Entertainment

Andrew’s Judgmental Album Reviews: Depeche Mode – Momento Mori (2023)

Depeche Mode in 2023 was definitely not on my Bingo Card, but lets see how it fairs in the JAR!

Published

12 months ago

May 7, 2023

There was a gap in the reviews last week, because, I really didn’t know what to cover. Nothing really stuck out, and I found myself feeling similar this week. So, I started thumbing through the albums that came out earlier in the year and completely missed a new Depeche Mode album. This band needs no real introduction, Violator (1990) put them on the map with singles like Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth and Personal Jesus. If you don’t know the original, you’ve probably heard covers.

One of the bigger Electro/New Wave bands of the 80s that are still making music. While nothing ever quite caught fire like Violator did, lets see how their most recent album fairs; especially following the death of their founding member, keyboardist, Andy Fletcher.

Depeche Mode is: Dave Gahan (lead vocals), Martin Gore (keys, guitars, backing vocals)

Artist: Depeche Mode
Album: Momento Mori (2023)
Label: Columbia Records
Total Track Time: 50:25

After the first few songs its really mind-blowing in a way to realize this album is 33 years after they broke big and it still contains that same wave of electric melancholy that so easily pulls people in. Another thing to note is that Gahan still sounds impeccable. His voice hasn’t dropped off, unlike some of his 80s contemporaries; David Coverdale and Geoff Tate come to mind. A lot of the themes of the album are typical dark, gothic and emotional with loss, drug addiction, and different iterations of sadness; which we should expect from Depeche Mode. Given the name of the album being Latin for “reminder of death”, the songs hovering around mortality, loss and forlorn determination really ring clearly through all of the songs.

Some may find it unexpected, that there are a few songs that border on a more upbeat tempo. Nothing is ever frivolous or carefree, but there are enough tempo changes and melodic wrinkles to keep everything fresh and not depression the musical. New Wave, Industrial, Brit Pop and Electro elements all play their parts to mold a pretty amazing album.

1. Caroline’s Monkey – 4:16

This might be the most left field song on the album, but its beautiful in the metaphors and the harkens to Policy of Truth. A song about the monkey on Caroline’s back, it could be drug addiction, could be depression, but the interesting aspect of this song is that it doesn’t come to a sad grind. The chorus of; “Fading’s better than failing, Falling’s better than feeling, Folding’s better than losing, Fixing’s better than healing“, adds a level of hope to the song. That even though the monkey on her back is tormenting her, she’s fighting to get through it. Also as a personal note, this song definitely gives me vibes of like Repo! The Genetic Opera, so that might be influencing my enjoyment a bit more than others.

2. Soul With Me – 4:15

Slows things down with a mixture of a church hymnal and a Duran Duran style ballad, with maybe a touch of Frankie Avalon. Lyrically it explores dying, leaving this earthly plane and ascending somewhere to “take my soul with me”. So the song is beautiful with bittersweet lyrics of wanting to leave the world’s problems and strife behind as they ascend to a better place. Its definitely a little unique for Depeche Mode, but that makes it all the more beautiful. A style not totally within their wheelhouse, they still knocked out of the park.

3. Ghosts Again – 3:58

The first single for the album, and it definitely screams more radio friendly than a few of the other songs. But with the very 80s electronic bass drum kick and interspersed keys, it feels familiar and being a song about loss, that odd familiar feeling is an interesting artistic touch. Its fairly catchy too, if I’m being honest. Unlike some radio fodder songs, this just feels like a solid 80s Pop song that you might not search for on the radio; but you’ll let it play out if it comes on.

While the three highlights aren’t exactly me gushing, that’s purely because the entire album is solid. There’s about 7 of the 12 songs that I could’ve easily made an argument for Top 3. If you’re a fan of Violator, Music for the Masses, or any of the other peak Depeche Mode albums; this album makes an argument to be placed right up there with them. Even with the themes not being varied, they approach most of the songs from different angles and the music coupled with fantastic vocals makes it a very enjoyable listen.

I really never expected Depeche Mode to be weighing in for Album of the Year in 2023, but I’m pleasantly surprised.

