Delta Machine

Delta Machine is the name of the new Depeche Mode album!
It will be released on the next 26th of March and the new video for the new single "Heaven" will premier next Friday, 1st of February on YouTube!
The album will have 13 tracks and will be released  in two formats: standard CD and deluxe edition with 4 bonus tracks and a special hard book with photos from Anton Corbijn.
Ben Hillier is the producer again and Flood the mixer.
Martin Gore and Dave Gahan are really excited with the album as we can read on the band's official website.
March will be a special month with Suede, David Bowie and Depeche Mode new albums!

The Tracklist of Delta Machine is:

STANDARD:
1 - Welcome To My World
2 - Angel
3 - Heaven
4 - Secret To The End
5 - My Little Universe
6 - Slow
7 - Broken
8 - The Child Inside
9 - Soft Touch / Raw Nerve
10 - Should Be Higher
11 - Alone
12 - Soothe My Soul
13 - Goodbye

DELUXE EDITION: (includes hardcover 28-page booklet)

DISC 1
1 - Welcome To My World
2 - Angel
3 - Heaven
4 - Secret To The End
5 - My Little Universe
6 - Slow
7 - Broken
8 - The Child Inside
9 - Soft Touch / Raw Nerve
10 - Should Be Higher
11 - Alone
12 - Soothe My Soul
13 - Goodbye

DISC 2
1 - Long Time Lie
2 - Happens All The Time
3 - Always
4 - All That’s Mine

The tracklisting for the “Heaven” CD single is as follows:

“Heaven” CD SINGLE:
1 - Heaven
2 - All That’s Mine (b side bonus track)

“Heaven” CD MAXI:
1 - Heaven
2 - Heaven (Owlle Remix)
3 - Heaven (steps to heaven rmx)
4 - Heaven (Blawan Remix)
5 - Heaven (Mathew Dear vs Audion Remix)

Bloodsports

As I told before, Suede's next album will be called Bloodsports. This was revealed on the days that Barriers was released as a free download.
Yesterday the band showed the artwork and track-listing through their official site and facebook page.
So, the Suede's first album in 11 years will be released in 18.03.2013 and be available in 4 different formats: CD, Vinyl, Hardback Book Box Set and Deluxe Edition!
The deluxe edition is the most complete one witch includes de album in CD and Vinyl, a extra 7'' vinyl of an unreleased song, a USB stick with special features, a expanded high-quality booklet and a t-shirt.
The first single will be "It Starts And Ends With You"
The track-listing is:
01. Barriers02. Snowblind03. It Starts And Ends With You04. Sabotage05. For The Strangers06. Hit Me07. Sometimes I Feel I'll Float Away08. What Are You Not Telling me?09. Always10. Faultlines

Magic times are coming!

More New Music

After the return of Suede and David Bowie, this week saw Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds releasing a new song via YouTube. Jubilee Street will be available on their next album "Push The Sky Away" to be released on February. The song is fantastic, just away of the ballads of Nick Cave, slow and sad but at the end with a lot of hope. Hear it here:

After All David Bowie Did Not Retire!

David Bowie, one of the best and most influential artists ever is finally back!
When everything pointed to a retirement (Bowie didn't release any album of original songs since 2003 and rejected to make a special appearance on the London Olympic Games ) Bowie has announced a new album and a new single!
"Where Are We Now?" can already be listened on YouTube and it looks amazing!
The album is called "The Next Day" and will be released in March!
Bowie made this announcement on the same day that he completes 66 years old!
Take a listen to the song here!

New Suede Song Available As A Free Download

Long time since I wrote here last time but I'm coming back for a good reason!
The new Suede single is available as a free download! The song is Barriers and it sounds like nothing more than Suede. Catchy chorus, catchy guitars, it sounds very good and very fresh.
According to the download the new Suede album will be called Bloodsports!
Good times are coming!

