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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
If 2005's Playing the Angel saw Dave Gahan and Co. make a point of proving they could keep up with their younger contemporaries, Sounds of the Universe, the band’s 12th studio album, sounds like they’ve accepted their three-decade long legacy and settled into a role that’s decidedly avuncular. Swapping the industrial clangor for dreamy, analogue atmospherics marred by the occasional buzzing jolt, producer Ben Hillier (Doves, Blur, Elbow) has achieved an impressive consistency with the band’s synth-drenched soundscape. Tracks like “In Chains” see the band descend into middle-aged, forlorn balladry, though the rough and rhythmic "Wrong" and the upbeat, rockist “Hole To Feed” show they still have a gnarly side.--Danny McKenna
Product Description
VERY COOL NEW ALBUM Highly anticipated new album from legends Depeche Mode. Sounds of the Universe combines bleeping synths, distorted guitars and crunchy percussion for a punchy, electrorock blaster
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Sounds of The Universe is an album that will reward repeated listening, as all Mode records do.
Produced by Ben Hillier, the album's overall sound will be comfortable for those who enjoyed "Playing the Angel" and less so for the rock fans who came on board with "Songs of Faith and Devotion". It is more open, detailed, and less compressed than "Playing The Angel" , and from that point of view, SOTU is a better record than its predecessor.
Lead single "Wrong" is the closest we get to the original 80's blueprint - a never ending litany of woe over a sleazy mid tempo synth fest. It's an act of song-writing bravery to pile so much repetition into a lyric, but it works.
The manifesto is set though, by the opening track "In Chains" a slowly evolving soundscape fades in from the sort of bleepy experiments so beloved of the 70's electro pioneers, before Gahan's ever improving voice slides effortlessly onto the top of the mix, backed by yet another "never before heard" take on what a guitar can sound like... a trick the Mode have continually reworked since Personal Jesus redefined them back in the early 90's.
Like all three previous studio albums, one could argue that SOTU is too long, and that the brief atmospheric interlude "Spacewalker" adds little, but over the course of 13 tracks, this album delivers for fans, although it may struggle to win new ones.
Highlights for me are "In Chains", "Wrong" "Fragile Tension" "In Sympathy" "Come Back", (possibly the stand out, but a track few other reviewers have mentioned) and "Corrupt"
Martin Gore is a supremely clever songwriter - but not always a subtle one. Some of the lyrics, as ever, are obvious and a little gauche. Long term fans accepted this years ago, (after 1984's "People are People", to be exact) and it won't change anytime soon. Similarly, the themes are well established - Love, sex, emotional alienation and existential angst; all served up with lashings of sleaze and BDSM imagery, are Gore's stock in trade.
Gahan's contribution, seemingly set now as 3 tracks per album, sits well alongside Gore's work, and this is testament in itself. Of his songs, "The Truth Is" is my favourite.
This record won't grab you by your lapels and make you love it. There is no revelatory moment such as "Personal Jesus", or "In Your Room", and this might account for the lack lustre reviews it seems to be getting. Let it seep and strain it's way in though, and you'll most likely agree that it's a worthwhile addition to the DM canon. Perhaps not their best work, but absolutely not their worst - this is a good record, and if you're a fan, especially if you enjoyed "Playing the Angel" , you're unlikely to be disappointed.
Produced by Ben Hillier, the album's overall sound will be comfortable for those who enjoyed "Playing the Angel" and less so for the rock fans who came on board with "Songs of Faith and Devotion". It is more open, detailed, and less compressed than "Playing The Angel" , and from that point of view, SOTU is a better record than its predecessor.
Lead single "Wrong" is the closest we get to the original 80's blueprint - a never ending litany of woe over a sleazy mid tempo synth fest. It's an act of song-writing bravery to pile so much repetition into a lyric, but it works.
The manifesto is set though, by the opening track "In Chains" a slowly evolving soundscape fades in from the sort of bleepy experiments so beloved of the 70's electro pioneers, before Gahan's ever improving voice slides effortlessly onto the top of the mix, backed by yet another "never before heard" take on what a guitar can sound like... a trick the Mode have continually reworked since Personal Jesus redefined them back in the early 90's.
