Rocktrospectiva: The Mass Appealing "Deep" Turns 35

Released on 19 December 1989, "Deep" was the third solo studio album by English musician Peter Murphy. Produced by Simon Rogers, the album features contributions from Murphy's backing band, The Hundred Men. 

The album spawned three singles: "The Line Between the Devil's Teeth (And That Which Cannot Be Repeat)", "Cuts You Up" and "A Strange Kind of Love", there was a fourth single "Deep Ocean Vast Sea" but it was released for Spain only. The track "Cuts You Up" became a modern rock hit in 1990, spending seven weeks at the top of the U.S. charts and crossing over to Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 55. The other singles also charted on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, peaking at numbers 18 and 21, respectively.

Murphy finally broke into the fertile late ’80s Modern Rock Radio landscape with the album Love Hysteria. With backing group The Hundred Men in place, but Peter Murphy kept up his momentum with Deep, still regarded as Peter Murphy’s finest studio work. It’s a solid collection of dramatic, dynamic pop, practically his dark and morbid side in Bauhaus were left behind him (although he re-interprets the Bauhaus song "In the Flat Field" into the jagged "The Line Between the Devil’s Teeth)" and while there’s a wistfulness and romantic longing in ballads like "Marlene Dietrich's Favorite Poem" and "A Strange Kind of Love". But it's the brilliant "Cuts You Up" that deserve all the attention, the strings playing counterpoint to Murphy's dusky baritone, the hooky chorus and the exuberant ”la la lala la la” bridge.

Peter Murphy had to evolve even tought to keep the same darkness that characterized Bauhaus, but with an obvious evolution notable on this album "Deep" the music was more accessible than that of any Bauhaus records, but it keeps the same quality that characterizes them or Love and Rockets, the other part of Bauhaus. It's curious but to listening to such beautiful and delicate ballads as "Marlene Dietritch's Favorite Poem" and "A Strange Kind of Love (Part One)" or the exquisite pop songs like "Cuts You Up," which is as close to perfect as a pop song can get.  

This album sees Peter Murphy working with a constant core of musicians, his band called The Hundred Men,  along with consistent collaborator, keyboardist/guitarist/songwriter Paul Statham, he’s relying on bassist Eddie Branch, drummer Terl Bryant and guitarist Peter Bonas to help turn his moody art pieces into truly pop rock gems. Other songs are fine and brilliant, for instance "Crystal Wrists." with a very cleverly layered guitar lines, a crisp rhythm, and bright tones, open to different interpretations everytime you can hear it, the elegant "Marlene Dietrich's Favourite Poem" describes the aging film star at death's door dressed in acoustic guitar, delicate harp and changeling synthesizers, it’s one of Murphy’s most moving pieces.  A similar approach is taken on "A Strange Kind Of Love," which dispenses with most of the synth washes in favor of even more acoustic guitar, a minor key love ballad with even better lyrics.

We already talk about it, but again the centerpiece of the album was, of course, "Cuts You Up."  It’s a song of which you never grow tired.  Murphy has struck a melody which perfectly suits the timbre of his voice and the lyrics take unexpected paths, the bass guitar and drums add perfect support to Murphy's voice, "Roll Call" has two versions, the second of which is nearly two minutes longer than the first.  The guitars have an 80's new wave element reminiscent of the playing of Jamie West-Oram of The Fixx,  the longer remix adds even more percussion and some sort of Middle Eastern horn – all for a song about getting bored with the club scene.  

There is the mysteriously delightful in "Deep Ocean, Vast Sea," the certain reminiscence of U2's "The Unforgettable Fire" days on and few others reminiscences of Bauhaus both musically and lyrically)can be found in "The Line Between the Devil’s Teeth." much more mature and reflective, putting more emphasis on love and human condition than on demons, vampires and blasphemy. And this new sensibility didn’t seem to take his cleverness away.

Definitely "Deep" was a sort of redemption record, maybe the usual fan would love to had more darkness, more world music elements, stronger guitar lines, less shimmer, more songs, nevertheless, the record  always remained true to Murphy's intentions, even the critics praised the record, stating that Murphy was simply having the time of his life, he managed-well to balance mass appeal and his own distinct dark art perfection

 

Deep Track List:  

1. Deep Ocean Vast Sea

2. Shy

3. Crystal Wrists

4. Marlene Dietrich's Favourite Poem

5. Seven Veils

6. The Line Between The Devil0s Teeth (And That Which Cannot Be Repeat)

7. Cuts You Up

8. A Strange Kind Of Love

9. Roll Call

10. Roll Call (Reprise)