Depeche Mode - Playing the Angel

AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been a fan of Depeche Mode since they first came on the scene, and the last album of their that I really, truely enjoyed was "Songs of Faith & Devotion". This album is boring, flat and just plain depressing. I'd give it zero stars if I could. July 12, 2008

The Best So Far

Never liked the poppy upbeat depeche mode as much as the intellectual, sometimes dark and gloomy depeche mode. Much more suiting to Gahan's brooding vocal style. May 7, 2008

too many poor songs

There is too much rubbish on here, and that makes it an extremely inconsistent album. Gone are the days of 'black celebration' and 'violator'. I realy dislike 'john the revelator'. Tuneless and horrid. 'Nothing's impossible' is a meandering, boring mess and the instrumental 'Introspective' is pretty pointless, although it does sound a bit like the eerie music from 'the ring'. 'Sinner in me' is merely ok, with a protracted, unecessary fade out. I am a fan of Gore's vocal tracks, but, while 'Micro' begins well, it soon falters and is still Gore's worst solo spot on any album, since 'pipeline'.
Some of the rest is very good indeed. 'Precious' is classic mode and has an instantly catchy and melodious hook. I like Gore's second vocal 'damaged people', good melody.
Too much distorted voices everywhere. 'Lilian' is nice, but don't like a lot of the effects on the voices.
May 5, 2008

deeche mode return

when depeche announced that a new album was coming forth, i for one was not sure what to make of it.

"Exciter" was not that at all and i was let down by it. there was nothing exciting about "exciter".


so when "playing the angel" was ready for release i was skeptical.

as soon as i heard the first two tracks ("a pain that i'm used to" and "john the revelator") i was relieved. this should have been the follow up to "SOFAD". here DM are the top of their game, finding the perfect balance of electronic and organic.

the band has matured and so has their sound, but matured in a good way as you listen to "Precious", it is as perfect as a song can get. you can hear DM give a nod to their earlier works while blazing a path forward.

when playing these albums chronologically: "Black Celebration", "Music for the Masses", Violator","Songs of Faith and Devotion" and "Playing the Angel", it all just flows nicely.

DM has shown that talent and creativity will always have a place, especially in a time where very bland artists rely heavily on producers to create their sound and image.

depeche mode have always and will continue to blaze their own path and influence generations of artists as great artists do. April 17, 2008

one of DM's best.

i have to rank this as high as violater and sofad. just an amazing album from start to finish.

fave songs include "nothing's impossible" "precious" "pain that i'm used to" April 4, 2008

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