DM post - SOTU
I really should wait to do this, but I'm gonna be traveling the next couple of days and may not have a chance to sit and write a review.
I say I should wait because like some of DM's albums, especially the later ones, that I own have taken me time to warm up to. I've had to listen to them repeatedly, sometimes when I'm completely zoned out of my mind and the only thing I can hear are the melodies, only then magic happens and I will find love in at least two songs.
I read somewhere that [former band mate] Alan Wilder was mostly responsible for the bass lines that gave DM their unique sound. One of the things that frustrated me most about Metallica's album ...And Justice For All was that the original band members decided to turn down the bass lines (in pure and utter spite) which completely ruined an otherwise brilliant album. I feel this way about Sounds of the Universe. In almost all of their songs, I feel as if they had spent just a bit more time focusing on the bass lines the mediocre songs could have been poppin'. Lyrics are the last thing I notice about a song, so for me I need to hear something captivating in the arrangement of sounds to really get into a song. Most of the album sounds airy to me which I guess fits the theme of the album title, but does not really complete the thumping Depeche Mode sound that I fell in love with. It's disappointing, in that regard.
Given that, there are a couple songs I found to be really good. 'In Chains' is one of my favorites even though I think the intro should have been a completely separate track. Dave's vocals are probably some of the best he's done since Songs of Faith and Devotion (and that's a big assumption because I have not heard all of Playing the Angel. Poo on me). I would really like to hear 'Peace' live - in fact, I think that hearing the album live would make it for me.
'In Sympathy' sounds like a throwaway from Exciter. 'Little Soul' is disappointing only because I absolutely love Dave/Martin duets and this one is just crap (how can this be?!?!). 'Miles Away' is not bad. I really like the little yelp Dave does towards the end of the song. Again, probably some of his best vocals. You can tell that he put in a lot of effort to train his voice.
I also listened to the bonus tracks on YouTube. 'Ghost' should have been on the album. The rest are nothing special. I also didn't see the point in any of the instrumental tracks.
I think the arrangements of electronics is creative at best, but Martin really did go a bit too crazy with his new toys. Which leads me to believe that their next album (if/when/hopefully) will sound much more complete. After I've listened to it more, and paid attention to the lyrics, I'll probably feel differently about this one. But first impressions are very important. A non-DM fan (even some of the hardcore fans) would probably listen to this and not like it.
I say I should wait because like some of DM's albums, especially the later ones, that I own have taken me time to warm up to. I've had to listen to them repeatedly, sometimes when I'm completely zoned out of my mind and the only thing I can hear are the melodies, only then magic happens and I will find love in at least two songs.
I read somewhere that [former band mate] Alan Wilder was mostly responsible for the bass lines that gave DM their unique sound. One of the things that frustrated me most about Metallica's album ...And Justice For All was that the original band members decided to turn down the bass lines (in pure and utter spite) which completely ruined an otherwise brilliant album. I feel this way about Sounds of the Universe. In almost all of their songs, I feel as if they had spent just a bit more time focusing on the bass lines the mediocre songs could have been poppin'. Lyrics are the last thing I notice about a song, so for me I need to hear something captivating in the arrangement of sounds to really get into a song. Most of the album sounds airy to me which I guess fits the theme of the album title, but does not really complete the thumping Depeche Mode sound that I fell in love with. It's disappointing, in that regard.
Given that, there are a couple songs I found to be really good. 'In Chains' is one of my favorites even though I think the intro should have been a completely separate track. Dave's vocals are probably some of the best he's done since Songs of Faith and Devotion (and that's a big assumption because I have not heard all of Playing the Angel. Poo on me). I would really like to hear 'Peace' live - in fact, I think that hearing the album live would make it for me.
'In Sympathy' sounds like a throwaway from Exciter. 'Little Soul' is disappointing only because I absolutely love Dave/Martin duets and this one is just crap (how can this be?!?!). 'Miles Away' is not bad. I really like the little yelp Dave does towards the end of the song. Again, probably some of his best vocals. You can tell that he put in a lot of effort to train his voice.
I also listened to the bonus tracks on YouTube. 'Ghost' should have been on the album. The rest are nothing special. I also didn't see the point in any of the instrumental tracks.
I think the arrangements of electronics is creative at best, but Martin really did go a bit too crazy with his new toys. Which leads me to believe that their next album (if/when/hopefully) will sound much more complete. After I've listened to it more, and paid attention to the lyrics, I'll probably feel differently about this one. But first impressions are very important. A non-DM fan (even some of the hardcore fans) would probably listen to this and not like it.