There are exactly SIX copies left of Color Theory presents Depeche Mode. I thought there was another hundred, but when I opened my last box, half of them were Lucky Ago!
I'll have to figure out what to do with those, but in the meantime, if you'd like my DM tribute on CD, you can get it for free at colortheory.com. You'll have to cover the shipping, $5 in the US (which is less than my cost, for the record, pun intended).
@stellar808 posted a remix of my new track “Undone” and the original isn't even out yet! Look for that on Friday, or if you'd like to hear it sooner, subscribe to my email list at colortheory.com 😄
9 years ago today, I released my 9th full-length album, Adjustments.
Six years in the making, Adjustments was originally released over the course of three EPs, each containing 5 originals and 5 remixes. The deluxe edition contains all 30 tracks!
Now that the dust has settled, it’s clear that the top track is “Slot Machine.” Apparently it’s played in supermarkets in China, if the comments on NetEase (a Chinese streaming service) are to be believed:
People are talking about my new EP with Second Complex!
Mostly good things... 😅
Johan Alexed of Popmuzik says, “Sparkling synths paint the elegant melodies, combined with heavy drumbeats that make the song pleasantly danceable.” (translated from Swedish)
La Caverna concludes, “‘Volatile Emotions’ not only revives a golden era of synthpop but breathes new life into it with a deep, honest, and contemporary narrative.” (translated from Spanish)
Rmas writes, “This sound perfectly complements the lyrical emotions and vocal performance, crafting an honest narrative about the internal struggle to find authenticity amidst disillusionment and emotional exhaustion.” (translated from Spanish)
Karl Magi aka Synthwriter80s describes it as “a complex, deeply human response to life’s challenges, delivered through compelling vocals and fascinating synths.”
Finally, Leslie Aeschliman of AeschTunes calls it “a haunting yet soothing synthpop track that captures emotional struggle with expressive vocals and lush production.”
Reviews are coming soon from LOUDNESS and DJ Mishka.
Thank you for your streams, shares, saves, and playlist adds! 🖤
You'll find the EP on your favorite music platform here:
Join Andy and me as we reminisce about what Delta Machine might have been with a different producer.
Don't know what I'm talking about? Download the demos and hear for yourself! The consensus among DM fans is that they're better than the album versions.
This is the sixteenth in a series of talks in which Andy Last of @BeyondSynth and I dissect each and every Depeche Mode album. It’s available exclusively on our Patreon pages.
Mine’s at patreon.com/colortheory
Members can also listen on Spotify or on any podcast app via a private audio RSS feed.
As always, let us know what you think in the comments!
My first album, Sketches in Grey, was released at a time where simply having an album on CD meant you'd made it, 31 years ago today.
I was working as an accompanist for a high school choral program with an incredibly supportive group of students. 500 units sold out quickly by word of mouth alone.
A few years later I released a remastered version, adding three remixes and four live recordings, the latter of which are absent on streaming services.
Let's not kid ourselves here. The production is demo quality at best. It was recorded on a self-built Windows 3.1 system at the dawn of computer-based digital audio. I had a grand total of four channels and two effects at my disposal. The synths and drum machine were recorded direct to tape, simultaneously.
Despite the album's technical deficiencies, I'm still mostly pleased with the songwriting. You'll find some minor embarrassments as well as two standout tracks: “Never Realized” and “Snowing.”
If you feel like taking a trip down memory lane, you'll find the abridged version on streaming and the complete version on Bandcamp here:
People seemed to like our recent single “The Curve,” so we’re back with a 4-track EP recalling the classic synthie-pop sounds of bands like Camouflage, De/Vision, and Wolfsheim.
You can pre-save “Volatile Emotions” on Spotify, Apple Music, or Deezer, and even elect to have all my future releases automatically added to your library.
Mark Buckley of AnalogueTrash observes, “Martyn Ware’s chapter in the Human League’s output comes to mind, as do the taut drum loops of Cabaret Voltaire, but Near the End remains first and foremost a pop song.”
