Depeche Mode -- Sounds of the Universe

Are any site mods likely to be reading the DM 2009 thread?

Clearly someone is.

Anyway, fuck knows what this is all supposed to mean but, um, yay?:

EMI Music today announced the debut of the first iTunes Pass with groundbreaking electro legends Depeche Mode. With iTunes Pass, music fans can get new and exclusive singles, remixes, video and other content from their favorite artists over a set period of time, delivered to their libraries as soon as they're available.

The first iTunes Pass debuts today in conjunction with Depeche Mode’s forthcoming 12th studio album, “Sounds of the Universe,” to be released on April 21 in the US. Fans who sign up starting today get the alternative/dance pioneers’ new single, “Wrong,” as well as the Black Light Odyssey Dub Remix of the new track “Oh Well.” They will also receive the new album on its street date plus great music and video exclusives before and after the album’s release over the next fifteen weeks. The Depeche Mode iTunes Pass can be purchased starting today for $18.99.

“As we work to better understand music consumers and help create stronger connections between fans and artists, we are pleased to work with Apple and Depeche Mode to kick off iTunes Pass," said Ronn Werre, president, Music Services for EMI Music. "We think it's a great new platform that will change the way artists engage with their audiences and also a powerful new way for us to build value for our artists’ music. And with iTunes Pass, Depeche Mode are once again demonstrating that they are true trailblazers and innovators when it comes to creating amazing music and connecting with their fans."

“iTunes Pass is a great way for artists to give exclusive music and video, on their own schedule, directly to their fans.” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services. “iTunes customers are going to love getting additional content directly from their favorite artists right when they make it available.”

It looks like it means "pay $19 and get all of the music/video associated with this album, including singles/remixes/B-sides".

If it definitely meant *all* of it, great, but "great music and video exclusives before and after the album’s release over the next fifteen weeks" is a touch vague.

Well, they can't let it go on forever, otherwise you're spending $19 to buy all of Depeche Mode's material; no one on the supply side is going to go for that!

4 months of DM shit for $19 is pretty sweet IMO, although I'd consider waiting to see what actually came out for it before buying it.

Yeah, same here. I presume the website will have something more concrete soon.

my wife is a DP freak. i kinda wanted to order her the deluxe box, but she cares more about the central album than the extras, so i pre-ordered the basic version.

"DM" not "DP."

Doom Patrol on the brain again, I guess.

"DP freak" could be misunderstood...

the cover is like shockingly bad imo

it seems like old-ass bands always come with the shitty designs and this vexes me in a way.

hhaha otm - wtf is that cover?

Official video for 'Wrong'

sorry this is somewhat offtopic, but do you guys think the touring the angel cd-dvd-extras live in milan release is search or destroy?

Search. I would have preferred Corbijn filming it, that said it's a stellar performance from a fantastic tour.

holy shit, that video

Pretty much!

thanks ned. i think it would be cool if they did an abridged box for this new release. i quite like the album + documentary thing.

Why the fuck dont they ever tour australia on their "world tours", ^$%#$% they havent toured here since Violator :(

that video is uh, wrong

Is the Playing the Angel audio any good on anything other than the vinyl version?

The 5:1 version sounds quite nice. Of course it is another mix, so you cannot quite compare, really.

"Wrong" sounds OK. Cool synth sounds. Not too keen on the "rawness", but I have become used to DM often releasing a "raw" initial single off their albums now.

Yeah because "Precious" and "Dream On" were all about raw unbridled intensity.

There are exceptions, sure.

In the case of "Dream On", it was very representative of the entire album. Yes, I am aware it did have "The Dead Of Night" in there, but generally it was the most musically relaxed and almost "ambient" Depeche album ever.

The new single "Wrong" doesn't appeal to me in the least -- why you guys are saying this holds a candle to anything on Black Celebration or Music for the Masses I've no idea. Also the video is pretty flat out fucked up, but at least interesting to experience once... unlike the song playing over it.

I'm still very much looking forward to the album, mind.

Yeah thats one weird clip.

My editor at the paper on Twitter, an hour ago:

"Having to print off, sign and post an agreement not to 'share' the latest Depeche Mode album before it's sent for review purposes. Oh EMI... "

(I might get him to hum it to me down the phone.)

why you guys are saying this holds a candle to anything on Black Celebration or Music for the Masses I've no idea.

Because it's great?

:-D

Yeh: what Ned said, basically.

I have often disliked the first single off their albums. I don't this time and, well, I guess I haven't since "Barrel Of a Gun" (which I later learned to love), but I still consider "I Feel You", "Never Let Me Down Again" and even "Personal Jesus" among the weaker tracks on their respective albums.

"Never Let Me Down Again" would never appeal to you because the entire point of the song is the construction of the chord progression around the pedal point in the vocal line, an idea that basically is the Antichrist in your world of musical expression.

Haha apart from 'Personal Jesus' these are all my fave DM songs pretty much. I LOVED 'Dream On', which seems a bit overlooked around here

"Dream On" is fantastic! Love that song so much.

Agreed, a much better choice of first single.

"Dream On" is great, in both versions (thinking of the variation they did during that tour, along with the more straightforward one).

Liked "Dream On" too. Even though "Freelove" is my favourite single off that album.

"Exciter" is probably the most underrated Depeche album btw (well, besides my all-time favourite "Construction Time Again"). Surely, not as good as "Playing The Angel", but people seem to agree that it is more or less their weakest and it surely isn't.

I'd have to agree with the people w/r/t 'Exciter'. I never gave it much of a chance but found it incredibly dull (apart from aforementionned lead single)

The exciting Luxembourg contest!

I rather like Exciter, mself.

Dave Gahan interviewed on BBC 6 by Lamacq right now, saying he and Martin really liked/were inspired by MGMT last year. Go figure.

anyone heard this new single by a dude called fryars with big dave gahan on backing vocals? it's awful! it also has a stephen hague remix. awful.

I have always enjoyed this group and their music. I think the worst album they released was Faith and Devotion but what they have done since then is very good INDEED! So this is a new album they have coming out, then?

Yes.

i picked up the live in milan dvd the other day and it is indeed ace. the camera work really doesn't bother me that much. the version of "walking in my shoes" on it is massive!!

Ned, what is your least fav. Depeche Mode album?

if you say anything before Violator you're doing it wrong btw

lol everyone knows my challopy least fave, I think