Playing the Angel
I went to pick up the regular CD of 'Playing the Angel'. Unfortunately, HMV and Sembawang Music haven't got the SACD edition with the DVD (look below for tracklisting).
I settled for the regular CD.
Depeche Mode 'Playing the Angel'
SACDLCDSTUMM260
Super Audio CD Album with DVD Disc Released Mon 17 Oct 2005
Disc: 1 (SACD)
1. A Pain That I’m Used To
2. John The Revelator
3. Suffer Well
4. The Sinner In Me
5. Precious
6. Macro
7. I Want It All
8. Nothing's Impossible
9. Introspectre
10. Damaged People
11. Lilian
12. The Darkest Star
Disc: 2 (DVD)
1. Playing The Angel in 5.1 and Stereo -DTS 5.1 (24bit) -Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround (24bit)-PCM Stereo (24bit)
2. Making The Angel -PCM Stereo
3. Precious (Video) -PCM Stereo
4. Clean (Bare)-PCM Stereo
5. Photo Gallery - Candid Studio Photos taken by Ben Hillier at the Santa Barbara/New York/London Recording Sessions
From first impressions, the album is a lot less sedate than 'Exciter' and 'Ultra'. From an interview on the Depeche Mode site, they have focused on analogue synthesizers instead of the soft synths in 'Exciter' and 'Ultra'. They have also opted for a more electronic approach.
The tracks feel like an evolution of the Depeche Mode sound but the use of harsh electronics have given this a mature yet dark edgy feel. The album is cold but it is tempered with Gahan's fragile vocals which is just only alright. The Gahan written track 'Nothing's impossible' and Gahan's 'Precious' are standouts for me so far.
Good dark album. Great? It is too early to assess. Definitely a superior album as compared to the two previous ones. A return to form? Hmm.. I can't tell. I would have to listen to this a few more times.
At the same time, I bought Andy Bell's new album 'Electric Blue'. This disco album is promising from a quick listen.
On an unrelated note, Gramaphone at Specialists' Centre appeared to have moved out. Pity.
"See the Microcosm
In macro vision
Our bodies moving
With pure precision
One universal celebration
One evolution
One creation"
'Macro' Depeche Mode
2 comments:
"Great? It is too early to assess.","A return to form? Hmm.. I can't tell."
...please...
Hey guy, do us a favor and listen to the cd for a few days and make up your mind before posting a "review".
No, this is not meant to be a review. Just first impressions.
I have heard it about eight or nine times. It's certainly a stronger and more focused effort than the previous two.
'Greatness'. I think that will take a lot longer. Has it got staying power? Will it be relegated to the shelves? Hard to say really.
What about yourself? What do you think of it? Do you like it?
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