Johan Alexed of Popmuzik remarks, “These are big and somewhat heavy thoughts that Brian channels through his lyrics. But it’s also thought-provoking and above all, truly good pop.” (translated from Swedish)
La Caverna calls it “an introspective and melancholic piece of gothic synthpop that immerses itself in existential anxiety.” (translated from Spanish)
Cosmonauta Radio notes, “Near The End is set to Gothic-tinged synthesizers and atmospheres… a hypnotic, dynamic, and emotional experience.”
Rmas writes, “The rhythmic foundation alternates between robust, epic moments and bright, repetitive hooks, creating a track perfect for both listening and dancing.” (translated from Spanish)
DJ Mishka describes it as “a melancholic track I can’t help but recommend to lovers of retro aesthetics and musical variety.” (translated from Russian)
Karl Magi aka Synthwriter80s calls it “a meditation on the passage of time and the human fear of endings.”
Finally, Leslie Aeschliman of AeschTunes points out that “it also has moments where it sounds a little edgy for a Color Theory track.” So true!
Thank you for your streams, shares, saves, and playlist adds! 🖤
You'll find the track on your favorite music platform here:
Color Theory
Color Theory
There are exactly SIX copies left of Color Theory presents Depeche Mode. I thought there was another hundred, but when I opened my last box, half of them were Lucky Ago!
I'll have to figure out what to do with those, but in the meantime, if you'd like my DM tribute on CD, you can get it for free at colortheory.com. You'll have to cover the shipping, $5 in the US (which is less than my cost, for the record, pun intended).
colortheory.com/checkouts/free-majesty-cd
6 days ago | [YT] | 34
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Color Theory
www.patreon.com/posts/131093581
1 week ago | [YT] | 9
View 0 replies
Color Theory
“Undone” explores the mystery of where “I” ends and “you” begin.
The snare is reminiscent of “World In My Eyes,” or so I'm told.
ffm.colortheory.com/undone
Thank you for listening and sharing! ❤️🩹
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 15
View 2 replies
Color Theory
@stellar808 posted a remix of my new track “Undone” and the original isn't even out yet! Look for that on Friday, or if you'd like to hear it sooner, subscribe to my email list at colortheory.com 😄
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 5
View 0 replies
Color Theory
9 years ago today, I released my 9th full-length album, Adjustments.
Six years in the making, Adjustments was originally released over the course of three EPs, each containing 5 originals and 5 remixes. The deluxe edition contains all 30 tracks!
to.colortheory.com/adjustments
Now that the dust has settled, it’s clear that the top track is “Slot Machine.” Apparently it’s played in supermarkets in China, if the comments on NetEase (a Chinese streaming service) are to be believed:
music.163.com/#/song?id=28123688
I must have devoted at least a thousand hours to that album. 😩
Huge thanks to @davpunk for the amazing cover art, for both the album and all three EPs!
Brian
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 12
View 0 replies
Color Theory
People are talking about my new EP with Second Complex!
Mostly good things... 😅
Johan Alexed of Popmuzik says, “Sparkling synths paint the elegant melodies, combined with heavy drumbeats that make the song pleasantly danceable.” (translated from Swedish)
La Caverna concludes, “‘Volatile Emotions’ not only revives a golden era of synthpop but breathes new life into it with a deep, honest, and contemporary narrative.” (translated from Spanish)
Rmas writes, “This sound perfectly complements the lyrical emotions and vocal performance, crafting an honest narrative about the internal struggle to find authenticity amidst disillusionment and emotional exhaustion.” (translated from Spanish)
Karl Magi aka Synthwriter80s describes it as “a complex, deeply human response to life’s challenges, delivered through compelling vocals and fascinating synths.”
Finally, Leslie Aeschliman of AeschTunes calls it “a haunting yet soothing synthpop track that captures emotional struggle with expressive vocals and lush production.”
Reviews are coming soon from LOUDNESS and DJ Mishka.
Thank you for your streams, shares, saves, and playlist adds! 🖤
You'll find the EP on your favorite music platform here:
ffm.colortheory.com/volatile
More soon...
Brian
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 13
View 0 replies
Color Theory
We're baaaaaaccckk! 👋🏻
Join Andy and me as we reminisce about what Delta Machine might have been with a different producer.
