Depeche Mode -- Sounds of the Universe

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

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

May not be a problem, as long as they avoid the extreme clipping/compression of the MGMT album. It is probably the worst example of that that I've ever come across.

if it sounds anything like fucking mgmt i will not be buying it

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

A cop-out but Songs of Faith and Devotion Live, just for its irrelevancy -- and even *that* has version of "Walking In My Shoes" and "In Your Room" which are jawdroppingly spectacular.

Anyway, word is that initial pre-sales for New York, Hollywood, Phoenix, Denver, Houston and Ft. Lauderdale are tomorrow at 10am local time for each spot. San Diego presales are Tuesday, same time.

Ned, thanks for the answer.

Now then.

What is your least fav. Depeche Mode studio album? ;-)

I really do like them all.

Hmph. Way to answer the question...

I mean I love them all too, but I'd discard Ultra or Violator before any others, being forced to choose...

And by Violator I of course mean Exciter. Wow typos are fun.

Both those albums just shine for me. "Insight" is one of their best songs, period.

as is "sister of night"

Oh wow that video. Late-career Depeche Mode material seems so much more vital than late-career material by some other big bands (e.g., R.E.M. and U2).