Delta Machine

Depeche Mode is my favorite band. I became a fan back in 1983, and my first vinyl I ever bought was the 'People Are People' 45 single and 12" Maxi-Single back in 1984. I have to say, I have loved every album they have released. I love the band's first album 'Speak & Spell', and every album after. I loved 'Exciter', the 2001 album some fans say they don't care for, but I love it. I also loved the band's last album before 'Delta Machine', 2009's "Sounds Of The Universe'. I am a real die-hard fan. I own all the vinyl, 12" Vinyls, 45's. I have almost all the albums on cassette, up until 'Ultra" (1997), I own all the albums on CD, all the remixes, they truly are my favorite band. 'Delta Machine' was a sweet surprise when it came out recently, I love it, from beginning to end. While some fans complain about DM's last album 'Sounds Of The Universe', I actually love that album, and for awhile it was my #1 favorite Depeche album, up until this point. 'Delta Machine' has taken the top spot for me (Some Great Reward, Violator, Black Celebration and Playing The Angel were all at one time my top favorites). This new album 'Delta Machine' is classic Depeche Mode with some very modern sounds woven throughout. I hear sounds and styles from many previous past albums, yet it's very new, modern and fresh. Plus a few new sounds and styles I've never heard Depeche Mode use before. Not one bad track on this album, from the opening to the end, it's grabs you and doesn't let go. The track order flows nicely, my favorite songs are 'Alone', 'Angel', 'Secret To The End', 'Broken', 'Should Be Higher', 'Heaven'.... ok, so I am basically going to end up naming off the whole album, including the second single 'Soothe My Soul' and also the bonus Tracks on Disc 2 of the Deluxe Version. This whole album does not disappoint. It's a great album, in the sense that 'Black Celebration' was great, or 'Sounds Of The Universe' was great. No big hits are on 'Delta Machine' just a bunch of great sings, and a few good choices for singles, but no 'Enjoy The Silence' or 'Precious', and that's fine. I think the song 'Angel' would make a great single, crossing my fingers for that one. I thought 'Heaven' was a great first single, keeping us all on our toes, and full of surprises. In my opinion Depeche Mode keep getting better and better, with each release. I think the closing track 'Goodbye' is epic, and reminds me of the Beatles a bit, I am in love with the sexual, dirty, sleazy-ness of 'Slow', classic Depeche Mode sounds there, with a Delta Blues twist. Martin's 'The Child Inside' is dreamy, floats along and is creepy at the same time. I think 'Should Be Higher' is a stand out track, with classic 'Violator' vibes. 'Soft Touch/Raw Nerve' is DM channeling U2 from the early 90's, and with great effect. One of the biggest surprises is the song 'My Little Universe' which starts off very Thom Yorke-ish and ends on a very mid-90's techno/trancey note. AWESOME. Another favorite is 'The Secret To The End', which brings to mind The Cure's dark, gothic-ness, but very electro/electronic, and very classic Depeche Mode. The opener tot he album 'Welcome To My World' was also a surprise, as it is a new style for DM, but works perfectly. There is something here for everyone. This album goes at the top of the list as one of their best, I am very proud of Depeche Mode for recording such a masterpiece, so proud of them, this is a great addition to a huge and amazing catalog of music. Love it!

