Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe

[holden]

Just had a listen - hey, it's pretty good!

DM albums are always sort of a mixed bag for me- a few proto-electro tracks i love, a couple harmless, but forgettable synth-pop tunes, and a few ballads or otherwise less-inspirational cuts i can do without.

"Sounds of the Universe" is true to form in consideration of their back catalog, but shifts the balance towards the aspects of the Mode that i find catchy - dark lyrics, simple synth hooks, layers of countermelody, but not too many.

Some reviews have found this uneven, with the band losing the point in the latter songs. For me, it's all on an even keel (except for the ballads that i skip!), and certainly sounds current but distinctively Mode.

Fave trax:

2. Hole To Feed
3. Wrong
4. Fragile Tension
10. Perfect
13. Corrupt