Six years after their last collaboration -- and with a massive
Depeche Mode
album cycle to fill his time --
Dave Gahan
reunited with
Soulsavers
for their third set, the covers album
Imposter
. Featuring the frontman's takes on songs that comfort and move him, the collection was recorded in 2019 at
Rick Rubin
's Los Angeles studio, whittled down from two dozen ideas. The resulting effort is introspective, contemplative, and relaxing.
Gahan
puts his spin on songs by artists such as
alum
Mark Lanegan
("Strange Religion"),
PJ Harvey
("The Desperate Kingdom of Love"),
Neil Young
("A Man Needs a Maid"), and
Cat Power
("Metal Heart"), delivering a few standouts with a relatively energetic execution of
Bob Dylan
's "Not Dark Yet" and a mournful, piano-and-choir version of "Always on My Mind." While
doesn't get the blood pumping as much as 2015's
Angels & Ghosts
, fans in need of a soundtrack for brooding will find this to be an ideal outlet. ~ Neil Z. Yeung