Depeche Mode – Sound of the Universe

Releasedate: 17-04-2009; Label: EMI
By: Nina Mende

Depeche Mode is an English electronic band formed in 1980, in Basildon, Essex, England. The group’s original line-up was Dave Gahan (lead vocals), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, chief songwriter after 1981), Andrew Fletcher (keyboards) and Vince Clarke (keyboards, chief songwriter 1980–81). Vince Clarke left the band after the release of their 1981 debut album, and was replaced by Alan Wilder (lead keyboards, production 1982–1995) with Gore taking over songwriting. Since Wilder’s departure, Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher have continued as a trio. Depeche Mode are one of the longest-lived, most successful and influential bands to have emerged from the early 80s. They have had forty-five songs in the UK Singles Chart, as well as #1 albums in UK, US and throughout countries in Europe. According to EMI, Depeche Mode have sold over 75 million albums worldwide, as part of total worldwide record sales (including singles) in excess of 100 million. Their latest album is called “Sounds Of The Universe” and the band is currently on tour.

The album starts out very slow and sounds like an old Depeche Mode song in slow mode, it sort of prepares you for what to come and sets you in the right mood. Bit by bit – or song by song – the music accelerates, gets faster and catchier. It gets you to go along a bit, maybe even sing along. Dave’s voice stands out strong through the music. “Wrong” is a very strong and angry song and stands out between all this very melodic songs because it has its edges. Mostly melodic and melancholic the album is drifting by not really touching you but not leaving you untouched either. It is something in between and keeps you busy afterwards, not as much during the album. The lyrics are mostly interesting to listen to. Dave’s voice does not vary too much note wise, nor does he vary with the amount of emotions in his voice much. But that is a typical thing about Depeche Mode. “Spacewalker” is an instrumental song. The slowest on this album is “Jezebel”. After “Corrupt” you can find a short hidden track. It sounds like a music box gone electro.

Links:
Depeche Mode MySpace
Depeche Mode Official