Depeche Mode – Sounds Of The Universe

For the record, do not pay any attention to the statement that this is 'limited edition'! It may be literally (isn't everything - no music release is made/sold forever), but that so-called limited status shows itself to be meaningless when you look at the faux pre-printed 'signed' certificate that shows the numbers as tens of thousands! I think mine is in the 50,000 range!

Plainly put Depeche Mode need the return of sampling odd sounds for instruments, it was very creativity and exciting during listenings to songs which held these beats and messages,it was edgy and intriguing

I'm looking for CD1, CD3 and DVD. If you have only those, send me a message. I'm interested.

Just decided to purchase this box set and for just over £30 it is a really good set with 2 excellent books and 2 extra CDs with loads of extra stuff. The big disappointment for me though was the dvd. There are 2 different surround sound mixes on here and NO HI RES STEREO MIX. I have never been bothered about surround mixes at all. I have all of the back catalogue SACD sets and listen to them in stereo. It would have been really nice to have a 96/24 lpcm stereo mix on this dvd as well. The set is well worth the price I paid but the lack of a hi RES stereo mix is disappointing.

Why is this box so cheap? It has content and memorabilia that would go for $80 elsewhere.

Can the items of this box be sold separately?
I would be interested in acquiring the "Bonus & Remixes" disc.

I can't believe someone made all of those scans!

Nice presentation, badges!! tons of photos - for what ever reason, yes you look well, now go programme a drum machine for the tour!!
The DVD 'Making Of...' is simply quite fascinating...
Super album, such a slick cacophony of noize.
PEACE, BD

There is some serious atonement going on with this new Mode record. For the first time since Songs of Faith and Devotion this band are pushing themselves, they are innovating, they are not contentedly spewing out the norm. After the last go-round with these boys, I'd written them off. Playing the Angel had to be the lowest point since Ultra from them. I was smugly playing Recoil non-stop, figuring the prima dona finishing academy had caved in upon itself for the final time. What was next, a solo album from fletch?

As their lead single intones and is titled, I had it all wrong. Instead of vintage gear taking presidence in their press releases, they just put it to work and dropped the cynical marketing ploys of the last album. Gahan has written some of the songs on here, yes, but for the first time ever he and Gore have actually collaborated on a track. That is correct, they worked together from the ground up and I have to say the final result is noteworthy.

The more I listen to this thing (and there have been plenty of listens) the more acutely aware I am of just how hard they really did work on Sounds of the Universe. Watching the dvd which came with my boxset I'm numbed by the level of detail they focused in on and honed their craft to. It's much like a dull blunt blade becoming perfectly recurring, glinting with conviction. Ready to take on all comers. To put it plainly this is an ass kicking Depeche Mode we are confronted with, not the tepid almost apologetic lot they've been languishing as the last decade or so.

I am, to put it mildly... shocked.

Given enough time and exclusion from the world, they could have topped their halycon days easily with this one but four years was long enough. Depeche Mode are exciting again and what's more there's that element which has been missing a very long time: fear. You don't know if Gahan's singing for you or at you with this one. Perhaps he's just singing for himself but I will say they're experimenting once again... only now they drink coffee and eat at healthy cafes, they spend a lot of time listening to what they're doing and my word are they involved in the creative process.

It makes me have to eat my own words and abandon the safe hutch I've been ensconced within since Alan left. The Mode have returned, everyone. Do sit up and take note. If they can top this little stroke of insidious innovation I'll be surprised but Sounds of the Universe is a literal resurrection.

Depeche Mode is finally back!
A good album that probably won't appeal to the masses, but most of DM fans will be satisfied. It will not do good at clubs or partys, but this is nice music listening to at home and while driving. But this is not only synth-pop, it's more like electro but with hint of synths everywhere:) DM shows with this album that they care more about their fans than the average people out there! DM is the symbol of creativity, and for the fans it's not about the kind of songs the make, it's all 'bout the music they create! (although i know a lot of fans that are dissapointed with this album..) However I'm still waiting for another 'Precious' song :)

TRACK REVIEW:
#01 8/10 In Chains - A great start, electrozizing music at it's best.
#02 8/10 Hole To Feed - Nice follow up! One of my favourite tracks on the album! There is actually hints of house elements in this song.
#03 6/10 Wrong - The first single from the album, but not my favourite, actually for me the weakest song on the album! Melody is ok, but 'wrong' is for me somehwat annoying actually... it's a bit wrong :p
#04 7/10 Fragile Tension - Really nice start, but it doesn't follow up. However it's a bit catchy.
#05 6/10 Little Soul - Silent song in old DM style. Nice for home listening and relaxing, but it doesn't really fit in this 'electro-album'.
#06 8/10 In Sympathy - Simply love the electro-synths in this song.
#07 9/10 Peace - Yes! Pretty sure this will become one of my favourite DM's of all time. Best track on the album (atm).
#08 8/10 Come Back - Exciting electro melody that will maybe sound even better in some days!
#09 7/10 Spacewalker - Relaxing melody with spacey sounds! Pretty cool acutally!
#10 8/10 Perfect - Nowhere near perfect, but another highlight!
#11 6/10 Miles Away/The Truth Is - This is *miles away* the song i wanted to here now! Okay, enough joking. It's actually quite catchy, but nothing special here.
#12 7/10 Jezebel - Another peaceful song. Nice for chilling out.
#13 8/10 Corrupt - It fits really well as the ending song. Nice ending to an overall good album. I'm satisfied enough! :)

ALBUM REVIEW:
These ratings gives the album a rating of 7.4/10. The album is put together in a nice way, but there could have been so much more here. However still a really really good alternative electro DM album! There are downpoints, but nothing really bad here. The highlight is 80s'synths 'Peace', but 'In Chains', 'Hole To Feed, 'In Sympathy', 'Come Back', 'Perfect' and 'Corrupt' are all really good tracks. 'Spacewalker' is also a funny exciting short inclusion. Btw, plus for a great minimalistic and not fancy cover.

CONCLUSION:
I'll rate this album overall: 7.7/10