Monday, April 27, 2009

Depeche Mode's New Album: A Review


Think of Depeche Mode's new album Sounds of the Universe as the kind of thing you can carry anywhere and with any 'outfit.'

I am absolutely loving it because while it feels very 'now' and as hyper-modern as time allows, it is, at the core, staunchly Depeche Mode. Dave Gahan and company have a thing or two to teach younger musicians about creativity, musical relevance, and reinvention: These things happen if the artists know themselves and willingly surpass their limitations. This is the king of album that allows you to do your work, take care of quotidianity, run menial errands, read the paper and so forth, and feel well fed musically.

I had been looking forward to Depeche Mode's new project as they have been a favorite since I was teenager. Granted, as a teenager, I didn't give them the kind of lip service they deserved because, well, the cool thing to do was lavish Metallica with attention. Adolescence is cruel, no doubt.

The tracks I am enjoying the most are:

1)Peace
2) Wrong
3) Hole to Feed
and
4) Miles Away

So, if synthpop and/or electronica/indie is the kind of musical direction that tickles your fancy, do consider Depeche Mode's Sounds of the Universe. And I sign off as I listen to Miles Away.

Also, for those of you who enjoy things German, here's a German commercial featuring Depeche Mode.



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10 comments:

Dave said...

ha! "Sentence of of the day: "Adolescence is cruel, no doubt!"
That commercial is hysterical!!
I'll check the album out.
Did you hear about The Streets's release of six tracks? Trust Me is one of them. Check it out.

Liam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Liam said...

wir hassen teuer! :)

Liam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Liam said...

instantly recognisable as a follow up to exciter and playing the angel, and true to depeche mode's continued exploration within their distinct style. the past three albums seem to represent the new depeche mode, which is a more technologically mature version of early depeche mode.

Becca said...

I agree with both what you noted and what Liam commented. While D.M. has progressed as a band, it has grown/matured much as well. I will need to check this out.

Becca said...

I agree with both what you noted and what Liam commented. While D.M. has progressed as a band, it has grown/matured much as well. I will need to check this out.

Unknown said...

OMG! Too funny a commercial! Wir hassen teuer....
Depeche have always made qualitative music and I think that's because they simply can. Some people's creativity doesn't run dry and they seem to be like that.
Sound of Silence continues to be a high-frequency track for me. Solid band.

B.R. said...

-Ah, The Streets' free release of their new six tracks was not a notion till a few days ago with my British colleague made me aware of it. I used to enjoy The Streets and will be listening to the new tracks this weekend. Well, after I get back from the Frans Ferdinand concert, that is. :)

-I agree. What makes Depeche Mode likable and significant in today's music scene is because they have managed to innovate while staying true to their 'depeche-ness.'

Thanks.

Dana said...

Ha. I could tell you were exited to see FF in concert. You spelled Franz as Frans and BR only mis-spells when uber-excited about something. :)