Although the single Heaven seems slow and weak at first, it remains fast in the ears, and the beautiful song is finally well at home in this album, and is one of the best electro ballads on this album. It follows Angel, who was the first song to be presented to the public at the press conference launching the tour, and announcing the arrival of the album. Another to Personal Jesus of false airs, no less, and to become a hit in concert! Again, the recurring themes of the group turn loop on this album, never tiring: religion, suffering, redemption, etc ... ("Pain and Suffering in various tempo", as he put it on the album cover Playing the Angel).
The first title, Welcome to my World, starts strong before a first verse that falls like a hair in the soup, and a little scary ... but the result is excellent, and even we review reveals some violins on a piece DM, which still works far (see the sublime "One Caress" on SOFAD) - when in an album more "symphonic" Wilder with a production ...
Secret to the End is a nervous piece, with Dave with a deep voice, in due with Martin Gore, and it really is excellent. My Little Universe is a synthetic piece, almost synth pop, reminiscent of a lot of pieces made under Hillier era, only better. Slow is the piece more "Delta" of the album, very bluesy, air, bewitching, in short just as good. Moving from synth pop to blues, you must do it anyway! Broken then some version of the Little 15 2013, Gahan always so good at singing. And each album its Goresque ballad with melodious voice of Martin on The Child Inside, smooth, quiet album that before one second fantastic game. Soft Touch / Raw Nerve starts the second part of a bang, with Gahan corrupter in chief, very fit very nervous about this piece, which will certainly give cold sweats to the drummer Christian Eigner. Should Be Higher is a song where the voice of Dave Gahan has never been so high precisely and is just sublime (do not use excessive force in concert!). The song is very successful, very well paced, perfect. Alone then, again very nervous, electronic, with a duet with chorus Martin, one of the most beautiful songs of Depeche Mode, simply. Soothe My Soul will be the next single and it is a very good choice (they do not always do). It is very techno, with its chorus that will make a misfortune in concert. An easy and effective piece, and which will certainly be excellent remixes, even though he deserved a little more production work to draw its essence (the refrain breaking a bit the pace of the rest of the piece, and does not have the same texture and volume). Goodbye, aptly named, closing the album, and so begins almost country (which almost reminds PJ) before a very electro chorus, all overlooking a beautiful piece, one of the best on the album.
And impossible to miss the deluxe version of the album which, even if it is less imposing than SOTU contains three pieces that would be the envy of any group, and that DM has B-side not to denature the album (which does not detract from their quality). More pieces electronic, techno, with a Long Time Lie quite low compared to the rest, and a Happens All The Time that is struggling to stay in the ear. Always ride is a techno of Martin Gore, certainly a result of its collaboration with Vince Clarke (founder of the party group in 1981 after Speak & Spell) on VCMG. All That's Mine is also very techno, with Dave Gahan in the bass, and in fine form, certainly the best B-side of the album.
In the end, this album is very consistent, very pleasant to listen to, and makes you want to perform several listens without tiring, which is a sign of excellence. We discover all these new pieces, they are gradually in the ear, and it is surprising to place alongside other legendary albums. Highly tour!
