Search - Depeche Mode :: Construction Time Again (W/Dvd) (Dig)

Time Again For Another Remaster Of DMs 'Construction

Mr. | USA | 03/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After proving to themselves, the critics, and fans, that life would indeed continue without Vince Clarke, through their 1982 sophomore effort: A Broken Frame, the Mode looked and moved forward once again, and in 1983, they released their third album: Construction Time Again. With an electronic/industrial influence (which would later be used to even greater heights on 1984s Some Great Reward), the Boys From Basildon set out to go one step further with this gripping release of metallic and organic sampling, reaching another plateau of musical awareness in the process.





The first single from the album: "Everything Counts," is a captivatingly winning number, that holds up quite well and resonates even more today than when it was originally recorded, discussing the complexities of business ethics and the lack thereof ("The Grabbing Hands Grab All They Can. All For Themselves, After All, It's A Competitive World"). The song is easily a fan favorite, and usually finds its way onto the live setlist for a Depeche Mode tour, with the audiences singing along in unison, back to the band. A crowd pleasing moment to be sure.





"Love, In Itself" (the second and final single from CTA), opens the album, with a high-spirited attitude about it, that moves things along nicely. As the song begins to finish, you start to hear what appears to be some sort of train car speeding by on tracks, as the next song, "More Than A Party," begins to play. A very interesting motif that's used once more, at the end of the song, and on into the opening of the third song, "Pipeline," where it is used to it's fullest effect, as an integral part of the song. Performed by Martin Gore (the first song he's sung on an album since "Any Second Now (Voices)" from 1981s Speak & Spell), "Pipeline" feels and sounds like one of those tunes that minors or railroad workers could be heard singing, while working at their outside jobs. Here it is all about working on and laying the pipeline, which can be looked upon as a metaphor for life in general. Quite nice. Other memorable cuts written by Gore include the fast tempo'd "Told You So" (which was released as a single in Spain) as well as "And Then...," which, according to Alan Wilder, was at one time considered for a single release, but never quite got that far.





Alan Wilder, who'd been recruited shortly after Clarke's departure, had initially found his talents only being used for the live performances on stage and not in the recording studio. But that all changed with Construction Time Again. Here, Wilder's contributions can easily be identified, and a few of his own songs are used as well, including the energetically fast-paced "Two Minute Warning," the health and nature conscious effort, "The Landscape Is Changing," as well as the underused but memorable B-side, "Fools." (included on the DVD as a Bonus Track). Wilder proved, with much ease, that his talents were more than just useful. They would become an integral part of how DM would evolve as a a band, musically.





Other Bonus Tracks on the DVD include the B-sides: "Work Hard," and the instrumental, "The Great Outdoors!" (both written by Gore & Wilder together). "Get The Balance Right," a song that was previously only released as a single and also found on subsequent Singles & Best Of collections, can also be found on the DVD, along with the Remix version: "Get The Balance Right (Combination Mix)." Also included is the short film - Depeche Mode 1983: "Teenagers Growing Up, Bad Government, And All That Stuff," which is an interesting look back at the Construction era, with interviews by the band members and others involved in the production.





One noticeable disappointment is the fact that the additional version of "Everything Counts (In Larger Amounts)," found at the end of the original US CD release of Construction Time Again, is missing from the Remastered CD. This is because these Remastered releases are taken from the original UK versions, which never included the "Everything Counts" bonus track. Although it's included on the DVD in the Bonus Materials area, it's still missed on the CD. I always thought it fit quite nicely as a full reprise of one of the most beloved songs on the album, and while the short 55 second version is still retained right after "And Then...," it's just not the same.



Even so, this is still a wonderful installment in the DM Remaster series. The sound quality is improved slightly on the CD, and the 5.1 Surround Sound & Hi-Res Stereo mixes are a nice upgrade (though I'm sure some of you out there will still expect better). Throw in the entertaining and enlightening documentary, and you've got a very nice Remastered release, that belongs in every DM fan's collection.





Construction Time Again (Remastered) - A Strong Third Installment!





Stay Devoted!





"Taking From The Greedy, Giving To The Needy." - M.L.Gore"

Content Excellent....Execution Poor... Please Recontruct

Fieval Years | San Antonio, TX USA | 05/06/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The remaster job on the album is superb. This in one of the Depeche Mode albums that may not have aged has well as the others but, hearing it again and with the DVD documentary sheds new light on a oft-overlooked masterpiece. My main complaint on this and all of the Depeche Mode Remasters is important songs like Get the Balance Right, Love Itself 4 and the Everything Counts (in larger amounts) are not on the CD because when they were originally released they were not on the album. So they are bonus tracks on the DVD. But not on the CD. Leaving the fans to have to either go by the regular US editions with the bonus tracks or get the six different singles collections box sets which are only about $50 each. It's a long long way for the Depeche Mode completist who sold their original US editions in eager anticipation of the remasters only to be burned by having to spend more money to obtain some of the best songs. Don't even get me started on the Remastered Black Celebration without "But Not Tonight..." Summary Excellent content, but just like many of these Deluxe editions (i.e. Flaming Lips) so can't hear any of the B Sides or songs once included on the US editions on the CD. You gotta listen sitting at home through your DVD player at home on the TV.....at home....BOOOOOOOOOOO.!!!! Shame Shame."

Appetite for Construction

Catfood03 | in front of my computer typing reviews | 05/15/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"CONSTRUCTION TIME AGAIN, Depeche Mode's third album, was as large a step forward in evolving the band's sound as much as A Broken Frame had from their debut. No doubt, new member Alan Wilder was a crucial part in honing Depeche Mode's new development, as well as Martin Gore flexing a stronger songwriting muscle for this album. CONSTRUCTION is the most focused effort of the earliest Mode albums, being more musically consistent than either Frame or it's much-praised successor Some Great Reward, with a integration of industrial (emphasis on the lower-case "i") sounds and textures used throughout. Many of these tracks, in retrospect, are early templates for more overtly Industrial-inspired songs to come such as "People Are People", "Blasphemous Rumors", and "Stripped".



Like many early 80's electronic records of it's day, CONSTRUCTION utilizes much synthesized horns, with "Love In Itself" being the most glaring example (not one of my fave Depeche songs anyway). "Told You So", on the other hand, uses this same sound quite inventively. This album's most notable track, the single "Everything Counts", is among the band's greatest songs of all time (... at least in my opinion). A fluid track from start to finish it features great percussion and catchy hooks all around. (Check out the enthusiastic crowd participation it received in the Depeche tour documentary, 101.)



Rhino Records' deluxe reissue of this CD, based on the original UK tracklisting, concludes with a very brief reprise of "Everything Counts" instead of the extended remix available on the original US CD release. This deluxe version also includes a DVD featuring a highly-informative documentary on the making of this album as well as additional non-album tracks and B-sides (including the extended "Everything Counts" and the excellent single, "Get the Balance Right"). Also remember when making your decision that the bonus music on the Rhino version is only accessible on the DVD (as well as double the price)."