Delta Machine
Depeche Mode have always played on the tensions between faith and flesh, and on the trio’s 13th album, these two themes come together in pursuit of a higher electro-rock transcendence. The erotic drive of their younger years comes through on “Soft Touch / Raw Nerve,” an anthem propelled by pulsing synths and twangy guitars. “Angel” pushes even harder, its ominous, distorted bass and snarling lyrics evoking a deviant communion with God, while “My Little Universe” offers a slow build of glitchy electronics and 303 basslines.
Depeche Mode's thirteenth album sounds like it could be a set of outtakes from 1993's Songs of Faith and Devotion. On Delta Machine, they don't even bother pretending technology has opened up any possibilities for recorded sound in the past 20 years.
After spending much of the ’80s and ’90s churning out one synthpop jam after another, Depeche Mode has spent much of the last 15 years exploring more subdued vistas. Save for a few notable exceptions—mainly the scorched singles of 2005’s Playing The Angel—the band opted for sparse beats and meandering electronic…
The thirteenth studio record from the Basildon boys sees them mature, shift focus and rejuvenate in the process.
In 2013, 33 years into their career, Depeche Mode’s chosen medium of electronic music is still generally what people think…
The strange thing about Depeche Mode is that even when they possess the wisdom that comes from being put through the wringer -- both as a band about to break up and lead singer David Gahan's struggles with addiction -- they are still quite good at making self-destruction sound seductive.
There's nothing worse than a band who plough on for too long, and become self-parodies. Winess Paul Morley's critical mauling of the Rolling Stones over their Glastonbury booking for an example of the kind of bile and resentment that can generate. So have Depeche Mode fallen into the same trap as Jagger's aging cadre? Or is Delta Machine, as claimed in other reviews, a stunning return to form?
For a unit that's long been the model of the archetypal studio band, it's no surprise that Depeche Mode's 13th record is another exemplary display of aural wizardry and high production value.
ClashMusic: Read an album review of 'Delta Machine' by Depeche Mode (Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher) featuring the singles 'Haven' and 'Soothe My Soul'.
Depeche Mode's 'Delta Machine' has the satisfying air of a perfected formula. Read our review.
Review Of Depeche Mode's - Delta Machine. There is nothing except for a few moments on Delta Machine that see Depeche Mode stray from there glory days
This album may be overly bleak, but there's beauty here, too, balancing lushness and minimalism to stunning effect, writes <strong>Caroline Sullivan</strong>
After 33 years and 13 albums, the pioneering Basildon electro trio Depeche Mode are masters of a sci-fi synth rock blend, says Neil McCormick.