Customer Reviews

Stripped: Depeche Mode

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having just finished reading this entire book, I have to say this is about as thorough as it gets. The book traces the history of the band from the time when they were grade school age to the Exciter era. Nearly 23 years of history. One of the best aspects of the book is the interview with Vince Clarke, and he covers everything, including the age old question of why he left the band. Finally, you get the story from the source. Each of the band members are pretty candid about why they think Vince left, as well as on other topics. Most important Alan Wilder's departure. We get Alan's take on that also. Again, no speculation and rumor, just facts. Alan's story on his years with the band could be a book on it's own.

The book also covers what went into making each DM album and how the sound progressed over the years. Dave, Martin, Fletch, Vince and Alan give us a rare view inside their personal lives and how the excesses of being on the road almost ruined the band. Dave covers his drug abuse and how he climbed out of the lowest depths in his life. What I consider to be somewhat sad but uplifting at the same time seeing how Dave is doing now. There's some really interesting stories about backstage life during concert tours that will be new to a lot of fans.

As a bonus there's several great pictures in the book, many never seen before. A visual history divided into 3 sections, each relevant to the time frame in the book. Childhood pictures and personal photos round out the collection.

As a fan of the band for over 15 years, I would recommend this to anyone. Some fans will find $30 to be a little steep, but it's well worth it. This is Jonathan Miller's first effort and it's better than some books by authors who have written 10. All the questions people have had over the years are all addressed right here. The only flaw is that the discography has the singles released in '84 as being released in '83, a minor mistake. It certainly doesn't detract from the quality of this excellent biography.

Depeche Mode, a band that made growing up in a boring country town tolerable!

Finally a book that really gets into the music and personality of depeche mode and lets you understand them. The previous two books were not good and after reading them twice I was still left totally in the dark about the band.

This book discusses what the others didn't, the music!! It really tells the Depeche Mode story album by album and single by single. He tells about how the albums are made and discusses the working relationships between the group members during those albums. From that perspective he goes into personal bits on the band that really show their personalities. This book doesn't just start talking about their personalities and sorta throw in the albums as time markers. It really shows you how their music develops.

He also really brings up alot of new interviews and facts, which I didn't think existed. After reading the other books, which overlapped alot, this book had refreshing new interviews that shed incredible perspective on the group. Alan's story is finally told as well in great detail...giving some of the most candid insights into the group. Daniel Miller, Gareth Jones, and Vince Clark are covered as well.

I have been a HUGE fan for over 17 years now and until I read this book I always thought that they came from outerspace. Its funny but I will kinda miss that naivete. I had my own ideas of them that weren't true that I will miss. But now that I know the whole story, it inspires me.

'Stripped' is the most comprehensive book on Depeche Mode to date - covering all eras of the group's innovative career.

A lot of emphasis is placed on the band's formative years, with contributions given by those who knew the members before they became international stars.

There is however, like most other books written about the band, a lot of second-hand information from previous interviews - and many of these interviews are well known to those who have a keen interest in the group.

There's plenty to read though - and some rare pictures too which avid fans are bound to like.

All in all, it's definitely worth having if your a fan of "the best electronic group in the world".

Stripped: The True Story of Depeche Mode by Johnathan Miller is a very interesting book that for the first time tells the whole story about this groundbreaking rockgroup. The formative years are described much more in detail then the latter part and that is why I am inclined not to give 5 stars. It seems as they become more and more famous, the chapters also become shorter. I was quite interested to read about the different equipment that they had used over the years and I was quite disapointed that the author had not made a comprehensive list of all keyboards used for each recording as this is quite intesting. I also found that it strange that their was so much material on Vince Clarke as he was only with them for one album. Alan Wilder must be a bit disapointed with the book as he is shown to be arrogant, filled with self importance. I find the writing to be clear and concise and this is a very good (not perfect) biography on one very peculiar and intresting synth trio.

Seemingly hacked together from magazine bits from fan magazines, NME and the like with various bits thrown in from technical publications--somewhere the real Depeche Mode gets lost. Of course, understanding it is an unauthorized book, you do hope for something more than excerpts from interviews. Alan Wilder is quoted a lot in the book which seems neither here nor there. Overall, a tedious read that makes DM seem almost boring. A Behind The Music segment would have more life than this!

Been avidly following Depeche Mode since 1985, so when i knew this book did not contain direct interviews with band members themselves, i suspected there would be little information i hadnt already come across from reading many articles on DM in the past 20 years. But i was wrong. Even the avid fan who has followed them closely will find a lot of new and interesting details especially about the early years. Whilst there really is nothing that exciting in the early days it really is quite nostalgic to go back to those years and read up on vince, dave, mart and fletch when they were just young teens trying out their new synths. Lots of fun to read in the end, and quite thorough too. Very up to date as well. Ends around the time Dave and Mart are promoting their solo efforts. So quite contemporary.

If you love Depeche Mode............BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!

If you have questions about Depeche Mode..........BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!

I thought that I was a big fan of the group, now I know much more.

I'm not big into long reviews, but this book takes the cake and eats it too.

I found this to be a very difficult book to put down. It is packed with tons of info and insights into the personalities within the band. If you are a Depeche Mode fan, this is a must, you won't be dissapointed.

On the other side of the coin, however, there are lots of quotes taken from EPKs and the short film from the 86>98 DVD, which, of course, most fans have already seen.

Also, there was some info about Martin Gore being half black, which lacks credibility. The source who revealed the information was just called a "child hood friend". Then there's also that annoying fact that Martin bares absolutely no African features (nor do his children).

The writing style does get a bit drab from time to time. All and all, however, I give it 5 stars for simply being a fairly accurate chronology of my favorite band.

This is regarding the updated version. For the last 25 years, my ears, mind and bones have been tantalized through a range of physical and mental interpretations of the collaboration of a collection of Brits who found their way through nearly 30 years of music with themselves as mangers. Originally, a hand shake was their only agreement with Mute and they manage to keep going strong after their founder left, depression and other challenges face but do not destroy the band. What a fabulous time to read Stripped, right before the Red Rocks show! Violator was inspiring. Missing out on Ultra makes me nervous though, please guys, keep of the Dirty Sticky Floors! Somehow, their effect on my life has been so intimate, personal and truly permeated my psyche and body. My first choreography was to Agent Orange. Even today,inspiration is always a track away. While I was ecstatic to read the book to find the inspiration for Martin's sultry lyrics, I believe not knowing their origin may be one reason why I experience the music so intimately. The demos included in the SOTU box set may be as close to Martin's mind as I'm permitted to venture. I would be honored to personally thank the members of the band for making my life sound better when nothing else seemed right. Learning more about the band and their process is the closest I can be to that at this time. Enjoy your read!