Depeche Mode's 'Sounds of the Universe'

Depeche Mode's eagerly-anticipated 12th studio album 'Sounds of the Universe' has been dividing fans and reviewers alike. A good deal of criticism has focused on Ben Hillier's production, with the album provoking extreme reactions, with some maintaining that this is the final nail in the DM coffin and others declaring it a work of seminal genius. And we can see why; it's a radical departure from the stadium-filling rock band who gave us 'Personal Jesus'. But is it any good? Well, having now listened to the album obsessively over a four-day period whilst travelling across the UK and Ireland I can cheerfully report that this is, without any question, Depeche Mode's best album in 20 years.

13 tracks. 56 minutes. 10 gems. 6 instant classics.

My first reaction to 'Sounds of the Universe' wasn't great. In fact, after a cursory listen I scampered like a twat onto Facebook to announce that the album sucked. Really sucked. I am now more than happy to eat my own words. Make no mistake, SOTU is the album that not only redeems DM from a state of lethargic mediocrity (after the less than overwhelming 'Playing the Angel' and 'Exciter') but places them back at the top of the pile. This is a band reborn.

So, how did they do it?

Producer Ben Hillier has taken the reins once again, but where perhaps he failed to deliver an immersive soundscape on 'Playing the Angel' he has delivered a beautifully produced hour of music; shimmering and thuddering through a parallel universe where 1982 never really stopped. Vintage synths, screeching Moogs and minimal retro percussion sections have combined with a strikingly good set of songs to see DM recast as the definitive fathers of electronica.

And man do they sound the part - with the band admitting that they geeked out on vintage electronica equipment whilst putting the album together, perhaps finally accepting their origins and giving up the fight which Alan Wilder had led for so long to make them sound like an epic, stadium-filling rock band.

Make no mistake, this is a different Depeche Mode. Gone are the crashing drum kits and sweeping string sections of the 'Violator'/'Songs of Faith and Devotion' period, replaced with a clipped, controlled almost Kraftwerk-like production value. It took me three to four listens to accept this new palette of sounds, but eventually the clicking, bleeping rhythm tracks started to mesh perfectly with Gore and Gahan's haunting melodies and before I knew it I was having a full-blown religious experience with this album.

Coming from a jaded old bastard who's been listening since 'Construction Time Again', I don't say this lightly. 'Wrong', 'Hole to Feed', 'In Sympathy', and 'Perfect' are instant DM classics with the album hitting it's high-point with 'Peace', easily Gore's best piece of song writing in two decades. The album then finishes off, perhaps in case you'd forgotten who it is you're dealing with, with a vintage Mode moment, 'Corrupt'; a nasty, sleazy piece of growling electronica worthy of anything on 'Violator'. Sublime stuff.

Sounds of the Universe is released on April 20th. Order it here.

www.depechemode.com

Dave posts: That 'Wrong' video by Patrick Daughters:

Hello,
I'm happy to read your review as I share most of your point of view.
Fan of DM since 1983 (i was 8 years old) as my grand brother bought every vynils I recognize lots of ambient and sounds of all the DM's album of 80's, particulary "Some Great Rewards" in the sound choosen.
The most recognized sound of this LP is Peace, the 10 first seconds are quasi the same as "See You" (1982).
I think it's the same synth ;)

now I'm 34 years old and enjoying DM as never, I thought that they will leave with time but in fact it's the inverse situation.

Vive Depeche Mode !

I had pretty much the same reaction at first, but slowly the songs began to burrow into my brain and I'm now of the opinion that this is absolutely up there with their very best work.

Are they lip syncing???

Virus T1, nice!

Thanks for the review which I have posted to the members of "UK Moders"

What's a VIrus T1 when it's at home?

Sorry, typo should read Virus TI (total integration)

http://www.access-music.de/events/11-2004/virusti_details_keyboard.php4

Hi,
I have been DM fan for 22 years. Yes, this is definitely the one of the best DM albums, nevertheless I miss Alan Wilder and his sound mark in DM records since his departure.

Yes, you have to hear two or three times the cd and then, excellent. They are in a very good form. Very good job.

Well reviewed. I loved songs of the Universe the first time I heard it, but by the second day was rather unsure and thought it flat. Now I think it is one of the great Depeche Mode albums. You really do need to listen to it several times before the textures and sounds fully reveal themselves.
Stunning!

hmmmm.. ok first of all I am grateful for another DM album.. I have been a fan since 1985 and although I think the album is good, it's not as good as playing the angel and if i have to be honest.. I'm not even sure it's as good as Dave's Hourglass! Wrong is fantastic, and I appreciate what they are trying to do with the vintage synths, however, I think the songs would have sounded better with a more modern feel rather than a retro one.. still a good album though..

Nice review and a GREAT new album! Highly recommended!!! :)

I will simply quote a famous line from depeche mode by saying that.... "I dont want to start any blasphemous rumors but i think that gods got a sick sense of humor".

I have been a fan sincerely since 1987, and have been devoted as well. Although i feel that depeche has pushed the envelope continuously through the last 20 years with their reinventions (SOFAD) to their departed sounds and back to basics (Ultra), to their melancholy, with almost R&B vibe album (Exciter), but after their fantastically produced Playing the Angel (Some may argue) I feel sounds of the universe has been a huge letdown after a 4 year wait. Yes i listened to it a few times, and yes i do feel the retro vibe, but honestly dont feel that the sound or songs are as powerfull as the last album and may i say even at all. by far my least favorite in the depeche catalog has been exciter and felt that this was on the same plane as that album. The only thing that i can say is that again they seem to try diverse as opposed to a formula that previously worked which i think playing the angel put them a bit back on top. Hopefully they still have a couple of albums left in them, but if not i hope that they dont end the career with this album because it would be a letdown of their influence and legacy