Depeche Mode: The Unauthorized Biography

by Soledad Romero Mariño, Fernando López del Hierro (Illustrator)

Overview

Behind-the-scenes stories and sophisticated artwork will give lifelong buffs and new fans alike a rare glimpse into the world of one of the most iconic and influential bands of all time, Depeche Mode!

Take the rebellious dreams of young musicians, add the gripping influence of punk, and throw in a brand-new Yamaha CS-5 synthesizer, ad you've got the perfect ingredients for the making of a band that will take over the world as innovators of modern music. Readers of all ages will love learning about the formation of Depeche Mode, their groundbreaking music, and the message behind their lyrics that made them unforgettable legends.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728210940
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	08/01/2020
Series:	Band Bios
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	641,916
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	NC990L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Soledad Romero Mariño graduated from Llotja School of Barcelona with a degree in graphic design. Driven by her passion for books, she started her own publishing house. She works as a graphic designer, magazine editor, and the author of several children’s books published in Barcelona. Soledad loves rock and roll and lives in Spain.

Fernando López del Hierro is the co-founder of Redada, an illustration and animation studio with offices in Madrid and Barcelona. He has more than twenty years of experience in the fine arts, audiovisual communication, and graphic design.

Editorial Reviews

08/01/2020

PreS-Gr 3—This brief biography of the English band famous for innovative electronic and synthesizer-infused sounds is written in straightforward, succinct prose. The text discusses the band's founding members (Vince Clarke, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Dave Gahan) and their earliest days, the creation of their signature sound, and the trajectory of the band's career. Depeche Mode (meaning "fashion news" in French) began in Basildon, Essex, England, in the early 1980s. Later, after Clarke left the band, he was replaced by keyboard virtuoso Alan Wilder. One-page chapters feature short paragraphs. Bright, colorful illustrations depict people dressed in the clothing and hairstyles of the punk aesthetic. Although the book abruptly concludes with the band's highly successful U.S. concert at the Rose Bowl in 1988, Depeche Mode has continued to perform, record, and tour internationally well into the 2010s. The group has influenced numerous music groups since its debut. The text explains salient facts about the ensemble, but the book isn't particularly engaging and likely won't encourage children unfamiliar with Depeche Mode to delve further into the band's music or history. The band's discography and a QR code that links to its first LP are helpful extras. VERDICT Recommended for limited purchase in public libraries. The book could also be used in classroom units to study the history of modern electronic music.—Carol Goldman, formerly at Queens Lib., NY

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