Like all three previous studio albums, one could argue that SOTU is too long, and that the brief atmospheric interlude "Spacewalker" adds little, but over the course of 13 tracks, this album delivers for fans, although it may struggle to win new ones.
Highlights for me are "In Chains", "Wrong" "Fragile Tension" "In Sympathy" "Come Back", (possibly the stand out, but a track few other reviewers have mentioned) and "Corrupt"
Martin Gore is a supremely clever songwriter - but not always a subtle one. Some of the lyrics, as ever, are obvious and a little gauche. Long term fans accepted this years ago, (after 1984's "People are People", to be exact) and it won't change anytime soon. Similarly, the themes are well established - Love, sex, emotional alienation and existential angst; all served up with lashings of sleaze and BDSM imagery, are Gore's stock in trade.
Gahan's contribution, seemingly set now as 3 tracks per album, sits well alongside Gore's work, and this is testament in itself. Of his songs, "The Truth Is" is my favourite.
This record won't grab you by your lapels and make you love it. There is no revelatory moment such as "Personal Jesus", or "In Your Room", and this might account for the lack lustre reviews it seems to be getting. Let it seep and strain it's way in though, and you'll most likely agree that it's a worthwhile addition to the DM canon. Perhaps not their best work, but absolutely not their worst - this is a good record, and if you're a fan, especially if you enjoyed "Playing the Angel" , you're unlikely to be disappointed.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have to admit after my first listern i wasn't to impressed. Maybe i was expecting a harder darker album from the boys and 'Wrong' and 'I could corrupt you' excluded this release see's a milder Depeche mode than before.
But now i have heard the album a few more times i must say i'm very impressed. It would have been easy for them to make another industrial sounding record but instead they have made an album that although not mainstream by any means sounds as fresh and relevant as anything being produced today.
In all a very good album and the Modes best since SOFAD.
Note..Do not judge this on poor quality internet postings. For best results listern on a decent hi-fi or through headphones and the great production will soon have you mesmerised.
But now i have heard the album a few more times i must say i'm very impressed. It would have been easy for them to make another industrial sounding record but instead they have made an album that although not mainstream by any means sounds as fresh and relevant as anything being produced today.
In all a very good album and the Modes best since SOFAD.
Note..Do not judge this on poor quality internet postings. For best results listern on a decent hi-fi or through headphones and the great production will soon have you mesmerised.
38 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The first few times I listened to this, I was disappointed and even wrote a 1-star review elsewhere suggesting it was time for DM to give up. But then I went on a long car journey, put SOTU on rotation, and wound the volume up (you have to listen to it loud!). By the end of the journey I was flabbergasted - this is a great album and will be stuck in the stereo for some time!
The opening track "In Chains" takes a long time to get going and this might lose a few casual listeners. But be patient and you will eventually get it - and when you do the rest of the album falls into place. The pace picks up with "Hole to Feed", a decent, cynical Gahan track with a killer bassline, and then you're hit with "Wrong" - a thumping Mode rant that has you banging the steering wheel with a huge grin. "Fragile Tension" gives you a breather, with a softer melody but enough guitar noise to keep you awake.
"Little Soul" rears its little head with a very cutesy and deceptively simple refrain, and is weirdly sexy - an unusual but endearing song. This is followed by "In Sympathy", another slow burner but with a hook that eventually gets under your skin. It leads you into "Peace" - an uplifting duet musing on cleanliness and redemption. At this point you're 7 songs through and, where most other albums are about to wind down, SOTU has much more yet to give.
After dropping the tempo with "Come Back" (a noisy Gahan ballad) and the obligatory instrumental, "SpaceWalker", you have "Perfect" - another classic Mode song with a brilliant bass hook, uplifting chorus, and clever lyrics that ponder alternate existences. The third Gahan track "Miles Away" is lyrically dubious, but is rescued by a strong groove and Dave's unique vocal delivery - with what sounds like a brief Elvis impersonation! "Jezebel" is a Gore-sung dirge which initially threatens to embarrass but is saved by a pretty melody. Finally, the album finishes on a high with "Corrupt" - a charged and pervy song that leaves you uneasy about Gore's and your own sexuality, but singing nonetheless.
