The Wrath of Gahan

Gahan fares much better on the more subtle tracks. The shimmering "Stay," in particular, equals anything Gore ever wrote. Underscored by gentle, breezy synth and piano lines, the melodies on "Stay" prove the breadth of Gahan's voice and -- through simple lyrics like "Stay/ Wait until tomorrow/ Please stay" -- his emotional bravery.

Gahan recorded Paper Monsters in New York, where he now lives, with considerable help from his friend and former Psychedelic Furs touring member/multi-instrumentalist Knox Chandler, as well as producer Ken Thomas (Sigur Rós). Together the trio has a widely varied set of influences.

Anton Corbijn

Details

Kenna opens

Monday, Aug. 18, at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $35-40

775-7722

Warfield, 982 Market (at Sixth Street), S.F.

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More About

• Dave Gahan
• Depeche Mode
• Martin Gore
• Rose Bowl (Game)
• Sigur Ros

"We didn't want to limit ourselves in any areas," says Gahan of the songwriting process, "whether it was blues, jazz, electronic stuff, Radiohead, Sigur Rós, or whatever."

Gahan's record reflects that schizophrenic songwriting philosophy to some extent, but the overarching thrust of the music doesn't veer too far from where Depeche Mode fans are willing to go -- a few blues guitar licks here, an experimental electronica bit there notwithstanding. Thanks to songs like "Hidden Houses," with its driving bass line and dissonant guitars, the record manages to rock as hard as any fan could possibly hope for. And Gahan, deservedly so, is proud of what he has written.

"It's amazing to finally be singing my own words," he gushes.

Not many people get to die, come back from the grave, and have a second chance at life -- as a solo "rocktronica" star no less. Gahan is thrilled to be alive, and happy to have the opportunity to reconnect with fans on his first solo tour. "To go on the road and see people sing my own lyrics back to me is just fantastic," he says.

Of course, when crowds sing lyrics like "I'll soon be lying on my own/ On some dirty sticky floor" back to Gahan, he will no doubt be thinking about his past. But at least now the monsters are haunting his music, not destroying his life.