Depeche Mode: Sounds Of The Universe

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Depeche Mode

Sounds Of The Universe

Release Date: April 21, 2009
Label: Mute

Table of Contents

Abstract
More Depeche Mode on Prefix
Tracklist
Comments

Abstract

Depeche Mode was a staple 80s post-punk/synth-pop band that is somehow still making music, when most of their contemporaries have kicked the bucket. After some disappointments (2001's Exciter and 2005's Playing the Angel), the veteran band's twelfth LP thankfully references the dark, scratchy, and bass-driven sound of early albums, like 1986's Black Celebration and 1990's Violator. This new/old approach is due largely to Martin Gore's love for buying tons of vintage synthesizers, drum machines, and guitar pedals form eBay. Sounds like a perfect almost-30th anniversary present to the fans! Appropriately, Universe's anti-pop is decidely not music for the masses. Playing the Angel producer Ben Hillier (Blur, Doves, Elbow) returned for studio time in Santa Barbara and New York and the new album features writing credits for both Martin Gore, the group's primary songwriter, and Dave Gahan (fresh off two solo albums).

~ Kyle Lemmon

Your Rating

Track list

Disc 1

1	In Chains
2	Hole to Feed (Dave Gahan, Christian Eigner, Andrew Phillpott)
3	Wrong
4	Fragile Tension
5	Little Soul
6	In Sympathy
7	Peace
8	Come Back (Gahan, Eigner, Phillpott)
9	Spacewalker
10	Perfect
11	Miles Away/The Truth Is (Gahan, Eigner, Phillpott)
12	Jezebel
13	Corrupt

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65 Responses

February 18, 2009 at 2:49 p.m.

DMented

Awesome. Sounds like a great album.

March 27, 2009 at 12:12 p.m.

Mike C.

Sounds of the Universe, best album of the year!

March 28, 2009 at 9:58 p.m.

Adam G

Trust me it's not gonna be album of the year I heard it in full earlier today and I'm VERY disappointed

March 29, 2009 at 10:48 a.m.

dman

great album. great sounds, very well written and inspired.

March 29, 2009 at 12:50 p.m.

Fraser

A bit like soft porn, unlikely to get your rocks off properly!!!!!

March 29, 2009 at 10:15 p.m.

depmode123

Playing the Angel a disappointment? Hardly! That album kicked butt and I have been a fan since the beginning! I remember being 10 years old and already owning all the LP's DM had released up to that date. As far as "Sounds of the Universe" is concerned, so far I like "Wrong" and "Come Back", so they are doing well in my book!

March 31, 2009 at 5:43 a.m.

bleh

Compared to all their other albums (including Speak and Spell), this is "the" worst. So disappointed...die hard fan up to this one. All mid to slow tempo songs. More freshman Dave Gahan songwriting included...And overall, just an ugly sounding album. Old analog synths are cool in doses - but a whole album? ew.

March 31, 2009 at 4:17 p.m.

godman

very disappointing, more and more noises, less ans less melody and inspiration…

March 31, 2009 at 7:44 p.m.

Malcs

Some people just don't know what they are on about do they? Heard the album - absolute class!! Been a fan for years and this is right up there with Violator and SOFAD! How can you say that it's their worst??? Mad!

April 1, 2009 at 11:48 a.m.

IRISHCHRIS21

v been a dm fan for the last 10 years, they are my idols and there music was always spot on but it pains me to say this but iv just listened to the new album and its easily by a mile the worst they have done whether its the fact that dave has more imput i dont know but i find it such a shame that this may be there last album they make playing the angel was true depeche mode this?? a money making quick album and nothing more BUT is will that stop me from ever seeing them or calling them my favourite band not a chance! cant wait for the bilbao festival there headling and when there in dublin in dec!

April 1, 2009 at 3:51 p.m.

ModeJay NYC

I've been a fan a long time. Yes there is a lot of noise in this album. But they stuck to their guns and did it their way, like they always have. New DM Songs generally need a few listens before you can make the final call. It took me a few spins but all in all I love this album. Put your headphones on! turn off the lights and go where this album takes you... It is a trip around Mistakes made, love, sex and obsession all rolled into one album. KEEP ROCKIN GUYS some people can't appreciate nearly 30 years of success and that's their problem....

