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Martin L. Gore
"Counterfeit2"
Format:
CD/Album
Online date:
27/4 2003
Label:
Mute/Playground
Genre:
mixed
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Martin L. Gore… a name that speaks volumes in itself and a musician I doubt I need to introduce any further. Taking time off from Depeche Mode after the "Exciter" tour, Gore has sat down in his home studio in California and recorded a second album for the cover album “Counterfeit” series, the first being the “Counterfeit” EP released in ’89. That was a long time ago and I don’t think there is much point in making comparisons.
Cover albums are often tribute albums, heaps of artists from widespread genres, singing their praise to some canonised artist or other, doing covers of hits and b-sides. Seldom being very interesting as far as the albums in their entirety are concerned. This is not the case here. First of all, the ambition Gore has had with this album is not quite praising the artist he’s covered, although to some extent this is inevitable. Instead, the ambition and purpose has been to first of all present his song writing influences, as he states that his song writing would not have been the same had it not been for some of the artist covered on “Coutnerfeit2”, which in a sense is the same as singing their praise though I think there is a slim difference. Secondly, it is also an opportunity to present fans of Gore’s other work with material that perhaps would otherwise have been overlooked.
Striking, listening to the album is how coherent it is, despite drawing from a multitude of genres and types of songs. There’s Eno, Dylan, Lou Reed, Nick Cave, Nico, Marc Bolan and John Lennon and more on this album. Of course, Gore has added much of himself to the songs, the mostly electronic production and of course Gore’s vocal style and musical sense have had a strong impact on these versions and I see little point in making comparisons. There’s a clear dynamic relationship here, songs and songwriters who have inspired Gore to become what he is today - having a go at the songs that have inspired him. Adding to them what is left from the greater sum of these songs after striping away the parts. Needless to say I like this album. The first single release, “Stardust” by David Essex, was although not a very strong single release, a very good song that fits nicely onto the album, as all of them do. From the kind of bouncy and loud version of Nick Cave And the Bad Seeds “Loverman” to the fragile soothing feel on Eno’s “By the river” to the musical show, piano and strings number “Lost in the stars”, originally by Kurt Weill. Did I mention that they’re all subsequent tracks? It could easily have gone amok, sounding disparate and off but it doesn’t. And that is I must say, the strongest most lasting impression I have after listening to this album over and over for the last few hours. The thing is, I doubt any of them would make a very good single, and I see little point in releasing any of them as such. The point of the whole album is the album with all of its songs. Despite the lack of single material I feel confident in saying that Gore will succeed in his ambition with this album. Many will probably take the time to check out the other work of the original artists and more than that, no fan should be disappointed.
/Fredric Düring
Check CDDB tracklists for this record:
Martin L. Gore"Counterfeit2"
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Reader Opinions
Well it´s clear to see hwo´s the electronic guy in DM. And it´s illuminating trough the electronica on this album.
Name: alexander elofsson (130.235.187.60)
Rating: 8
Greatness!
King
Name: P Diddy (217.209.34.114)
Rating: 8
The king, the king, the king! :D
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