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After three years of waiting, Depeche Mode are back with their 12th original studio release, the epically grand titled: "Sounds Of The Universe" w/ Deluxe Boxset 3CD/DVD. The band came up with the name quite early on in the process. Songwriter, Martin Gore, has said that the title just felt like it summed up the eclectic nature of the songs and the sounds on the album. While he feels there is no overall theme, the album tends to focus on different aspects of relationships, both positive and negative. This is a lighter, more laid back `Mode, with the album a cross between 2001s "Exciter" and 2005s "Playing The Angel" with a little "Violator" thrown in for good measure. In fact, while this isn't DM at their darkest, there are very noticeable moments of darkness on the album, as well as a retro feel. This is due in part to the fact that, during the recording sessions, Martin would constantly be winning auctions on eBay for classic older electronic equipment, incorporating them into the productions. As with "Playing The Angel," Martin wrote most of the songs on "Sounds Of The Universe," with lead singer, Dave Gahan, providing writing credits for three songs (*)."In Chains" starts things off with a one minute intro, reminiscent of how a live orchestra sounds like when they're tuning up their instruments. Only here it's a bunch of electronic equipment that's preparing to play a piece of music, with lots of strange noises and other odd sounds going off one after the other, until all is in readiness. Then what sounds like an electric organ begins to play the main melody, which almost sounds like something you might hear during a funeral procession. Until Dave Gahan's voice comes crying out with sexy allure, proclaiming his adulation for the seductive power of the woman he desires, ("The way you move, has got me yearning. The way you move, has left me burning. I know you know what you're doing to me. I know my hands will never be free. I know what it's like to be in chains") and the way she controls him ("I know I crumble when you are around. Stutter, mumble, a pitiful sound. Stagger, stumble, shackled and bound, in chains") with her sexual powers of persuasion ("You've got me dying for you. It's you that I'm living through. You've got me praying to you, saying to you anything you want me to...You've got me reaching for you. My soul's beseeching me to. You've got me singing to you, bringing to you anything you ask me to") that always wins over in the end. Martin Gore adds a funky guitar riff throughout the song that gives it a bit more bite, along with his affective backing vocalizations that are always a crowd pleaser."Hole To Feed,"* which sounds more like a Nine Inch Nails title, opens with a cool little beat and an array of retro electric laser beam sounds, as it's formatted interestingly in a chorus-verse-chorus motif. The song centers on the maintaining of a serious and meaningful relationship. ("We are here, we can love. We share something. I'm sure that you mean the world to me.") But with all relationships, there are pros ("You opened my eyes to a world that I could believe."..."The games that we're playing, they've left us hoping") and there are cons. ("When you get what you need, there's no way of knowing what you'll have is another hole to feed") The real point here is that real love takes hard work and dedication, and it doesn't always turn out quite the same way we expect it to be. It's a nice tune with a very poignant message that's rumored to become a future single."Wrong," the first single taken from the album, immediately begins with a unified chanting of the title name, four times in a row, until Dave Gahan's voice explodes into the first verse ("I was born with the wrong sign, in the wrong house, with the wrong ascendancy") subjecting the listener to a torrent of negative outcries ("I took the wrong road that lead to the wrong tendencies") and self-deprecations ("There's something wrong with me chemically, something wrong with me inherently") that signify an essence of decay and hopelessness ("I was marching to the wrong drum, with the wrong scum, pissing out the wrong energy") yet is still able to retain that one bleak glow of hopefulness ("With the wrong tune played till it sounded alright, yeah!") that rings true. The word, "Wrong," is actually used a total of 72 times (including backing vocals) on this original album version. It's got a fast groove with a heavy techno backbeat that'll have you singing along and dancing to your heart's content."Fragile Tension" is another excellent track from Sounds Of The Universe that also discusses the intricacies of relationships ("There's a fragile tension that's keeping us going. It may not last forever, but oh when it's flowing") and the strength and power the right kind of chemistry conjures up between two people. ("There's a strange obsession that's drawing us nearer. We don't understand