Sounds Of The Universe

[rotator]

I don't expect from any of the bands I loved. I understand their need to make new music though. I think Gore would have been better served as an artist starting something new around 1991. but whoo boy the money is there for them to tour.
Even Duran (IMO) pretty much ceased to exist for me after RIO. it's only now that the only bright one (Nick) put out something worthwhile ('Come Alive' --at least the Tiga remix)...goes back to 1981....

[MikeP]

[quote][i]Originally posted by mar￾ã[/i]
Depeche Mode will shut down Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles for an exclusive outdoor nighttime performance to be broadcast live on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, April 23 (12:05-1:05 a.m. ET/PT). This will be Depeche Mode's first late-night talk show performance since announcing their upcoming "Tour Of The Universe," which will include material from their highly anticipated twelfth studio album Sounds Of the Universe (Mute/Capitol/Virgin) to be released on April 21st. The band's special performance will feature a multi-song set for the fans on the boulevard including two songs to be broadcast on Jimmy Kimmel Live! one of which will be their new single, Wrong.

This unique performance will take place on a custom-built stage on the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Vine St. at the doorstep of the new W Hollywood Residences.
[/quote]

Wow...Spaz scored some passes. Looks like I'm going tomorrow night! This should be awesome! I'll post a review.

[glokstadt]

[quote][i]Originally posted by MikeP[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by mar￾ã[/i]
Depeche Mode will shut down Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles for an exclusive outdoor nighttime performance to be broadcast live on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, April 23 (12:05-1:05 a.m. ET/PT). This will be Depeche Mode's first late-night talk show performance since announcing their upcoming "Tour Of The Universe," which will include material from their highly anticipated twelfth studio album Sounds Of the Universe (Mute/Capitol/Virgin) to be released on April 21st. The band's special performance will feature a multi-song set for the fans on the boulevard including two songs to be broadcast on Jimmy Kimmel Live! one of which will be their new single, Wrong.

This unique performance will take place on a custom-built stage on the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Vine St. at the doorstep of the new W Hollywood Residences.
[/quote]

Wow...Spaz scored some passes. Looks like I'm going tomorrow night! This should be awesome! I'll post a review.
[/quote]

<H1>SCORE!</H1>

Good for you guys... Please write and post your experience... I'll be watching from the comfort of my couch, or at least TiVo it! [:p]



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[Surly]

I listened to it for the first time today (although I've had the download of "Wrong" for much longer) and I dig it. I like how they used classic synths. Not as melodic as their other releases, but lots of moody tunes - I don't know, I guess I just generally like most of their stuff. [i]Exciter[/i] was a disappointment to me, though.

I opted for the mega box set and it's very cool - 3 CDs, 1 DVD, 2 books, 2 pins, a set of postcards in a sealed envelope, and a certificate of authenticity. I had some Amazon gift certificate money to use up, so about half was paid for that way. Amazon just refunded me about $8 due to their pre-order price guarantee, too. Nice!

I have the new PSB as well but have yet to listen to it. Between this stuff, the Dukes Of Stratosphear, Great Buildings, and Siouxsie & The Banshees reissues I got in the last week (and the freebie Erasure box set I got from a former co-worker in the music biz), I have a lot of listening to do in the foreseeable future!

"Words like conviction can turn into a sentence"

[GJH]

Preordered the boxset weeks ago from Amazon. Delivery came and went back to depot on Tuesday (I was at work and they didn't bother to leave it at the neighbours as most delivery companies do), they promised to redeliver today and didn't. Will probably spend 15 minutes on hold waiting to talk to them tomorrow to find out what happened (as I did today) and I will still have to drive miles to the depot to pick it up on Saturday. Could have downloaded a leaked version of the whole box set about a week ago but didn't. Could have stopped at HMV after work on Monday but didn't.
The anticipation is becoming a bit much. Still trying to keep an open mind.
GJH
ps. I do quite like the sleeve though.