When I first heard that Depeche Mode's 13th studio album would be called "Delta Machine", I didn't know what to make of it. It wasn't that I didn't like the title; rather I didn't grasp the meaning. However, once I listened to it and heard the fusion of (delta) blues and electronics (machine) it all made sense. When the band was recording this album Gore and Gahan both noted that it had a synergy of "Violator" and "Songs of Faith & Devotion". Both of these albums are classics in many DM fans' hearts, as well as many music critics. Therefore one could argue that "Delta Machine" has some pretty big shoes to fill. Does Delta Machine really sound like"Violator" and "Songs of Faith & Devotion"? I will revisit this notion shortly.... Before my review I have a disclaimer, I have been a Depeche Mode fan for 20 years. I will be seeing them for the sixth time this fall. I own all their albums, singles, many bootlegs, DVDs, quite a few shirts and framed posters in my house. Depeche Mode (along with U2) has been the soundtrack to my life, as corny as that may sound. So my review might be seen as biased or just following the band on blind faith. There are a group of Depeche Mode fans who still long for the return of Alan Wilder who left the band in 1995. I for one was sick to my core when he left the group. Nevertheless, I feel that the albums released since Wilder's departure have been really great collections of work. I am well aware of the contributions that Wilder gave the group. Notwithstanding, anyone who is familiar with Depeche Mode's history should be happy the band is still making music. And if they aren't pleased with the music, I am not sure why after 20 years these individuals keep buying "Alan free DM albums". I wonder if Wilder stayed with the group if this type of music progression might not have happened anyway. Wilder's latest Recoil album had a great deal of blues fussed in the music. In contrast, in the wake of Wilder's departure the band has actually recorded more tracks pure album and Dave Gahan has become more involved in the production of songs. The Alan Wilder debate is just about as heated as the debate of George Lucas and the original Star Wars trilogy. I embrace the notion my words are not going to change many minds, but I feel it would give more credit to my review to note my position. As for Delta Machine sounding like "Violator" and "Songs of Faith & Devotion", I really don't know if I agree with that statement. Every Depeche album, even the ones with Wilder, is its own musical journey. I see very little overlap sonically in their albums, other than I can tell it is a Depeche Mode album. Nevertheless, if I really had to dig deep I would say the blues influence and some of the lyrics might mirror SOFAD. As for some of the electronics, synths and pace I can see a little bit of "Violator" and even a bit of "Ultra". However, if anyone is hoping for Violator II and/or SOFAD "The Sequel" I believe they will be let down. "Delta Machine" as a whole is a dark, sexy, haunting and spiritual journey....in other words it is a Depeche Mode album. I think "Heaven" is an amazing track and it didn't bother me at all as a first single. "Soothe My Soul" is a classic DM tune and I look forward to seeing it live later this year. Actually there really isn't any song on this record I dislike; some tracks pop out more than others, but none of the music on this record is poor. I also highly recommend getting the deluxe edition of this album, the bonus tracks are amazing. It is pretty shocking they weren't on the proper release. Then again "Ghost" was just a bonus track from "Sounds of the Universe" and I feel it was one of the strongest songs they recorded for that album. I must also say that Dave Gahan's writing abilities have continued to bloom. I would say his two solo albums and working with Soulsavers last year has really paid off. "Should Be Higher" I feel is one of the highlights on this album, which again was penned by Gahan as was another favorite "Happens All the Time". I will take this moment to say that Gahan's voice is absolutely fantastic. He really has done different things with his vocals on this record and I love it. He truly is an underrated front man. As for the packaging of the deluxe album, I am not thrilled about how the CDs are stored. They are packaged in a way where they are prone for scratches. The lyrics and photographs of the band are always welcomed. I really love this album and I think it will mature nicely in their catalogue. Again, I don't view it as sequel to "Violator" or "Songs of Faith & Devotion". I also didn't sit and pick apart the production and long for Alan Wilder while I listened to it. I take it for what it is, a Depeche Mode album from a group of men who have evolved, grown, matured and are in a different place than they were 20 years ago. I would certainly take any song off this record over that Top 40 non-sense. I really hope these guys keep making music. They are legends and if you have a chance to see them live go for it, while you still can.

I like Depeche Mode just fine, but this album is a little too industrial sounding. It's a good thing I bought it for my dad and not me. He, on the other hand, greatly enjoyed the album. I don't want to yuck his yum by leaving a bad review. Best song on this album, that I'm not a fan of, is Welcome to My World.

With Depeche Mode, you are greedy...you always want more. You literally just can't get enough can you. My deluxe "book set" album arrived via Amazon today..... Delta Machine is radical, dark and with deep biosynthesized tones and melodies, the religious reflections and the pain ...flow...... Gahan adds a different and dark dimension and compliments Martins artistry and incredible genius of writing.. Opening tracks are brilliant, is Heaven my fav? or the opening 3? Hard to choose. SECRET TO THE END really thumps it out for example. All the sounds are crisp and clear, a trip back to Black Celebration with Modern power and technolgy. Some of the Album is "Playing the Angel..." style. But refreshing. Gahan and Gore appear much more of a partnership in the vocals. Fletch appears to have been let "loose" on the depth of the synth action.( or am I wishful?) SLOW is Violator like, with a kinda Route 66 type guitar. Quite jazzy. Gahans iron like vocals continue to mesmerise and draw you on... How much talent has it he got...(I can think of no-one that currently or in last 20 years who has his range and depth) Martin Gore chooses "The Child Inside" as his traditional Ballad, crisp and sharp and totally DM, Very "Judas" very "home" quality. Very surreal. SOFT TOUCH/RAW NERVE, a surely chartable track (if someone played it on the wireless) Its catchy and booming and more modern than Swedish house mafia. The bass on "Should be higher" will test you Linn Speakers to the limit and will blast your dry lining.... You will need a Victorian house to play this at volume. Bass Depth is amazing! Again i reckon very marketable track..... if they played it. The album is a triumph. You judge it for yourself. Better than SOU I feel. Right up there. ULTRA level at least....and on 1 listen. There's only way to soothe my soul.... Goodbye? I'm Greedy . I hope not