April 1, 2009 at 8:20 p.m.

Cosmic

I've been a fan for many years and believe me this is a very solid DM album.

Top notch production mixes old skool analogue and the latest in modern sounds , several excellent songs that really grow on you...listen to it 3 or 4 times over and it really starts to pull you in.

There's no instant fixes like 'Precious' or 'Enjoy the Silence' but this is a more mature sounding effort that rewards repeated listens.

Best Album since Ultra IMHO.

I've got my tickets for the live show already.

April 2, 2009 at 9:04 a.m.

i've been a fan since day one. i feel disappointed by this album. "playing the angel" had it's moments but disappointed me overall. "sounds of the universe" seems to just lack that finishing touch. i can understand the idea of old analogue synths, spartan arrangements and production, but you need to be able to fall back on good melodies and this just falls short of the mark. i'm gonna stick with it and hope it reveals itself little by little. but i can feel myself going back to older albums to satisfy. don't forget everyone, opinions are just like a***holes – everyone's got one.

April 3, 2009 at 1:25 p.m.

vic

The Album is good!
At first I was shocked like many...
I thought like some other people that this album is a disaster. But I changed my mind after three or four times listening to it. Great Album!

April 3, 2009 at 1:26 p.m.

Alwild

I am ab big fan of DM since 1989. I'was very optimistic while I was waiting to listen songs from SOTU. And now I feel really big dissapointment. Songs from SOTU worths nothing. Bad melodies is wrapped into a lot of chaotic noise and Dave's yelling. Exciter in 2001 was something not the best experiment but I can not even believe that SOTU is made by DM. Vey sad. Even more rememebering Playing The Angel was really good album.

April 3, 2009 at 1:27 p.m.

emode

I've only listened to it 3 times all the way through, but overall I'm disappointed as well. Don't get me wrong, any DM album is better than most of the crap on the radio, but in my opinion things haven't been the same since Alan Wilder left. Lyrically, I think there many strong songs on SOTU but for me it's the simplistic musical arrangements that make at least half the songs generic and forgettable overall compared to albums like 'Violator' and 'Black Celebration'. The bright spots for me are (in order) 'Little Soul', 'Chains' and 'In Sympathy'.

April 3, 2009 at 1:27 p.m.

steveb

Love it - can't believe all the so called "fans" bitching and moaning about it. This is the best thing they've put out since SOFAD, IMHO. Had to laugh at someone moaning about a "whole album of analogue vintage gear"... What the f**k do you think they used to make Speak and Spell, then? Some people...

Been listening to Depeche since I was 11 (1981) and still love 'em.

April 3, 2009 at 1:27 p.m.

Fernando

It's a very disappointing album. I was expecting something better or at least same imput as PTA, but this time there is a lack of inspiration and full of noise. It is hard for me to say it, but this one is perhaps the worst DM album.
I hope I can change my mind after few more listens.
I really miss Violator!!... I think you guys know what I mean.

April 4, 2009 at 4:58 p.m.

giannis

It is really hard to tell that this is the worst album of DM! It might was the most wrong DM album they did ever. The only song that really rocks is the WRONG.

April 7, 2009 at 6:46 a.m.

publicjesus

Been a diehard fan for near-on 20 years. Just listened to the whole album, and this is NOT a bad album! So you now my DM flavour - for me I like pretty much everything from Black Celebration onwards, tend not to listen to the earlier stuff. Least favourite album (post BC) - PTA (not to say I don't like it!)
And as they say, what floats your boat might not float another...

