Depeche Mode in top form.

"Playing the Angel" is one of my personal top 3 - Depeche Mode albums. After little uniform (but still good) "Exciter" the guys from DM cut again a slice out that I absolutely loved it, typical DM songs with the beloved corners and edges. 2 years from his solo album "Paper Monsters" has here now Dave Gahan first 3 titles written, which fit perfectly in's album. Maybe it's really about how a previous speaker writes here that he learned the songwriting, in principle, by Martin L. Gore, perhaps it is also so that the songs of Gore are so versatile that you can somehow always close to him.

A Pain That I'm Used to - similarly oblique and louder as the beginning of his time in "I Feel You". The beat drives the song forward steadily. The oblique soundsample from the beginning then returns again and again in the chorus, the sound and volume differences between verse and chorus are stark but superhot.

John The Revelator - The title is just awesome, the melody is relatively simple and is now firmly in the head. Cooler pushing sound, which is perfect for the dancefloor.

Suffer Well - also "Suffer Well" is super danceable, the bass is a little intrusive. The sound runs monotonically with constantly the same speed but has interesting and beautiful elements and the melody, especially the chorus is just terrific.

The Sinner In Me - Gloomy and melacholischer title, who also had a monotonous sound reason. Wonderfully oblique and melodic guitar elements that best meet the synth sounds. Towards the end there's an extreme sound and tempo changes, thereby the song into something special.

Precious - Here the calculus worked perfectly. Shallow Synthiepopsong with a catchy melody and downright catchy qualities, immediately you are infected and do not get more the title of the head. A huge hit for Depeche Mode, although the weakest tracks on the album.

Macro - The verses are technically sound very gloomy and withdrawn, the chorus of the title blooms almost a little on. The chorus is also downright in the head firmly and gives a splendid melancholy mood.

I want it all - Probably the quietest and best song on the album. Here is clearly the handwriting of Dave Gahan to hear and you will be reminded of the same titles as "I need you" or "Hold on". The voice of Dave is calm and relaxed and the sound is relatively unobtrusive and calmly, the brilliant chorus of the title floats dreamily away. Towards the end there's then a small sound inflection, which forms the long credits.

Nothing's impossiple - also relatively quiet and worn with nice guitar / synth sound. But unspectacular beautiful song.

Damaged People - relative klimpriger and playful synth sound. The melodies change starkly between verses and chorus, the chorus is almost anthemic. Getting used to, but then good.

Lilian - Here I was from the beginning enthusiastic, melody and sound are super catchy at its best and also. You hear sometimes like across slight vocal weaknesses of Dave.

The Darkest Star - The name says it already: very dark, difficult to access, monstrous, even disturbing at first. These features concern on this final title. Until the refrain that forms the dramatic finale passes an eternity. Dramatic and ingenious stress buildup.

After versatile and quiet "Exciter" this album might well have to go in many directions. But DM have remained true to their distinctive synth sound, and their music as usual developed a piece. Most titles will satisfy immediately and the rest also ignites at some point. Cover and design in black and white fit perfectly with the slightly gloomy basic sound. The booklet is with some photos and all lyrics also well equipped.

Beautiful and typical Depeche Mode - Album.