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Playing the Angel

by Depeche Mode

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The blasphemous opinions surrounding Depeche Mode's 2001 release Exciter were well warranted. Exciter didn't supply Depeche Mode diehards much in the way of dance tunes, and the experimental sounds drummed up by Bjork producer Mark Bell strayed from the industrial standard in an overly delicate, less than welcoming way. True fans, luckily, forgive and forget and as well they should, given Playing the Angel's return to dark, brooding greatness. The first single "Precious" is an emotionally loaded, characteristically long faced, distortion-pocked masterwork - a "Personal Jesus" level accomplishment. Also on that order are "Suffer Well;" the droning, lovely and altogether danceable "Lillian"; "I Want it All," whose muffled beats and blasts of suck-you-in static recall the industrial glory days; and the simple, synthy exercise in hyper-intelligent pop that is "John the Revelator." Those songs make it easy to salute the band for parting the sea of imitators and returning to its roots, but an obvious stain prevents Playing the Angel from being a perfect album. Two tracks are the problem. Some will find "Macrovision" lovely, but it's arguable that there's no room for trilling on a Depeche Mode disc. The same goes for "Damaged People," a dangerous, show-tune-ish flirtation. A couple of clunkers don't spoil the lot, though, and this return to form will alienate few. All hail the 80s. --Tammy La Gorce