*In Chains - if you like Insight or My Joy, this is great
*Hole to Feed - Gahan's best track on the album
*Wrong - great, but... not the best on the album
*Fragile Tension - not bad, didn't like the heavy guitar though
*Little Soul - not as good as some people are making out, but a good little song
*In Sympathy - starts well, nice guitar. Sounds more like a Gahan song to me
*Peace - I can see why it's popular, but not my favourite. Not keen on the Peeeeace...
*Come Back - wouldn't be out of place on Exciter (I like Exciter..)
*Spacewalker - Oh. My. God. Sorry, but it sounds like a Casio demo track. And too similar to their other recent instrumentals
*Perfect - Top song on the album for me. Upbeat, foot tapping
*Miles Away - the attitude track of the album ;)
*Jezebel - ouch. The Casio demo is back with a bossanova beat... The image I have stuck in my head - Martin sat in a dark smoky bar, keyboard on his lap, singing to the cleaner..
*Corrupt - strange choice for a final track, but moody, dark, bluesy and a great finale

All in all, on first listen a great album, easily comparable to PTA, Exciter etc. A new Violator? It's a different beast. Gone now are the orchestral sweeps, replaced with the 80s sounds, plinks and plonks. An easier listen than PTA, and more accessible.
I'd only skip 2 tracks (Jezebel, Spacewalker)

April 7, 2009 at 6:50 a.m.

Steve

This album is rubbish. I have been a fan since 1986 when Black celebration was released. Quite simply they have never replaced Alan Wilder.The keyboards here are very boring plodding and sparse. The songs themselves are at best average."Wrong" is great but thats just one song.

Jezebel and Perfect are decent songs but not exactly classics. Little soul is good but terrible keyboards.

The last truly great Depeche Mode album was Songs of Faith and Devotion.All the old fans know they havent made a great album since Alan left.

April 7, 2009 at 6:50 a.m.

koutesk

for those bitches moaning the 80s and 90s are over if you want the same s**t go to other bands this is they're best album since ultra and ultra is way better than violator

April 7, 2009 at 6:51 a.m.

Paul Lane

Yes, there are some great songs here. The problem is the production, the sound levels are off. Dave's voice is most of the time overwhelmed by the music and you get the impression that your listening to a draft album version. Needs polishing like Songs of Faith and Devotion. Something is missing, but it's not Wrong.
This new record deal should have corrected this, but they were left to do as they please. You see SOF&D was a great album, you didn't need to listen to it 2 or 3 times. It just smacked you in the face with greatness, but not SOTU.
True fans will love, but they will not win new fans over with this offering.

April 7, 2009 at 6:51 a.m.

Jonathan

I`ve been a fan since Some Great Reward. I think this album is a return to the 80`s electro pop with a modern feel. Its a good album which grows on you. I don`t think there is a track that stands out after a first listen.Gahans contribution is very good particularly Comeback. Martin Gores solo is better than other songs he has done. Favourite songs are Fragile Tension,Comeback,Perfect and Miles Away.

April 8, 2009 at 1:06 a.m.

Johnny C

I lay the blame at the door of Ben Hillier.With a better producer i think this would have been the best since SOFAD.If only Flood return.

April 8, 2009 at 4:07 p.m.

paulie p

Been a big fan from the beginning. Bit disapointed with album after first 3 listens. just hope it gets better. I don't have a problem with the retro synth sounds - it's more the vocals - need more attitude and guts to them. Generally the album seems to limp along on one level. No contrast between tracks. I love 'wrong' maybe as I've played it a few hundred times. Other tracks that stand out are 'miles away' and 'corrupt'. It's not all that bad but not up to first expectations.

April 9, 2009 at 2:08 p.m.

Dylan

OK, just heard this and will be taking it straight back! I have seen DM 27 times since 1988 and will not be spending my hard earned on a tour featuring this bile! Exciter was terrible, Playing the Angel even worse, now this!! Oh dear, poor DM have reached the end of their shelf life I fear, a sad day for old farts dreaming of the good old days of dark and moody DM albums.

Good noises do not make good albums, DM please listen to Ultra, Violator and Black Celebration and rediscover yourselves before it is too late!!!!

April 11, 2009 at 5:43 p.m.

DeadOrganPlayer

-This is a really good album...right?
-Wrong!!!

April 12, 2009 at 6:33 p.m.

Kisser

After a few listens anybody will realise this is a great album.

April 12, 2009 at 6:33 p.m.

