Depeche Mode -- Sounds of the Universe

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).

Yeah, isn't it? It's definitely personal bias in my case but even so.

Goddamnit Ned, I'll never get you to pick a least favorite DM album... huh?

Nope!

I don't dislike any Depeche studio album, but for me, SOFAD is clearly a bit below the rest in quality. Dunno if it is mainly because of the extensive guitar and "hard" industrial synth sounds or because of the unually obvious blues/gospel feel of the songs.

I'm in for the first Hollywood show.

Apparently the opening act for America is Peter Bjorn and John -- well then.

not that i'm going but yeugh

Apparently the opening act for America is Peter Bjorn and John -- well then.

Woo boy, Ned's gonna be there bright and early in his TWEE HAT!

^ I cannot fucking wait for this album.

track by track review online @ quietus already !

http://thequietus.com/articles/01306-depeche-mode-sounds-of-the-universe-the-first-review-of-new-album

The iTunes pass just served up "The Sun and the Moon and the Stars (Electronic Periodic's Microdrum Mix)" -- Martin vocal, one of his most fragile at the start, the whole song keeps drawing you in. Be interesting to hear the 'real' version but this is pretty excellent as it is.

Even though there's still like 5 albums of theirs i need (including Violator!) i still really really can't wait to have this.

What in the name of holy fucking hell is this absurd article in the Guardian all about?

Fucking sub-Smash-Hits drivel that the band come out of surprisingly well.

that was pretty funny. did you really want another article about dave's heroin addiction and how martin is obviously a very troubled man? the cool thing about dm is that beneath the dark, sleazy exterior, they are still awkward and geeky and down to earth, despite all the drama.

this made me lol out loud:

Fletch "You can't drink perfume!"

Martin "Well you can, but they take it away from you if you go
to rehab."

did you really want another article about dave's heroin addiction and how martin is obviously a very troubled man?

Christ, no. But that whole "Tweeing and rollerskating" setup, rather than being cute and funny, just makes me wince. The band come across as funny and likeable, but the whole premise of the interview is just inane.

Okay this part rules:

Martin "My daughter likes things like My Chemical Romance, so I thought she might like the Stooges, too. I got laughed at."

Do you despair at the crumbling of society?

Martin "Yes."

As does this:

Actually being in Depeche Mode and performing for the first song of a medley of Depeche Mode hits as you pick up your lifetime achievement Brit award

Fletch "I'm going to pick Wrong for this because... it's the single. Also it would be quite humorous."

Why would it be funny to win that award?

Fletch "I'm not saying that. I'm saying it would be quite funny to win an award and then say it was wrong. (Silence in room) Let's have some enthusiasm for these answers! If you don't think my answer is stunningly amazing then I'm sorry."

Dave "It's never going to happen though, is it? We've been sadly overlooked! For many years!"

Have you ever been offered it?

Dave "What, the 'Old Bastard' award? The 'They've Been Around Long Enough And We've Got To Give Them Something' award? 'They Did A Lot Of Stuff, Some Of Which I Quite Liked'? I don't think we've ever been offered it; I haven't heard. Isn't the Brits fixed? We got the 'Old Bastard' award from MTV and only Fletch turned up."

<3

Also, having listened to the new Peter Bjorn and John on a sprightly walk this morning, they're not such a strange touring pair - the singles are a total smokescreen, the rest is total '80s melodrama with sweet percussion.

I've heard good things about that (the new PB&J) but haven't got it yet. This -- total '80s melodrama with sweet percussion -- sounds right up Grimly Street.

Holy fuck. I've just bought tickets for Depeche Mode at the SECC in December.

This hasn't quite sunk in yet.

It will.

:D

cant tell whether i dig this or not

first half is stronger i think

great review dude, you should write for pitchfork

the other night I dreamt I was watching tv and there was a commercial for depeche mode lego sets