Dave Gahan has been the singer of the British band Depeche Mode since 1980. This group started out as a typical eighties synthesizer band, but gradually developed into a mature rock band that made strong albums like Violator (1990), Songs Of Faith & Devotion (1993) and Ultra (1997). However, Gahan found it difficult to cope with the status of a pop star and after he first sought refuge in alcohol
… and drugs, he made two (unsuccessful) suicide attempts. Looking back, we can only conclude that it is a miracle that he was still there, when Depeche Mode released the strong comeback album Exciter in 2001. Apparently the Depeche Mode members thought it was time for something different after Exciter, because in addition to the second Counterfeit CD by Martin L. Gore, a solo album by Dave Gahan was also released in 2003. This CD is called Paper Monsters and is also Gahan's official debut as a songwriter, because at Depeche Mode the songs were always written by Gore. It turned out to be a beautiful CD, with - understandably - very personal, dark lyrics. Of course the loyal Depeche Mode fans will be happy with Paper Monsters, but due to the slow tempo, the bare instrumentation and the penetrating vocals of Gahan, fans of a band like 16 Horsepower should also listen to this CD. (MvP) Gahan's bare instrumentation and penetrating vocals should also give fans of a band like 16 Horsepower a listen to this CD. (MvP) Gahan's bare instrumentation and penetrating vocals should also give fans of a band like 16 Horsepower a listen to this CD. (MvP)more