Steve

Obviously some people on here feel they have to say the album's great just to somehow prove that that are 'real fans'!
Well let me tell you i am a mega fan , have been since Construction Time Again . Bought everything pre and post that album and i mean everything official. So for an honest opion, this album is not that great!
It just sounds like Playing The Angel volume 2 but with a few better songs ( and i don't mean that bloody irritating monotone Wrong).
Where's all the music and melody gone??? Most of it is silly Erasure- like noises and bleeps (just check out the opening part of In Chains!!!!!) that seem to be creeping into most of their work these days. Sorry but they WERE better with Alan Wilder. I love Depeche Mode and will buy all the formats of SOTU and all the future singles BUT sorry , this is not their best album by a long shot. Its ok but Violator , SOFAD , Black Celebration or the fabulous Music For The Masses it ain't!

April 12, 2009 at 7:11 p.m.

dukkookim

well hopefully it's better than their last 2 pieces of crap. They haven't had a real solid album since Ultra.

April 12, 2009 at 11:50 p.m.

niko

sounds like the exciter...playing the angel was a better album

April 14, 2009 at 1:59 p.m.

SteveB

Dylan said: "Good noises do not make good albums, DM please listen to Ultra, Violator and Black Celebration and rediscover yourselves before it is too late!!!!"

How are they rediscovering themselves if they just repeat their past successes?

April 14, 2009 at 6:25 p.m.

Swagk

DM had solid albums from Black Celebration through Ultra. After that I've been disappointed. They've only had a couple of good songs combined with the last three albums. Wrong is the only GREAT song on SOTU, Hole to Feed is pretty decent, but everything else is just noise. I really do think Alan is the missing piece in the puzzle for a future great album by the boys.

April 15, 2009 at 12:47 a.m.

Raff

Woah!! So many negative comments.
I felt the exact same way after listening to SOTU after a week. In fact, I was imbarrased. But then , I don't know what happened..it all came together.
THis album is actualy quite impressive. The overall feel of the album is mind blowing.
Like someone had said before, Depeche mode's music needs many listens.
At first it sounded like noise, at times just flat.
But when you sit down and really let yourself fall into the music...the layers of the songs start to brighten up and unveil what DM was actually intending us to see and hear of course.
I say yeah to SOTU!!
And IMO, this album SCREAMS so much of their entire catalogue.
BTW Miles Away is a awesome funky nice track.
Probably my favorite by Dave.
For those who will never get it, well you can't win them all.

April 17, 2009 at 9:29 a.m.

Jason Dantonio

I absolutly LOVE DM! I'd have to agree with everyone's input on here about the newest DM release. Without Alan or flood I feel the quality of the band's marterial keeps degrading. I honestly think the most impressive thing any, one band member has done, in recent memory is dave's hourglass. I LOVED!!!! that album. Very electronic and had much more power behind it. Dave hit on more of his baritone notes as well as opposed to this whinny kick he's been on as of late.

I miss those deep and dark tracks that SOF&D had or the up beat stuff from violator (and previous). ALAN COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

April 17, 2009 at 9:29 a.m.

NDL

why is it that the band i love sound out of date? if only they would actually do some music that was a little more experimental then the increasing lack of melody would be less of a problem. I mean even with LFO producing they didn't sound very cutting edge. I agree that Flood & Daniel Miller made DM sound great, and Alan Wilder was very interested in sounds and atmosphere. I think A,M & D are a bit scared to go too far....i think the Yeah Yeah Yeah's song Zero is better than anything on this album.

April 17, 2009 at 9:33 a.m.

Cabby

Whoever said this sounds like exciter is dead wrong, sounds more like somewhere inbetween SOFAD and Ultra, with a smattering of MFTM. Listen to it more than once, and definitely with headphones. Best album since Ultra, proably better than Ultra.

April 17, 2009 at 9:35 a.m.

Dennis

I've had SOTU on repeat since initially getting it. It is absolute class! I'm not going to knock other's opinions regarding them liking it or not. All I can say is the truth that is my own opinion. Like many others here I have been a fan for a long time. I like their earlier cds but to me something happened when they released Black Celebration. They came into their own and excelled at crafting dark and beautiful synth-pop. Personally, I thought they completely missed the mark with Exciter (my most despised DM record). Playing the Angel was alright and had it's moments, however, SOTU in my opinion is their BEST since Ultra (and I love Ultra). A very solid album with just a couple of clunkers. I can not wait to see them this summer in Toronto!!

