Hourglass

by

Dave Gahan

Edit

I have noticed some (I use the word some liberally) real criticism towards Dave Gahan's solo work. On Paper Monsters he got nailed for not sounding like Depeche Mode with a rock/blues/pseudo DM sound. Now on Hourglass he again is being abased (to some degree) because the album has an electronic sound that is too close to that of Depeche Mode. I suppose Dave Gahan is in a real quagmire regardless where he goes with his solo efforts.

There have also been some claims that Dave Gahan's solo material is very sullen and perhaps macabre. With respect to Hourglass, not Paper Monsters, I might have an answer on why his solo material might be so ominous, dark and melancholy. Since there was so much turmoil in his life with substance abuse, several marriages and suicide attempts. Dave Gahan was technically dead for like 3 minutes from one of these suicide attempts.

After all these elements/issues, Dave Gahan returned and recorded three more Depeche Mode albums, two best of compilations with DM, released two solo albums and went on tour four times, once as a solo act, thus far. The interviews that I have read with Dave Gahan on T.V., DM/DG releases, magazine articles or creditable websites show that David Gahan is quite happy and stable in his life.

It appears (from what I have read since I haven't spoken with the man himself) he is pleased with the Hourglass album. On his website there are clips of him working on this album, he is having a great time. Dancing, laughing and seems really positive about himself and his sophomore album. Also in an interview given on "The Touring the Angel" DVD, Mr. Gahan really seems at ease where Depeche Mode is, was and will be going.

It should also be taken into consideration that Dave Gahan is getting older and that can cause some issues. That was another jumping point for him making this album. Also just because all his turmoil with regards to substance abuse happened about 10-12 years ago doesn't mean that it still doesn't bother him. Sobriety is a life long process, so it is very believable and plausible that many of his "old demons" still vex him. Therefore, if he makes a moody or gloomy record with regards to lyrics and melodies that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Why, because it is better to express those dark feelings by making an album, than going out and using drugs, getting arrested and killing yourself/others. The entire Hourglass record seems like it was a very cathartic experience for him.

I have also seen some criticism towards the lyric in the song "Miracles", claiming the lyric is blasphemous and Dave Gahan has forgotten Jesus. For the record, the lyric is "I don't believe in Jesus but I am praying anyway". Perhaps the purpose of this lyric is dualism in itself. The duplicity in this statement screams the uncertainness towards nebulosity in life and higher power, not heresy. It is better to be honest and question things like religion than just automatically conforming and not questioning Christianity. After all Jesus will forgive you no matter what, right? Ask for forgiveness and one will receive it. So if that is the understanding, I don't think Jesus hates David Gahan. It isn't like Dave Gahan walks around with an upside down cross painted on his forehead. I think the real problem with Christianity isn't the religion or Jesus, but some of the people who practice it. They do more speaking for Jesus, than listening to him.

As for the Hourglass album, it is much more electronic when compared to Paper Monsters, which isn't a bad thing. Hourglass seems to have a bit more depth in it than Paper Monsters. When I say depth, not to be confused with lack of quality, depth in the terms that most of the songs are Hourglass are a bit more epic than on Paper Monsters. For instance Dirty Sticky Floors, featured on Paper Monsters, is rather jovial in sound despite the fact the song is about Dave Gahan's drug addiction. Now the songs on Hourglass have deep lyrics, but here the music style is much more dramatic and grandiose then its predecessor.

As for the songs they range from ballads "Saw Something" (electronic sounding), "Miracles" (also electronic sounding); dance/industrial "Kingdom" (electronic sounding), "Deeper & Deeper" (electronic sounding); there are at least two songs on Hourglass that have a Paper Monsters feel to them, "21 Days" and "Down". These descriptions are just a sample of what this album has to offer. Overall, this album has a good mix of slow and fast. A great album to be played in the evening or as another reviewer noted, during the autumn season.

My reaction to Hourglass is a positive one. The music is timeless and astonishing. I also feel comfortable to say that if Depeche Mode does call it quits (which I hope doesn't happen any time soon) Dave Gahan has definitely proved that he is able to stand on his own two feet.

I think it is a given that Dave Gahan's solo career isn't nearly as interesting as his career with his band Depeche Mode. PAPER MONSTERS was okay but the album didn't do anything for me. The music was just not memorable as anything the man has done with his band. His latest solo album HOURGLASS is somewhat better but the songs again aren't that I am going to remember in 20 years down the road. The first two tracks "Saw Something" and "Kingdom" definitely hearkens back to Depeche Mode in the '90s, maybe around the ULTRA era. I like the dark, sinister beats and Dave's vocals on those tracks. The one song that really rubbed me the wrong way is "Deeper + Deeper". I didn't like Dave's attempts at snarling. I didn't like the way his voice sounded. Songwriting has improved since the last solo album but once in a while, Dave's shaky songwriting skills shows like on the ridiculously pretentious "21 Days" and the atrociousness of "Miracles". I like the atmospheric music on "Miracles" but the lyrics was silly. HOURGLASS has its moments of greatness but ultimately it isn't going to be as memorable as any of Dave's work with Depeche Mode.