Depeche mode songs of the universe album

I still canвЂ™t understand why it makes sense two-thirds of the way through the album, but it works. In what could have been an exercise in filler, вЂњSpacewalkerвЂќ is a nearly two-minute instrumental tune of atmospheric, sci-fi sounds. Here, GahanвЂ™s teasing growl is sexier than it is intimidating, which isnвЂ™t easy with a voice as low as his. ItвЂ™s reminiscent of Ultra, only it lacks the angst that was effectiveвЂ“althoughВ sometimes forcedвЂ“ on those tracks. Erratic frequency blips splattered over stuttering electronic drums give the track a DIY feel that might work for Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, but here it pales in comparison to other tracks.Д¬ontrast it to вЂњMiles Away / The Truth IsвЂќ, another slow groove ripe for dancefloor remixes. Although вЂњCome BackвЂќ isnвЂ™t a poorly written song, it feels empty without more layers. Sounds of the Universe falters when the rhythm drops too much out of the mixВ and the lyrics are forced to carry the tune. ItвЂ™s sweetness wrapped in melancholy, a sound that the band last successfully achieved on 2001вЂ™s вЂњDream OnвЂќ. вЂњFragile TensionвЂќ mixes screeching guitarВ at a lazy tempo to produce a track that ranks among the bandвЂ™s best. When the method works, itвЂ™s almost startlingly good. With no remorse, he chants, вЂњI took the wrong road that led to the wrong tendencies / I was in the wrong place at the wrong time / for the wrong reason and the wrong rhyme.вЂќ Set against music reminiscent of a carnival from Hell, вЂњWrongвЂќ signals an album by a band that brings its style into 2009, rather than bringing 2009 into its style. The albumвЂ™s defiant first single, вЂњWrongвЂќ,В has Gahan recounting every ill-fated step of his life. On its most recent release, Sounds of the Universe, the band has abandoned its most radio-friendly ways and succumbed to that macabre tone that made listeners feel they were finally understood twenty years ago. Everyone knowsВ themВ and they play to sell-out crowds, but the music has changed, it isnвЂ™t the regular Top 40 fare it once was. Since then theyвЂ™ve worked with new producers: lead singer Dave Gahan ventured into more songwriting, songwriter Martin Gore hasВ given up some of those responsibilities, and theyвЂ™ve become something of a mainstream cult band. With 1997вЂ™s Ultra, the band dove headfirst into grim waters that resisted their earlier pop leanings and gave in to the moody sounds of the eraвЂ™s mainstream rock. And under every anthemic chorus lies a dark, if not sinister, edge. However, the majority of the bandвЂ™s catalog (most notably its string of late-80s and early-90s signature releases) lives in a limbo between shoegazer and pop, though obviously closer to the latter.

Nearly 30 years later you canвЂ™t help butВ pogo to it anytime it comes on. The bandвЂ™s breakthrough single, 1981вЂ™s вЂњJust CanвЂ™t Get EnoughвЂќ, contains one of the most memorable (and arguably annoying) synth melodies ever. Depeche Mode has always had a peculiar place among the annals of music.

Depeche mode songs of the universe album