DAVE GAHAN - Paper Monsters
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Free Music Notes for Paper Monsters
Free Music Review: Hello, I am Dave Gahan, an integral part of Depeche Mode.
Hit: 4 Stars
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.
Free Music Review: Depechians will not be disappointed
Hit: 4 Stars
Paper Monsters is an exceptional solo debut and surprisingly similar in spots to the sound of Depeche Mode, though more organic and sans the dark, brooding sensibility that DM has long been known for. Gahan uses his spectacular voice in new and interesting ways, and the music is a refreshing and thoroughly modern fusion of electronica and bluesy slide guitar. "Dirty Sticky Floors", in which Gahan touches on the ugly side of his former life, and "Bottle Living" are gritty, strong and the most reminiscent of Gahan with Gore and Fletcher. On much of the rest of Paper Monsters Gahan takes a very different tack, and has produced gems like "Hold On", a slinky, down-tempo ballad with an addictive chorus. Equally as habit-forming is the clubby but chilled "I Need You", an amazing track rich with haunting electronic textures and little bits of guitar flitting about.
"Hidden Houses" is also wonderful, and moves adroitly from spooky to angry to enchanting, driven by lively bass and drums. The compelling "Goodbye" morphs similarly, from innocuous to uneasy, and finally into heavy guitar a la STP. Most of the other tracks are also very good, but slow, and perhaps not ideal for those who are inclined toward higher bpm.
Paper Monsters is an excellent effort overall, and a must-have for any Depeche Mode aficionado. If it's available, drop a few extra bucks for the version with the DVD. It features an illuminating short documentary, along with a couple of live performances and the "Dirty Sticky Floors" video.
Free Music Review: Dirty Sticky Floors
Hit: 4 Stars
Depeche Mode is one of my favorite bands from the '80s. I especially love the vocal stylings of Dave Gahan. I have been wanting Dave's solo album "Paper Monsters" for some time now. Thank heavens I found a promo copy of the cd at my favorite record store. I wasn't too sure of wanting to buy it full priced because of the mixed reviews the cd has received. I already own Martin Gore's solo cd "Counterfeit2" which I found quite interesting but the songs were all cover songs. So I was pleased to see that on Dave's solo album, all the songs are originals. Like Martin's solo cd, "Paper Monsters" is a music departure from Dave's full-time band. It is more rock and roll, and less the traditional synth-pop although "Hold On" did harken back to "Violator"- era. The most compelling song on the cd I thought was "Bottle Living" which was about Dave's years as a drug addict. The first single "Dirty Sticky Floors" is an interesting song. It has this totally sleazy feel to the song. Totally different from what I would hear from Depeche Mode. Although interesting, I must say that I definitely prefer Dave's work with Depeche Mode over "Paper Monsters". Still it is good to see Dave the songwriter than just Dave the singer. Hopefully he will contribute more to the song lyrics on future Depeche Mode albums.Free Music Review: Black & Blue Again
Hit: 4 Stars
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.Free Music Review: Gahan With the Wind.
Hit: 4 Stars
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.