single // Loverman EP2+
This cover of Nick Cave's stunning track from 1994's Let Love In was one of the highlights from Martin L Gore's Counterfeit2 album, and is fittingly released here as a special edition DVD and CD package, featuring remixes of both 'Loverman' and the German-sung 'Das Lied Von Einsamen Mädchen' (also from Counterfeit2) on the CD, and five live tracks and interview on the DVD. Rather than release the two formats separately, Mute have combined the two editions into one album-sized double CD case, making this a pricey (RRP £7.99) but essential release for any discerning Depeche Mode fan.
Gore's take on 'Loverman' is simply amazing; taking the seemingly uncoverable Nick Cave original, which was written at the tail end of his Goth King music persona, and converting the frenzied close-mic'd rage into an intense, passionate quirky electronic cut takes some courage, but Gore pulls it off remarkably well. The palette of sounds is breathtaking, a steady throbbing percussive pulse beneath descending melodies and rising bass tones, with bucket loads of contemporary electro noises.
The Anne Carruthers edit of 'Loverman' is sympathetically made, although does seem to fade out in something of a hurry. Bola's remix of 'Loverman' brings out the leftfield electronics of the original, underpinning Mart's largely unprocessed vocals with some crunchy beats and springy percussion loops. Turner's mix of 'Das Lied...' begins with some prominant hi-hats, suggesting that the track could head off in a quirky techno direction, before settling into a string-soaked skipping nu-electronica emotional soundtrack epic. The second mix of 'Das Lied...' (by Lawrence) completes the CD release, and, as with the previous two mixes, leaves Matin's vocal largely as it was, pitching in with a twitchy 4/4 beat and miniature percussion effects. The mix then develops unexpectedly into a lo-fi chillout techno track, with the word 'einsam' looped and distorted in the ether. Reductionist yet faithful, these mixes are inventive and brave choices by Mute.
I missed out on seeing Martin on the tour to promote Counterfeit2 (although I do have an unofficial live recording on CD), so it was quite good to see some footage on the DVD, and this concert excerpt was from Milan. Mart's band consists of himself on vocals (and feedback guitar on 'Loverman'), producer Andrew Philpott on loops and mixer, and x on piano and keyboards. What's immediately obvious, at least on the first couple of tracks, is how uncomfortable Gore looks centre-stage; while his vocal delivery is confident and assured - in some senses this is the best I've heard him sing - his movements and attempts at 'dancing' are jerky to say the least. However, once he sheds his heavy-looking parka and straps on his favourite guitar for 'Loverman', his expressions soften, and the familiar, smiling, Gore returns. The tracks included are all from Counterfeit2 (no DM at all), and are perfect renditions, none more so than 'Lost In The Stars' which really proves how powerfully sincere Mart's voice can be.