Ultra:



>> With Alan Wilder now gone, ULTRA is Depeche Mode's first album as a trio. But in many ways it marks a return to form for the band. Producer Tim Simenon gives ULTRA a rich, lush sound that rejects the straight-ahead rock and analog experimentation of VIOLATOR and SONGS OF FAITH AND DEVOTION. Instead, ULTRA moves deftly between the sparseness of Depeche Mode's legendary early work and the complex, hard-edged sounds the band came to experiment with. The wide dynamic range allows for seamless interplay between thick, atmospheric keyboards, snaking, intertwining programming lines, and an expansive palette of guitar textures.

"The Bottom Line" features a blend of sweet pedal-steel guitar (played by session great B.J. Cole) and plaintive, soaring synth sounds alongside two DM trademarks--ominous, low-end synth and David Gahan's reverb-soaked baritone. "Barrel Of A Gun" is driven by raspy, distorted vocals and a wild, throbbing backing track. For all that this band has picked up in 17 years, it hasn't forgotten where it came from. <<

1. Barrel Of a Gun
2. Love Thieves, The
3. Home
4. It's No Good
5. Uselink
6. Useless
7. Sister Of Night
8. Jazz Thieves
9. Freestate
10. Bottom Line, The
11. Insight
12. Untitled

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q7ZNEK/?tag=imwan-20

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Exciter:



>> With all its understated vocals, hushed instrumentals, and lyrical declarations of/investigations into love, EXCITER is undoubtedly the warmest and most "adult" Depeche Mode album to date. "When the Body Speaks" is an effectively poignant ballad complete with graceful string section. "Lovetheme" is a gentle ambient instrumental that wouldn't sound out of place next to any German electronicat you care to mention. Later another, slightly more melodic, instrumental ("Easy Tiger") pops up. "Goodnight Lovers" is a bittersweet tune full of open-hearted sentiment and heart-tugging melodicism.

While "Breathe" is underlaid with low-key breakbeats, the group largely sticks with the sonic language they helped create in the '80s and early-'90s, leaving the trappings of latter-day electronica to the youngsters. With it's club-worthy beat, "I Feel Loved" is certainly the most danceable track on EXCITER, but its complex lyrical scheme and gnarly synth textures make it unlikely house party fodder. The harsh, bluesy tone of "The Dead of Night" harks back to "Your Own Personal Jesus," and finds David Gahan reveling in the kind of studied decadence that helped make the group's reputation, but the song is an anomaly. EXCITER offers a kinder, gentler, seemingly wiser Depeche Mode that's figured out how to grow up without growing old. <<

1. Dream On
2. Shine
3. Sweetest Condition, The
4. When the Body Speaks
5. Dead Of Night, The
6. Lovetheme
7. Freelove
8. Comatose
9. I Feel Loved
10. Breathe
11. Easy Tiger
12. I Am You
13. Goodnight Lovers

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PDZJ1W/?tag=imwan-20

I picked up the reissue of Exciter at 'Rama today. Simon was sure that they had Ultra too, but the computer said it was already sold. Oh well, I guess if I'm desperate, I can listen to the regular CD until they get another copy.

Mine are on order from CDWow and Amazon UK.

Really looking forward to hearing "Ultra" in 5.1. It's a damn good album in stereo, so I can only imagine what it will sound like with my two subwoofers going at the same time.

Listening to "Exciter" right now. Wow what sound. Depeche Mode has done a great job of this series.

Still waiting for CDWow to ship "Ultra" delayed till 10/15/07.

I like these, but I just wish they didn't put all the bonus tracks on the DVD, at the expense of the CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!