New Wave Outpost Forum

Just curious to see what everybody's opinions on the latest Depeche Mode CD are. Here's my review:

http://www.cdreviews.com

Michael Sutton
CEO/Sutton Records
General Manager/XB-102
Staff Writer/the All-Music Guide

"We'll be as we are
When all the fools who doubt us fade away"
- The Icicle Works

My review of the album would be similar to yours, except all the adjectives would be the exact opposite.

I love the album. Sure, it's not as good as Black Celebration or Violator, but it is excellent nonetheless. I thought Exciter was their big disappointment - it lacked inspiration, and when they traded in their synths for more organic instruments, I thought they were on their way to becoming an adult-comtemporary Sting cover band or something equally lame. I was cautiously optimistic when I heard the first single from Playing the Angel. It had synths, and a great chorus, and some great guitars... it had lots of layers to it, and it seemed like a return to form. And lo and behold their new album is much more inspired - be it by Martin's recent divorce and custody battles and alcohol problems, or Dave's ongoing struggles with inner demons, or Fletcher's... um... well, we all love Fletcher.
But the point is, the songs are well-written, synthy, often danceable (sometimes recalling late-90s synthpop groups like De/Vision, Iris, and especially Covenant), and surprisingly dark. Especially outstanding is the Gahan-penned Nothing's Impossible, a song composed of gloomy synth layers and an oddly monotone voice, with a bleak mood that is betrayed only by somewhat hopeful lyrics. And while neither of the obligatory Gore ballads really stand out (aside from the line "Microcosm in macrovision", for better or for worse), and there are a couple other lackluster songs, it's the album for which I've waited fifteen years. It's a return to form, and seems like it would fit musically between Violator and Ultra. I truly look forward to their upcoming show in November, and am quite eager to hear the new songs live, which is more I can say for most bands at the quarter-century mark.

So what version of the album should I buy? Is it worth buying the Japanese version for ?2 extra tracks? Are they any good? And as for the singles? (not interested in any re-mixes, in general, but b-sides, video?)?

*shrugs*

I like the new CD.

I also can't wait to see them in November.