Throughout the album the pace is measured and confident, and the many layers of sonic and lyrical trickery pull you in deeper with each repeated listen.
Fabulous.
The opening track "In Chains" takes a long time to get going and this might lose a few casual listeners. But be patient and you will eventually get it - and when you do the rest of the album falls into place. The pace picks up with "Hole to Feed", a decent, cynical Gahan track with a killer bassline, and then you're hit with "Wrong" - a thumping Mode rant that has you banging the steering wheel with a huge grin. "Fragile Tension" gives you a breather, with a softer melody but enough guitar noise to keep you awake.
"Little Soul" rears its little head with a very cutesy and deceptively simple refrain, and is weirdly sexy - an unusual but endearing song. This is followed by "In Sympathy", another slow burner but with a hook that eventually gets under your skin. It leads you into "Peace" - an uplifting duet musing on cleanliness and redemption. At this point you're 7 songs through and, where most other albums are about to wind down, SOTU has much more yet to give.
After dropping the tempo with "Come Back" (a noisy Gahan ballad) and the obligatory instrumental, "SpaceWalker", you have "Perfect" - another classic Mode song with a brilliant bass hook, uplifting chorus, and clever lyrics that ponder alternate existences. The third Gahan track "Miles Away" is lyrically dubious, but is rescued by a strong groove and Dave's unique vocal delivery - with what sounds like a brief Elvis impersonation! "Jezebel" is a Gore-sung dirge which initially threatens to embarrass but is saved by a pretty melody. Finally, the album finishes on a high with "Corrupt" - a charged and pervy song that leaves you uneasy about Gore's and your own sexuality, but singing nonetheless.
Throughout the album the pace is measured and confident, and the many layers of sonic and lyrical trickery pull you in deeper with each repeated listen.
Fabulous.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Cd ok but....
Cd ok, good music, but the cd case was damaged and scratched. Not really happy because was a gift 4 my brother! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alessiuccia
Lacking Direction?
Depeche Mode's twelfth studio album has, as expected, top-notch production and sound quality. But the songs themselves feel like the group is just treading water. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Nicholas Casley
Sounds from the void
Surely this album came spinning out of the void of space. Destitute of a single tune or emotion, it is cold and uninviting. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Acton
Depeche Mode Sounds Of The Universe CD + DVD
Thought i would update my collection with this last album from one of the best bands out of the 80's.. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. Steven Clark
Couldn't get into it
Its hard to do this but its better to tell the truth, I just didn't like this album much.
The songs, and more ostensibly the sounds and atmospheres, which DM are best... Read more
The songs, and more ostensibly the sounds and atmospheres, which DM are best... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Jay M
Stunning
Depeche Mode's first great album since Songs of Faith & Devotion.
Ultra, Exciter and Playing the Angel all have their great moments but for me SotU is their first properly... Read more
Ultra, Exciter and Playing the Angel all have their great moments but for me SotU is their first properly... Read more
Published 14 months ago by doc troo
Another great album
True i am a hardcore DM fan, but often expect each album to let me down,Exciter did, but loved PTA and now this little treasure> of course its a dm album which means it needs time... Read more
Published on 27 May 2010 by R. P. Gillyon
Depeche Mode - Universal Soundwaves
It took me several goes at listening to
this album before I grew to like it.
I still don't like 'In Chains', 'Hole to
Feed' and worst track of all 'Little Soul'... Read more
this album before I grew to like it.
I still don't like 'In Chains', 'Hole to
Feed' and worst track of all 'Little Soul'... Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2010 by Mr. David Stanton
A great effort but could have been even better!
Depeche Mode sit in a unique musical space. They, like their music appear timeless. Impossible to categorise, still loyal to a small indie label despite selling 100 million albums. Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2009 by James R. Whitaker
Up to their usual standard
The CD has not been out long and is up to Depeche Mode's usual standard. It is well recorded, reasonably priced and a good addition to their catalogue.
Published on 14 Oct 2009 by David Barber
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