[MARV]

So Mike, Spaz.....how was it?!?

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[MikeP]

[quote][i]Originally posted by mar￾ã[/i]
<br>So Mike, Spaz.....how was it?!?
[/quote]

Definitely worth the whole street-performance-in-the-middle-of-seedy-Hollywood experience! We were in the VIP section off the left of the stage. The Jimmy Kimmel Show stuff did nothing for me but DM put on an energetic show. Dave was a solid performer and sweating up a storm in the cool & cloudy evening, Martin still has his black fingernail polish and cranked on guitar. Andy was unassuming yet consistent. Drummer was solid. Who is the other guy backing them up? Songs performed (not necessarily in order) were: "Wrong", "Personal Jesus", "Peace", "Enjoy the Silence", "Walking in My Shoes", "Never Let Me Down Again" and couple more that escape me at the moment (definitely one more from the new album). And the new album is growing on me -- it's not their worst for sure.

Spaz and I joked about DM breaking into a rendition of "What's Your Name?" at one point.[:D]

Gerald, what did you think? How far back from the gates were you?

[glokstadt]

Hey you guys were right up there... I was crushed in the back, but what a great turn out, and when I got home I Tivoed the performance so I could see it better... supprised to see a drummer performing with them live, as every time I saw them in the past from "SPeak & Spell" tour to "Music For The Masses" @ The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, always drum machines and reel-to-reel pre-recorded drums...

They sounded great, right before they started to perform I left my front sidewalk seat/table at my friend's restaurant on Hollywood and Wilcox... a sea of people. It was worth all the trouble, and it was great to see so many different type of folks wanting to see them, and the sea of DM Ts from the last "Seeing The Angel" tour...

I was close to Hollywood Blvd. and Vine where all the searchlights and vehicles were parked...

I didn't recognize any of the new material, except for "Wrong," which I've now heard a few dozen times, so I cannot name those other songs they performed from the nre 'Universe" album.

All in all, a good time, and great stage presence. The guy standing in the back would be the fourth synthman they need on tour, the Alan Wilder replacement. Wish I had a digital camera, and had snapped some pics.



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[Jim2]

I'v e had copy of Sounds Of The Universe for
over a week now and have listened to it twice
through. Disappointments abound, this is such
a weak album. Wrong even seems too have lost
some luster when settled among these songs.

Across the room I'm I'm looking at a shelf
that measures 26 inches long that cannot hold
my collection of Depeche Mode vinyl records
and 12 inches. I've been a fan of theirs before
Speak and Spell was released (I was given a
promo copy). I've collected just about everything
they released, but had to stop after not being able
to support my habit with the releases of Suffer Well.

I watched the Jimmy Kimmel show and enjoyed it as
much as MikeP and glokstadt, did and they were there.
I'm not sure when I will ever listen to Sounds Of
The Universe again, I remember being far more upset
with SOFAD and still buying all the 12" and CD single
releases, and after listening to it a few years later,
it wasn't all that bad. SOTU is now on the bottom of
my list of Depeche Mode albums. Here's how I rank them
as of today:

1 - Music For The Masses
2 - Black Celebration
3 - Speak And Spell
4 - Some Great Reward
5 - Violator
6 - Construction Time Again
7 - A Broken Frame
8 - Ultra
9 - Playing The Angel
10 - Exciter
11 - Songs Of Faith And Devotion
12 - Sounds Of The Universe

Now I have to decide what I am going to do
about the unopened SOTU box set I bought.
It's quite a hit to my wallet for something
I'm not liking.


New Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Devo...
...2009 looks to be a great year!

[thefxc]

My .02:

I think it's a wonderful album. The opening tones of "In Chains" reminds me of early-80s Mute record product, and that vibe carries through the entire album. There's a lot going on in every track--tempo shifts, guitars dropping in and out, random noise bursts, all framed with electronics that remind me a lot of _Violator_. It's a throwback but it doesn't sound 80s, and it strikes me as their most sonically ambitious since Wilder left. Gahan's vocals are, as always, top gear; the lyrics don't seem embarrassing but I can't quite judge them yet.

