Playing the Angel [Enhanced]

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!

Having been a fan of DM for ages (since my introduction to them during my high school days back in the 1980s), it was good news to me when I heard about their intention to record a new album as afterall, it has been 4 years since their last effort. But on the other hand, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Their last few albums have had mixed reviews... 'Exciter', though a well-recorded album, was considered by many as being too experimental and lacking in Mode-styled, powerful dark-electro-dance tunes that have made them so popular... 'Ultra' contained some excellent tracks but was criticised for lacking uniformity and direction... 'Songs of Faith and Devotion' brought them to the height of their career but was a more rock-powered and less synth-laden experience. Although 'Songs of Faith and Devotion' and 'Ultra' are actually 2 of my favourite DM albums (despite some who hate them and prefer their older albums), I can't say the same for 'Exciter' as I did not particularly enjoy it when it was release, and up till today, I still feel that 'Exciter' is their weakest album to date. So, I was pretty worried about a similar sounding new album. But just a few seconds after putting the new CD into my CD player... listening to the griding industrial intro of 'A Pain That I'm Used To' and I thought... yes, definitely some potential here... and scrolling through quickly track-by-track, I wasn't disappointed. From a creative synthed-up adaptation of the traditional 'John the Relevator', to the classic Mode sounding 'Suffer Well', 'Precious' and 'Lilian', and the slower and darker tracks like 'I Want It All' and 'Damaged People', this new album does not disappoint. YES, they are definitely BACK! And most interestingly, we now have not only Martin's songs but Dave's as well. This is probably the album that will rebuild their reputation as one of the pioneers of synth-industrial pop, an album that reminds me very much of 'Violator' and 'Black Celebration'. Old fans who have given up, try this and you'll definitely forgive their past misadventures. And those from the younger generation who are unfamiliar with Depeche Mode, this is an album worth exploring if you love Nine Inch Nails. And those who love Marilyn Manson's 'Personal Jesus', also check out the aforementioned 'Violator'.

A super album! What great testimony to a band running as long as they have. They certainly " never let us down" and enspire with spine tingling tunes and harmonies that are both dramatic and meaningful. John the revelator is tremendous. On the version I bought I got a DVD as well which has "clean" as a bonus video plus the precious video and how they made the album and more.
I can't wait to see them at Wembley in April!!! It is fabulous to see such a fantastic band in the lime light again, there are so few great bands left too much boy and girl band drivell out there- Depeche Mode are true legends of music. Good to see them back home BUY BUY BUY!*********