Last updated 25.08.05
Note: all these words were written just after 3 hours after my first official listening hour with new Depeche Mode album. It's not a real review, I just to try grab all my thoughts and feelings in order to make this... for you.
«PLAYING THE ANGEL»:About album in general
Yes, thanks to God, it's not a second «Exciter». But at same time it has nothing with «Violator» and «SOFAD», as some lucky listeners said before. Maybe they just had different ears with me, maybe they too much waited new Depeche... and they a bit dreaming about unreal things :)
CD, which ready to listen by everyone in October - can be compared with no past Depeche Mode album! Nothing's similar. At the same time, when you listen it, you realize immediately, that's Depeche. Old, some time ago forgotten, but very pleasant feeling :)
So - that's very and very electronic CD, heavily spiced with a lot of sound effects and samples. At my opinion, this CD even beating «Counterfeit 2» in case of sound wealth :) And this time all these electronic ingredients are at the right place. It's no strange - Depeche are at the same label with such great electronic bands Goldfrapp, Client, T.Raumschmiere and... Laibach for instance :) Oh yeah! All these electronic influences were used by album sound producers (Ben Hiller and Depeche Mode themselves), and successfully transformed in new sound of our long-time favorites.
That's not SOFAD synthy-rock. But that's not electro-clash too.
That's the best I could expect from Depeche. Their new sound, fresh and modern, works better than anything else. I like it very much. And I hope you like it too.
And now a time to talk about tracks... in their order:
[01] A Pain That I'm Used To (4:13)
Track starts with intro, obviously taken from The «Dead of Night» (just remember that terrifying grinding :) But a few seconds later it goes into more ear-friendly electronic beats. Tracks very slow in the begining, Dave sing first verse very lazy, then a beat is going faster, you can even to try to dance this part, then again goes slow, and again faster - cool! :) By the way, sample from TDON was used here for several times :)
In case of lyrics... I just could remember something like this «All this running around / Will it's getting me dawn». If for me, and for a first sight, lyrics not so catchy.. but anyway it's dark intro song :)
[02] John The Revelator (3:44)
Unusual slamming beats, somebody even compare it with «Personal Jesus» :) For me Dave's voice sometimes looks like in «Tora! Tora! Tora!», but at present time. Very interesting :) Martin very impressfully sing back vocal with his «John The Revelator» words :) Lyrics need second listening for sure, so I can't remember anything..
[03] Suffer Well (3:51)
Much interesting track. Strangely Dave wrote excellent song!!! :) «Please don't speak, you're only lie». Beginning has reminded me old school EBM from Nitzer Ebb (!!!), then it has very juicy guitar and slightly fast beat. My opinion - that's could be a single (i hope, next ;)
[04] The Sinner In Me (4:57)
Mostly slow thing. «If I could be free from sinner in me...» Amazing song! At 3:20 it looks like end... but then it continue with 2 and half minutes of sample effects.
[05] Precious (4:12)
Enough is already said about this track... I just wanna to add that original is much juicy than leaked version, drums are clear, with rich bass. That's only true radio-friendly song at new album, true first single. Every other track from upcoming album is not so good suitable for dancefloors and office radio - too dark and heavy electronic :)
[06] Macrovision (4:05)
Very strange beginning. Looks like electronic «tam-tam» drums :) Sound runs from channel to channel, cool stereo effect :) Martin sing this song in «Counterfeit 2» style.
Some lyric cuts: «See the microcosm in macrovision / Our bodies moving with pure precision» and «One universal celebration / One evolution / One creation» Something about male/female relationships, as always :)
[07] I Want It All (6:11)
For me, best slow thing. And again written by Dave. For me this time I liked his lyrics (and remembered it better ;) more than Martin's:
It's my desireTracks ends with scrap... like LP is finished.
[08] Nothing's Impossible (4:22)
Very dark thing. Thud drums, guitars remember me Smashing Pumpkins :) «Even stars are brighter tonight» and something like this :)
[09] Introspectre (1:44)
Instrumental. Without any noticable rhythm. Just sounds, and keyboard with longing keys. Strange insert - I can't see any special function for this.
[10] Damaged People (3:31)
Good slow song from Martin.
Look at lyrics:
We're damaged people[11] Lillian (4:51)
Danceble track, and it's looks too close to German band Melotron (!!!) :) Very impressive Martin's back vocal at the beginning.
Pain and misery...So sad but danceble thing :)
[12] The Darkest Star (6:56)
Blowing electro piano, drums like water drops, then piano goes more acoustical. Excellent Martin back vocal in refrain... very beautiful!
I don't want youDramatic album finishing... when you just listened it for a first time, the next you want is listen it again... and again...
Obviously, it will be best dark electronic album of this Autemn. Full of dark love.
Depeche Mode we like.
They do it again!
[ © 2005 shout! - all rights reserved. Author: alex davie, written just after 3 hours after official listening hour (25.08.05). We wanna thank Gala Records for great opportunity to listen it! ]
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