I can see where some people's criticism has come from: it's a bit too relentlessly mid-tempo, and I don't hear any singles (but, of course, I'd say the same about _Black Celebration_...). But calling it their worst album strikes me as hyperbolic. (My version of Depeche history: 1st two albums are ok but slight; Mode's infallible from _Construction Time_ until _Faith and Devotion_--for me, their nadir--_Ultra_ and _Exciter_ are very good but a bit tentative-sounding; they regained their footing with _Playing the Angel_.)

[rotator]

I completely gave up on Depeche Mode after Violator....with good reason, there were better things to listen to....

but this new record has me curious. Mixed reviews abound...even the last two posts (THEFXC and Jim 2) are so opposed, but both seem to make valid arguments ( I like the idea of harkening back to old Mute sound (The Normal).....I may actually have to give them another chance...

[MARV]

[quote][i]Originally posted by thefxc[/i]
<br>My .02:

I think it's a wonderful album. The opening tones of "In Chains" reminds me of early-80s Mute record product, and that vibe carries through the entire album. There's a lot going on in every track--tempo shifts, guitars dropping in and out, random noise bursts, all framed with electronics that remind me a lot of _Violator_. It's a throwback but it doesn't sound 80s, and it strikes me as their most sonically ambitious since Wilder left. Gahan's vocals are, as always, top gear; the lyrics don't seem embarrassing but I can't quite judge them yet.

I can see where some people's criticism has come from: it's a bit too relentlessly mid-tempo, and I don't hear any singles (but, of course, I'd say the same about _Black Celebration_...). But calling it their worst album strikes me as hyperbolic. (My version of Depeche history: 1st two albums are ok but slight; Mode's infallible from _Construction Time_ until _Faith and Devotion_--for me, their nadir--_Ultra_ and _Exciter_ are very good but a bit tentative-sounding; they regained their footing with _Playing the Angel_.)
[/quote]

Fucking hell dude, I think you nailed it. Couldn't have said it better myself. Although I have to say, I've been rediscovering their catalog post SOFAD. Exciter is one of those albums that needs to mature a bit and be revisited. It's actually quite good. Ultra still gets lost at times but does sound better.

OK, now let's talk about future singles (Wrong was the perfect first single by the way). Fragile Tension, Peace, In Sympathy, Come Back and even Corrupt have single written all over them.

On to Gahan's and Gore's vocals...their voices are so seasoned, I can't take it. I hope they never stop making DM music. I don't know what it is, but I'm so into this new album. Maybe it's because I ran into Mart and Fletch earlier this year? And I have to say, what a pleasure this box set is...WOW.....this DVD is amazing. Pretty detailed behind the scenes making of the album stuff.

Now how cool is that hidden track, a first for DM?

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[DonGately]

Marv, and anyone else who has the box set, what do you have to say about the two additional CDs? How are the demo tracks?

[Clifford Darling]

I sympathize with Jim2. I've only been a fan of DM since 1984! The first time I felt betrayed was when Martin walked out with that stupid white guitar on 101. Yet, I've always been loyal to the band, even when they at their nadir, which was "Exciter." I always thought they'd come back with a really great album some day. They did. That was "Playing the Angel." So, SOT is not quite as good as Angel, but who knows, DM will probably be playing the old folks home circuit when Martin is 90 and I'm only 82! Not to worry....

No matter what you think of which album or what tour, you've gotta hand DM credit for their staying power. If you told me 20 years ago DM would still be packing the streets of Hollywood in 2009, I'd have to ask you to produce the atomic DeLorean and prove it! DM has Rolling Stones-like multi-generational appeal!
[:)]

[obs]

[i]> If you told me 20 years ago DM would still be packing the streets of Hollywood in 2009,[/i]

But is that a good thing (as far as their music goes)?