Eh, I wouldn't go that far. 6 songs in and it's a good deal more energetic than that "everything is mid-tempo" listenthrough description would lead you to believe. The lyrics are thematically monochromatic with varying levels of success ("Going Backwards" and "Cover Me" are very good at delivering their message; "Where's the Revelution" and "Scum" are... not as good).
If you hate nu-Dave singing, nothing I've heard so far will change your mind.
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Friday, 17 March 2017 17:08 (seven years ago) link
Slap a "thematically monochromatic" sticker on the cover, because that about sums it up. Can't imagine coming back to this album, sounds like the band could really use a fresh approach, assuming they have it in them.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 17 March 2017 17:31 (seven years ago) link
On the other hand, the subject matter they're tackling in the times we are currently experiencing is worth the attempt. Not sure it's 100% successful but I think it's overstating things to call this album an unbearable slog if you listen to it in order.
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Friday, 17 March 2017 17:36 (seven years ago) link
It definitely wasn't unbearable, no.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 17 March 2017 17:39 (seven years ago) link
Are there any surprises in the production department?
― Coolio Iglesias (Turrican), Friday, 17 March 2017 17:46 (seven years ago) link
It sounds a lot more like Playing the Angel than "Where's the Revolution?" would lead you to believe.
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Friday, 17 March 2017 18:04 (seven years ago) link
You Move is disorienting as hell, btw; whose idea was it to drop a 16th note from third measure of every group of four in the verse?
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Friday, 17 March 2017 19:01 (seven years ago) link
btw: https://twitter.com/i/live/839261822683226112
currently Martin is singing "Little Soul"
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Friday, 17 March 2017 19:39 (seven years ago) link
and now "Where's the Revolution?"
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Friday, 17 March 2017 19:41 (seven years ago) link
it seems he's toned down the use of vocal fry to initiate his vocal lines in live performance, anyway; it's still there but not on every single line like it was circa SOTU
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Friday, 17 March 2017 19:42 (seven years ago) link
Had to miss that performance, work meetings etc. But I'm sure it'll be around.
Agreed. Thus my comments which others apparently took the wrong way! And yeah, definitely worth the attempt. It's classic 'broad stroke' social commentary from Depeche, but the thing is, it can work or at least flow at its best. Sonically it ain't Black Celebration but lyrically definitely the closest they've been in a while.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 17 March 2017 20:24 (seven years ago) link
I liked a lot of Sounds of the Universe but found Delta Machine a snooze and so far this one is no better. Major props to Gahan for his Spencer statement, though.
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Friday, 17 March 2017 20:38 (seven years ago) link
I am very much in favor of "Fail"
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Friday, 17 March 2017 21:13 (seven years ago) link
Was disappointed with this initially but gets better in the second half I think. Some lyrics are making me cringe, but that's always been the case with this band.
― silverfish, Friday, 17 March 2017 21:34 (seven years ago) link
I very much like this album, more than the last three (although i really like parts of Delta Machine). It's succinct, for one thing; like a normal album length. It's more of a mood album. I'm very pleased.
― akm, Friday, 17 March 2017 22:41 (seven years ago) link
where's the revolution?
― reggie (qualmsley), Monday, 20 March 2017 17:51 (seven years ago) link
I am beginning to warm to "Scum"
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Monday, 20 March 2017 18:37 (seven years ago) link
lol @ this RYM review "both the opener and closer describe this album perfectly"
― frogbs, Monday, 20 March 2017 18:41 (seven years ago) link
Scum starts awful but turns into something great
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Monday, 20 March 2017 19:27 (seven years ago) link
now I'm imagining a Depeche Mode/LCD Soundsystem mashup
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Monday, 20 March 2017 19:28 (seven years ago) link
(North American) Scum
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Monday, 20 March 2017 20:38 (seven years ago) link
I still haven't heard this yet (I know, I know!) but I have been working my way up to it by listening to all the albums from Ultra onwards and... y'know, I think both Sounds of the Universe and Delta Machine have some good stuff on 'em, just that both albums are too long. Exciter still mostly bores the tits off me, though.
― Coolio Iglesias (Turrican), Monday, 20 March 2017 22:59 (seven years ago) link
Listened to this all the way through tonight, while proofreading. I remember how exactly none of the songs went. They really seem to have lost any ability they had to write memorable melodies and choruses. These songs were all about a particular kind of soporific, morose mood, and I feel like all the other post-Violator albums I've heard have been like that, too. I mean, I'm not a fan - I like Masses a lot, Violator slightly less, and don't really care about anything else, but I feel like if the songs were better on the other albums I could care. But they're not, so I don't.
― Don Van Gorp, midwest regional VP, marketing (誤訳侮辱), Tuesday, 21 March 2017 01:19 (seven years ago) link
To contrast this (understandable enough) take: I'm on my third listen or so and as I figured, it's both sinking in further and feeling a little more individual and distinct song for song the more I listen. If the exchange has been less immediate out of the gate singalongs in favor of something that seeps into the memory, then weirdly enough I'm not minding at all.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 21 March 2017 04:04 (seven years ago) link
So, I'm halfway through my first listen to this and I'm enjoying this way, way more on the first listen than the previous two. Yes, it's a slow-paced record in places, but I'm enjoying how this record sounds.
― Coolio Iglesias (Turrican), Tuesday, 21 March 2017 23:05 (seven years ago) link
You Move is disorienting as hell, btw; whose idea was it to drop a 16th note from third measure of every group of four in the verse?― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Friday, March 17, 2017 7:01 PM (four days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Friday, March 17, 2017 7:01 PM (four days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Ha, yes! That one's a Gore/Gahan co-write, I think. I love the feeling of that one!
