DM - Sounds Of The Universe

[cispas]

I'm a fan of Depeche Mode, I've always been a fan!
But this time I'm having trouble.
I did my best and listened a second time (maybe I missed something?) and even a third time (maybe it's me?) and then I gave up, I'm afraid...
I'm very disappointed. [:(]
cispas





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[tenohtwo]

It's a weird one, and not the 'catchiest' DM album, that's for sure. Anyone expecting a single-laden release like Masses, Violator, or SOFAD will be disappointed. I'm still warming to it myself. It's easily the most experimental Mode album, the opening track intro sounds like something Kraftwerk would do. They certainly get credit for doing something unique. My biggest complaint is the drums. I keep waiting for something punchy to kick in, but that never really happens. It's one big 808-fest on this album! The production is excellent, lots of layers of sound, and well-programmed/sequenced. That said, all of the voices are thin, buzzy, bleepy, overly clean, pretty much what a lot of electronic music sounds like these days. I realize they're using old analog synths, but it must be today's studio methods that make these voices sound so clinical and cold.

PTA was a step up from Exciter, but to me this album is a step back. The warm pads and familiar piano sounds are just gone. "Wrong" is a weak single with some annoying lyrics, and the closest they come to sounding like 'classic' Depeche might be "Fragile Tension", but even that song has a mess of a chorus.

I'm not giving up on it yet; I have to remind myself of my initial reaction to Violator (it seemed like such a huge departure from Masses at the time). So far, it's a bit of a head-scratcher.

1002

[Clifford Darling]

At least they're not trying to sound like Linkin Park or something...

[Synthpopfan]

I`m not liking this new DM Album either.

[moni]

Just glad i d/l a copy of this first before i even thought about buying it. I was hopeful that this was going to be good but i must say i have been very dissapointed as i have been with every album since SOFAD. Ultra wasn't too bad at least it had a few good singles on it but the new single Wrong is utter garbage. I think it's about time they called it a day then they should have done that after Ultra.

[Rubellan]

I bought the box set, and it is very nice. However, the album at best is spotty. There are some very nice tracks, but some terrible bland filler as well. "In Chains" is awful, as is the Gahan penned "Come Back". The single "Wrong" is the best thing on the album, and that includes the additional 5 album outtakes in the box set. I enjoy "Peace", "Fragile Tension, "Miles Away", "Light", "Oh Well", and a few others.

Scott

[Surly]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Rubellan[/i]
<br>I bought the box set, and it is very nice. However, the album at best is spotty. There are some very nice tracks, but some terrible bland filler as well. "In Chains" is awful, as is the Gahan penned "Come Back". The single "Wrong" is the best thing on the album, and that includes the additional 5 album outtakes in the box set. I enjoy "Peace", "Fragile Tension, "Miles Away", "Light", "Oh Well", and a few others.

Scott
[/quote]

The box set reminds me of why I'm a collector. I haven't been retaining too many CDs post-1989, but I love the care and work put into designing this box, particularly the photo books. I'm looking forward to checking out the 5.1 mixes, but I may have to wait as my hands are full dealing with the impending arrival of a baby. I still need to give my Cars [i]Heartbeat City[/i] 24K disc a solid listening as well, unfettered by headphones...

"Words like conviction can turn into a sentence"

[Sean]

It doesn't seem like anyone is falling head over heels about this album. This really shouldn't be the case with Depeche Mode but when your first seven releases were amazing albums, people have high expectations. I believe people wanted DM to blow us all away with their most amazing album ever but it just didn't happen this time. Honestly, the new A-ha single sounds better than any song on this DM album.

As mentioned on my other post, I'm happy I bought the box for the cool box, the extra documentaries, the awesome demos, and b-sides which may is sounding better than their album tracks.

[moni]

Seems more than a coincedence that they have been on a downward spiral since Alan Wilder left after SOFAD. Since then they have had about 3 good singles and the albums have been poor especially Exciter which was just pants. I wanted to like this this new album but it's doing nothing for me at all. I feel it's the same situation with U2 who keep churning out poor albums in the same vein. Oh and Sean i totally agree about that new A-Ha single who in my opinion just seem to get better and better.