Mode of Infamy.

As also noted at DYFL, Depeche Mode announce their Fall 2005 tour dates, and they look to be playing the Garden on December 7. (I may also venture out to the Borgata on 12/3…we’ll see.) Whatsmore, the full video for “Precious” is now online, and, just as the single has a great throwback feel to it, the video includes several thematic elements — ship, gears, Dave walking around — from the Some Great Reward era, and particularly the old, outrageously dated video for “People are People.” Hopefully, the rest of the album also measures up as a return to form. (Better video links via Quiddity.)

Blood, sweat, and dust.

In the trailer bin, Philip Seymour Hoffman channels In Cold Blood-era Truman Capote — I presume that’s how he actually sounded — in the preview for Capote, also with Catherine Keener and Chris Cooper. Elsewhere, 1880s Aussie Guy Pearce gets an offer he probably should refuse in The Proposition, written by Nick Cave and also starring Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Danny Houston, David Wenham, and Emily Watson. Finally, I should’ve posted this before, but only now found it: the trailer for Martin Scorsese’s Dylan-doc No Direction Home, appearing on PBS Sept. 26th and 27th.

Now This is Fun.

“I see ourselves alongside U2 and R.E.M. more than any of the bands we came up with, although really we don’t fit in and we never have, and I’ve come to embrace that.” Dave Gahan and Depeche Mode start up the publicity for Playing the Angel, their new album due out in October. The first single — “Precious” — has leaked, and after a couple of listens I already like it better than anything on the last album, with the possible exception of “When the Body Speaks.” It’s good to hear Dave, Andy, and Marty kicking the old-school synth flavors again.

The Honeymoon’s Over.

“It was unbelievable. They didn’t show a lot of what really went on with the enemy attacks and the shelling. There was so much stuff that went on and somehow the tapes got mysteriously misplaced.” Jessica Simpson discovers her and husband Nick Lachey’s experiences in Iraq have been edited down for carefree consumption. Yep, they keep lyin’ when they oughta be truthin‘.