April 17, 2009 at 9:37 a.m.

phil

Like a lot of the albums- slow burners!

April 18, 2009 at 2:13 p.m.

Lukas

It's just amazing!

April 18, 2009 at 2:14 p.m.

saul

i have to agree with a lot of you guys, since SOFAD most albums have been forgetable, they're not like the classic DM albums such as MUSIC FOR THE MASSES, VIOLATOR and SONGS OF FAITH AND DEVOTION, where you can listen to them over and over and find something new -they lack that sparkle and magic. don't get me wrong i love DM, i believe they're 1 of the most greatest unsung bands of all time. they have been denied/ of proper recognition, praise and credit on behalf of the music industry, but the mentioned merits have been given to them by their millions of fans, throughout the years. if i could be granted a wish in regards to DEPECHE MODE, this wish would be for DM to reunite with alan wilder and flood and pick up where they left off since SOFAD, I'll keep wishing!!!!!!!!! but for now i'm ready for SOTU!!!!!!!!!

April 20, 2009 at 1:50 p.m.

Russ

It's not what I expected, there are mostly mid tempo-slow tunes but they have so much power and depth to them. Like other people this got me 3rd listening. I realised how unfair my expectations had been wanting Black Celebration part2. I now think this album is fantastic in a different kind of way. (Also ,for those obsessed with big songs with melody check out the only electro band doing anything from Depeche Mode's old home town these days at www.myspace.com/thevanityclause)

April 20, 2009 at 9:12 p.m.

Jonathan M

I've been a big fan of DM since '81 when I was 10 years old, thanks to my older brother, and I like their old and new material equally. Depending on my mood, I'll either listen to one of their old 80's albums, or a newer one. Simply put, DM are my favourite band, and will always be! OK, now that I have got my DM fan credentials out of the way, let me give you my 2 cents regarding SOTU. I've only listened to it 3 times which in all honesty, is simply not enough to appreciate a DM album. So, I will be giving it many more spins over the coming weeks, and no doubt the album will continue to grow on me like mould on stale bread. Fortunately, DM albums have a much, much longer shelf life then bread...pass the butter, thanks. I do however, feel a bit disappointed with the album, probably due to the "ultra" high expectations that I, like so many other passionate DM fans had for SOTU. It does seem lacking in the hook, line and sinker department...there don't seem to be any real hits on the album, aside from maybe Wrong, which sounds about right for a hit. This ain't no commercial pop, rock(rabbit)chart climber, which is OK, 'cause it's DM after all! But having said that, a few catchy foot-tapping numbers would have been a real treat, but DM can't be everything, to every fan, every time. Keep that in mind. I'm particularly disappointed with Martin's lyrics on this album, they're just not up to his usual high standard. Some of his songs could have been written by Dave, not to be too nasty, but Dave is no Martin Gore when it comes to writing lyrics. It's almost as if Martin has simplified his lyrics so that Dave's songs would not seem out of place on the album. I feel that Dave's contributions on PTA were of a higher standard, but in all fairness, I need to give this new album more of a chance. BTW, I have both of Dave's solo albums which I absolutely love, but not for his lyrical prowess, or rather lack of, but rather for the overall atmospheric, melodic sound of the albums. I sincerely hope that he continues to put out more solo CDs. I actually prefer Dave's solo albums much more then Martin's last solo effort, so there! I digress, so back to Mode, I felt far more disappointed when I first heard Exciter back in '01, and now, I'm not ashamed to say that I actually like that album. SOTU is much better then Exciter, which is anything but exciting. So, bottomline...SOTU has lots of potential. It needs to be listened to with headphones, a few times, and then you will hopefully appreciate it, or not! Oh, and just for the record, I too, fantasize about Alan Wilder returning to DM, but I seriously doubt that will happen, so, the reality is that DM will probably remain a trio until they bow out, but hopefully not until they have given us at least another 2 albums to enjoy as the continuing soundtrack to our lives.

