ARTIST: Depeche Mode
TITLE: Sounds Of The Universe
RELEASE DATE: April 21, 2009
WEB DEBUT: March 26, 2009
ONE-LISTEN VERDICT: I don’t think I would have foreseen a day when I would say that my favorite songs on a Depeche Mode album were written by Dave Gahan. Then again, until recently, Martin Gore held the strings of the Depeche Mode machine so tightly that Gahan probably didn’t even dream of getting anywhere near a songwriting credit, so I guess it probably wouldn’t have occurred to me back when I was going around and telling people Violator was the greatest album of all time.
I can’t help but think that Universe is defined by how “mature” it is. The lyrics have an occasional self-help/recovery theme, and there’s a vintage synth-heavy sound, combined with a drum machine that occasionally skips over to the “tropical” setting. It’s not a glorious return to form or likely to challenge the ranking of their best albums, but the material on it is solid enough that it won’t sound glaringly out of place between the band’s greatest hits in a live setting.
THE BEST TRACKS: The trio of songs (”Hole to Feed”, “Come Back”, and “Miles Away/The Truth Is”) Gahan penned with co-writers Christian Eigner and Andrew Phillpott. Really.
Depeche Mode [Official site]
Electronic music geek question: What kind of vintage synths were used? The models typically used by new wave groups or the older, kitschy Moog ones from the 70’s?
The cover art reminds me of the posters for so many multi-cultralist art exhibits from the 80’s.
I thought Playing the Angel was a really strong record, but it seems people like to dump on it now. This one isn’t as immediately gratifying for me at least, but with DM that’s often a good thing.
@brasstax: People dump on Playing the Angel? I will punch those people in the face. Ok, not really, but I listened to it again the other day, and I’m with you. I think the first 3 songs in particular are very strong.
Count me in as a vocal PLAYING THE ANGEL supporter. But then, I also like EXCITER a lot, so what do I know. (Mostly because of “When The Body Speaks.”)
Will be checking this out as soon as I get home…
Like every DM record since the dawn of time I’ll probably listen to the album itself a couple of times and later fall in love with the amazing remixes.
I found two different versions of Hole to Feed. One is a whole lot darker sounding than the other, but regardless, I dig it. Come Back is fucking great too. Gahan is coming up. But then, I really liked his solo album.
My first impression of the album is that it’s better than PLAYING THE ANGEL and I loved that one too. It reminds me a lot of VIOLATOR at times.
Has DM ever released an out-and-out stinker?
I’d offer up SoFaD, but not really because I don’t want Ned Raggett to come and tear my face off.
@brasstax: Ha! Ned, if you need help with brasstax let me know.
Comments above noted. And no, you don’t want me to come over and tear your face off over one of the most gorgeously overwrought and perfect albums ever graced with the ‘rock’ tag, no.