Depeche Mode -- Sounds of the Universe

that last point basically screams that I should be in Depeche Mode

Well get on it!

thanks for the info about the box set dvd, ned. the dvd bits are my favorite parts of the reissues and they are the main thing that give the DM release version onslaught credence IMO.

Oh one other thing -- they talk about "Oh Well" which I had missed (or forgotten) was the first full-on collaboration between Dave and Martin -- the latter had created an instrumental in Santa Barbara in studio, Dave liked it and came up with words and a melody for it and suggested it to Martin in New York and Martin, initially hesitant, got on board with the idea over time. It's one of the best songs from the sessions and while I don't think it's the way to the future I do think it's a good sign that they've figured out their songwriting dynamic to that point.

(Also I remember a mention that Tony Hoffer was chosen to mix because of his work on Dave's Hourglass album, which was the best album from 2007 that only Dan and I knew about. Dammit.)

er...STORIES OF OLD?? on the new dvd? wow fr real?? god that's made me very nostalgic.

It's a pretty sharp performance! Rocked up in that guitar is the lead instrument with a quiet electronic backing, but it's a fairly restrained turn in general.

Dave's Hourglass album, which was the best album from 2007 that only Dan and I knew about. Dammit.

Hey now... I enjoyed it also.

:'(

genuinely *mental* fan from the 101 era, i sort of fell out of love these last years. their last tour was the only one i didn't see them on since 1990. but having heard the album now i feel it safe to say that COME BACK is their best song since HIGHER LOVE in 1993. amazing stuff! it's the sort of song that no one else does this well, but also in fact the sort of song no one else does at all. makes my personal highlight from ...ANGEL (SUFFER WELL) seem very weedy indeed by comparison. are there some actual 85/86/87 era industrial samples on it? there's a distinct pipe-banging vibe that's been missing since at least ...MASSES era.

BRITS lifetime achievement award in 2011 i'd wager (not 2010, after Pet Shop Boys this year they wouldn't give it to another electro pop band that'd just be daft!)

god bless these guys man.

Does anyone know if Mute will be doing anything as prosaic as releasing 12" vinyl with the Efdemin, Minilogue & Fehlmann mixes?

There is a Wrong 12" with the Thin White Duke, Caspa, and Trentemoller remixes: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=468136

So maybe there's hope.

For...?

(Having heard all the mixes, the TWD is the one to go for.)

a 12" with the Efdemin, Minilogue & Fehlmann mixes, I assume...?

My wife thinks this one is too "creepy" and vastly prefers Playing The Angel. I think maybe she hasn't really paid much attention to PtA...?

Ah right, I hadn't seen Phil's post on Saturday. I liked the idea of "'Wrong' remixes are on vinyl = our long national nightmare might be over!"

"John the Revelator" = a song about Cadbury Easter eggs

"The Sinner in Me" = dealing with the vague sense of guilt when reading magazines at the bookstore instead of buying them.

haha bastard, I was trying to come up with one for that one

Hahahaha.

"Damaged People" = 'I wonder who threw out all these old department store mannequins?'

"A Pain That I'm Used To" = 'We're getting bad weather, I feel it in my bones.'

Haha wow - SoU seems to me like the most upbeat album DM ever released

Wait, hold on, in comparison to Speak and Spell? (Then again that does have its share of creepy songs...)

I'd argue that Some Great Reward comes across as more upbeat.

second listen, this is fantastic. "fragile tension" is an obvious highlight, but it seems like there's a lot of growers on this album.

i wasn't too sure about the chorus in "peace" at first, but the stunning pre-chorus more than makes up for it (GREAT lyrics, and something kinda freddie mercury-esque about the phrasing that i fully endorse)

production is AMAZING probably their best since ultra. love how the use of very minimal analog drums let the arrangements really expand, and some really cool atmospherics, though i do wish they'd turn down the bit crusher a little

some incredible vocal performances from both gahan and gore as well, dave sounds positively soulful on "in chins"

"perfect" another highlight, the chorus is very beatles-y. someone needs to remix this and just extend the intro for a few minutes

Yeah, I have to say that Dave's vocal performance on "In Chains" is probably the greatest thing I've ever heard him do.

whoever chose to close the album with "corrupt" is a genius

I can think of fewer things that would make me happier than a YYYs/DM tour.

Yeah, I have to say that Dave's vocal performance on "In Chains" is probably the greatest thing I've ever heard him do.

His own point of reference he's mentioned for that performance is early seventies Marvin Gaye -- no bad thing.

the first minute of "In Chains" is pretty dope, not a fan of the vocal part

i like how the chords from "in chains" reference "leave in silence"

Haha can't wait to make myself a "WRONG!" ringtone!
http://www.depechemode.com/news.html?pageNum=1&i=70#news_72

Hey Mr. Sherburne, check this:

Depeche Mode
Wrong (DJ Remix EP) (12")
12BONG40DJ

Wrong (Frankie Knuckles Remix)
In Chains (Minilouge's Earth Remix)
Corrupt (Efdemin Remix)

http://www.downtown304.com/index.cfm?sID=54997

Really like the sound of the Frankie Knuckles Remix.