― Coolio Iglesias (Turrican), Tuesday, 21 March 2017 23:09 (seven years ago) link
Basically, I think this album sounds great and both Martin and Dave are performing well, but I think the big difference for me is that lyrically it moves away from themes that were starting to feel like a bit of a crutch by this point and instead explores themes which are far less trodden in DM's discography. It's great to be able to listen to a DM record without thinking "I've heard this before"
Songwriting wise, I've suspected all along that this album is going to be moody and not full of pop bangers, so I'm not disappointed that it's not 12 re-writes of 'Enjoy The Silence', but I am delighted that it's not the consistently mid-paced slog that some reviews/previews painted it as, and there are some uptempo moments. I suspect this record will grow on me further.
― Coolio Iglesias (Turrican), Tuesday, 21 March 2017 23:28 (seven years ago) link
Third listen now, and ready to call this their best LP since Playing the Angel...
― Coolio Iglesias (Turrican), Wednesday, 22 March 2017 14:43 (seven years ago) link
I still like Sounds of the Universe a lot but it's very uneven in comparison; The beginning rules, the end rules, the middle is enjoyable enough if I make myself listen to it but I almost never want to.
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Wednesday, 22 March 2017 14:48 (seven years ago) link
Some interesting technical detail buried in this story (perhaps already linked)
http://consequenceofsound.net/2017/03/depeche-modes-martin-gore-and-andy-fletcher-explain-how-to-save-the-world/
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 22 March 2017 17:14 (seven years ago) link
so, there is a special edition with a disc of 'jungle spirit' remixes - '
i am assuming these aren't jungle remixes ?
are they worthy of the extra ££ for the album ?
― mark e, Thursday, 23 March 2017 13:07 (seven years ago) link
eh
― Rachel Luther Queen (DJP), Thursday, 23 March 2017 13:30 (seven years ago) link
They aren't bad but I wouldn't call any of them essential.
ahh.checked the credits via discogs expecting some current remixer names involved with them, but they are all done by the band and someone under the alias matrixxman.
― mark e, Thursday, 23 March 2017 13:34 (seven years ago) link
just in case some folks aren't aware.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p04wv8vb/the-6-music-festival-depeche-mode
― mark e, Monday, 27 March 2017 10:09 (seven years ago) link
a couple of songs are available globally here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e368gw/acts/ajbxp6#p04wv8vb
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 27 March 2017 11:59 (seven years ago) link
matrixxman (us techno producer / dj) was the programmer on the album.
i must have seen 100 gigs at glasgow barrowlands over the years. the atmosphere there is always famously electric but last night at depeche mode was probably in the top 3 ever. great, great crowd!
― stirmonster, Monday, 27 March 2017 12:37 (seven years ago) link
Yeah I was duly jealous of friends who attended. And now that includes you!
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 27 March 2017 13:37 (seven years ago) link
Nice new interview with Gore here
http://thequietus.com/articles/22177-martin-gore-depeche-mode-interview-2
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 10 April 2017 17:45 (seven years ago) link
And I'm rather envious of the people attending these European shows given the opener:
http://matablog.matadorrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Algiers_DMTour_IG-537x537.jpg
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 12 April 2017 19:13 (seven years ago) link
Not really getting the love here for these guys but I totally see why Dave would pick them as openers
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Wednesday, 12 April 2017 19:48 (seven years ago) link
Listening to this again after a bit of a break from it and was half-expecting to listen to a couple of tracks and then switch off from it - but no, Spirit has turned out to be a record that I didn't think they had in 'em at this stage of their career: an album that is engaging from start to finish. The relatively trimmed-down length, the change in producer and the change of lyrical approach has worked wonders. It helps that this album feels as though it's about something, and not just an excuse to wheel out the angel/devil/knees/sin/chains etc. cliches again.
― The Anti-Climax Blues Band (Turrican), Wednesday, 26 April 2017 18:48 (seven years ago) link
And for all my early reservations about the production circa the release of 'Where's The Revolution', headphone listens to Spirit have revealed a production which is far more deeper and layered than it first appears, and a much richer sonic experience than the three Ben Hillier albums.
― The Anti-Climax Blues Band (Turrican), Wednesday, 26 April 2017 18:49 (seven years ago) link
Extensive new interview with Fletch, worth a read
http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/in-mind-body-and-spirit-depeche-mode-fletch-interviewed
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 26 May 2017 18:39 (six years ago) link
Listening to this again after not hearing it for a couple of months and it's still holding up, definitely theiy best album since Playing the Angel, maybe even Ultra ... it's easy to see this one becoming a cult favourite.
― The Anti-Climax Blues Band (Turrican), Thursday, 13 July 2017 15:09 (six years ago) link
it's definitely a subtle album that requires a few listens.my first impressions was that it was a bit too low key, but after a few listens i now really like that aspect.oh, and as expected, i love the extra disc remixes.
― mark e, Thursday, 13 July 2017 18:58 (six years ago) link
hope he is OK:
http://micetimes.asia/front-man-depeche-mode-was-hospitalized-on-the-eve-of-concert-in-kiev/
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 18 July 2017 02:50 (six years ago) link
i was going to try and see this upcoming show, but i really couldn't be bothered. don't like the new stuff.
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 18 July 2017 02:51 (six years ago) link
Holy shit! Yeah, hope he's ok...
― The Anti-Climax Blues Band (Turrican), Tuesday, 18 July 2017 03:00 (six years ago) link
he is OK (food poisoning):
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-40643423
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 18 July 2017 23:32 (six years ago) link