It's hard to imagine how a band can stay motivated and releasing fresh music after nearly 30 years together. That's exactly the challenge facing Depeche Mode as they get ready to release their umpteenth studio album, Sounds of the Universe (out April 21st). The record is the band's first since 2005's Playing the Angel.
The album begins with promise. The record kicks off with the mounting feedback buzz of "In Chains". The tension is brought to a fever pitch, until it finally falls off the cliff and settles into a mundane electro pop track.
Much of the album follows that same trend. "Hole To Feed" is just the first in a string of songs that are simply pointless midtempo numbers ("Fragile Tension", "Little Soul", "Perfect"). Dave Gahan appears to be going through the motions with his indifferent vocals on tracks like "Peace".
We do get some flashes of brilliance. "Wrong" is a Gothic techno pop track that hearkens back to the glory days of Black Celebration. As a bonus, it has a catchy groove.
"In Sympathy" is a throwback as well. The beats and bassline evoke memories of the group's more accessible pop hits of the '80s.
That's the main issue with the new album. Depeche Mode doesn't appear to be able to move forward while their strongest material borrows heavily from their past. Sounds of the Universe isn't anything we haven't heard before, or better, from Depeche Mode.
Depeche Mode play the Molson Ampitheatre in Toronto with Peter Bjorn and John on July 24th.
Best tracks: "Wrong", "Miles Away/Truth Is"
Track listing for Sounds of the Universe:
- In Chains
- Hole To Feed
- Wrong
- Fragile Tension
- Little Soul
- In Sympathy
- Peace
- Come Back
- Spacewalker
- Perfect
- Miles Away/Truth Is
- Jezebel
- Corrupt
4.5/10
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