April 20, 2009 at 10:51 p.m.

Fluxx Deluxe

Sounds Of The Universe is definitely a slow burner of an album, kind of blind sided me for a bit. I put it away, then stuck it back on, a day later. Still sounded twisted, but made more sense. Now 4 days into this album and its the world of sense to me, even my girlfriend, who cannot tolerate DM, is starting to enjoy Sounds Of The Universe.

They can't win new fans with this album? Only reason they won't win any new fans with this album is because the radio stations just won't play anything this weird and dare I say brilliant.

April 21, 2009 at 8:50 a.m.

john g

listened to the album yesterday and my first thoughts are its a good album. some very good tunes esp "in chains" and "in sympathy".
been a fan for 20 years and love all their stuff. the more I listen to it the more you can hear Dave Gahan's influence as it sounds similiar to his albums! this doesnt make it bad! I think there is still a lot to more to come from DM in the future!!

playing the angels still by far the best album since Voilator & SOFAD.

roll on hamburg in June!!!

April 22, 2009 at 4:05 a.m.

Jaybee

Pretty good Album. Better than the last two. Still not up to the Alan Wilder standard. But, produced much better and cleaner than Playing the Angel. Like the more electronic dimension to the music, than just starting with noise.

This is rather controlled analog sythesizer sounds, which is pretty impressive if you know anything about electronic music. Of course, most people do not... Hey, it's sort of an album like Black Celebration. No standout singles, just lots of good music. Though, Black Celebration was probably more groundbreaking...

April 23, 2009 at 1:04 a.m.

careycrash

exciter and playing the angel were both great albums. my favorite is still ultra . this new album just does not rock .

April 24, 2009 at 6:42 p.m.

chris21galway

its interesting reading all of your comments! pretty 50/50!... let me start off im 21 and a huge fan since 10.... but dont let age be a factor here! dm have helped me through my trials and tribulations of life through thick and thin and may i just start off by saying that i respect everyones view's on this but i cannot for the life of me comprehend how any dm fan can "love" this album! at best this album is mediocre, like many of you have said "give it plenty of listens" well i have i truely have with all my heart and soal! but the reality is its not a great album by any means however like someone said maybe because we had such great expectation of SOTU, personally i think dave's imput in this album lyrically is too much and i do think martin was lazy lyrically this time, my favourite albums are PTA and ULTRA and for anyone who thinks this replicates PTA your a mile off! i hate sounding disrespectful because they are my idols and dave in particular is an inspiration to millions. I truely hope to god that alan wilder comes back as ultimatley he is the missing piece although chances are slim to none of that happening. As for the positives of this album "In Chains" and "In Sympathy" are the best of a bad bunch, musically its flawed and lyrically its far, far from spot on it sounds messy.... this album's good... wrong! BUT will that stop me from cheering these songs come tour time in bilbao or dublin NEVER! ps i paid €25 for the album after listening to this album on repeat for 3 weeks! so my faith in depeche mode will never deteriorate!

April 24, 2009 at 6:42 p.m.

Best Friend

Wow, has a DM album ever split opinion like this before?! I may be the only person who still doesn't have it (it's Saturday) and I've only heard 'Wrong', which I've already learned because it kicks ass.
I remember hearing 'Exciter' for the first time and my disappointment turned to appreciation very quickly - I know the same will happen with SOTU.
Remember - DM fans are unique; we love the best band in the world because the songs speak to us as individuals, and they are written by a truly gifted individual. Just enjoy SOTU as much or as little as you like and let it grow on you, which is what it's done with many of you so far.

April 26, 2009 at 11:31 a.m.

ANTHONY.S

I ORDERED SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE B4 LISTENING TO THE SONGS.THIS CD IS A REGRET,A TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY,RIGHT UP THERE WITH EXCITER.NOTHING WILL TOUCH MUSIC FOR THE MASSES OR VIOLATOR,EVEN PLAYING THE ANGEL IS VERY GOOD.DO NOT BUY THIS ALBUM UNLESS U LISTEN TO IT FIRST

April 27, 2009 at 4:25 a.m.