The more I listen to this album, the more I love it.

All the details emerge each time. Every time another song makes the leap from 'okay enough' to 'holy shit, stellar.'

Haha I know! "Hole To Feed" is currently kicking me in the teeth. The first time I heard it, I thought it was really fluffy and inconsequential, but now it's close to my favorite song on the album (competing with "In Chains" and "Corrupt").

Still not convinced that "Peace" should have been the next single; I might have chosen "Come Back" or "Fragile Tension".

"Peace" is a bit of a weird choice, yeah -- seems more like a third single, not a second. But I'll be interested in what the remixes do for it.

the best new record of a senior band since the last dino jr.

nice one, matt, thanks for the tip. efdemin's mix sounds good...

"Peace" is a bit of a weird choice, yeah -- seems more like a third single, not a second.

I agree with this, but then again, "Peace" is my favourite song on the album right now, so I'm not complaining.

Anyway, I really came here to post this:

THE TOUR. IT BEGINS. TONIGHT.

I will be there. Will report later!

Hahah you madman -- I approve. Looking forward to hearing about it.

OK, I wasn't sure whether to post this stuff on this thread, or to start a new one (in case people don't want to read spoilers). So, uh, SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT.

Set list: (notes to follow)

In Chains
Wrong
Hole to Feed
Walking in My Shoes
It's No Good
Question of Time
Precious
Fly on the Windscreen
Jezebel
A Question of Lust
Come Back
Peace
In Your Room
I Feel You
In Sympathy
Enjoy the Silence
Never Let Me Down Again
-------
Encore 1

Stripped
Master and Servant
Strangelove
-------
Encore 2

Personal Jesus
Waiting for the Night

this makes me want to buy tickets. thanks for posting.

Oh fuck, I hope they're still playing that set in December. Waiting For The Night! <3 <3 <3 etc

the show in Israel was disappointing for most people:
1. they expected "greatest hits" setlist
2. the sound was terrible

some random notes:

-- A really simple stage setup, just the band and video screens behind them, with a spinning orb/globe appearing as a recurring visual.

-- This is the most "rock" I've ever heard them sound, the guitars were LOUD.

-- "In Chains" is the obvious set opener (at least for me), Dave's voice sounded a bit off, but y'know, opening night and all that.

-- speaking of which, this was easily the sloppiest show I've ever heard them do. There were flubbed lyrics, vocal cues were missed, and during "Peace" Christian lost the beat completely and the song nearly turned into a trainwreck as a result. Not sure whose fault that was, but it was a really obvious mistake, although they recovered reasonably well. Chalk it up to opening night lack-of-polish.

-- The new songs sound AMAZING live, they really kick a lot harder than on the record. In particular, seeing "In Sympathy" live has completely changed my opinion of that song.

-- "Fly on the Windscreen"! And check out the songs in the first encore!

-- During "Peace", the video screens showed footage of nuclear explosions, fighter jets, and peace marches, while Dave Gahan sang "peeeeace wiiiiilll cooooommme tooooo meeee YEAAAAAAAHHHH THAT'S RIIIIIGHTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" It was a bit of weird combination.

-- "Waiting For The Night" was sung by Dave and Martin together, standing at the front of the runway, with a stripped-down accompaniment. Pretty much the same idea as "Goodnight Lovers" from the last tour. Really beautiful and a perfect ending.

-- Bit of a strange crowd, who were very energetic in fits and spurts, but there were a lot of dead moments and nearly no reaction to any of the new songs other than "Wrong". Not at all what I was expecting.

-- YYY's were great too, but this is a DM thread.

the show in Israel was disappointing for most people:
1. they expected "greatest hits" setlist
2. the sound was terrible

I disagree.

1. They played plenty of hits. If people aren't excited to hear "Strangelove" and "Master and Servant" in the setlist for the first time in 20 years, then screw them.
2. Sound was better than I expected, not bad at all for a stadium show.

it's from reading the posts by people whove been in the show in the local israeli news sites.

in Israel, you don't get lots of live shows from abroad, so, yeah, they expected hits, and they don't know the setlist - for most of them it was their first show ever.

Actually, the real problem, which I've only come to understand after having calmed down post-gig, isn't that they didn't play enough hits (or too many new songs), it's that many Israelis don't know all that many of Depeche Mode's hits. Fans in almost any other city would be losing their shit listening to DM play "Master and Servant" in 2009, but most people in T.A. simply don't seem to know that song very well.