Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Depeche Mode's Violator is one of the best albums of the 90's. For my birthday, Angelo was kind enough to give me the CD, since I've already ruined my first cassette tape and I am on the way to retiring my second.
I was introduced to Depeche Mode in the early 90's. It was like finding the music to my night-time dreams. I listen often to this particular album and find myself quiet and meditative. How can another person know my inner sound so well?
Recently I heard Marilyn Manson cover Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus". At first, I wanted to crush them for doing it. I felt that way when they covered the Eurythmics classic, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" too. Unfortunately, Marilyn Manson did both songs, songs that I cherish, extremely well. What does that mean? That we like the same bands? Hmmm...
I prefer the Johnny Cash cover of "Personal Jesus". It is sincere and classy. Oh Johnny, what to do without you?
Getting back on topic here, Depeche Mode's Violator is stellar. The CD gift is yet another reaquaintence with the classy album. For fun, check out the "Enjoy the Silence" video on the band's website.
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I was introduced to Depeche Mode in the early 90's. It was like finding the music to my night-time dreams. I listen often to this particular album and find myself quiet and meditative. How can another person know my inner sound so well?
Recently I heard Marilyn Manson cover Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus". At first, I wanted to crush them for doing it. I felt that way when they covered the Eurythmics classic, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" too. Unfortunately, Marilyn Manson did both songs, songs that I cherish, extremely well. What does that mean? That we like the same bands? Hmmm...
I prefer the Johnny Cash cover of "Personal Jesus". It is sincere and classy. Oh Johnny, what to do without you?
Getting back on topic here, Depeche Mode's Violator is stellar. The CD gift is yet another reaquaintence with the classy album. For fun, check out the "Enjoy the Silence" video on the band's website.
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It seems the more you blog, the more we are connected! Depeche Mode is boyfriend's favourite band, and often he tells me "why won't you give them a chance and listen.." I know when he reads your latest blog installment, he will only further hound me. I was familiar with them back in junior high--as my best friends big brother was an avid fan. I even taped the Personal Jesus video from muchmusic when i was in grade 9. Its funny how most covers of great songs on paper seem strange, but the music is amazing. I mean, Marilyn Manson?? I think that's where artists really show their creativity. I especially like Johnny Cash's rendition of "Hurt". I find it more dark than the original. love the music posts E, keep em up!
# posted by 
: 5:04 PM
: 5:04 PM
I'm with you when it comes to Johnny Cash's version of Personal Jesus - simply powerful! Honestly - I never really got into Depeche Mode back in the 80s/90s but have listened to them lately & was pleasantly surprised. On a side note - the word on the JC street is that American V will be released early 2005 in Jan or Feb and will includes Johnny's cover of Sheryl Crow's Redemption Day. Very cool!
G
G
I'm feeling contrarian today, so I'll start with some agreement to keep things sunny. Violator is truly a fantastic album. Amazing roadtrip music, especially at night across the prairies. One time I was listening to "Waiting for the Night to Fall" through Saskatchewan with the stars blazing and it was one of those goosebumply good combinations where the soundtrack is perfect for your life.
Maybe I'm not so contrarian after all, but I must register my disappointment with the end of the Johnny Cash cover of Personal Jesus. Although it's a brilliant cover, changing the words to "reach out and touch faith" later in the song seemed rather disingenuous to me. To me, it seems like it transformed it from a powerful artistic statement into something preachy, in a song with plenty of religious meaning to begin with. My two cents...
Maybe I'm not so contrarian after all, but I must register my disappointment with the end of the Johnny Cash cover of Personal Jesus. Although it's a brilliant cover, changing the words to "reach out and touch faith" later in the song seemed rather disingenuous to me. To me, it seems like it transformed it from a powerful artistic statement into something preachy, in a song with plenty of religious meaning to begin with. My two cents...
Jer,
Interesting point about Johnny Cash's alteration of "Personal Jesus". I have mixed feelings about when an artist alters a cover of another band. Depends on my mood, or loyalty, if you will.
The Pet Shop Boys cover U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" and mix it up with Hermes House Band (?) "I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" with a song titled "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You)". Initially, I was taken aback by the mutation of the PSB tune, thinking it was a strong song but shredded up. Now, I believe it to be a big compliment to U2. The PSB song is sincerely "Where the Streets Have No Name" with an added intensity of "I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You".
In turn, Johnny Cash personalized Personal Jesus. Maybe that's why I think it worked.
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Interesting point about Johnny Cash's alteration of "Personal Jesus". I have mixed feelings about when an artist alters a cover of another band. Depends on my mood, or loyalty, if you will.
The Pet Shop Boys cover U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" and mix it up with Hermes House Band (?) "I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" with a song titled "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You)". Initially, I was taken aback by the mutation of the PSB tune, thinking it was a strong song but shredded up. Now, I believe it to be a big compliment to U2. The PSB song is sincerely "Where the Streets Have No Name" with an added intensity of "I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You".
In turn, Johnny Cash personalized Personal Jesus. Maybe that's why I think it worked.
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