For the last five days of October, I’m remembering music artists that died in 2022 by celebrating the music and legacy that continues to live on.
Andrew John Fletcher: Jul 8, 1961 – May 26, 2022
The news of Andy Fletcher’s passing hit me like a ton of bricks. Depeche Mode was an important band for me growing up, taking traditional melodic song structures and bringing them to life with synthesizers instead of traditional elements. Andy famously said that Martin was the songwriter, David was the singer, Alan was the real musician, and he just bummed around. But those who know the band well know that Andy did far more than just bum around. Andy was the business guy that was just as critical to the band’s success as the music itself. Plus, he helped create defining elements of the trademark DM sound, including the drone sounds and, of course, the bass (think “Behind the Wheel”, “Everything Counts”, “Personal Jesus”). Andy rarely sang, but he did contribute backing vocals as part of the chorus in one of my favorite DM anthems: “Condemnation”.
Martin Gore explored religious themes in his lyrics throughout Depeche Mode’s career. An honest, if not conflicted spirituality. “Condemnation” takes things to another level with its gospel choir approach. The song is flanked by two bangers on the Songs of Faith and Devotion album. The grungy disposition of “Walking in My Shoes” and “Mercy in You” only expose the simple cleanness of “Condemnation” even more. The song feels like a palette cleansing. A baptism for the ears.
“If you see purity as immaturity, well, it's no surprise. If for kindness you substitute blindness, please open your eyes.”