Good stuff. Just one listen, but I think there are a couple of tunes on Playing The Angel that best every song on here. I agree Angel was front-loaded. There is some serious ear candy on Universe, though. Look forward to repeated listens for sure.

I think one of the most appealing things about Depeche Mode is, none of their albums sound the same. They evolve just a little with each one. Sometimes a lot. Sure, you can tell it's them by Dave Gahan's unmistakable vocals. But the sound and style have varied with each production. I have not always liked everything they done though. Being an older fan, from the early 80's and on, I thought "SOFAD" was a huge misstep. And it's my least favorite album. Also, I thought "Exciter" was way undercooked. But both were admirable efforts. And I can see where some would like it more than others. Regardless, Depeche Mode have always been an interesting band. And I'm so glad they are still churning out new music as well as touring.

After a second listen, it's better but I'm still not blown away by most of it. I do like Peace, Jezebel, Miles Away (which I didn't care for at first but the second time was really good), Little Soul, and Wrong. I'm undecided about Come Back because I absolutely loved the studio demo of it, so it's different hearing the album version.

I still think the lyrics could be better.

I don't think it has an overall sound to the album. Lots of songs sound like they could be coming from different albums. Like Fragile Tension sounds a lot like a PTA song, especially Lilian. Or is that kinda the theme of the album Sounds of the Universe, in that it encompasses their entire career?

A few points:
1:Come Back the demo verison is amazing and not overdone like the cd-version.

2: I would guess the lyrics are gahan and gore working together on this release!

3: They have been around for over 30 years and maybe they wanted to give use fans a little bit of all those years in this cd?

I'm one of those fans who had half written them off because I was more than underwhelmed with everything they released after Violator... until Playing The Angel. I had no reason to believe they could ever again put out music that good. If the new one doesn't live up to Angel in my mind, it is still much better than those other 90's recordings.

Back to the tickets thing, again, scored VG++ seats to the Anaheim show, where as I lost out on No Doubt and Coldplay tickets recently...I don't think they are any "harder" to get and anyone else...(now getting ready for the first of many U2 tickets on Monday)

At one time, getting tickets for a DM show in Southern California were a nightmare. They even did some wrist bracelette thing for people standing in line. I don't recall the "rules". But I live in D.C. now and my friend tried to get tickets and I was to fly out to see them there too. But he couldn't get anything. Keep in mind this was early 90's.

I hope this is album is not as boring as Exciter.

I really don't get the hate for Exciter. I think it's a gorgeous subdued album. Perfect for late night listening. Dream On is a fantastic opener, Dead of Night is a fun romp, and I enjoy something about every track on the album in general. I'm really shocked when people deride it. It's way better than either SOFAD or Ultra.

I like it better on second listen, this seems like classic DM in the sense that it's better the more you listen. PTA was a very immediate accessable album and never really grew, the good songs stayed good... this is one that seems the more you dig, the more you'll find

Exciter is better than SOFAD but definitely not Ultra...c'mon "It's No Good" "Home" and "Sister of Night"? Amazing stuff on Ultra...

Real Depeche Mode fans (MODERS) love almost everthing they put out I should know (1984- ) wave those hands in air from side-to-side you know want to!!!

I have now listen to Sounds Of The Universe 3 times and I love it but on a side note Pet Shop Boys Yes cd 2-disc Japanesse (4 times) is a much better cd.

Not true. You'll find the older fans, from 1982 on, hate "SOFAD". A whole new generation of fans jumped on the DM fan wagon when that came out, and (surprisingly) pick that as their favorite album. Which I will never understand. Side note/funny story....my buddy worked at a record/CD store and they also bought and sold used CD's. He bought so many copies of "SOFAD" from people returning it, he wouldn't buy anymore. Because he couldn't sell the one's that were returned. If I had never heard Depeche Mode before, I think I would like the album more. But as is, it's the most un-DM like album they've ever done. It's just way too spiritual and "rock". Gone are the killer synths and hooks. And it's just not a fun experience. Especially seeing Dave Gahan looking like he did. Trying to turn Depeche Mode into a rock or grunge band. Seeing him live on stage so fucked up he could barely walk. Even spitting once in a while on the stage. What the fuck!? I just hated that whole "SOFAD" era.