it, it never gets clearer") Despite the problems and difficulties, they always seem be able to pull closer together in the end. ("Oh when we're teetering on the edge of collapse, nothing can keep us down") The song has a strongly positive and powerful message with a great beat, a wonderful guitar performance by Martin Gore, as well as a beautiful vocal job by Dave Gahan. ("There's something radical in our hands, nothing logical to our plans") This track has "Hit Single" written all over it!"Little Soul" is indeed a soulful little tune with an introspective, yet slightly vain, viewpoint. ("My little light is going to shine. Shine out so bright and illuminate your mind. My little soul will leave a footprint") The song has some nice vocal duo moments between Gahan and Gore, with a slow, quiet, and easygoing melody that, while sounding pretty, ("I'm channeling the universe that's focusing itself inside of me...a singularity") still retains that usual DM melodic sense of melancholy. ("My little words are going to sting. Haven't you heard the pain and joy they bring?") It's a pretty tune, which calms things down a bit."In Sympathy" picks things right back up again with its nicely moody up tempo sound, ("They're almost falling over you. Why don't they call a truce? Whatever they are trying to do, it's of little use") as Dave plays an onlooker to a beautiful and intelligent woman, whose physical attributes bring her much notice. ("They're drowning you in compliments, trying to furnish proof. And though they speak with eloquence, there is little truth") The chorus is fraught with positive reinforcements, ("You're bright, you're strong, you know your right from wrong, at least to some degree. You're wise, you're tough, you've heard their lies enough. You smile, in sympathy") and coupled with the nice beat, Dave's great vocals, and Martin's alluring guitar work, it makes for a nice morality tale with some good-spirited heart and soul. ("And as the night begins to fade, you're heading for the door. Followed by a sad parade; you're on your own once more") Longtime fans may recognize a swirling noise throughout the song that's reminiscent of a sound used prominently in the 1984 track: "People Are People," which gives this new tune an added retro feel to it. It's a lovely song that has the makings of another "Hit Single.""Peace," the second single taken from the album, has an affirmation vibe about it, ("Peace will come to me") along with a bit of an Erasure-esque sound quality, as Dave goes through his positive mantra ("I'm leaving bitterness behind this time, I'm cleaning out my mind. There is no space for the regrets I will remember to forget") which gives off this glowing ray of hope & happiness, ("I'm leaving anger in the past with all the shadows that it cast. There is a radar in my heart I should have trusted from the start") something you don't usually find, on a regular basis, in a Depeche Mode album, ("Just look at me. I'm a living act of holiness. Giving all the positivity that I possess, I'm going to light up the world") that's nicely done."Come Back"* is one of those tracks that just get better, over time, with each listen. Here we have Dave begging and pleading for that special someone to return into his life ("Come back. Come back to me. I've been waiting patiently") as he bares his soul ("Walking a thin white line between love and hate. Wasting all of my time in another world...in another place. I could use a little company, a little kindness can go a long way") and appears to be waiting in vain. ("Weeks turn into months, months turn into years. Reaching the same conclusions, gathering up the fear") Gahan, always the hopeless romantic, evokes a personal, poetic longing and sweet sincerity, ("Light will always shine in the heart of you. In truth and in reality, only blindness can hide it away") which gives the song its power and additional beauty. Nicely executed by Mr. Gahan."Spacewalker" is a short, nearly two minute, instrumental interlude that's reminiscent of "Easy Tiger," from 2001's Exciter. It has an outer-world, space age feel to it, with a moderate beat and an upbeat melody. While the interlude ends all too briefly, it sets things up nicely for the next track on the album."Perfect," again, continues the whole relationship motif of the album, this time with the idea of using other dimensions & realities to tell the story. ("On another world by another star, in another place in time. In another state of consciousness, in another state of mind") And each reality has slightly different outcomes, ("Everything was almost perfect, everything fell into place. The jury reached a different verdict, before the judge dismissed the case") some positive, ("In another lonely universe, we're laying side by side, and no one's hurt and no one's cursed and no one needs to hide") some negative. ("I didn't shoot, I didn't pull the trigger. It wasn't me. I'm just a plain and simple singer. I heard the sound, I