Product Description

Debut solo album from Depeche Mode guitarist and follow-up to his 1989 EP 'Counterfeit'. Features a selection of radically reworked cover versions of some of Gore's favourite songs by artists such as Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, Kurt Weill, Brian Eno, John Lennon and even David Essex. Moody, narcotic and sleekly electronic, this is a step sideways, but not entirely away, from Gore's work in his day job.

Track Listing

1. In My Time Of Dying
2. Stardust
3. I Cast A Lonesome Shadow
4. In My Other World
5. Loverman
6. By This River
7. Lost In The Stars
8. Oh My Love
9. Das Lied Vom Einsamen Mädchen
10. Tiny Girls
11. Candy Says

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19424 in Music
• Released on: 2003-04-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced

Amazon.co.uk Review
One thing that Counterfeit proves is that Martin Gore has exemplary taste in music. The Depeche Mode songwriter's first full-length solo excursion is a covers album in the tradition of Bowie's Pin-Ups. The 11 tracks range from obviously classic works by rock lords Lou Reed, Nick Cave, Brian Eno, Iggy Pop and John Lennon to a pop trash wild card--a winsome version of David Essex's "Stardust". What's more, most of the songs fit in with Depeche Mode's key themes of masochism, drugs, decay, disillusion and general perviness.

The problem lies in Gore's lack of emotional and musical range. Fans will take great comfort in the set's familiar moody minor chords, electronic glitches, echoey darkness and Gore's Dave-Gahan-lite vocals. But the end result is a sameness of texture and tempo and songs as originally powerful as "In My Time of Dying" or Cave's "Loverman" just seem to float into the background, deprived of edge and individuality. Still, Gore plays Weill's "Lost in the Stars" piano-and-strings straight, and seekers of tasteful ambience may enjoy the idea of various cult rock, folk and country songs being transformed into Mode-ish mood music. --Garry Mulholland

Customer Reviews

Shaken to the Gore
I love Depeche Mode and was gutted when they split prior to this album. Martin's earlier Counterfeit album wasn't all I had hoped, and I thought the days of Depeche Mode's churning and stirring melodies were to be nothing more than oft replayed albums in my collection. Nothing new to look forward to. Counterfeit 2 hit me for six. Gore at his finest, with operatic vocals that he has demonstrated at gigs but rarely on album are here to be heard, lights off, volume loud (sorry neighbours), and churn and stir to your hearts content. Mode fans will love it. Although Gore and Gahan should be sewn together at the hip for either to be complete, this album demonstrates that Gore is a singular genius. Buy a copy for everyone you know. It's unfair that some people will never hear this.

heartfelt and minimalistic...Swaad (tasty) Stuff
Martin's previous effort , which was meant to be an E.P. , was fantastic. It captured not only the late 80's zeitgeist , it also somehow remained quite timeless. The reason being that it had very effective but minimalist production work, which meant that the tracks worked a treat.

A criticism of the earlier work could also be applied here, although there's more analogue burbling and a harder edge to the sounds (I can hear some ARP 2600 on a few tracks). However, with the exception of "loverman", even the german sang NICO cover works well.

However, it only gets four stars as it's one for fans. Newcomers to DM or Gore's renderings would be advised to listen first, then purchase.

Still waiting for the new DM album martin. Hope it's not a seven year "gestation" a la' THE PRODIGY...

A poor effort
If you are considering buying this CD because you like Depeche Mode, or because you enjoyed Martin Gore's original Counterfeit, I advise you to stay away.

I was given this as a gift, having requested it on my Amazon wish list. I am an avid DM fan and loved Gore's first solo work. This, however, is just not up to scratch at all.

Most tracks are slow and dirgeful efforts. One or two might keep you interested as they retain an air of the high quality music we know Gore can achieve - but seriously, no more than two.

Avoid this like the plague to avoid sincere disappointment.