Final Judgment: 9/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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The Gerudo Sisterhood is (not) fine.

Published

18 hours ago

May 1, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Mayday! Mayday!

The Triforce Anniversary did not go their way, and now The Gerudo Sisterhood sits down to talk it out. Will things (not) be okay again?

The Gerudo Sisterhood meet up.

In Gerudo Town, Riju sits in the throne room, Buliara by her side. Aveil, Nabooru and Urbosa arrive together. Riju asks where Tali and Shabonne are, and Aveil says she has no idea. Nabooru and Urbosa also don’t know, no one’s heard from either all month. Did she go back to sand seal racing? Nabooru checked around the track, checked the Great Dunes, no one there had seen her, either. Is Tali feeling that guilty about the spear? Everyone watched the tape back, it was by accident, she has nothing to feel bad about.

The group argues about that a bit. Tali went out there when she wasn’t supposed to. And even if it was an accident, she should still apologize, shouldn’t she? That’s a good point. Well, for now, they’ll just have to wait until Tali comes to them. For now, everyone needs to turn their attention to what’s coming: ThunderStruck.

The Gerudo Sisterhood double check the match card.

An Open Challenge for the Death Mountain Championship starts things off. Nabooru and Aveil tried to get that spot, but it seems someone already called their shot. Who do they think it was? Urbosa says, “Does it really matter? The Sisterhood will be right on the heels of the winner either way.” The others are all for that. Then The Dark Forces seem to be making moves. Cia has Ganon by her side, but who will Ruto have? Between Fin Balure and Bad Croc Scaly, she’s got strong choices, and Arrow Club could even parlay this tag match into a shot at the Termina Championship.

How’d Arrow Club figure out how to avoid Blood & Thunder this year? That’s anyone’s guess, but watching the UnderWorld Order battle it out with the rest of the Dark Forces will be just as much fun for the Sisterhood as it will be for the HPW Trios Champs. Kevin Gibdo, Volga, Zant and Wizzro aren’t exactly the friendliest bunch, but hopefully they give ReDead, Scaldera, Gomess & Death Sword the beating they deserve for all their underhanded moves. And it’d keep them from getting another chance at the HPW Trios titles at that.

The sore spot is the Triforce World Championship match. Yunobo has his shot at the title, and again Tali’s involvement in the Triple Threat cost the Sisterhood. But Link’s a three-time HPW Triforce Champion for a reason. For one, he won the Hyrule Warriors match, and he won the Eventide Challenge. Buliara points out that the other reason is that he lost the title along the way. If things come in threes, then will he lose a third time? Personally, Riju hopes not. She only survived that Beat the Clock Challenge against Link, and wants to settle things in a proper match. That’s also something the Sisterhood can get behind.

There’s thunder in the distance and they all look out the window to see a storm rolling across the desert. Thundra Plateau awaits, but who will rumble their way to victory?

My Thoughts:

Hooray for a hype article! Just imagine this as a really cool vignette video you’d see a major company put out. Also, I did need to keep the story of the Gerudo Sisterhood going, don’t want that slipping through the cracks. I’m feeling some intrigue as we move deeper into the Spring, this should be fun.

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Entertainment

Hockey Talk- Power Players [043024]

Hockey Talk reviews the action from the first round of the 2024 NHL Playoffs and looks forward to some intriguing matchups looming in the second round.

Published

2 days ago

April 30, 2024

David Ungar

On this week’s edition of Hockey Talk, the guys take a look at the first round of the 2024 NHL Playoffs. The best teams and highest seeds flexed their muscle during the opening round of the playoffs. Out East, it was Chalk City as the Rangers, Hurricanes, Bruins, and Panthers took firm control of their respective series. The West, on the other hand, was far less certain as most of those series were shaping up to be tough, hard-fought, battles to the very end. Which teams impressed the guys the most and which likely second round series are they most excited about? Tune in and find out!

Today’s hosts: Dave Ungar (@AttitudeAgg) and Patrick O’Dowd (@WrestlngRealist)

2024 NHL 1st Round Playoff Recap
The East goes according to form
The West is wild

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