Don't know what I'm talking about? Download the demos and hear for yourself! The consensus among DM fans is that they're better than the album versions.
dmlive.wiki/wiki/Delta_Machine_demos
This is the sixteenth in a series of talks in which Andy Last of @BeyondSynth and I dissect each and every Depeche Mode album. It’s available exclusively on our Patreon pages.
Mine’s at patreon.com/colortheory
Members can also listen on Spotify or on any podcast app via a private audio RSS feed.
As always, let us know what you think in the comments!
www.patreon.com/posts/depeche-mode-16-129308400
Brian
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 31
View 0 replies
Color Theory
My first album, Sketches in Grey, was released at a time where simply having an album on CD meant you'd made it, 31 years ago today.
I was working as an accompanist for a high school choral program with an incredibly supportive group of students. 500 units sold out quickly by word of mouth alone.
A few years later I released a remastered version, adding three remixes and four live recordings, the latter of which are absent on streaming services.
Let's not kid ourselves here. The production is demo quality at best. It was recorded on a self-built Windows 3.1 system at the dawn of computer-based digital audio. I had a grand total of four channels and two effects at my disposal. The synths and drum machine were recorded direct to tape, simultaneously.
Despite the album's technical deficiencies, I'm still mostly pleased with the songwriting. You'll find some minor embarrassments as well as two standout tracks: “Never Realized” and “Snowing.”
If you feel like taking a trip down memory lane, you'll find the abridged version on streaming and the complete version on Bandcamp here:
colortheory.bandcamp.com/album/sketches-in-grey
Here’s to the next 31 years! No need to do the math on that. 😏
Thank you for being part of the journey!
Brian
1 month ago | [YT] | 23
View 3 replies
Color Theory
People seemed to like our recent single “The Curve,” so we’re back with a 4-track EP recalling the classic synthie-pop sounds of bands like Camouflage, De/Vision, and Wolfsheim.
You can pre-save “Volatile Emotions” on Spotify, Apple Music, or Deezer, and even elect to have all my future releases automatically added to your library.
ffm.colortheory.com/volatile
If you're on Spotify, I've even got a fancy-schmancy new Countdown page for the release here where you can pre-save the EP directly.
open.spotify.com/prerelease/73FXy6xCstZTfgbU1YDu1s…
Email subscribers will hear it first, so if that’s not you, subscribe at colortheory.com!
Brian
1 month ago | [YT] | 27
View 0 replies
Color Theory
The blogosphere has spoken! 🕷️
Here's what they had to say about “Near the End”:
Mark Buckley of AnalogueTrash observes, “Martyn Ware’s chapter in the Human League’s output comes to mind, as do the taut drum loops of Cabaret Voltaire, but Near the End remains first and foremost a pop song.”
Johan Alexed of Popmuzik remarks, “These are big and somewhat heavy thoughts that Brian channels through his lyrics. But it’s also thought-provoking and above all, truly good pop.” (translated from Swedish)
La Caverna calls it “an introspective and melancholic piece of gothic synthpop that immerses itself in existential anxiety.” (translated from Spanish)
Cosmonauta Radio notes, “Near The End is set to Gothic-tinged synthesizers and atmospheres… a hypnotic, dynamic, and emotional experience.”
Rmas writes, “The rhythmic foundation alternates between robust, epic moments and bright, repetitive hooks, creating a track perfect for both listening and dancing.” (translated from Spanish)
DJ Mishka describes it as “a melancholic track I can’t help but recommend to lovers of retro aesthetics and musical variety.” (translated from Russian)
Karl Magi aka Synthwriter80s calls it “a meditation on the passage of time and the human fear of endings.”
Finally, Leslie Aeschliman of AeschTunes points out that “it also has moments where it sounds a little edgy for a Color Theory track.” So true!
Thank you for your streams, shares, saves, and playlist adds! 🖤
You'll find the track on your favorite music platform here:
ffm.colortheory.com/neartheend
More soon...
Brian
1 month ago | [YT] | 6
View 0 replies
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