Sometimes, a release will arrive which unexpectedly piques the interest. This is one particular example: as pioneers of electropop and an act who have endured as foremost purveyors of electro-led rock, the popularity and influence of Depeche Mode has been substantial.
Although first released a decade ago, this anniversary reissue is my first encounter, and the idea of an acoustic tribute to the Basildon boys, with songs lifted from the full span of their career up to and including ‘Exciter’ is a daring proposition. ‘Down to the Bone (An Acoustic Tribute to Depeche Mode)’ delivers on its promise, and is an acoustic album in the sense that it uses acoustic instrumentation, rather than some guy strumming an acoustic guitar.
The gentle, piano-led rendition of ‘Stripped, with soft, brooding strings, feels decidedly downbeat, and while pleasant and east on the ear, lacks the seduction or sleaze of the original: however, the same treatment works perfectly on ‘The Things You Said’ and likewise ‘Home’. Elsewhere, Chauveau deftly captures the mood of ‘In Your Room’.
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Yet, while the versions are intriguing and thoughtful, and do often place the songs in a different light, there’s a lingering, nagging sense that the reinterpretations are a shade lacking in variety, a fraction too arch or too loungy. Less IS more, but little bit of punch can go a long way.
Sylvain Chauveau Online
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