2005-12-14
A lot of styles could be attached to "Depeche Mode", it depends on the second you catch it in, this album on the one hand, is a lot like the others, referring to the fact that you can't categorize it under one title, but on the other hand, it could easily be named out in an argument such as "which Depeche Mode album is the best?".
In my days I heard a lot of arguments about the style of this band, some had say pop because most of their stuff is ear friendly, other categories thrown in were such as goth , industrial, electro, and it is all possible cause they have their up beating moments alongside the quiet touching one.
What this guys definitely have is a style of their own, which is one of the hardest things to get for yourself, one of those bands that when you'll hear them, you'll know it's them, a sound which in my taste is pure dark 80's.
"playing the angel", their latest release starts of with the song "a pain that I'm used to", which has a hard industrial start and flows into a softer mood, from the beginning of the album it is applied for you to stay on your guard. I loved the way it got to mix a dissonant sound along with a warm embracing one.
Next comes "John the revelator", which is one of the unique songs that could be found on the album, kinda feels like Dave was taken out of his usual position and shook him a bit, in my taste this guy sounds great however you put him.
The hit single of this album is definitely "precious", which sounds a bit like "enjoy the silence" and could easily fit into older albums by the band., it's easy to fall in love with this one, having Dave sing this is such a fragile way but still letting the pain slip inside.
Other stand out tracks are "lilian" (great vocal parts), microvision, and damaged people.
Until now it all sound great, but there is one thing that bugs me a bit, not about the album but about the bands discography as a whole, somethings that people consider to their favor, they always have their signature sound, and signature style, and this album could be counted as one of their best right next to "ultra" and "violator" but there is always this feeling in the back of my awareness that there is too much signature in their songs\albums, holding them back from evolving into something even greater and sometimes makes it all feel a bit recycled, I have this unfulfilled wish to hear them play something entirely different.
In conclusion, I can only say that Depeche mode knows how to bring it on, always knew and hopefully always will, and I can't think of them putting out something that is less then good, and this album defiantly aims high and kinda hits the spot, but I will always fantasize about a revolution in their music, until then this album will be probably keep spinning in my stereo.
Roy Povarchik
