Day 88: Depeche Mode vie with New Rave and a Blues Master

Album 269/1031

Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future (2007)

All tracks written by Klaxons, except where noted.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Two Receivers"	4:18
2.	"Atlantis to Interzone"	3:18
3.	"Golden Skans"	2:45
4.	"Totem on the Timeline"	2:41
5.	"As Above, So Below" (See note)	3:58
6.	"Isle of Her"	3:54
7.	"Gravity's Rainbow"	2:37
8.	"Forgotten Works"	3:26
9.	"Magick"	3:30
10.	"It's Not Over Yet" (Rob Davies/Paul Oakenfold/Michael Wyzgowski)	3:35
11.	"Four Horsemen of 2012"	2:18

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myths_of_the_Near_Future_(album)

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Derided by many as being the vanguard of the 'new rave' movement, Klaxons were a breathe of fresh air. I loved this Mercury Music Prize album for some cracking tunes 'Golden Skans' and 'Gravity's Rainbow' amongst the best, a very fine cover of 'It's Not Over Yet' and a fantastically inebriated acceptance speech at the prize-giving (they beat odds-on favourite Amy Winehouse that year.)

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! I'm not sure I've heard the whole of this album before. Absolutely loved it.... so much so I listened to it twice.

Album 270/1031

Muddy Waters - Hard Again (1976)

All songs written by McKinley Morganfield, except where indicated.

Original album[edit]

1. "Mannish Boy" (Morganfield, Ellas McDaniel, Mel London) – 5:23
2. "Bus Driver" (Morganfield, Terry Abrahamson) – 7:44
3. "I Want to Be Loved" (Willie Dixon) – 2:20
4. "Jealous Hearted Man" – 4:23
5. "I Can't Be Satisfied" – 3:28
6. "The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock And Roll, Pt. 2" (Morganfield, Brownie McGhee) – 3:35
7. "Deep Down in Florida" – 5:25
8. "Crosseyed Cat" – 5:59
9. "Little Girl" – 7:06

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_Again

Golf's verdict: Starts with 'Mannish Boy' as a statement of intent and doesn't let up for 45 minute. Fantastic Chicago Blues from a master of his art.

Maire's verdict: Tapped my toes the whole way through.

Album 271/1031

Depeche Mode - Violator (1990)

All tracks written by Martin L. Gore.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"World in My Eyes"	4:26
2.	"Sweetest Perfection"	4:43
3.	"Personal Jesus"	4:56
4.	"Halo"	4:30
5.	"Waiting for the Night"	6:07
6.	"Enjoy the Silence" (includes hidden track "Interlude Crucified" starting at 4:21[31])	6:12
7.	"Policy of Truth"	4:55
8.	"Blue Dress" (includes hidden track "Interlude" starting at 4:18[31])	5:41
9.	"Clean"	5:32

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violator_(album)

Golf's verdict: May be DM's best album. Will have to wait for Music For the Masses later i the year for a final nod. This is very strong though and has 4 very fine singles. 

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Pretty damn close to perfect. As an aside, one of my Top 5 gigs is the 1998 Depeche Mode Singles tour at Wembley.