CD Review
This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010.
These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins.
Artist: Depeche Mode
Album: Sounds of the Universe (2009 Mute/EMI/Capitol/Virgin Records)
Tracks: 13
Artist website: http://www.depechemode.com/
OVERVIEW
This is the twelfth studio album for English electronic band Depeche Mode. The band are just around the corner from a career spanning three decades. They’ve managed to stay surprisingly interesting and fresh in their approach to what they do. Not a bad effort at all, especially considering that some acts can not manage to stay this inspired during a five year career. While this may not be my cup of tea, there are some very interesting moments on this album.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Hole To Feed and Jezebel
PLAY BY PLAY
Track 1 – In Chains
Quite mellow, beautiful, and well built with layers and textures slowly added to thicken the track.
Track 2 – Hole To Feed
Interesting groove. More electronic.
Track 3 – Wrong
I did not like this one. A bit too simple and repetitive.
Track 4 – Fragile Tension
Not bad.
Track 5 – Little Soul
Cute.
Track 6 – In Sympathy
Not bad.
Track 7 – Peace
This transported me back instantly to the late 80’s.
Track 8 – Come Back
Annoying. Can’t explain why.
Track 9 – Spacewalker
Meh.
Track 10 – Perfect
Pretty melody, but not perfect.
Track 11 – Miles Away/The Truth Is
Interesting ideas.
Track 12 – Jezebel
Pretty.
Track 13 – Corrupt (+ Hidden Song)
“Corrupt” had some interesting ideas in it.
I really don’t understand the purpose of this particular hidden track.