Amer

I am not going to start with a declaration of my love for DM, since it is clear that anyone prepared to spend time reading through this page obviously must be a great DM fan.
I believe that SOTU is probably the best album since Violator(not a great fan of SOFAD). The album itself is not great, but it does the job.
Most of us seem to agree that the albums following SOFAD lack DM quality. Why is that?
1/ The great success of DM used to be the ability to find catchy "melodies". This combined with a dark, experimental sound was the very essence of the band. Alan Wilder was the only band member that actually could play the piano and it is not strange that after his departure the band has tried to replace the melody part with more and more meaningless sound effects (blipp blopps).
2/ Also Dave's singing has changed over time. What I mean is the more screaming action that he's got into since Violator. A good example is "John the revelator" from PTA. It's painful to listen to.
I believe that the band might have come to a point where they are taking their success for granted.it doesn't seem like there's any idea behind the music, no serious effort. The sound on recent albums is good, but there is always something missing.
Regarding SOTU, Give it more time, IT will grow on you!
Finally, we the DM fans are probably the most critical fans in the world. We should remember all the amazing songs of the band and be greatful that they are still playing.
BRING ALAN BACK AND WORK WITH A CLEAR VISION!

April 27, 2009 at 4:26 a.m.

Jonathan M

OK, here's my follow up on my review of a few days ago. I've now listened to SOTU about 15 times and I can safely say that this is not a good album...it's a great album!! It just needed to be listened to a number of times before the beauty of it sunk in. I would say that my favourite track is #13, Corrupt...it's a typical, sexy sounding DM song, and I really hope that it is released as a single. I think it has hit potential. I like all the tracks on the album, hell even Martin's usual weird instrumental filler is not too bad, although to be honest, I generally just hit the skip button to hear the good stuff. Miles away/the truth is, is the weakest track in my opinion, and would be better as a B side. I think I actually prefer SOTU to PTA, and that is saying a lot, as I really like PTA! To all those Mode fans that are upset, and keep refering back to Violator & Alan Wilder, well, you have to move with the times. DM is a progressive band, if they weren't, they would have called it a day when Alan left, but thankfully they didn't. If they put out an album that sounded like Violator now, it would be taking a huge step backwards. Violator was a great album for the early to mid 90's, and is and will always be a classic, but SOTU is exactly what I want to hear from DM now. It will fit in very nicely with their collection spanning almost 30 years! As for Martin's lyrics, well now that I am familiar with the songs on SOTU, perhaps I was a little hasty and a little harsh in my first review, they're just fine. But I still think that Martin is a much better song writer then Dave, sorry Dave. I envy all of you that are going to see them perform live, it sucks that I can't due to the fact that I live in South Africa...bummer! Depeche Mode are a quality band and their music is way better then most of the fickle rubbish that passes as music today.

April 28, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.

ansinkhh

To those who don't think this is a great album is WROOOONG!! This album is actually "SOUNDS OF THE (DEPECHE MODE) UNIVERSE". It's like a reinterpretation of previous styles and a mix of new instrumentals. If you like poppy stuff, buy Lady Gaga. 'nuff said.

April 29, 2009 at 9:26 a.m.

Dez

Been a Depeche fan since day one. This took a couple of times of listening to it to fully appreciate it - but now I just can't get enough, (excuse the pun). This album is the best thing they've done for ages. Glad to see the synths are back - they were getting too rock at one point.

May 1, 2009 at 1:22 a.m.

Charlene

Bleh...only one good song on the whole album...and that's *WRONG*
Basically- a whole lot of spacey, atmospheric stuff, very abstract sounding. Couldn't hold my interest and I am very open minded when it comes to DM.

May 2, 2009 at 11:58 a.m.

Joseph R.

What a great album after 4 years! Been a DM fan for more than 20 years and just appreciate the fact that Dave, Martin and Andy continue to do what they enjoy and produce good music for fans like me... the album does grow on you after a few listen and I especially like the tracks - Wrong, Come Back, Little Soul.. brings back good old memories of growing up..am going to dig out all my old albums and concert dvds..

