WAIST HIGH: Goodbye 25 Years Ago.

12/31/2007

Goodbye 25 Years Ago.

As you know, 1982 was a stand out year for some of Waist High's favorite music.

2007 became the year that we said "Happy 25th Birthday" to some of the greats: The Lexicon of Love, Upstairs at Eric's, New Gold Dream, The Gift, "Shock the Monkey," Special Beat Service, Pelican West, Avalon, Rio, The Golden Age of Wireless, A Flock Of Seagulls, "Love My Way," Shabooh Shoobah, and Combat Rock.

Greatest of all, 1982 was the year that Waist High's favorite Depeche Mode album, A Broken Frame, was released. A Broken Frame has been referred to as the beginning of the band's "so-called dark phase." The least known of their albums, A Broken Frame is a masterpiece.

A Broken Frame was Depeche Mode's second studio album, originally released on Sept. 27, 1982, following the departure of founder member Vince Clarke.

The group's original line-up was Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andrew Fletcher, and Vince Clarke. Clarke shockingly left the band after the release of their 1981 debut album Speak and Spell, and was replaced by Alan Wilder who was a band member from 1982 to 1995.

Depeche Mode are one of the longest-lived, most successful and influential bands to have emerged from the New Wave era. They have had 44 songs in the UK Singles Chart, and it is estimated that they have sold over 91 million records worldwide as of 2006.

Waist High is happy to report that all ten of Depeche Mode's studio albums in THE REMASTERS series are now available, and in the final "Happy 25th Birthday" of 2007, Waist High would like to say "Happy 25th Birthday" to THE REMASTERED A Broken Frame.

The remastered A Broken Frame includes 2 CD's. "The first CD was remastered and (except in the USA) was released on a CD/SACD hybrid. The DVD includes the three B-sides 'Now, This is Fun,' 'Oberkorn (It's a Small Town),' and 'Excerpts from: My Secret Garden,' in addition to several live versions of some of the songs from A Broken Frame."

All 10 of THE REMASTERS include a DVD, and the A Broken Frame DVD presents Vince Clark speaking of his departure from the band, a must see for any fan. Not only is this the first time that 25+ year Depeche Mode fan Waist High heard Vince Clark speak of his departure from the band, this is the first time that 25+ year Depeche Mode fan heard Vince Clark speak of Depeche Mode period.

"The re-release preserves the album as it was originally intended. The bonus track 'Further Excerpts from: My Secret Garden' was removed (but unlike earlier re-releases wasn't put on the DVD as an extra) and the version of 'Leave in Silence' is the album version, not the 'Longer' version, making it's debut in the USA. (Like 'Further Excerpts,' the 'Longer' version doesn't appear on the DVD)."

The 27 minute documentary on A Broken Frame called Depeche Mode 1982 (The Beginning Of Their So-called Dark Phase) features interviews with the band "and other important DM figures like Daniel Miller and cover-photographer Brian Griffin. There is also footage of television appearances and live performances, commentary on the three singles, Vince's departure, Alan's joining, the 'See You' tour, the cover, and more. There are excerpts from the three Julien Temple music videos, making this the only time they have been viewable in a public release."

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS! And goodbye to 1982, as 25 years ago.

Material: remasters.depechemode.com & wikipedia.org

CAST OF CHARACTERS

THE KERN COUNTY DRUNKARD
Everything at Waist High is a long story, and the story of The KCD is no exception. After this individual told Waist High in December of 2003 that she was going to kill her, "Waist High" the blog was born. Please do not tell Waist High the person that you are going to kill her or she will create "Waist High" the blog and write nasty things about you! Including the time you stunk up the bathroom at The Alley Cat. The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" detailed the drunken comings and goings of the live-in love interest of one of Waist High's most cherished male friends. Never has Waist High met anyone who drank as much as or as often as The KCD. The KCD, because she was an insecure drunk, hated Waist High for most of her decade long relationship with Waist High's most cherished male friend. She hated Waist High for the obvious reason: Waist High is hot. A one time source of much of the material for Waist High the blog, The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" was permanently retired in March 2005 when Waist High's most cherished male friend finally came to his senses and kicked her ass to the curb.

RAMPART
Rampart is the first ex-husband of Waist High. She refers to him as her first ex-husband because she knows there will eventually be a second. Rampart grew up on the mean streets of Bakersfield and claims to have been the co-discoverer of the well known 1980s dirt field party spot known as "The Place." Rampart's 1987 directive to Waist High, "Drink this six pack before I get back!" made both Waist High and Rampart parents at age 20. Rampart currently resides 4.5 miles from Waist High in the wilds of Oregon and is an enduring fixture at their local Cigs For Less shop. Once a Bakersfield Del Taco associate, Sail Thru Hamburgers drive up dude, and Wible Road AM/PM graveyard worker, Rampart claims to now net $49,000 per month. But only to impress people, not when required.

(THE FORMER) LOVELY TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Not your average 35 year old. Born to Waist High as a "Miracle on 34th Street" in Bakersfield Memorial Hospital on 34th Street, LTD is on the board of MAC cosmetics. Not really, but she swears allegiance only to them. When LTD's mother once purchased LTD some eye shadow from Target, LTD threatened to call the police. Sweeter than Tupelo Honey, with the attitude of a feral cat, LTD is disgusted with most things. Including being forced to live with Waist High from 1988-2005. The child at one time even had her own blog, "Living With Waist High," which detailed her misery. A graduate of the oldest institution in the Oregon University System, LTD kept her promise of not getting knocked up at age 20 like Waist High did.

THE STRANGER
Oh God bless The Stranger. The Stranger was one of Waist High's most loyal confidants during some of the darker periods of the blog. Although his fierce allegiance to really bad music was a great source of aggravation for Waist High, The Stranger gave her a much needed look at life. Through the eyes of someone not yet bitter. The Stranger was almost pushed out of a moving vehicle when he revealed to Waist High that not only did he not know who Barry Manilow, Captain & Tenille, or Spandau Ballet were, but that he literally had no clue what Trail Mix was.

"TRI-TIP"
Special Correspondent to Waist High, and one of Waist High's most cherished friends. Used to live with The Kern County Drunkard. Was a Special Correspondent to Waist High for 9 months before knowing it. Long story. This individual coined the ultimate mid '80s Bakersfield drinking phrase, "Lock hubs. Party!"

DESI
Waist High's former work spouse. Cares about Waist High so much that he once took Waist High with him on a smoke break the very next day after she spent $250 for hypnotherapy TO QUIT SMOKING. Was the first person in conversation to introduce Waist High to concepts like "The Dirty Sanchez," "Dog In A Bathtub," "Tea Bagging," and "The Shocker." Reminds Waist High as often as possible that if women "neglect the balls," their men will leave them.