'Exciter' sees Depeche Mode back in full form (Exciter - Depeche Mode)

Member Name: Jay Pendragon

Product:	Exciter - Depeche Mode
Date:	09/05/01 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: welldone tracks by a great band, 'I am You', Gahan's voice is the best its ever been

Disadvantages: NONE, NONE, NONE

Depeche Mode are one of those rare groups which, despite past excesses, quarrels, breakups and hearbreaks, continue to be TRUE innovators in their field. 'Exciter', the groups' 12th record, is also probably one of the best in their 20 year career. It sees vocalist Dave Gahan blossom into an honest-to-gawd, downright excellent SINGER; it is the fruition of the promise which Gore has shown throughout the years in his underrated song repetoire. This album sees the band at their most relaxed and experimental; utilizing elements of soul, modern-day electronica, hippy60s musick and possibly even lounge. And while this may seem and sound strange to most( not to mention mortifying to their long-time fans), I must say that the boys in Depeche Mode pull it off extremely well.

Alright, whats great about 'Exciter' is that it encompasses every area of what the band stands for, it touches upon every territory the group has ever set foot upon and yet ends up sounding fresh, exciting- almost uplifting- and most importantly, turns out to sound nothing like the Depeche Mode of long gone golden ages. If I had to harken it to any past DM recordings, it would have to be these two: 'Exciter' combines the minimalistic, atmosphere of the last LP 'Ultra' with the kinetic urgency of 'Violator'(everything about 'Exciter's promotion seems eerily like the classic 1990 release). This new record is a treat indeed. It has the classic 84-87 arrangements the band are notorious for, yet sprinkle them with the soul of 'Songs of Faith and Devotion'( 'Exciter' also seems to carry the message of '...Devotion', and I believe more fully realizes it), yet put into the skeletal, spacey context of 1997's 'Ultra'. In fact, 'Exciter' almost picks up where 'Ultra' left off and expands upon the ideas expounded in said record.

'Dream On', the surprisingly bright- not to mention catchy-
new single off theCD is lovely, and a perfect representation of the eclectic new DM sound, its simple message is one of love and harmony and ascension. Its definitely in 'Personal Jesus' territory. 'the Sweetest Condition' harkens to yet another track off of 'Violator'- Gore's majestick 'Sweetest Perfection'; it has virtually the same synth bassline and Gahan's voice has never sounded clearer. This is a Dave Gahan for the new millenium: sexy, confident and urgently relaxed- bloody cool!

'When the Body Speaks' is a quiet, pretty little number, with the typical bizzare noise bytes which are sprinkled throughout the album. The strangest track on the album 'Dead of Night', is also one of the catchiest, with a 'Personal Jesus' almost industrial backbeat, it slinks along as Dave croons in an Iggy Pop-ish way that is totally glammy in approach. 'Goodnight Lovers' recalls 'Ultra's 'Insight' and, in my opinion at least, does a better job of getting the message across. Its the soundtrack to a hot, sticky night of clubhopping; maybe even a reaction to fakers like Manson(it does bear some similarities to a more well-done 'Beautiful People')

'I am You' is another great track which takes the relationship motif on rather well. More great Gahan voices and Martin has another classic for the books. The instrumentals are much better than the ones of 97s 'Ultra', except the bizzare 'Easy Tiger'(whose even stranger wah-wah mix can be found on one of the many 'Dream on' singles) The two Gore solo tracks(which, on principle, should be classics right?) are good but leave the Martin fetishist in all DM fans feeling unsatiated: 'Comatose' is a good little number, but the other one has the most embarassing lyrics this side of Vince Clark. The musick is rather welldone, but leaves something lacking.


Love is a theme which, hands
down, has been done to death. It has writhed in agony, and its sodomized corpse has been poked with a stick by every group this side of the homogenized pop market and beyond, but what DM are talking about here is something more. Its a spiritual ascension and positive force which transcends dumb 'boy-girl' populat musick. The Depeche Mode of 'Exciter' are ready for the next level, mature men now who have been throught the pop grind and have emerged winning and with a new insight: 'Exciter' is a perfect soapbox to get this point across. RECOMMENDED.

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