Living In George Harrison's World

Lately I've been listening to a lot of the ex-Beatles solo career, especially from Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
The album "Living In The Material World" from George is passing in repeat mode in my iPod during the last week, it is really amazing.
As I was listening to a lot of Harrison's music I decided to watch the Martin Scorsese documentary "Living In The Material World". It is really touching and, if someone liked George for his music they will love him and gain a giant respect for him after watching it.
The way he faced spirituality and the way he faced the questions of life, like if there's a God or not, and what the hell we are doing in this world is a lesson for our own life.
And of course, the way he made the Concert for Bangladesh, the first Rock concert for humanitarian reasons, they should had given him a Peace Nobel Price.
And his legacy is completely unreachable. Every single person that talks on the documentary (including names like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Jackie Stewart, Eric Idle, Ravi Shankar, Tom Petty, Jeff Lyne and so on) talks about they have lost one of his best ever friends, and one of the most adorable and passionate person on Earth.
Most emotional moments, I would say at the beginning, Dhani Harrison talking about a dream, and at the end, Jackie Stewart describing how he feel about his passing, McCartney telling us what he miss more in Harrison, Olivia Harrison talking about the moment of his passing and, the most emotional moment of all is Ringo Starr talking about his last conversation with George, complete the high moment of the all movie (you can see that part at the end of this article). You really can see how special Harrison was to his friends by their testimonies.
If anyone likes the music of The Beatles, and George's solo career it is a complete must seen film.
Another great experience is to watch some moments of the "Concert For George", where you can feel a really magic sensation on the stage, just looking in the videos on Youtube.
Stay here with Ringo's moment.

The Ultimate Band

On last week, NME made several interviews to several artists asking them witch artists would they pick for the Ultimate Band. One of them was Brett Anderson from Suede and you can see in the picture is choices. I decided to make the same exercise and choose my super group (I'll only choose one person per band, otherwise we could have many Suede members):

Vocals: Patrick Duff (Strangelove)

With artists like Brett Anderson, Dave Gahan, Morrissey or Jeff Buckley it was really complicated to decide who should be on the band as main vocals. Well, Patrick Duff, during Strangelove, was like an animal in terms of singing. He was a completely passionate guy with a non stop energy. His lyrics are very deep. On his solo career he is more mature and soft but with magical melodies and lyrics. He would be the best option for this place.

Guitars: Richard Oakes (Suede, Artmagic)

Oakes is my guitar hero. For all that he represents. He entered Suede with 17 years old and was, in my opinion, the greatest responsible in Suede biggest come back in 1996 with my all time favourite album Coming Up. Butler left Suede and no one in the press believed that they could come back to the spotlight but, with songs like Beautiful Ones, Trash or Filmstar they did it, and came back even better than they were before. Richard is a natural talented guitarist that can make millions of catchy and beautiful riffs. During last years he was gone but he came back with Artmagic and made an excellent album full of nice guitars and beautiful keyboards. 

Bass: Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings)

Paul McCartney is a living legend. The work he made on Beatles, Wings and on his solo albums are simply amazing and they are the best tunes ever. The Beatles were and still are the most influential band of all time and McCartney was the big brain behind it. The medley on Abbey Road or the first classic Beatles songs, passing thought his amazing solo album Ram or Band On The Run with the wings are little examples of a complete genius. His way of playing bass was incredible too. Very rhythmic, very enjoyable, very natural. Songs like Come Together or Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da have great bass lines. And of course he could borrow his giant creativity in the other instruments to all of the other band members (as we can see on his first solo album where he plays all the instruments)

Keyboards: Martin L. Gore (Depeche Mode)

Martin Gore is the synthesizer master. He was the main brain over Depeche Mode's 80's career and the responsible in their fantastic change of sound during Violator, Songs Of Faith And Devotion and Ultra. Although nowadays he plays more guitar than Keyboards in live gigs he still does it on studio (during last album he had an "obsessions" of buying a lot of keyboards from Ebay and made a huge collection). He is a really creative musician always exploring samples and new songs and, in my opinion is that what I would like to see in a keyboard player. As an example of his abilities in synthesizers I could remember songs like Walking In My Shoes, It's No Good or In Your Room (album version, is a complete climax).

