Disco de Depeche Mode: “Sounds of the Universe [CD + DVD]”

Depeche Mode is a survivor and has kept creating full studio albums long after many of their peer bands dissolved. This album and the last (Playing the Angel) are a continuation of the journey and reflects the entry into middle-age. Those people looking for songs like "Lie to Me" and other very sexually charged songs need to go back and listen to DM's earlier work when these men were much younger and compelled to write those kinds of songs. Sounds of the Universe has a lot of steady patterns with the feeling of deep movement (example: "Come Back") and going somewhere with the patience (and weariness) of age. Its a bold stare into the void which can develop (much akin to outer space) when one looks at the other side of the life cycle. To do it right you can't have the young more energetic and poppy DM without the darker, slower, more mature DM, it gives the band/project a life of its own and more purpose and meaning. I personally thank DM for continuing to make work and offer up such great songs for the enjoyment of us all.

It seems there is a split among fans of Depeche Mode's new album. I can kind of see both sides. When I first purchased the album, I was not blown away by any tracks on the first listen. The album started to grow after listening to it all day though. By the end of the week, I loved the album. To me, it is a combination of both worlds... the old days (vintage synths) mixed with songs that remind me of Ultra. I believe that there is something there for all fans. I place it above Exciter and Playing The Angel. I enjoy the mood of the album, especially the latter, and the lyrics. My favorite song on the album is In Sympathy! Give this album a try =)

I never write reviews on anything, but I felt obligated to tell everybody that this is one of the albums, which sounds very dull in mp3 format, no matter what bitrate. It came as a huge surprise to me, but when I listened to 320k mp3 version of this album, I totally hated it. But when I listened to either CD version or DTS version on DVD, I simply loved it. This comes from a long time Depeche Mode fan. On mp3 I can hardly hear some of the instruments. DM is also using an interesting combination of high and low frequency sounds, which are very clear on CD, but aren't defined well in mp3. Long story short - try a non-compressed version of this album before you make your opinion about it. There are still issues with oversimplified lyrics and lack of a common style in the album, but the sound will win you over.

If I was a lawyer and was trying to defend Depeche Mode in court as a fantastic, still-relevant band, I would not want this album introduced as evidence. As much I have grown to enjoy "Wrong", while listening to the rest of the album throughout the day, I just found myself wanting to listen to something else, barely making it through the first listen. I first got "Some Great Reward" over 20+ years ago and have loved Depeche Mode ever since, which is what makes this such a let down. Their last few haven't been their best, but this is a huge disappointment. I found myself wanting to instead listen to Dave Gahan's second solo album halfway through as it seemed more like what this album should have been. It is as if they wanted to recycle themselves and become the band everyone who hated them or wasn't a fan thought they were. The album is mired in electronic noodling which was never really what made them who they were. I agree with a previous commenter's statement that a lot probably has to do with their new producer, so if they can hold it together for one more album, please let them find someone who can make up for this. Get Daniel Miller or Flood (or both) and give us one more we can smile into old age to.

I've read many reviews and first impressions about Sounds of the Universe, and I've seen thoughts that range across the ratings. I'm going to throw my hat in on the 5-star rating. Simply, I think this is the best Depeche Mode album of their career, a career my wife and I have followed closely from the beginning as a band that has defined every stage of our lives from high school to middle-age. I believe this album represents both a synthesis across the DM career and an evolution in sound and mood. In Chains is a great opener, soulful and building. Hole to Feed pushes into the trademark DM sexy with layers of sound and riffs that are reminiscent of the early 90's DM. Wrong is marching ballad that reminds me of of the Playing the Angel crossed with their early syth (and the video is positively creepy!). Fragile smooths into a wistful, romantic groove that frankly is my favorite song of the CD. Little Soul really takes me back to Violator with a extra fresh and positive vibe mixed with early DM sound blurbs and the ever-lovely layers of vocal melody. Sympathy is a positive and uplifting song that reminds me of my previously favorite album, Exciter. Peace starts with sound right from early DM then blossoms into relaxing hymn. Come Back is another romantic song that will most definitely end up as movie soundtrack. Spacewalker is a nice little interlude with a very DM sound, although I might have like to see it expanded as a full song with Martin's great lyrics. Perfect is a good song, although I'd probably rank it as the weakest of the album--still, it's great! Miles Away / The Truth Is surely is one of those songs that David will end up grinding to on the stage. I really love the song Jezeble--it's so typical DM mood. Corrupt is a great album closer and has a lot of DM sounds from the 90's and 2000's twisted together in a sexy groove that is a must for the concert this fall. And, yes, I'm seeing DM this fall--I can't wait to hear Sounds of the Universe in concert along with other DM standards I hope they play such as Personal Jesus, Get the Balance Right, Enjoy the Silence, and I Feel Loved. Enjoy SOTU! Tora! Tora! Tora!