Depeche Mode-Playing the Angel

[crank]

So I'm on my 2nd and a half listen...So far thoughts:
It seems to be better than Exciter.

John the revelator sticks out to me.

I still want Violator part deux. Is this it? Doubtful. quite crunchy.
well for a DM album anyway...

Where's DJ Eddy when you need him? Wasn't he a huge fan? Wonder what he thinks...

[big screen satellite]

well i just d/l'd a load of mixes of Precious from slsk, and they all say Playing the Angel as the Album...

was this a promo with just these mixes on...as most don't appear on the commecially released singles...(any idea of a complete tracklisting of the precious remixes - all formats...)

now will go back and try and catch a listen to the album

[ffolkes]

i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this i want this.

well at least i really want to hear it

[joethelion]

I downloaded one of the Precious promo singles w/ two Sasha mixes, the Michael Mayer, Full Vocal, Misc Crunch and Motor mixes ...and to me... none of them really grabbed me you know? Like Precious (Sashas Gargantuan Vocal Mix Edit) had some moments that sounded cool - but all the mixes just seem to be very linear, housy affairs....

The album is definitely a grower - but some have started to stand out. Suffer Well has a nice beat, and definite vibes of older DM, The Sinner In Me reminds me a bit of "Walking In My Shoes" and the whole SoFaD.

but I haven't yet listened to the whole album. I don't know how I'd rank it in preference compared to their more recent albums, but it at least feels like what you'd expect to come out between Ultra and Exciter...

[ffolkes]

Got it!
So far, i've been really liking these:

suffer well
nothing's impossible
a pain that i'm used to
precious (though it's been heard before)
macro

introspectre is also cool... a moody instrumental.

Like joethelion said, it definitely sounds like a grower. I was expecting good stuff and so far i can't say i'm disappointed.

Plus i have the tickets to see em in next february. yesssss

[djeddy]

i got my hands on it last week...

already gave it a few listens while i was working...

DM has been obsessed with the dark stuff ever since they did Stripped..and they have made really great dark songs, but there were always uplifting ones in there that equally kicked that ass.

Playing the Angel lacks that uplifting sound. Too much darkness here. Too much rough-style, it wasnt smooth and emotional. it was more like sandpaper. Some of the songs sound more like NIN than DM. And honestly..its the first album that really lacks the catchy hooks, melodies, and arrangements that are expected in a DM release. Further exposing DM's ever-so-important missing element, Alan Wilder.

that said...

Ultra was the first wilder-less album. and although its no Violator, Tim Simenon did a great job filling in for Wilder. He did a good job producing. i even remember how happy Gahan was with Ultra..(that and that he's finally 'clean' enough to enjoy his music.)

why can't they get him again?

anyway..even though its sounds like Pretty Hate Machine meets Sasha. 'Suffer Well' is the only song i really like from here. the rest is filler. precious included..

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

I've never understood the comparing of albums to one another, although I'm guilty of it myself. Seperate bodies of work are just that. Apples to Oranges.

ANYWHAT,

Wilder's been gone a lone time and remaining members have proven competent with & without him. DM shows no signs of slowing down, he won't be coming back, so don't hold your breath, arena rock's just not his style.

These boys have proven the show must go on. Even after every bad turn that's come their way, they've managed to feed their spirits with what's necessary to an artist. They have my utmost respect, even when they put out shit. Playing the Angel doesn't come a fly's soaring to shit either. I'm glad they're back, and I don't like arena rock either.

[Professor]

I think it's crap. The musical production is solid, but wtf is up with the lyrical content? and dave gahan needs to remember who he is....he doesn't have soul...he's got melancholy (sp?) -- even his darker moments are cliche. all the strained singing and sliding notes in attempt to mimic soul doesn't work for him at all. imho. I also wonder how much MG had to do with the lyrics. light the flame.

[potatobroth]

Originally Posted by Professor

his darker moments are cliche. all the strained singing and sliding notes in attempt to mimic soul doesn't work for him at all.

truth.

i've always thought this about Gahan.

[stimpee]

Originally Posted by Professor

I think it's crap. The musical production is solid, but wtf is up with the lyrical content? and dave gahan needs to remember who he is....he doesn't have soul...he's got melancholy (sp?) -- even his darker moments are cliche. all the strained singing and sliding notes in attempt to mimic soul doesn't work for him at all. imho. I also wonder how much MG had to do with the lyrics. light the flame.

Actually I like a lot of the album but some of the lyrics are pants. Lillian and John The Revelator are terrible. I wonder which parts Gahan wrote this time...