Drums: Paul Thomson (Franz Ferdinand)

There are so much typical drum players that could make this list, like Dave Grohl or several hard rock guys but what I look in drum players is not for them to be protagonists or for them to try to evidence from the band. I look for them to really fit well on the rest of the band and I think Paul Thomson has the perfect style for that. When I listen to Franz Ferdinand, the drum sounds is really characteristic, and it is always in the right position with the right changes between verses and chorus and solos. As for examples, the classic Take Me Out is marvellous or the super great live version of Outsiders is brilliant too. I saw them live 2 times in the last years and was completely amazed by their great liver performance.

Band Name: Strange Sound

Casualties

I uploaded to my youtube channel a song from one of the few live concerts that I have in my computer of Strangelove.
I uploaded the song Casualties from their second album "Love And Other Demons" not because it is one of my favourites (actually it isn't) but because this song from this Acoustic performance is completely amazing! The power that the band and Patrick put on the song (playing it acoustic!) is extraordinary! His screams at the end of it are divine! You can't also know if he was puking or just singing but it gives a marvellous speed and feeling to the song!
This acoustic song shows why I think that Strangelove were one of the best bands ever.
Have a listen please!
 

DM's Press Conference And New Song

As I said yesterday, Depeche Mode are heading to a big tour witch will pass in Portugal. Today was the official press conference of the introduction of the tour. The band doesn't have a name for the tour or for the album yet. The conference was really nice and enjoyable. Best moment? Probably when some journalist asked them that, if so many new synthesisers players, they still think that they are the best. Gahan just said "Yes" and Fletcher "Naturally".
The tour is going to pass in many countries, it will be great.
Another great thing was that the band showed a new song with some footage from the studio. We don't know the name but I would guess "The Angel Of Love". It sounds a little bit similar to the songs from Sounds Of The Universe but a little bit harder and rockier. It sounds good!
Take a listen to it!

Depeche Mode Returns To Portugal Next Year

The news should only be spreading tomorrow but, as Blitz revealed, Depeche Mode, one of my favourite bands are coming back to Portugal next July to be part of the Optimus Alive

festival. They will be for sure, one of the main acts and the band is preparing a new tour to promote their new album that should be ready next April! The tickets are already on sale and costs 53€ for a single day or 105€ for the whole festival. Some other bands will be confirmed to play on the same day of Depeche Mode soon. Exciting news! I'll be there for sure!

The Devil You Know

The Devil You Know is a song by Strangelove. One of the last songs that they ever released it was a b-side from the great single "Freak" that came out in 1997 to support their last album "Strangelove".
I just want to show you this beautiful and simple piece of art that the band bring to us. I think that this period is maybe the worst from the band, more poppy then before, but this song represents very well the poetry of Patrick Duff. Lines like "... and it's all to real to touch..." or "... the devil you know is the only one who's left on the drunken town..." are amazing and talking about someone trying to put a way in his life after a negative era of possession and consume. This is just what I think that the song is about but, obviously, just the singer can tell what the true meaning of the song.
Take a listen to it here please:

Blur Will Play In Portugal Next Year

Blur, one of the greatest bands of the 90's, will play next year in Portugal in the Optimus Primavera Sounds Festival. The festival happens in Porto (Parque da Cidade, one of the most beautiful places there) and last year it brought us names like Suede, Mercury Rev or The Drums.
The band was in a big hiatus from 2003 to 2009, but they returned with Graham Coxon again on the band.
The show will happen on the 31 of March. See you there!

50 Years Of Love Me Do

50 years ago the legend started. The Beatles released their first single "Love Me Do" with the b-side "P. S. I Love You".
This song is completely timeless, is a perfect song, simple, just the way of The Beatles.
At that time it was number 17 on the charts but one year later it was number 1 in the USA.
Listen here the original version of the song (with Ringo on drums instead of the most common one with Andy White on the drums and Starr on the tambourine)
Congratulations to  this historic single!

