Dave Gahan — Paper Monsters/Martin Gore — Counterfeit 2

Depeche Mode's split-ups, near-suicides and attempts to turn into a band playing "real" instruments have led us to where we are now — Dave Gahan and Martin Gore solo records. Gahan's best moment is the cautionary "Bottle Living," which would be fine if it wasn't for the eye-rolling melodrama. The plodding mid-tempo-ness of everything doesn't help either. Gore's record at least has some interesting moments, namely "I Cast A Lonesome Shadow," but there's little reward for loyalty here. Y'know, Poison can still sell out arenas as kitsch retro revivalists. Perhaps the Depeche Mode fellows should drink a tall glass of humility and consider this.

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