turned my head around, to watch our love shot down") But the true constant, no matter what reality we experience, is that people, and life in general, are never easy. It's always a lot of hard work and dedication that make anything in this world worthwhile. This track is already rumored to be a future single, and that's not surprising, as it's a great track and a definite highlight from "Sounds Of The Universe.""Miles Away / The Truth Is"* gets its odd name from the mere fact that when the band heard that Madonna already had a song out called "Miles Away," they didn't want their song to have the exact same title, so it was altered to include "The Truth Is." It's a funky tune, with Dave discussing the mundane and repetitive aspects of getting to know someone ("It's one of those conversations we've, we've had them before. The ones that leave you empty and wanting for more") and that déjà vu feeling of having done it so many times before ("Excuse me for my hesitation I've, I've met you before. Your face seems so familiar and longing for more") you start to wonder if anyone out will ever be right for you. ("With all your superstitions and empty lines, I could be just like you, withdrawn but alive") Accepting the fact that we're not always given the things we want most in this world, ("Life, it has its limitations. We all have our needs. Love could be the only answer. It lies underneath") the struggle to continue on, in the hopes of some day finding them can sometimes leave us feeling isolated. ("Your eyes, they tell me something that I understand. Your eyes, they hold the truth and the truth is, your miles away")"Jezebel" leads us to the only lead vocal track by Martin Gore on the album. The song, which has an eerily dark calypso feel to it, focuses on the subject of female promiscuity, ("They call you Jezebel whenever we walk in. You're going straight to hell for wanton acts of sin, they say, and that I'll have to pay. But I need you just this way") and feels almost like a direct sequel to the song, "Lilian," from "Playing The Angel." ("They call you Jezebel for what you like to wear. You're morally unwell. They say you'll never care for me") But the biggest difference is perspective, whereas Dave had spoken about this topic in a much darker more objective tone, Martin's take is much more optimistic and forgiving. ("But what they fail to see is that your games are the key. Open their eyes to the beauty. Open their hearts to the fun. Open their minds to the idea that you don't own someone") Martin, as always, does a wonderful job with the song, and gives it an elegant flow with his beautiful vocal work."Corrupt" brings the album to a close with a dark and seductive take on the power struggle between men and women, ("I could corrupt you in a heartbeat. You think you're so special...think you're so sweet. What are you trying? Don't even tempt me. Soon you'll be crying and wishing you'd dreamt me") with finger pointing, ("You'll be calling out my name, when you need someone to blame") and sadomasochistic overtones galore. ("I could corrupt you. It would be easy. Watching you suffer, girl it would please me. But I wouldn't touch you with my little finger. I know it would crush you. My memory would linger") Dave Gahan has always possessed those alluringly broody vocals of his, ("I could corrupt you. It would be ugly. They could sedate you, but what good would drugs be?") and they work in this song absolutely brilliantly. ("You'll be crying out in pain, begging me to play my games") It's arguably the best final track on a Depeche Mode album since "Clean" & "Higher Love," with a nicely dark electronic tone, funky guitar riffs, and a groovy beat that ends the album perfectly. But wait, there's an additional hidden track included later on: an instrumental version of "Wrong."The Deluxe Boxset edition of "Sounds Of The Universe" includes a plethora of bonus content that the band personally curated in order to include as much as possible from the recording sessions. It will make any DM fan satisfied. The box itself is a custom made 2 piece box with foil blocking, plus an inlay, and is about the size of a small (thick) pizza box with a number of additional goodies inside that are very interesting, including:3 CDs - Housed in Colored Cardboard Sleeves:Disc 1 - the original album [Blue/Purple]Disc 2 - Five B-Sides & Six Remixes [Orange/Green], including:"Light" [4:42] - has a nice feel and flavor about it, with an additive groove ("It's clear we have a mission from above, a mission of beauty. You know I wouldn't lie to you") that makes it a cool track and a worthy B-side."The Sun and The Moon and The Stars" [4:42] - Martin Gore's 2nd lead vocal track was deemed unfit for the regular album, but is still a lovely tune just the same. ("One subtle move, God help me, is all it takes to sell me. One single word, unspoken, your name unheard and I'm broken")"Ghost" [6:29] - showcases Dave as the ghostly spectre of your