Depeche Mode- Sounds of the Universe

Artist:              Depeche Mode

CD Title:         Sounds of the Universe

Label:              Mute/Capitol/Virgin

Reviewer:        Karen Roche

Artist Website/contact: www.depechemode.com

Genre:             Electro Synth

Sounds of  The Universe is the much awaited 12^th studio release from English electro gods Depeche Mode and their first since the release of Playing the Angel in 2005 (and the subsequent live album release Touring the Angel in 2006).

Sounds of the Universe is, overall, a typically  polished example of the music which fans have come to expect from DM and will not disappoint most people, having something to offer for DM fans both old and new.

The overall feeling of Sounds of The Universe is that it comes from an older, wiser and more reflective DM who have yet once again set out to communicate their continuing evolution through their music and have all in all succeeded.

From the fantastically dark and yet funky collaborative tracks between Dave Gahan, Christian Eigner and Andrew Philpott ( “Hole to Feed”, “Come Back” and “Miles Away/The Truth is”) to the recently released track “Wrong” which has a more commercial feeling to it with it’s trademark angst-ridden lyrics (There’s something wrong with me chemically/Something wrong with me inherently) and its atmospheric melody  which all combine to slowly build (along with it’s infectious drumbeat)  to what the English would call “an absolute floor-filler” this album delivers on the whole, an exceptional mix of emotive melodies, no-holds barred lyrics and wonderous synth use.

There are times however, when the listener is left waiting for something  ‘more’ to happen such as with the opening track “In Chains” and again to a lesser degree with “Fragile Tension” when all starts promising but, despite beautiful lyrics, neither track seems quite “finished” it’s as if some element has been left out of the final mix, but these instances are few and far between and are easily forgotten when the listener rediscovers the sheer brilliance of DM at their lyrical and musical best in the shape of  tracks such as “Corrupt” which is just awesomely good and so reminiscent of DM in the mid-80’s (without being dated ) that it might just be THE track of the album and is a perfect example of why DM are still, two decades on from their original incarnation, one of the most adored bands around. Deep, dark, catchy, fab keyboards and vocals/lyrics to sin for what more could one ask for?