The Smiths "Reunion"

Everyday I see a lot of news talking about the "Smiths Reunion". The press is always very excited about this topic, always asking Morrissey and Marr what would they think about it, and they are always saying that the band will never ever reunite again. So, I really think this is a dead topic. Both of the artists must be very tired of these speculations and I don't really see the point of a Smiths reunion now... They made together 4 great albums, albums that marked a generation in british music, influenced most of the artists that I adore and we can say that they were pioneers on the late 80 and beginning 90 Britpop or Indie Rock music in the UK. But after that Morrissey release 9 great and successful albums and he is now seen as a "living legend". His solo works are great, and he has is own sound and style. For the Smiths fans, he still plays some songs from his former band live. As for Marr he was involved in many projects, maybe the most notable is Modest Mouse but I personally think that he is not in the same mood as Morrissey. Moz has a really establish career and there is no point of returning to the band. It would be better for Marr than Morrissey to reunite the band but I think there's really no sense in it.
This is me talking and I'm not that fan of Smiths as I am from Suede for example and I always saw Suede reunion has one of the best things ever happened but this is my thoughts.

Suede Studio Teaser

To celebrate Richard Oakes birthday, the official facebook page of Suede posted a video of him and Neil Codling playing keyboards on studio. It is a really small video, and they just play one chord but it was nice to see the boys in action on the studio.
Check It Here

Bang Bang

It's been a while since I wrote for Strange Sound the last time but I do have a good explanation for that. Between summer holidays with friends and family I came to live to Slovakia for 5 months.
So, I don't want to write for something special, you all might had seen the marvellous performances on the Olympics Games and the great concert of Ornatos Violeta in Paredes de Coura, so I'll just leave you with, probably, the song that passed more times through my ears during the last times,
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Beatles with Maxwell's Silver Hammer 

New Beatles Compilation Released Today

Tomorrow Never Knows, the new Beatles compilation is released today.
The album features 14 of the the most influential Beatles rock songs.
It is only available by iTunes and it has also a text about the band written by Dave Grohl.
Nothing new, but the Beatles are, and will always be, alive.
Tracklist:

1. "Revolution"

1. "Paperback Writer"

1. "And Your Bird Can Sing"

1. "Helter Skelter" 

1. "Savoy Truffle"

1. "I'm Down"

1. "I've Got a Feeling" (Let It Be... Naked version)

1. "Back in the U.S.S.R." 

1. "You Can't Do That" – 2:35

1. "It's All Too Much" 

1. "She Said She Said" 

1. "Hey Bulldog" 

1. "Tomorrow Never Knows"

1. "The End" (Anthology 3 version)

Grohl's words:

"If it weren't for The Beatles, I would not be a musician. It’s as simple as that. From a very young age I became fascinated with their songs, and over the years have drowned myself in the depth of their catalogue. Their groove and their swagger. Their grace and their beauty. Their dark and their light. The Beatles seemed to be capable of anything. They knew no boundaries, and in that freedom they seemed to define what we now know today as 'Rock and Roll.'

"Recently I showed my 6-year-old daughter, Violet, the brilliant Yellow Submarine movie. It was her introduction to The Beatles, and she instantly shared the same fascination I felt when I was her age discovering The Beatles for the first time. She wanted to know their names, which instruments they played, who sang what song, etc etc etc....it made me so incredibly happy (and proud!). Within days she knew the verses and choruses to every song on the album. But, there was one song that stood out for her....

'"Hey Bulldog" is not one of The Beatles’ greatest hits. It's what most people would consider a 'deep cut.' But it is a quintessential Beatles rocker. The rolling bass line, the trademark Ringo drum fills, the gritty distorted guitar, and that sound that only the back of Lennon's throat could produce. It stomps. It grooves. It makes your head bob. It makes your hips shake. When Lennon sings, 'If you're lonely you can talk to me!' it soothes your heart, like you've finally found something to believe in. It's so raw and real. It is 100% timeless Rock and Roll...

From one generation to the next, The Beatles will remain the most important rock band of all time.

Just ask Violet."

Morrissey Cancels Concert In Cascais

Morrissey, ex-vocalist of The Smiths and now, one of the best solo artists from the United Kingdom, has cancelled his show in Cascais, Portugal, due to the illness of his bass player, Soloman Walker. The gig was supposed to be today.
Morrissey asks for apologies and promises a return to Portugal soon.

