Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe

The first note on “Sounds of the Universe” is a high pitched E natural, that slowly scoops down an octave as gradually more electro joins, to produce a sort of synthesizer orchestral tuning, & overwhelming tension building.  Then it all calms to a pretty chord organ synth and Dave Gahan’s voice slashes through to the soul, “The way you move, has got me yearning, the way you move has left me burning.”  By the mid-song we are taken from this odd space to classic Depeche Mode, whiplash drums, wiry ghost like synths, & this new taste of a more abstract, yet thoughtful band.  It’s been four years since we’re heard from Depeche, and damn is it good to hear from them again.

            Depeche Mode, over the years, has sort of become a band’s band, in other words, they seem to inspire as many (if not more) hits then they produce in the pop-culture.  The deep introspection of past albums has inspired such super groups as The Smashing Pumpkins, Cold Play, A Perfect Circle, Slayer, and solo artists like Tori Amos & even the late great Johnny Cash.  So it is no surprise to see such a technically brilliant album from them, if a little eccentric; we love their mystery!  What is more interesting then actually knowing where they’re going or what they mean (because nobody really knows accept Depeche) is what the music inspires.  Raw emotion is often the response to this new album, so if you’re an artist of any sort who uses music for creative charisma, the new album is definitely a great choice for working on your next project.

            We get deeper introspection and philosophical meandering with Little Soul.  The band is starting to ponder the meaning of existence.  “I’m channeling the universe that’s focusing itself inside of me, a singularity.”  This is on the level of dismantling western physics.  “My little soul will leave a footprint.”  Just how do our souls, if based on singularities in physics, leave any memory or physical trace?  They are questioning the very essence of reality, a brave thing to do, and a near impossible message to communicate.  The haunting melody of the song is one that, if you are an intellectual who actually asks these questions of self, will be near impossible to forget.  This is a song that deals with the subject matter of great scientific theorem, such as Stephen Hawking’s writings. Just leave it to Depeche Mode to poke holes in all his books with one song!  In fact, I challenge Hawking to consider Little Soul’s lyrics in his next work of physics fiction.  Account mathematically for your singularities Stephen! Depeche Mode is about to one up you with the philosophical ramifications of quantum gravity.

            Wrong is an exciting song, giving us a feel harkening back to the romping sound of Personal Jesus.  Heavy Bass & ominous choir make a crunchy theme that transport us to that place of introspection they are famous for making us feel.  Though, there is an element of disambiguation between machine and soul, morality and action.  It is difficult to tell just who or what is being examined, whether it’s Gahan’s introspective, your personality, society as a whole, or perhaps all of them at once.   

            It's great in the days of the 3 minute pop-song to hear bands taking the time out for long preludes, interludes & exploration of their own music.  As previously mentioned, the opening, In Chains, has a wonderful minute long build.  Spacewalker is a meandering synthesized intermission and just another one of those small touches that make this album brilliant.  And if we’re talking synth, we have to talk about Andrew Fletcher.  So few keyboardist understand the subtlety of their work like he does.  Harmonies creep up from under heavy guitar to soar in dynamic flourishing bliss.  Fletcher has an innate quality that lets him take the creepiest theme you’ve ever heard & turn it into an amazing natural chord that lets the imagination go wild, lets the heart soar.  The build on In Sympathy and Perfect are especially beautiful.  Not enough can be said about how well the instruments blend.

            Last but not least is the real glue of Depeche Mode, Martin Gore.  It always amazes me that his and Gahan’s voices blend so well, that for many years I didn’t know the difference.  But that’s not at all a bad thing, as the sleek style of Depeche is retained throughout every song, no matter who is lead vocal or who is back-up.  The songs Jezebel as well as the bonus track The Sun and the Moon and the Stars are well done, Gore’s voice perhaps a bit more intense & sincere.  The bass & haunting lyrics of Jezebel would make a great scene in some dramatic Hollywood blockbuster.  His instrumental technique blends so well with Fletcher that sometimes its hard to tell if he's on bass, or keys, or guitar or what?  They make it all look so easy, and that's how you know just how much work went into this record.

            “Sounds of the Universe” is set to release on April 20^th.  A concert stadium tour (a first for the band!?) of the Americas has been set to start on May 1^st,.  More recently a european tour has been annouced with dates in the United Kingdom & more to come.  The first single, “Wrong,” released back in February.  A making-of video, filmed by Andy Fletcher, can be found on Depeche Mode's You Tube page along with a interviews and older videos.

The beautiful dirge that is “Sounds of the Universe” is flawless.  It is a difficult album to take for the weaker of heart, but for the strong it is courageous in its analytical dismantling of cultural stereotypes, from the mundane to the most advanced.  The album will challenge not only your concept of culture, but of interaction with reality itself.

 

 

Depeche Mode – Sounds of the Universe

2009 Mute, EMI

Ben Hiller