album, if nothing else, is a great foundation for future songs, regardless if it is with Depeche Mode or solo. Two of my favorite songs on Playing the Angel are Suffer Well and I Want it All. Both tracks written by Gahan, with Depeche Mode, after Paper Monsters was recorded.

Overall, I think David Gahan is super cool and I have always liked his voice. Which brings a powerful, soulful, robust and mystical quality that many contemporary male vocalists do not possess.

expectations were fairly low for this-- but it's better than expected.

it's surprisingly "adult" --pleasant and non-threatening.
If you liked the last couple Depeche Mode albums, you'll like this.

If you think they're headed downhill, this won't change your mind.