Become The One You Love

As I told before, I bought recently Artmagic's debut album. Now, I have listened to it several times and I feel capable of speaking of it.
In a global appreciation, it is a wonderful album! One of the best I've heard during these last times. Catchy, soft, energetic, it is an well done and complete piece of work.
The first song is The Choice. I was always apologist that the first song of the album must be a song that represents better the album and a hit single, a song to be reminded for ages, like Trash of Coming Up by Suede or I Feel You from Songs Of Faith And Devotion by Depeche Mode. But, The Choice is not a hit single, it is a very calm and soft song, with a marvellous ending and a "growing up" feeling that truly represents "Become The One You Love". You, Heaven Is Here or Forever In Negative are much more "singlier" songs but, this song fits very good as an introduction and changed my way of thinking about first album songs.
Down In The River, has a good guitar riff, a great chorus, and it is very speeded up. It's not one of my favourites, maybe it is my less favourite song of the album, but is a good song. It will be the band's second single. I would prefer You or Heaven Is Here but is a logic solution. You must hear the simplicity of the guitar riff and the way it gets stuck in your head.
Then we have the first single, Forever In Negative, one of the best moments of the album. Very melancholic, but at the same time, very powerful. The E-bow solo is wonderful.
Next is the first song that Sean and Richard made public, Submerged. It is very much the same it was before and that's good, because it's a great song. You really feel like flowing on the song while you hear it. The connection between guitars, keyboard and voice is perfect. The song really carries you on.
You is, for me the "hit" song of the album. Really, really catchy. The repeated "You" during the songs just turn it easier to listen, the intro riff is great, the interlude too, and the chorus can be on your ear during the entire day, be careful! Brilliant, one of the best songs. Pure Indie-Rock. Backing Vocals are 5 stars.
After 4 songs full of adrenaline you must have a ballad, and it happens with  A Homecoming. Very good, Sean's voice is perfect and the way you go to a climax of a song and then to a calmer part is very enjoyable and gives a epic feeling that almost all Artmagic's songs have.
Heaven Is Here, is a well known song by McGhee's and Oakes' fans and we already had access to a acoustic version of it (I Keep On Walking EP) and a great live and electric performance on it on their Youtube channel. This version is very different from both of the previous ones and that can only be good to the fan! I can't decide the one I prefer, but to have 3 versions of a song that I adore is great! Synthesisers are very welcome here, the backing vocals are great and the speed of the song very takes your breath away! Great!
To recover your breath nothing better than Half-Life. A sad and calm song, very nostalgic, that fits very well on this part of the album. The arrangements are great and the mix of the several guitars, voices, and sounds is great. Perfect to rest after a hard day of working when you need to enter a chill out mode.
Blue On Blue is a song that, I don't know why, is perfect for a walk in the city. It sounds like a conciliation of souls. Very good and perfect to enter on the end of the album.
At first listen, I didn't gave more attention to The Spark and it was a mistake because is a darker and mysterious song. It starts slowly, withou a great beat but at the middle of the song it turns more intense and the "I Wish You Could Run Away" it is very energetic but, at the climax it goes to one of the best moments of the album that is a part full of voices, very beautiful and introspective. You must hear it, words can't describe it very well.
To end the album you always need an epic or a different song. A special song. And it is The Gift Of Flight. A beautiful ballad, full of positive words and thoughts and at the end, the perfect way of ending this magnificent piece of work, with a outro just with "Love Is Weightless, Fly Free" with great drums, piano and a great work of guitars by Richard! Very epic!


In a resume, it is one of my favourite ever albums, and a great work of Richard after he left Suede. He is a great musician, and the songs that he wrote during these 7 years of silence are great. I would love to see Suede in a more or less same direction because these are, as I said, very beautiful. 
Last week I made a list of 10 albums that I would take to a desert island, and at the end I named some that could have been of the list as well, and Artmagic's first album has a great potential to make it!
I really counsel the album to everyone. A great piece of Art fill of Magic!  

Today I Bought...

Artmagic - Become The One You Love

 Artmagic - Forever In Negative

But, lucky me, mine version are signed by Richard Oakes and Sean McGhee!