May 2, 2009 at noon

derek

its fine. i get the analog. but DM used to be the masters at sampling and creative industrial percussion - the Alan Wilder influence. I still think Black Celebration is their best.

as far the as the worst? how can anybody think its SOTU - exciter clearly fits that bill

May 3, 2009 at 2:47 p.m.

James

I´m a Depeche Mode Fan since "New Life" and at fist i see why many critisze this Album.

After 3-4 time hearing it-Its BRILLIANT!

The beging starts a bit in tempo like Black Celebration and then gets quicker-Then comes "Wrong"-really a song that captures this day and age where everything in the world is going "Wrong".

Then for me the best track "Fragile Tension"

In germany its on a TV ad and getting very popular.

Other great tracks are "In Sympathy,Peace and Jezabel".

A lot of influences from othe DM albums(even in reference to the poppy songs from Speak and Spell and even tones of Pet Shop Boys/Erasure.

A great album.

Shame though that another Black Celebration type album will never be heard again but this album is the best since Violator and that is saying something!

May 5, 2009 at 1:53 p.m.

Joe

I agree James, after the first two listens I could understand why people weren't keen on SOTU.

Initially I loved

May 7, 2009 at 12:10 p.m.

Love the group - always have but I haven't been this disappointed since Exciter. Absolutely hate the album - cannot believe how disappointing this one was - I was so excited after hearing "Wrong" for the rest of the album and apart from that and "Peace" I've actually thought twice about tickets to the show. Of course I'll go but very disappointed - not one that I can even make myself like - I've tried and tried just can't get into it. I hope this doesn't signal the end for them because they are my favorite band but this was very disappointing. Those who disagree need to go back and dust off Ultra and Playing the Angel. Hopefully the live show will include a LOT of the old material!

May 12, 2009 at 12:21 p.m.

NatCat

Well I think that Sounds of the Universe is a wierd album, you don’t get it on the first listen. But after several “sessions” you start to appreciate the tracks. I’ve been loving Perfect, In Sympathy and Corrupt, but i’m not really into Jezebel and Peace. SOTU is really worth attention but it’s not DM best album anyway.

May 19, 2009 at 1:06 a.m.

Trifco

Well, everyone's showing off their DM fanclub credentials, and sorry, but I don't have any.
I've never listened a full DM album before, in the 80's and 90's I didn't wanted any too "techno", still I liked their singles back then.
I don't know why, but when I saw SOTU I thought "why not?" so I got it ... first it sounded boring and silly (repeating "wrong!" without music at the beginning of a song sounded really dull to me).
But after a few listenings I cought myself singing several tracks...
To make it fit in my tastes, this album makes me feel kinda the same what Radiohead "In Rainbows" did a couple of years ago... it's dark, it's slow, it gets you down and it's only when you're down, that you find great tunes and energy in their songs.
Corrupt is great, btw.
(and yes, I think I'll give it a try to more DM albums) :P

May 19, 2009 at 4:38 p.m.

chris21galway

i take back what i said after 2 months of solid play i love 85% of it!

June 2, 2009 at 11:41 a.m.

Steve

What a stange divide!! There seems to be a few main points to the arguments. Seems to be a lot of people saying the album grows on you, also it's not as good as Violator/Black Celebration, a mix of a few different albums and lets bring Alan Wilder back!!
I agree, it grew on me after about 3-4 listens, and no it's not violator/black celebration.....if that's your favourite album(s) your comparing too, nothing will be good enough. As for Alan Wilder's part, yeah really good while he was there, but don't forget, there are producers to think about (has anyone heard Alans recent pile of pooh btw?)
SOTU is a lot more 'raw' than anything they've done which is weird considering the heavy old skool synth useage, personally I think it's the 'rawness' where a lot of the critiscism comes from, even if people don't realise it. Iv'e noticed, after SOFAD many live songs have an additional production and not just repeating an album track, this is where I think, certainly SOTU and PTA have moved towards and a lot of people are wanting the more structured, instant DM fan hit or melodic sound.
i'm glad Peter Gaudino and Christian Eigner seem to be regular/maybe permanent fixtures, although there's a few who will probably disagree with me

One final thing,
Roll on December.....Machester here I come.

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