Depeche Mode -- Delta Machine

Actually liking this a lot myself five songs in -- I was joking elsewhere based on people's reactions that we might be getting an Exciter II and that's kinda the feeling at points, only instead of hyperfocused-LFO precision it's definitely the Ben Hillier-produced version of the band, forced into strange shapes. "My Little Universe" is my sleeper winner so far.

In conclusion -- would drop a song or two, feels like the hour-long thing it is as it stands, but overall a treat and a half.

might wait for the physical release - for once i have rather low expectations, since the last album got me thinking that even DM could lose it - the idea Exciter II does not excite me much (hawr-hawr) but then again it's probably better than Sounds of the Universe pt 2

it sounds like timbaland produced this

on my first real listen-through; love the first two tracks, which sit in some weird pocket between "I Feel You" and "Corrupt"

"Heaven" may make more sense in context but I'm not holding my breath; really wish they'd gone with "Angel" instead as the lead single

haha okay "Heaven" does make more sense in context, color me surprised

still a terrible pick for lead single

okay "Secret to the End" is fucking incredible

I am reasonably certain that Dave will never be able to sing "Should Be Higher" live

man this is way better than "heaven" had me expecting.

still think i will prefer the late night doom grooves of dave + soulsavers to this ...

DL does an interview:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/mar/28/depeche-mode-interview-delta-machine-dysfunctional

I am reasonably certain that Dave will never be able to sing "Should Be Higher" live

Judging by that Letterman performance there are a few songs he can't sing live.

I more or less always like Depeche Mode's work (save for "Songs Of Faith And Devotion" not as much), but this is still one of the better albums I have heard from them post "Violator".

Haven't heard the album yet, but I thought they sounded good on the Letterman recording. The gigs are going to be ... mellow in between the hits though (a lot like the "Exciter" tour). "Soothe My Soul" could be an exception to that though.

so far I am especially digging:

Welcome To My World
Angel
Secret to the End
Should Be Higher
Alone

This album is fine, but my god it feels feels long. I like the comfort of hearing Depeche Mode, but I wish it was a little less mood and more payoff. The Pitchfork review, I think, made some really good points about the group's particular sort of sleepwalking. If anything DM seems more potentially adventurous than even, yet oddly conservative in its execution. I wonder who would make a better producer than the current guy? I was going to say a return to Flood, but then I saw that he mixed this one.

I think I've played the bonus tracks twice? It's just a little too much of a good thing to sit through in one session.

I do like the idea of turning to another auteur collaborator like Bell or Simenon. Someone to liven things up a bit.

I wish it was a little less mood and more payoff

My favourites, "My Little Universe" and "Soft Touch/Raw Nerve", both feel cut short right before the payoff. I expect/want these payoffs to be executed in their live renditions on the tour!

so big shocker here but right now I am really, really loving this album

the only missteps IMO are "Heaven" and "Slow", everything else ranges from good-if-not-necessarily-immediately-compelling to holy-shit-must-play-on-repeat

current fave song is "Secret to the End"

Wise man. (Been slacking on actually getting this album but I will rectify that this weekend...)

waht

GO GET THE ALBUM, IN FACT GO GET IT NOW

I won't make you listen to Rhye but this is fuckin DM ffs

Dude I've HEARD the album plenty of times, the stream, remember!

Give me SOME credit.

STREAMS ARE NOTHING

SHOW YOUR FEALTY WITH YOUR WALLET

IT'S A LOT LIKE LIFE

HAVE I HIT A RAW NERVE? AW BROTHER GIVE ME A HELPING HAND

My first reaction was "Enough of the blues dirges already" but they're so strong that I just can't help myself. My least favorites are "My Little Universe" and "Soothe My Soul" but they're easy enough to skip.

I will showing fealty in these next couple of days given a certain thing called 'concert pre-sales'

I cordially invite you to eat me because I won't be able to see them on this tour

also I love the love affair with 6/8 and 3/4 on this album

I cordially invite you to eat me because I won't be able to see them on this tour

*I* can't help that. I told you to set up the Ponzi scheme among your hapless coworkers but no.

2nd fave is "Alone"

it's very weird to me that on more recent efforts I've started enjoying Gahan as a songwriter more than Gore

Fresher toolkit given late start? Not that he's been 100% but he seems to have come at this whole thing with some unexpected angles, also he seems to have a good sense on how to collaborate with the hired hands. (Who at this point have been with the band LONGER than Alan Wilder, believe it or not...)

you know what would be awesome, is an album done by Uber Depeche Mode with Wilder and Clarke back in the group for the one-off

"Thank you, thank you ladies and gentlemen. And now, eighteen versions of 'New Life.'"

The album sounds better than everything they've done since Ultra - which is comforting, because I was expecting a production job more along the lines of the preceding two. Song-wise? Highlights for me: 'Welcome To My World', 'Secret To The End' and 'Soft Touch/Raw Nerve' are standing out in particular. I don't think there's anything here as good as 'Home', 'It's No Good' or 'Precious', though. About 6/10 for me so far, may improve on subsequent listens, but right now I'm enjoying the new OMD album more (which is something I don't think I could have ever said during the '90s, and I'm a fan of both bands).

haven't heard the new OMD yet, but they were always a band where I enjoyed isolated songs way more than I ever enjoyed any of their albums

you know what would be awesome, is an album done by Uber Depeche Mode with Wilder and Clarke back in the group for the one-off

A few years ago for an April Fools press release they announced their new album would have Clarke and Wilder back with everyone (even Andy) writing songs except Martin. Needless to say I was let down when I noticed the date.

opening bands: Crystal Castles, Bar For Lashes

GOD DAMMIT WHY CAN'T I GO

Who has tickets and is a smugfuck? Hi there! Now Dan will kill me.

DEATH TO SMUGFUCK

ow

My first reaction was "Enough of the blues dirges already"

Well, it _is_ called "Delta Machine"

Yeah im still very ambivalent about the heavy blues bent of this record. I somehow miss the icy precision that was usually paired with it in the past

Well, it _is_ called "Delta Machine"

I just thought it was gonna have a lot of samples of table saws and planers, tbh.

I thought it was going to be about incremental changes

Burnt a CD for myself with the album in this configuration...

1. Welcome To My World
2. Angel
3. Heaven
4. Secret To The End
5. My Little Universe
6. Soft Touch/Raw Nerve
7. Should Be Higher
8. Broken
9. Soothe My Soul

Ah, that's better.

Don't know the album enough to see what you've changed but i'm surprised you took out Goodbye which is one of teh tracks that stood out on my first listen

Basically kept the first five songs the same and re-jigged the second half, cut down the length to about 40 minutes. I'm not a big fan of 'Goodbye' to be honest, but I love the way that 'Soothe My Soul' ends.

This album, like the last one, is the audio equivalent of tl;dr.