- Audio CD (18 Oct 2005)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Reprise
- ASIN: B000B2YQX4
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | UMD Mini for PSP
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 242,295 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. A Pain That I'm Used To |
| 2. John The Relevator |
| 3. Suffer Well |
| 4. The Sinner In Me |
| 5. Precious |
| 6. Macro |
| 7. I Want It All |
| 8. Nothing's Impossible |
| 9. Introspective |
| 10. Damaged People |
| 11. Lilian |
| 12. The Darkest Star |
Product Description
From the Label
Playing The Angel is the 11 Depeche Mode studio album, and the first to include songs written by frontman Dave Gahan. Playing The Angel was recorded in Santa Barbara and produced by Ben Hillier, who has recently worked with The Doves, Blur and Elbow. Playing The Angel is already being cited by those that have heard it as one of the defining albums of the bands illustrious career.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Although the reviews here are mostly mixed it would be true to say that even the best albums divide opinion. What Depeche Mode have achieved with Playing The Angel is another metamorphosis of their sound. The band constantly develops and this upsets some of their original fanbase but is crucial to their evolution and longevity. Playing The Angel manages to sound very Depeche Mode like but, simutaneously, completely fresh and unlike anything other music of the day. The basis, of course, is electronic sound which on this album is louder and dirtier than on recent records- somewhere beyond 1997's Ultra. It is to the band's credit that they retain their sound while working with different innovative producers on each project- in this case Ben Hillier who brings the music closest to the sound they achieved when Alan Wilder was still part of the band. The single, Precious, at first appears a rather tame melodic track but listen to it on headphones and it becomes evident that it has a hard basis of heavy electronica and is satisfyingly complex- it is a track that grows in stature with repeated listening. The first five tracks are driving, urgent and dirty and contain immediately appealing hooks and surprisingly savvy techno elements which even Underground Resistance purists would appreciate. The synthesisers could be from any period from 1982 to the present day and there is no band better at using them. I would say, though, that the album's core strength is the vocal arrangements. These have developed so much over the years and occasionally bring a deep soulfulness to the music- check out the Dave Gahan penned Suffer Well for an example. Playing The Angel may not appease everyone but it is encouragingly groundbreaking and modern, It shows no signs of the band's creativity abating- in fact they are scaling new heights. We should treasure Depeche Mode who offer real uniqueness among the blandness of modern British music and have been sorely underrated over the years compared with the likes of U2 (Who have borrowed heavily from Depeche Mode over the years). This is a very good album- here's to the next one!
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been a life long fan of "THE MODE" from my teenage years,what with the advent of the synthesizer and the ground breaking sounds they produce.
Here we have Depeche mode a band that have stood the test of time and with this album still prove to do so.Their music still as popular as ever.
Like all "MODE" fans I wait with anticipation when new material is released and I think this was worth that wait.The Album starts with the track "Pain that I am used to" which is a good excellent track then moves on to "john the revelator" which is one of my favourites Gahans vocals are superb as always.Apart from "Precious" which is very commercial,Other tracks that stand out are tracks:4,7,8+11 with only track 6 disappointing. On the whole this Album suceeds where Exciter bitterly disappointed and is well worth the investment.Welcome back "Depeche Mode"
Here we have Depeche mode a band that have stood the test of time and with this album still prove to do so.Their music still as popular as ever.
Like all "MODE" fans I wait with anticipation when new material is released and I think this was worth that wait.The Album starts with the track "Pain that I am used to" which is a good excellent track then moves on to "john the revelator" which is one of my favourites Gahans vocals are superb as always.Apart from "Precious" which is very commercial,Other tracks that stand out are tracks:4,7,8+11 with only track 6 disappointing. On the whole this Album suceeds where Exciter bitterly disappointed and is well worth the investment.Welcome back "Depeche Mode"
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Unbelievably clever production. Distortion and dirty sound are used very, very effectively on this album, transforming relatively simple pop tunes into something much, much better, and contrasting crunchy, rough sounds (including a very effective "blown speaker" sound which made me panic for a moment) with pure tones and perfect clarity. If you've any interest at all in electronic music or music production it's a must-hear album.
If you've liked a couple of Depeche Mode tracks in the past, but generally prefer metal, industrial, or rock, buy this album and be converted. I was.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Like a good wine, improves over time
I bought this when it came out a few years back, and have listened to it on and off since then. It holds up well, still providing interest even now. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. T. P. King
Love it!
I was and I am and I will be a great big fan of DM! And this album is amazing! I knew it before, and now, when I've lost me first Limited Edition CD bought on the day of release... Read more
Published 20 months ago by emilia
Depeche Mode - I Believe In Angels!
After the shipwreck of Exciter the
Basildon boys rebuilt and launch
this impressive album. Read more
Basildon boys rebuilt and launch
this impressive album. Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2010 by Mr. David Stanton
Good, well structured, songs: but falling short of perfection
This album contains some of the best DM I've ever heard. The Melodies are superb as are some of the sounds and rhythms. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2008 by David Ryman
A Triumphant Return
After the lacklustre disaster that was Exciter, the the Mode have returned to a winning formula. Stand out tracks are Suffer Well, A Pain That I Am Used To, Precious, and John the... Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2007 by M. Summerfield
Pain and suffering in various tempos
Quite how this perverse bunch of multi-millionaires got to headline stadiums across the US should baffle everyone. Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2007 by Mr. M. A. Reed
Triumphant return for The Mode
After the bland release that was Exciter Depeche Mode return with a vengence with the brilliant Playing the Angel. Read more
Published on 3 April 2006 by "riechel732"
Lacks depth
Without wishing to be rude, I can only imagine that those likening this album to earlier glories like Violator have either never heard those albums, or simply have cloth... Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2006 by Barry Cooper
On a par with Exciter. . .
If I had to compile my favourite Depeche Mode songs from each of their albums the three I’d include immediately from PTA would be "Suffer Well", "Precious" and... Read more
Published on 17 Nov 2005 by E. Burle
The Mode are Back on Form
Like other long-time DM fans, I awaited their latest album with some trepidation, after the pretty but inconsistent 'Exciter' and stripped-down 'Ultra' albums. Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2005 by V. N. Cornell
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