Depeche Mode
Exciter
On Sale Now
For $13.75

During the course of the band's career, Depeche Mode has sold an excess of fifty million records. Fifty million. That's quite a few. And there are some very good reasons why. Reasons that include moody, cerebral soundscapes, soul haunting lyrics and genre bending influences from all over the map.

After coming off a mega world tour (that played to an estimated one million fans) Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and the rest holed up in a studio to produce Exciter, one of their most creatively inspired records in years. In the past there were stories of interpersonal conflicts and self destruction. This time the machine was running smooth.

For the album's opener and first single, "Dream On," Depeche Mode set a tone that is typically dark, mysterious and otherworldly. While the songs vary in intensity and style these elements remain constant. With a musical palette that is both synthetic and acoustic, DM design soundwaves that will seduce any listener with an open ear.

As strings haunt and ride gorgeous oceans of sound singer Dave Gahan purrs his soul's secrets on "When the Body Speaks." "What the spirit seeks the mind will follow/ When the body speaks all else is hollow/ I'm just an angel driving blindly through this world."

Martin Gore also takes his shot at the mic. On "Breathe" he expresses the frustration and pain of rumors that constantly flow through his world. "I heard it on Wednesday my patience was tried/ I heard it on Thursday and I hurt inside."

Several songs forego the vocals altogether. "Lovetheme" and "Easy Tiger" float into the depths of your being without a lyrical reference. It's just a simple fact. This band knows how to effuse melancholy and drama without even speaking.

On Exciter, both the music and words profoundly affect the listener on deep and intimate levels. Although the band has matured and evolved since their 1981 debut, Depeche Mode still manipulate the dark corners of sound into strangely beautiful pieces of art that can transport us to far away places inside of ourselves.

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