Dave Gahan - Hourglass

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 24 / 11 / 2007

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'Hourglass' is the second solo album from Depeche Mode frontman, Dave Gahan and is performed with two members of Depeche Mode's touring band. It is a lot lighter and softer in tone than 'Playing the Angel', the last Depeche Mode album. It opens with 'Saw Something', which has a keyboard and guitar groove introduction. Dave's vocal is sung in a very laid back style, very unlike anything he has done by Depeche Mode and this track is assisted by strings as well as having the usual guitar, drums and keyboards. The guitar solo near the end is somewhat distorted but works well within the framework of the rest of the track. 'Kingdom', the first single, has a groove-based beat, and an anthemic, lighter-in-the air feel to it. 'Deeper and Deeper' is a dark wave Depeche Mode-style number and is more reminiscent of 'Playing the Angel' in that its vocal is distorted and it has a sleazy, if exciting sound. '21 Days'is a slowcore number, although, like the last track, it has another dirty-sounding rhythm. 'Miracles'in contrast is slow and moody with an ambient, post-rock sound The music creeps along slowly, while Dave's vocal recalls those of Paddy McAloon and early Prefab Sprout in its lyrics and style and pace. 'Use You' is another slow number. Dave's vocal here is sung softly and it has electronic backing. 'Insoluble' is another moody number and features jagged keyboards. 'Endless' is also a slow number, while 'A Little Lie' is Gothic in tone, haunting with big drums and keyboards and the vocals very gently delivered. 'Down' ends the album and is once more slow and very moody but also strong in its delivery.

Track Listing:-

1 Saw Something
2 Kingdom
3 Deeper and Deeper
4 21 Days
5 Miracles
6 Use You
7 Insoluble
8 Endless
9 A Little Lie
10 Down
11 Kingdom (Digitalism Remix)
12 Use You (K10K Remix)
13 Deeper and Deeper (Shrubbn!! Dub)

Label Links:-

http://mute.com/
https://www.facebook.com/muterecords
https://twitter.com/MuteUK
https://www.youtube.com/user/themutechannel

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