Wednesday, January 3, 2018

WAS's Awesome New Wave Song Of The Week #10: Depeche Mode - New Life


Ah, the New Year … a time of rebirth, resolutions, joy and a celebration of the newness of life.  In that spirit we return to a time when new wave, synthpop and the 1980s were all newly born… 1981, the year when a fresh-faced and unusual new band called Depeche Mode emerged and released their first album,”Speak and Spell" the first song of which was … “New Life”!  

"New Life” began off a stellar album that kickstarted a long career for the young English boys …  "Speak and Spell” was light, poppy, tuneful, innovative, ahead of its time … basically everything that Depeche co-founder Vince Clarke has always been known for.  Vince went onto other things after this first album (ever hear of Yazoo or Erasure?) and Depeche Mode still made some good stuff albeit much of it was downbeat and could be used for the soundtrack for a funeral.  

But in 1981 Depeche Mode was like a newly minted baby celebrating ... New Life!

Happy New Year!  

-WAS
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3 comments:

  1. MarcDJanuary 3, 2018 at 11:48 AM

    I love most early Depeche Mode, including this awesome song. Great pick, Was!

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2018 at 12:38 PM

      Thanks MD ! Vince's youthful attire & appearance in the video could have made the list all by itself !

      Delete
  2. dbutler16February 9, 2018 at 10:55 AM

    Speak & Spell is a great album, largely forgotten by the foolish masses.
    Regarding Vince Clarke, hey, don't forget The Assembly!

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