DEPECHE MODE - SUFFER WELL

Through this blog I learned why British artists release multiple versions of singles.  It's mainly to do with making sure your song qualifies to appear in the charts.  The governing body of that rating won't allow more than so many minutes on a single.  So most bands release a single with a song and possibly a b-side and then release a second longer single with mixes.

Our disc today is the second longer mix disc of Depeche Mode's single, 'Suffer Well'.    'Suffer Well' is a track taken from 'Playing The Angel".  Not only is it one of my favorite tracks from the album, it also was the beginning of a new trend in the way DM records were released.

Depending on who was in the group, Martin Gore would sometimes share writing duties with other band members.  Since he's been working on solo material, David Gahan was approaching the group about recording some of his original compositions.  Of which this is one!

The first track is the '(Tiga Remix)' which basically sounds like a minimalist version of the album track.  There's some percussion mixed in, but it's often faint and almost hidden in the track.  Track 2 is the '(Narcotic Thrust Vocal Dub)'.  This one jumps in pounding deeply and only relents when Gahan begins to sing.  His vocals are highlighted.  The house intense beats and loud frantic pace make this one a fun if not panic inducing party pleaser.

Number 3 is called the '(Alter Ego Remix)' and this track employs some distortion on the speakers to give the vocal delivery a gritty sound and make you think you're hearing a totally different recording of the vocals.  It's followed by the '(M83 Remix)' which sounds amazing.  Some of Martin's atmospheric vocals are highlighted and they sound so much better when you can hear then clearly.  It's another somewhat minimalist arrangement, but it's lovely and surely one of the best on this release.

The final two tracks are both done by the same person.  There's the '(Metape Vocal Remix)' and the '(Metape Remix)'.  They're both nice and similar.  All in all, you don't go wrong with this disc.  It has a nice variety of mixes you've come to expect from DM.  Lovely packaging and video as well.  Love it.  Well done, well done.

I highly recommend picking up this single and the album.  My final words:  A TASTY TREAT FOR THE EARS!

DEPECHE MODE - SUFFER WELL
01. Suffer Well (Tiga Remix)
02. Suffer Well (Narcatic Thrust Vocal Dub)
03. Suffer Well (Alter Ego Remix)
04. Suffer Well (M83 Remix)
05. Suffer Well (Metape Vocal Remix)
06. Suffer Well (Metape Remix)