October 30, 2005
A Review of Playing the Angel
Just when you thought that synthpop was dead, Depeche Mode goes and proves you wrong. Their newest album, Playing the Angel is a venture back to the glory days of the band. Beating out the previous Exciter chart positions without sacrificing synthpop conventions to the mainstream, Depeche Mode proves that you don't have to sell out to sell.
This is also the first album to feature songs written by lead singer Dave Gahan. The songs are dark and more closely resemblant of the band's earlier albums. Each track is tense, intimate, and bittersweet--the kind of music for night highway driving, listening to on a rainy day, or for deep introspection. Highlights include: Precious, John the Revelator, A Pain that I'm Used To, and Suffer Well.
Rating: · · · · ½
Posted by EvanReynolds at October 30, 2005 9:22 PM
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myspace? just go to www.myspace.com and get crackin. there are a lot of SHU peeps on myspace as well, if you’re interested. here’s a link to my page on there…
http://www.myspace.com/21476653
about the DM album, it’s weird that analog is all the rage again. What was once considered “outdated” is now in high demand. However, you can have my Casio CZ-1 when you pry it from my cold dead hands!
Posted by: mike at November 10, 2005 10:10 PM
I was really surprised at “Playing the Angel.” I guess I enjoyed it more considering I was expecting the worst. The synths are more analog-sounding. Martin Gore isn’t gone (some of the songs are written by him).
Dave’s solo album wasn’t bad, but it did seem a whole lot more mainstreamed than even Exciter. I did hear lots of good things about the remixes, though.
Btw, I don’t have myspace. Do you have to be invited or something? I’m curious.
Posted by: Evan at November 10, 2005 12:02 AM
SYNTHPOP WAS NEVER DEAD! :-) It just went way underground, at least here. Europe would present a different picture, LOL. I need to pick up this album, I’ve read some decent reviews. However, I dunno about the “glory days,” the last thing they have done that seemed anywhere close to the Music For the Masses/101/Some Great Reward/etc. period was “It’s No Good” off of Ultra, at least for me. I dunno where DM lost their way though.. the rest of that album was bland, and Exciter didn’t “excite” me either.. it got shelved, LOL. I’m thinking DM messed up with “I Feel You,” off of Songs of Faith & Devotion. The video was great, that girl that was all over Gahan is still the hottest girl to ever be in a video, by anyone, but the end… when he starts posing with his new tats and “Rock Star” look, ugh.. Come on, Dave…
So wait.. why are all these songs Gahan written??? Martin Gore had better still be in the band!!!
Now.. the remix collection (I have the 3 CD set) that came out around last Christmas, is amazing. If you’re into DM, and need some stuff, I have tons of their stuff, 12”s and albums, plus some great early (81-84) live recordings. DM is one of my all-time top 10’s… I could talk about them for ever.
Hey are you on myspace? Let me know, I’ll add you.
Posted by: mike at November 9, 2005 11:38 PM