A Sweeping Curve of Sound

Veteran synth-pop legends Depeche Mode are returning to the studio and plan to release a new album in 2008.

“Depeche Mode met earlier this month, and agreed to hit the studio in March. Martin Gore has been writing songs, and has already taken his new compositions into pre-production (ie. not just demos), working with Sie Medway-Smith in Martin’s home studio in Santa Barbara. Dave Gahan has also been writing, although details of his progress are scarce. EMI in Spain let slip that Mute are hoping to have the album ready at the end of this fiscal year, in time for Christmas. A tentative date of “late November” was circulated to retailers and media in Spain, via the IFPI owned operation Promusicae.”

…and there was much rejoicing. So much for the predictions that they might jump from their major label deal and go the Radiohead route.

Links: Depeche Mode on MySpace, Depeche Mode at The Hype Machine

In the wake of Radiohead, Madonna, and Trent Reznor forgoing traditional label deals, many are wondering who is next to jump ship from the major labels. A Reuters article speculates that beloved synth-pop act Depeche Mode could be one of ten acts primed to follow Radiohead’s lead.

Depeche Mode

“Eleven studio albums in, these synth-pop stalwarts arguably no longer need a major label in their corner. The group, which has recorded for Sire since 1981, can still fill arenas and land new tracks on DJ playlists without the support of radio.”

But Side-Line News debunks any notion of Depeche Mode leaving Mute.

“The writer of the piece however seems to forget that Depeche Mode always had a very privileged relationship with Mute labelowner Daniel Miller which resulted in 50/50 deals where the band was as much responsible as the label when it came to investment and return. It is pretty uncertain that Depeche Mode would give up all this just for the sake of having to run all of the risk alone. However, all depends on the position of Daniel Miller, and as far as we know he is still involved in how Mute is being run, for now that is. “

In other words, unless Daniel Miller loses control of Mute (which could be possible now that EMI owns the lablel), don’t expect to see the band involved in an “In Rainbows” experiment any time soon.

Links: Remastered versions of Depeche Mode’s first ten albums,  Depeche Mode on MySpace, Depeche Mode at The Hype Machine.