Just recieved the latest tour update and more Euro dates have been added. I still cannot believe that they haven't added a Detroit show.

I didn't say Ultra was a terrible album, just that I think Exciter is superior to it. Ultra has some good songs, but imo, every song on Exciter is good to great.

I agree with you. I think one of the main reasons they changed their sound and look (well, Dave at least) was because in the time between Violator and SOFAD, it was when Nirvana and gangsta rap came along and rendered everything from the 1980's obsolete (even tho ironically 93 was the year Duran Duran and Boy George scored surprise comeback hits). I think SOFAD was DM's attempt at trying to stay relevant in the era of grunge music. By Ultra, they had gone back to basics and were making what they wanted to make and not what would keep them on MTV when their peers were no longer getting airplay.

Even tho people love to remember SOFAD was a #1 album, remember that the album only scanned something like 900k (compared to 3.5 million for Violator) and clogged up the cutout bins for most of the mid-90's. Definately my least fave album/era of theirs as well, and I LOVE A Broken Frame, which the members always love to bash.

So you are all saying the SOFAD was reach to keep-up with jones of time.

But if you look from Speak & Spell on down they were always transforming there sounds each time maybe that was there goal everytime just saying that.

in that case, wouldn't DM have done a hair metal album instead of Music For The Masses? There's a difference between evolving and doing what's in. In 1993, there was nothing less "cool" than a synth-pop band from the 1980's, so much had changed from the time Violator was on the charts and all over MTV.

Compare this to Ultra and the latter albums, those albums sounded like DM evolving with time, but not with whatever trend was in at the moment. SOFAD was necessary to keep them commercially relevant in the 90's, I don't like the album but Violator II would've done worse in a synth-phobic 1993. Hell, Beavis And Butt-Head (a show that IMO put the final nail in the coffin for the 1980's) still ripped on the I Feel You video even tho DM were trying to be cool and with the times.

Eh, to be fair, B&B ripped on a lot of videos, even if the band was popular at the time. Off the top of my head I remember them ripping on "Give It Away," which was a huge hit. I think those bits were more about Mike Judge commenting on the absurdity of most music videos than ragging on bands that were no longer popular.

But I agree that SOFAD was a response to grunge and alternative. This was around the time when a lot of bands that influenced grunge bands suddenly had their day in the sun. Look at Sonic Youth releasing Dirty, for example. And "Rush" was definitely their acknowledgment of NIN, who had declared Some Great Reward to be a big influence. I think separated from the time in which it was released, SOFAD isn't a bad album, but it's probably the weakest one they ever did. The God themes don't help in that regard, either. Too heavy handed.

Regarding the Anaheim show, I don't think many people know about and the general sale hasn't happened yet.

Okay, I like the album a lot now. I can see "Peace" being a great ending to a concert, with the crowd seeing the chorus over and over until it dies out.

And what about the God like images? Dave in the "Condemnation" video, or the song itself? Sickening. I fucking hate that song btw. Worst DM track EVER! Although I liked it live. Gave me time for a beer run or bathroom break. And man, did that song bring the engery and set to a screeching halt or what!?

BTW, Trent Reznor is a huge DM fan. In one interview I remember him saying "I would love to have Depeche Mode's career". Nice.

Actually, I think Condemnation is a great song! I can imagine it not being so great live, though.

Check out this smokin review:

http://www.blather.net/blather/2009/..._universe.html

So many of my friends hate this album, but I like it, it's a slow grower

And many longtime DM fans seem to hate this too, as per many DM websites I've seen. And I just don't get that. Hate is such a strong word. Don't like it? Fine. But it's not a bad album.