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Depeche ModePlaying The Angel Mute/EMI When I was a depressed teen Depeche Mode were a lot of the "music" referenced when I told my mother that she didn't understand me or my music. In fact, I wore out a vinyl single of Stripped from playing it 20 times a morning in 1988, which might explain why I was such a barrel of laughs in year 11. In any case, a lot of things have changed since the 'Mode and I were best pals: after becoming world-wide-massive in the late 80s and releasing the career defining (and still excellent) 'Violator' in 1990, frontman Dave Gahan succumbed to smack addiction, the band lost keyboardist/drummer Alan Wilder, and the remaining trio put out three not terribly good albums as their lives crumbled around them. Now, 15 years since their masterpiece and with two divorces, several stints in rehab and a mental breakdown between them, we have 'Playing The Angel' and a slew of press releases insisting it's Depeche Mode's best record since 'Songs Of Faith & Devotion'. And those press releases are right, although that's damning it with faint praise. Lead single Precious is lovely (even if it starts off as Enjoy The Silence: Slight Return), the strident John The Revelator is easily one of their best songs ever, and Gahan's voice is rich and tuneful throughout (and his first attempts at writing for the 'Mode - Suffer Well, I Want It All and Nothing Is Impossible - are all impressively strong). Maybe the competition has given main songwriter Martin Gore a kick up the backside, because he's noticeably lifted his game: there's not a song here that isn't significantly better than anything on '...Angel's ill-titled predecessor 'Exciter' and Damaged People (his obligatory lead-vocal ballad) is also powerful rather than mawkish. Lyrically it's all the usual subject matter - sex, guilt, confusion, anger, religion, guilt, sex, guilt - so anyone hoping Gore would finally speak out about getting this party started will continue to be disappointed. It's hard to imagine it spearheading a 'Mode revival, but then again, how many bands are still putting out strong, surprising records after 25 years? If you loved Depeche Mode in the past but dipped out around 'Songs...', you'll be welcomed back. If you're 15 and hate everyone in your school, there's a whole back catalogue waiting to tell you you're not alone.  |
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