dreams, ("I'm the ghost in your house, calling your name. My memory lingers, you'll never be the same. I'm the whole in your heart; I'm the stain in your bed. The phantom in your fingers, the voices in your head") which has a nice steely, seductive quality about it that really sounds great."Esque" [2:18] - is a haunting electronic instrumental with bells, chimes and other subtle electronic sounds."Oh Well" [5:59] - has a frenetic beat and urgency that pulls you right into it. ("Oh, you've got a way about you. Oh, I know so much about you, girl. Life won't be the same without you. Life will surely be the one to tell") It's a nice fast track that's fun to move to. ("Listen to what she's trying to tell you. She could be the one who's going to save you. Oh well.") This song is also included as a bonus track on the Japanese CD."Corrupt (Efdemin Remix)" [6:28] - experimental mix that plays with phrases from the song and utilizes a weird sort of funky beat."In Chains (Minilogue's Earth Remix) [7:54] - has a bit of an erratic flavor, with a lot of different noises and echoing sounds going on as the opening first verse gets played around and distorted vocally."Little Soul (Thomas Fehlmann Ambient Mix)" [9:20] - gives the song a bit more kick this time, with a nice beat and some additional electronic riffs and an echo effect: "My little soul will leave a footprint (print) (print) (print...)" which is good, though the mix is long.Jezebel (Six Toes Remix) [5:33] - is a wonderfully put together acoustic version, with a string accompaniment that really gives the song a whole different dimension and elegance that really works well."Perfect (Electronic Periodic Dark Drone Mix)" [5:25] - has a bit if an urban flavor to it, with a fast beat and mild distortion of the original vocals by Dave Gahan."Wrong (Caspa Remix)" [5:05] - is a sleeker version that almost sounds like an alternate take, with heavy drum percussion and additional electronic sounds & distortions.Disc 3 - Fourteen Original Demo Tracks [Red/Green], including:"Little 15" [4:15]"Clean" [3:41]"Sweetest Perfection" [3:24]"Walking In My Shoes" [3:45]"I Feel You" [4:02]"Judas" [3:32]"Surrender" [5:06]"Only When I Lose Myself" [5:50]"Nothing's Impossible" [5:05]"Corrupt" [4:44]"Peace" [4:36]"Jezebel" [4:39]"Come Back" [5:10]"In Chains" [4:34](Except for "Nothing's Impossible" & "Come Back" every demo is performed by Martin Gore, and the sound quality is amazing...it's rumored that Alan Wilder provided some of the demos for this disc...Andrew Fletcher has stated that there will be more demos made available on future releases.)The DVD [Brown/Red] includes the entire album (with B-sides) in Dolby & DTS 5.1 Surround Sound (compressed 48/24) along with the following extras:"Making The Universe" [45:23] - a grand documentary on the making of this wonderful album, from creation to inception."Usual Thing. Try To Get The Question In The Answer" [55:12] - 2nd grand documentary with more insightful stories and interviews with the band members."Sounds Of The Universe" [a short film]: with a running time of around 10 minutes, this short but insightful film is highlighted by interviews about the album by Martin, Dave, & Andy. It's a sneak peek into the creation process and there are some nice stories by all to be heard."Wrong Music Video" [3:23]: Directed by Patrick Daughters, the video portrays an unknown man (Julian Gross from American art rock legends Liars) tied and gagged inside a car that is slowly rolling backwards down a long road to his death. The band only have a quick 5 second cameo, which is a little disappointing, but the video itself is eerily dark, bleak, and pure Depeche Mode.Studio Session Performances of "Wrong," "Corrupt," "Little Soul," "Stories Of Old," & "Come Back" (These sound excellent!)Also included are two 84 page hardback books; one with complete lyrics and photos by famed photographer, Anton Corbijn, the other with candid photos by Daniel Miller, Ben Hillier, Luke Smith, & Ferg Peterkin.5 artcards (out of 14) sealed in collector's envelope with pics of all 14 on back.2 enamel pin badges: one of the "Sounds Of The Universe" cover logo, the other of the DM retro logo.1 large poster of album cover artworkNumbered Certificate of Authenticity with copied signatures of band members."Sounds Of The Universe" is another great album by the best electronic band in the world. Unlike other Deluxe Boxsets by other bands like U2, Pearl Jam, etc, this Boxset is worth every penny, with plenty of wonderful content for value and worth. The album is a triumph and another milestone for Depeche Mode. Pick it up and enjoy the magic of DM many times over."Sounds Of The Universe" Deluxe Boxset: Give Into The Corruption.Stay Devoted!"There's something magical in the air, something so tragic, we have to care" - M.L.GoreAlso Available:"Sounds Of The Universe" CD"Sounds Of The Universe" CD/DVD"Sounds Of The Universe" 2LP/CD"Sounds Of The Universe" Japan CD w/Bonus Track
