Depeche Mode does not disappoint once again

The cult band Depeche Mode has surprised its fans more than once. The lyrics of Martin Gore and Dave Gahan’s music have become the component of a great number of hits’ success each of which has gone ahead of its time and hence is popular regardless the generations. Its electronic synthesizer music is always topical serving a good example for a great many of beginning bands and performers. There for the fact that this year Depeche Mode returns with its twelfth studio creation Sounds Of The Universe can well be called the event of the year. Considering that it was preceded by the 2008’s compilation The Best Of Depeche Mode, Vol. 1, that has become a kind of then almost 25 year long history’s summary one could have foreseen that the new album would prove to be the beginning of its second chapter. Millions of fans all over the worl have been anticipating this creation that follows the 2007’s record Playing The Angel and from the very first sounds of Sounds Of The Universe it becomes clear that Depeche Mode does not disappoint once again.

Sounds Of The Universe could be well called the returning to the 1980s

The album Sounds Of The Universe pleases, hypnotizes and surprises at the same time. It could be well called the returning to the 1980s if it were not for the perfectly clear sound ennobling each of these 13 splendid tracks without exception. The album opens with an amazing composition In Chains with a memorable tune and lyrics by no means less impressive than those of Depeche Mode’s strongest songs. The track Hole To Feed is built upon a contagious impetuous percussion and conquers with wonderfully positive lyrics making it one of the most optimistic numbers in Depeche Mode’s collection. The single Wrong definitely occupies the central position on the album. The theme of a torturing introspection has never sounded that painful and sharp as here and the many layered vocals create an effect of chorals making the worrisome atmosphere even more oppressing. A fragile, vulnerable as a helpless small animal song Little Soul is a great example of the bright imagery Dave can create while the composition Peace proves to be quite life-affirming. It tells how to leave all the unpleasant thoughts and reminiscences behind, live today and pay no attention to bad things. The album’s another interesting moment is the instrumental number Spacewalker, painting the volume space images with the help of electronic effects whereas on Perfect we hear an even more sincere Dave calling us to see the perfection in everything as a delicate psychologist. A real surprise for the fans is the slow track Jezebel with an astonishing vocal part performed by Martin Gore giving it a slight mystic flavor. The album closes with the composition Corrupt devoted to the revenge theme and refined with a most beautiful and rather an inimitable melody.

The deeply philosophic compositions with a bit of a dark mood

If there is a band in the world that has contributed greatly to the electro pop culture and is still not estimated as it deserves, that band is Depeche Mode. The music of these talented guys who are so creative that have not always handled the life’s intensive tempo finding salvation in drugs drives millions of people crazy and the best hits have become the genre’s classic forever. Although it is not long that the band turns thirty these guys still have something to tell the world about and each time they manage to find new ways of expressing themselves. Yet this year Depeche Mode has outdone itself. The new songs on Sounds Of The Universe rock the imagination although on the whole Gahan’s lyrics are still oriented at cleaning from the old emotions as it has been throughout the several past releases. Guitars, drums and of course the synthesizers – everything on this record is simply flawless as well as the interesting arrangements giving a bit of the dark mood to the deeply philosophic compositions. Sounds Of The Universe has definitely come maximum close to Violator and only for that Depeche Mode can be proud of itself but it never is because of the natural modesty.

Alexandra Zachernovskaya
20.04.2009