Depeche Mode: Playing the Angel
Although their previous album Exciter had great soothing atmospherics and some of their most tender and sensitive ballads to date, it never really lived up to its title and looked rather weak compared with their earlier work. Four years later, Playing the Angel shows a Depeche Mode who are decidedly back on form.
The opening track, A Pain that I’m Used to, begins with searing, cutting blasts of noise, an infectious beat and a catchy melody which is followed by John the Revelator, a loud-and-proud showcase for David Gahan’s superb vocal skills. Suffer Well is a more relaxed, emotional piece that precedes The Sinner in Me, whose raw energy and religious imagery hark back to the glory days of Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion.
These songs and the new single Precious, with its lively New Order-esque vibe, are perfect examples of DM’s new sound: Ben Hillier’s contribution as producer has breathed new life into the recording and Martin Gore’s dance influence has given this album a more energetic and upbeat feel. The electronic samples, drum loops and occasional guitar riffs are more in the vein of the old Depeche that fans of their early 1990s material will be familiar with; it is also has a darker quality that is balanced well by the hopeful-sounding lyrics (”I still believe in love at first sight,” from the sublime Nothing is Impossible, for example) and more up-tempo atmosphere.
That said, the second half is more relaxed than the first with I Want it All, Damaged People and the short intermission Introspectre but overall the album has a more varied sound. Lilian picks the pace up a bit towards the end and The Darkest Star ends the record on a suitably measured and majestic conclusion. As with many equally well-written albums, Playing the Angel has a deceptive amount of depth and attention to detail that makes it sound better and better with repeated listening.
The bonus DVD that comes with the Deluxe Edition also includes the album tracks in stereo and 5.1 surround, the video for the Precious single, a photo gallery and some interesting behind-the-scenes interview footage that were filmed during the album’s production. An alternative version of Violator’s haunting closing track Clean rounds off a thoughtfully written and thoroughly enjoyable album.
In Summary
Fans who were somewhat disappointed with Exciter will be reassured to know that Playing the Angel is a livelier and more diverse-sounding record that recaptures everything that made their older material so up-to-date and enjoyable. Precious is probably the album’s highlight, but overall it is still the best they’ve sounded in years.
Tracklisting
- A Pain that I’m Used To
- John the Revelator
- Suffer Well
- The Sinner in Me
- Precious
- Macro
- I Want It All
- Nothing’s Impossible
- Introspectre
- Damaged People
- Lilian
- The Darkest Star
Bonus DVD
- Playing the Angel (in 5.1 and Stereo)
- Making the Angel (documentary)
- Precious (video)
- Clean (bare)
- Photo gallery
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