Yeah, I know this album comes out officially on the 21st, but it's already circulating the net. Anyway, thoughts? Any hardcore DM fans (like myself) really liking the album?

It's not a Violator, or even Playing The Angel, but for what it is, it's good.

shipoffools said:

I think its great, i wasnt crazy about "angel" by any means, they really needed a strong album like this.

shipoffools said:

It's not either of those which I really like.
The only standout song for me is Jezebel.
The rest is Depeche Mode wallpaper. That's on one listen. Some act named Prince dropped a couple of discs I've been listening to.
I've been playing 'Miles Away' and enjoying it. Plan to listen to it again today . . .
[Edited 4/5/09 9:54am]

dl'd it, but keep forgetting to listen to it. i should probably let this Prince moment pass before trying.

i want to listen to it. but for some reason i don't care enough yet.


but glad it's there for me to hear

This album is alright. For the most part it's dynamic and interesting, but I'm just not sure if the album has that elusive "x" factor yet gets me to the point of really liking it.

Many fans feel it's missing the Alan Wilder component - as have most of DM's post-Wilder work.

If you go back into their catalog - Wilder really amde the difference in production... but has Martin Gore lost the gift of song-writing as well?

I like about 1/2 the album... not love, just like.

To me its their first really strong album in almost a decade, once Dave Gahan and Martin started doing solo work, and of course the issues within, it almost seemed that they were always in this dark cloud. Now Depeche has always been dark, but they went extreme dark and nothing else. Kind of my complaint with RadioHead during the "hail to the theif" days. This album is dark but there are alot grooves on it, and some guitar work that has not been present for awhile.