Depeche Mode has made a reputation on taking the dark, unseen images locked away in the members minds and making them come alive, sometimes painting a mental image that mystify, entrance and devour. The Stripped maxi-single manages to take songs that are perfect in every way, shape and form – and make them even more alluring. While I might not care for a few of the tracks personally – that isn’t to say that they aren’t without their own individual charm, essence and mystique.

The songs on this maxi-single are all taken from the Depeche Mode release Black Celebration with the exception of Breathing in Fumes and Black Day - both of which were released as b-sides on European singles. The copy that I own is an Import version [from England] and shouldn’t be confused with it’s cousin maxi-single that was released in the United States. This version does not include the two ‘bonus tracks’ but does come with a fold out poster and two ‘limited’ stickers.

As with most of my reviews of maxi-singles or remixes, I’ll give my usual warning – if you aren’t a hard-core fan chances are these songs will all sound the same to you – almost the same versions as those found on the original CD. Now, if you are an addict or Depeche Mode junkie – this is something that you must have in your collection.


Tracks

Stripped 6:42

An extended version of the previously released single version. This version sounds a little bit more shallow – not as dark but still a great song overall. After a little while you’ll notice there’s more music between the lyrics than on the CD issued track and other singles – adding almost a full minute to the track.

This one is just a little bit less than “perfect” when placed side by side with other versions of the song. While it’s longer and contains more actual music than the studio cut – it is lacking something vital. What the key element is escapes me at the present moment – so I’ll update this when the light bulb in my brain lights up.

Let me hear you
Make decisions
Without your television
Let me hear you speaking
Just for me

But Not Tonight 5:12

This is almost exactly like the studio single, but about 30 seconds longer. Still a great track and a little more ‘pop’ than other Depeche Mode songs. One of the nice things about this song is that it just flows – there’s no harsh breaks or unexpected twists musically but if you pick apart the lyrics you’ll see the dark undertone of the track.

The moon
Is shining in the sky
Reminding me
Of so many other nights
But they're not like tonight

Stripped 6:05
Highland Mix

Harder, more music, less vocals and shorter than other remixed versions. While this isn’t my favorite version it’s still extremely popular amongst the rave, house and techno crowds who are also fans of the group. It’s just a little too much on the dance side for me – I like my Depeche Mode songs to song like Depeche Mode songs – not something you would hear at an all night rave. Don’t get me wrong – the song is still stellar – but seemed loaded down with a kind of extra ‘junk noise’.

Can’t really recommend this version to anyone who is ‘just a fan’ however the hard-core junkies will more than likely eat this up, lick the plate and ask for seconds.

But Not Tonight 4:15
Extended Mix

I’ve listened to this about a hundred times – and I’m still not sure if I like this or not. Standard vocals – extended music. It’s not as cluttered as the studio version but this seems too organized and sterile to really let you get into it. I guess it all depends on the mood you are in when you listen to it.

The bass is extremely heavy – which might bring the song down a little bit to some fans – but to me it kind of balanced out the ‘happy’ sound of the vocals. All in all, this isn’t the best remix of the song, but it’s defiantly not the worst. This would be a great version for DJ’s or technophiles who love to mix.

Breathing in Fumes 6:04

Most of the classic sound of the group. A nice throbbing intro with a beat that mimics most of the hard tracks on Black Celebration. When I first listened to it I was a little ticked off – after the first 30 seconds it just all starts to sound the same – with a little goodie thrown in here and there – I found myself looking at the CD player in my vehicle and wanting to give it a good smack to make sure the CD wasn’t skipping.

As the song progresses you hear parts of Stripped mixed in with the music and with some added background synthesized vocals.

Fly on the Windscreen 4:25
Quiet Mix

Not sure why this is call the Quiet Mix, because it is anything but quiet. A deeper and darker version with some of the best remixing done to a classic Depeche Mode song. Compared to the studio version, this is a bit more enhanced in the synthesizer department and has a harder edge to it. The music has been trimmed back a lot leaving the lyrics to stand out and shine.

If you are a real fan of the band and love this song – you need to find this maxi-single before it’s too late. I can’t guarantee that you’ll fall in love with this version – but you’ll be more than ecstatic that you added it to your collection.

Death is everywhere
There are lambs for the slaughter
Waiting to die
And I can sense
The hours slipping by
Tonight

Black Day 4:56

This song is one of the reasons most fans of the group seek this maxi-single out with such vigor. Lyrically it’s a combination of a few songs [Stripped, Black Celebration etc] but musically is where it really gets ‘rokken’*. The vocals are borderline depressive with a slight hyperactive ‘you should be on Ritalin’ type of presentation [And is it just me or does it sound like he is panting?].

Now, you might be asking “If it’s not really all that good, why does everyone want it?”. Simple fact of the game – he [or she] whop dies with the most maxi-single, remixed or imports wins. If you are a fan – a group can put out the same exact CD with five different covers and you’d go out and buy every one of them. [Example: Led Zeppelin].

I want to take you in my arms
Forgeting all I couldn't do today

Details

Unlike most Depeche Mode maxi-singles or EP’s this one is in a plastic jewel case rather than the standard cardboard Digipak. As I mentioned earlier in the review – there are several different version of this maxi-single and too often they get confused. Someone who is a casual listener might start looking for this on the internet and end up getting ripped off for a nice chunk of change if they don’t know the difference between them. The easiest way to avoid this it to look at the number of tracks, how it is packaged and the UPC number.

This is a standard sized jewel case, not the smaller streamline ones used by Pearl Jam and Madonna [imports only] so this will stand up to a little more abuse then it’s anorexic plastic cousins. If you plan on buying this new – look for the “Import” sticker as well as a small silver hologram sticker that seals the CD case [should be on the middle of the right side of the case under the plastic over wrap].

I checked the prices for this maxi single [import version] and found that most of the places that had this in stock were listing this as an import version – however it was the US release, not the European version.

Amazon.com: $7.49 US version
Amazon.com $11.99 European – not in stock
CDNow: $6.49 US version
CDNow: No listing for European version

This CD maxi-single was also released as part of the boxed set that contained five other CD’s. It was the third in a series of such releases and sold out quickly. Some are still available but be careful when buying online and make sure you are getting all the CD’s in the set, not just a selected few. These multi-packs were packaged in small wooden crates that had the Depeche Mode logo burned into the top.

Stats

Run Time: 37:08
Parent Album: Black Celebration
Number of Tracks 7
Released Under: Warner / Reprise

As always, thanks for the read!

^V^ Freak ^V^



*= ‘rokken’. A trademark word of Epinions own Emptywishes.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Romancing