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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. In Chains | |||
| 2. Hole To Feed | |||
| 3. Wrong | |||
| 4. Fragile Tension | |||
| 5. Little Soul | |||
| 6. In Sympathy | |||
| 7. Peace | |||
| 8. Come Back | |||
| 9. Spacewalker | |||
| 10. Perfect | |||
See all 13 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Sounds Of The Universe / A Short Film | |||
| 2. Wrong | |||
| 3. Wrong | |||
| 4. Fragile Tension | |||
| 5. Little Soul | |||
| 6. In Sympathy | |||
| 7. Peace | |||
| 8. Come Back | |||
| 9. Spacewalker | |||
| 10. Perfect | |||
|
See all 29 tracks on this disc
| |||
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
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
CD+DVD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By My pen name
Format:Audio CD
I received this box from an independent record store yesterday 16 April - nice to get this before release date. The album is a welcome return to form after the slightly wayward Exciter and Playing the Angel. This is classic DM; strong musically and the usual topics covered by Gore's lyrics.
*
Now to the box - it's larger than I thought it would be from the images, everything fits neatly inside. To be honest, most of the contents will remain untouched inside the box; I've flicked through the 2 books, ignored the badges and poster - what I'm really after here are the discs! I'm not a fan of 5.1 surround music; I've found it gimmicky rather than immersive. I have a couple of the DM reissues on 5.1 and have listened to them no more than once.
*
Disc 3
What really interests me with this box is the 3rd disc of demos and this does not disappoint. It's very interesting to hear how the demo songs differ from the final recorded releases. [edited to add] I was surprised that the demos aren't guitar and voice based, which is what I was expecting - these are synth + drum machine + voice; some are close to the final recordings in character and arrangement. I Feel You is slightly more edgy / dark.
*
[edited to add]Disc 2 - extra songs. Light, Gahan vocal, great song. The Sun and the Moon and the Stars, Gore vocal. Ghost, Gahan vocal, my favourite of these extra tracks, more vintage DM. Esque, short noodly intermission. Oh Well, Gahan vocal. Remixes - have listened to 6. Corrupt (Efdemin remix), 7. In Chains (Minilogue's Earth mix), 8. Little Soul (Thomas Fehlman ambient mix), 9. Jezebel (SixToes remix). tracks 6 to 8 are largely forgettable, slow trance syncopated reggae beat is how I would describe them.... Read more ›
*
Now to the box - it's larger than I thought it would be from the images, everything fits neatly inside. To be honest, most of the contents will remain untouched inside the box; I've flicked through the 2 books, ignored the badges and poster - what I'm really after here are the discs! I'm not a fan of 5.1 surround music; I've found it gimmicky rather than immersive. I have a couple of the DM reissues on 5.1 and have listened to them no more than once.
*
Disc 3
What really interests me with this box is the 3rd disc of demos and this does not disappoint. It's very interesting to hear how the demo songs differ from the final recorded releases. [edited to add] I was surprised that the demos aren't guitar and voice based, which is what I was expecting - these are synth + drum machine + voice; some are close to the final recordings in character and arrangement. I Feel You is slightly more edgy / dark.
*
[edited to add]Disc 2 - extra songs. Light, Gahan vocal, great song. The Sun and the Moon and the Stars, Gore vocal. Ghost, Gahan vocal, my favourite of these extra tracks, more vintage DM. Esque, short noodly intermission. Oh Well, Gahan vocal. Remixes - have listened to 6. Corrupt (Efdemin remix), 7. In Chains (Minilogue's Earth mix), 8. Little Soul (Thomas Fehlman ambient mix), 9. Jezebel (SixToes remix). tracks 6 to 8 are largely forgettable, slow trance syncopated reggae beat is how I would describe them.... Read more ›
27 of 28 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.... Read more ›
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.... Read more ›
40 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By Quadro
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!... Read more ›
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!... Read more ›
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Depeche mode is great!
excellent article collection is great, the pictures are very good, excellent audio quality, I recommend it! depeche mode is great!
Published 9 hours ago by RAUL
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sound of the universe
The sounds of the universe, a good album of the band Depeche Mode, which include topics such as Wrong, Hole To Feed, Peace and Fragile Tension, the vinyl sound is excellent, is an... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alejandro Perez Guzman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!
Loved it! Bought as a present for my husband who loves the show and he was well chuffed!! Well received!
Published 1 month ago by Michelle
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice item
I bought this item for a christmas gift. I love it and my friend love too.
Buy this item, because is lovely
Buy this item, because is lovely
Published 3 months ago by Ilenia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Already had the SOTU box but wanted this as it saved me messing around for the DVD. The 5.1 version is incredible
Published 3 months ago by Chris S
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic product, completed by lovely books
I loved the CDs, DVDs, photo books, postcards, pins, posters and everything. And the music, absolutely fantastic. First-class product. I love it!
Published 3 months ago by Rosana Lopez
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best band in the world. Great package.
I bought this when it was first released but must have forgot to leave a review. The album itself and all the extras are the typical high quality I expect from the Mode! Read more
Published 4 months ago by novman
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's Depeche Mode
and that really says it all. DP tend to be a Marmite band (other savoury spreading products are available!). I love Marmite, and DP. Nothing more to say really. Read more
Published 6 months ago by David Peddie
3.0 out of 5 stars
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 14 months ago by Alessiuccia
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 15 months ago by Nicholas Casley
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