1980年、イギリスはバジルドンで結成されたエレクトロニックバンド、DEPECHE MODEが2013年にリリースした13thアルバム。 毎度の通り4年経ったのでいよいよ新譜が出るらしく、今一度聞き返してみたのだがやはり良い。 電子音なのに有機的な温もりのようなモノを感じる彼らの作品は本当に不思議な魅力に満ちている。 アナログシンセサイザーを基調としたシンセポップに艶やかで生々しいDave Gahanのヴォーカルが乗り、Martin Goreの奏でるブルージーなギターフレーズ、そしてポップでありつつも重々しい空気感や陰りのある楽曲が合わさると彼らにしか成し得ない独特な世界観が形成される。 結成から33年目に発表された本作はこれまでの作品で見せたアプローチを（おそらく意図的に）再利用してキャリアの中期あたりまでを振り返るような楽曲を作りつつ、やたらブルージーなスローバラードや彼らには珍しいけたたましいシンセ音の連打から始まるテンポの良い楽曲、バリトンのDaveにしては高めのキーを使う楽曲など、懐かしくも新しい音楽性になっていてとても聴き応えがある。 また、全体的な雰囲気として宇宙を感じるような神秘的で深遠、そして漂うような浮遊感のある曲が多かった前作に比べ、本作はより落ち着いた渋みのある楽曲が増えいくらか楽曲から感じるスケールは小さくなったような気がする。 しかしそれはネガティヴな意見ではなく、例えるなら壮大な宇宙を表現した作品から個である人間の内面にスポットを当てて深く深く掘り下げていったようなイメージだろうか。そんな空気感を本作から感じるのだ。 全体を通してバラエティに富んだ楽曲が揃っており、個人的にはDEPECHE MODEの作品の中でも傑作に入るアルバムだと思う。 メンバーも全員50を越え、ネタも切れそうなベテランもベテランの域に入っているが本作も相変わらず素晴らしい出来だ。4年待たされた期待に十分応えられる内容だといえるろう。 ポップな曲もあるが基本的には暗く地味な作風のバンド故、派手でライトな音楽が好きな方にはかったるいかもしれないが多くのアーティストに影響を与えた大衆性と実験性が混ざり合った彼らの音楽は気に入る人には深く染みいることだろう。いよいよ発売の迫った新譜が待ち遠しい。 なお、初回盤にはブックレットと本編未収録曲4曲入りのボーナスディスクが付いてくる。こちらもオススメだ。

This audio cd comes in a paper case. Audio quality itself is good.

Delta Machine .... il tredicesimo DOPPIO album dei Depeche Mode. altro album doppio , anche in questo caso passati altri 4 anni dal precedente. Bel prodotto classico loro con belle sonorita' ... poche canzoni che eccellono , tranne forse x me : - Should be Higher - Always Belle ma nella loro media : - Angel - Heaven -Secret of the End - Southe my Soul - Happen all the Time Sicuramente album da tenere nella collezione dei DM !

Si eres fan de Depeche Mode este es un gran disco que mezcla el blues con el electrónico de manera magistral. Toques oscuros y de gospel nos hacen remontar a las épocas de Violator y Songs of Faith and Devotion. Los extras de 4 canciones que no pudieron entrar en el disco son excelentes y el sonido que emana te transporta al mismisimo río Delta del sureste de los EStados Unidos. Y como es costumbre suena mejor en vinyl! Un gran disco que deben de tener y apreciar durante mucho tiempo!