Ssss

VCMG | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 13, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B0072X2NUS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,191 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2012 collaboration between Electronic music pioneers Vince Clarke (Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure) and Martin Gore (Depeche Mode), the first time the two have worked together since Clarke left Depeche Mode in 1981. VCMG is the fruit of initially tentative discussion and subsequent enthused collaboration where Vince and Martin, both influential as pioneers in electronic music, get to exercise their lifelong love of the genre as the Techno inspired VCMG. The writing and recording of the album was done in a typically unique way with the pair working alone in their respective studios, communicating only via email, exchanging files until the album was ready.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Still relevant after all these years March 13, 2012

By M. Fulkerson VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Surely the first thing to come out of the mouths of Depeche Mode and Erasure fans when they heard that Vince Clarke and Martin Gore were working together for the first time in 30 years was "it's about time!!". We can all imagine what this album might sound like without even hearing it as 30 years is a quite stretch to make one comfortable with a band's catalog of music. We picture Clarke's signature keyboard melodies accompanied by Gore's meandering moody synths coming together to form a euphoric dance floor experience. For the most part, that's exactly what this album sounds like. Coldly funky, warmly mechanized, and irresistibly catchy, "SSSS" is in many ways the album we expect from Clarke and Gore to produce without losing a touch of creditability in regard to their respective bands.

Four beats to the floor represents the order of the day on "SSSS" with its unwavering dedication to making the club floors shake via drums and groove. The album stands stark in comparison to most Erasure albums, but Clarke's synth work is apparent on opening track "Lowly" with its retro-sounding break and repetitive nodules forming to induce a driving club track. Gore's influence seems to take a back seat on this song until the closing minute when a wave of darkwave atmospherics cloud the proceedings in a menacingly welcome way; a nice start to any album.

"Zaat" follows, and reminds the listener of Depeche's constant forays into glam stomp goodness with its crunchy synth work and slamming bass drum. It would appear this is Gore's moment, inviting memories of "A Pain That I'm Used To" into the mix, and remaining all the more compelling for it.

"Windup Robot" similarly follows this path, and emerges as a contender for the "most appropriate song title of the year" award. The track manages to be distant, compelling, engaging, and immaculately programmed showcasing the best of what two master producers can imagine together.

As with any Erasure and Depeche album, "SSSS" has plenty of humor, too. "Skip This Track" cuts right to the chase and illustrates that glorious self-deprecating humor that we've grown to know and love with these two guys. However, skipping this track would be a mistake as it's the most rich and layered track on the LP, skillfully bringing every other element on the album in one defining moment. Speaker bending synthesizers manipulate your brain, hi-hats dart back and forth, and underlying grooves and tom-toms congeal to make a classic club builder.

"Recycle" stands out as the most unique track of the bunch representing the lone detour from straight techno and adapting a house direction with its focus on groove and hi-hats.

The album ends as it begins, as "Flux" immediately takes flight with a straight minimal groove, breaks, and synth stabs. As the track winds down your ears are ringing, heart is pounding, and brow is sweating from having just endured an hour of straight club grooves with just the perfect sprinkling from those other bands that brought you to this record in the first place.

Upon first listen, "SSSS" sounds like an album that might get released by the Kompakt label. It stands to reason that Mute would release this, but anyone who knows the Kompakt label will know what I speak of when describing this albums sound. Those who enjoyed the Vince Clarke remix of Depeche Mode's "Behind The Wheel" will undoubtedly enjoy this album. This is modern disco music, make no mistake about it, but brought to us with all the latest and best technology through a mixture of outdated and updated gear. This combination, together with the veteran expertise of Clarke and Gore, make for an inspiring listen. There is nothing on this album that hasn't been done before, but the technical mastery is second to none.

The real reason we're listening to this record is because we are endlessly fascinated with Depeche Mode and Erasure. It really takes something special to not only endure for over 30 years, but to still remain relevant and on the cutting edge. "SSSS" is a great testament to what Clarke and Gore are currently into musically, and stylistically this album isn't years apart from say, "Speak and Spell". The track "Aftermaths" is a direct descendant of "Photographic" with its tone and mood, and while one might criticize the two for not changing their direction in 30 years, it reminds one just how far ahead of their time these two individuals were. The pop world has caught up with the likes of Clarke and Gore now, but that doesn't mean the masters shouldn't remind us all of why they are so heralded in the first place. Listen to this album with a keen sense of history, and the groove will lead you to many years of dance floor greatness.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Leave all preconceptions at the door.... March 25, 2012

By stutron

Format:Audio CD

This album was released with little fanfare considering who its two members are and the fact that it is a reunion of sorts. Martin Gore, the engine beyond Depeche Mode and Vince Clarke, the brains behind Yaz, Erasure and Depeche Mode (before Gore took the reins) have released a really, really good electronic dance music album but don't expect it to sound anything like a Depeche Mode or Erasure album. Once you move past what you expect the music to sound like and just accept the music on its terms, you will be deeply rewarded. On first listen, it sounds like your typical techno/EDM track but repeated listens give way to why these two are masters at crafting songs. EDM usually is about repetitiveness, but why this music grows on you is the way they slowly introduce new ideas to each song and musically take you on a journey through each track.

You're just going to have to wait for the next Depeche or Erasure album to get your fix but in the meantime, this is a wonderful diversion for your late night dance party, morning commute or while reading your newspaper with a good cup of coffee.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Trance Feel March 16, 2012

By Jason L. Hall

Format:Audio CD

While many modern electronic dj's attempt to jump to dubsteb, Vince and Martin team up to bring the electronic world a fresh look at the trance roots. Instead of slapping you with a wall of sound and cloned loops, Vince's genius with the synth's brings you complex yet clean and clear trance music.

As a coder, I've found that if you just put this in a gapless playback, and a loop, it'll get you through a day of deep coding well.

Most excited to see what remixes come from this. Great material for samples for sure.