29 years ago today, February 3rd 1997, British electronic band Depeche Mode released ‘Barrel of a Gun’ as the first single from the studio album ‘Ultra’. Some will never have heard it, some will shrug their shoulders and say ‘and’ but to the devout, this was a major moment in the history of one of if not the the biggest ‘cult’ bands in history. Yes a cult band as despite having sold over 100 million records, their, dark, synth-driven sound maintains an intimate, “underground” appeal.
Looking back, the album before Songs of Faith and Devotion was a big turning point in 1993. Depeche Mode fans were still enjoying Violator and the beautifully crafted Syth band seemed to have reached a pinnacle, what could be next? Grunge! A grunge-esque inspired album with the introduction of a raw guitar, drum and heavy syth-led behemoth of an album that took Depeche Mode in a different direction. For a band that had been going for twelve years and seven albums it was brave but welcomed, not by all but straight away, but after the initial shock, the realisation what the album was in depth of sound and supreme songwriting and storytelling it spurned a number of unforgettable track such as ‘Walking in My Shoes‘, ‘I Feel You‘ and ‘In Your Room’ and not fogetting one of Dave Gahan’s favourites to this day, ‘Condemnation‘.
The album was a double edged sword as with this album came a very different Gahan, long haired, beared, dishevelled, a far cry from the leather jacket and white jean wearing part rockabilly of Music for the Masses and Violator. And under the stage bravado was a drug-fuelled singer on the edge of life and death. This album also led to the sad departure of Alan Wilder and his musical genius in the studio. No Mode fan was sure if any new music was ever going to be heard again?
Then, 4 years later there was the album Ultra. Not leaving the sound of Songs of Faith and Devotion too far behind, this was a step forward. It was SOFAD but refined, it shouted in the right places and embraced quietness the same way, thinks ongs like ‘Home‘ and ‘It’s No Good‘ but then ‘Sister of Night‘. It was a step back to the Mode of old but retaining the next step inthere evolution but as a three piece.
Before I heard the rest of Ultra, Barrel of a Gun hit like a freight train. The precursor and mission ststemtn of intent that it was. One of those moments a devout does not forget. My personal story was, I was heading into Falmouth in Cornwall where i was living at the time and driving a rather ropey ‘ragtop’ 1972 Volskwagen Beetle, it looked a state but the Kenwood system in in screamed! I had the radio on and was headed back intot town and the DJ announced on Radio 1, “here’s the new song from Depeche Mode” making my hand reach instantly for the volume dial, that car literally bounced into town.
In a heavy indie, britpop dominated chart this was a diamond in the rough to most around me although there were a few that shared my enthusiasm. I was straight to Our Price that day to find the CD single, it was a necessity, as were the following CD singles and the album as soon as i could get my mits on it!
Depeche Mode were back! Dave Gahan was on the mend and Martin Gore showed once again the reason why the band has sold so many albums and has such a following. The sound of that album went through you, it pulled on emotional strings, lifted you up and sat you down. It was a studio album so no tour but it was there! You could call Barrel of a Gun a comeback, an announcement or a call to arms to fans who had hoped for 4 years of news.
Songrwiter Martin Gore said, “it’s about understanding what you’re about and realising that you don’t necessarily fit into somebody else’s scheme of things.”
Singer Dave Gahan said, “The song sums up the way I was treating myself and everybody around me. That’s what life had in store for me every day. It’s a really powerful statement. When you’re in that kind of row, the last thing on your mind is dying.”
