(04.24.06) Down to the Bone is a back to basics album of acoustic interpretations of influential electro-indie band Depeche Mode. Focusing mostly on a selection of songs from Mode’s 1987’s Music for the Masses album onwards, just one track pre-dates this era. As for the title, Down to the Bone is a line from the opening song on the album, “Stripped.”
As a fan of Depeche Mode, it is initially strange to hear their songs sung in a slowed down acoustic style with a different vocalist. The style of the songs is a sort of cabaret, nightclub interpretation that might be described as acoustic or maybe even orchestral in nature. Considering that the original versions were all electronic and often much faster paced than Chaveau’s versions, they are still instantly recognisable to those familiar with Mode’s music. Whether this style of rework or perhaps Chaveau’s reinterpretations more specifically, work is a matter of opinion. Generally, they are quite well done but some songs work better than others. “Home” for example is a classic live song sung by songwriter Martin L. Gore in concert but Chaveau’s Down To The Bone version misses an opportunity to transform an already emotional song into something new and original. “Policy of Truth” is another track that just doesn’t suit Chaveau’s voice and “Death’s Door” (another Gore vocal song) is over the top with drama. At times though, the choice of tracks and the tempo better suits Chaveau’s voice. “In Your Room” and “Never Let Me Down Again” work much better and portray just the right amount of feeling and emotion that is either over exaggerated or underplayed elsewhere on the album. “Never Let Me Down Again” is probably the best track on the album and is actually a completely slowed down piano version that takes the original driving anthem and turns it into a moody ballad.
Tribute albums are often compilations of tracks from a range of artists usually within a common genre. In this case, a single group have produced a whole album of acoustic/orchestral tracks as a tribute to a legendary electronic music band. The music itself is fine but Chaveau’s voice generally isn’t suited to this style of singing, except on the odd occasion where everything comes together quite nicely to produce an interesting reinterpretation of a classic track.
Down to the Bone – An Acoustic Tribute to Depeche Mode is out now on DSA. Buy it at Amazon.com
