Depeche Mode

Former heroin addict Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode failed at a suicide attempt in the mid-'90s, and uses his solo album "Paper Monsters," as a form of rehabilitation.

From the first bar on the album, Gahan lures his audience into his environment and doesn't let them out until the end. The talented songwriter deals with his personal issues, but shows how he is overcoming these demons with songs like "Hold On" and "Stay." His almost-blues "Bottle Living" is like a biography of the past few years of his addiction-filled life.

Music wise, it's not exactly the same electro-feel that Depeche Mode records have, but the style is not completely different. It is more vocal-concentrated, with his messages coming across strong over the production of the songs.

3*

Reprise Records/Warner