Exciter (W/Dvd) (Dol) (Dts) (Dig)

Depeche Mode | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 2, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B000PDZJ1W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (388 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,866 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Dream On

2. Shine

3. The Sweetest Condition

4. When the Body Speaks

5. The Dead of Night

6. Lovetheme

7. Freelove

8. Comatose

9. I Feel Loved

10. Breathe

11. Easy Tiger

12. I Am You

13. Goodnight Lovers

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

One of Depeche Mode's greatest strengths is also their greatest weakness. The band comes up with some of pop music's most inventive lyrics, and at the same time, they always give the impression that they'll arbitrarily sing about anything, as long as it's depressing. But on Exciter there's an autobiography in the lyrics that, for the first time, strikes a chord with skeptics and believers alike. Singer David Gahan's battle with addiction and its horrendous pitfalls took its toll in DM's 1990s releases; Songs of Faith and Devotion failed to measure up to their groundbreaking albums of the '80s, and Ultra found songwriter Martin Gore less inspired, and a hoarse Gahan incapable of delivering his signature clear and booming vocals. Mercifully, the band has exorcised the demons and produced an album that places them squarely back on track. The opener, "Dream On," is a close cousin to "Personal Jesus," combining earthy guitar with electrified, pulsating synths. The track's physical and metaphorical imagery poignantly relays the karmic revolution of living the fast life. The brilliant, mesmerizing monster of a tune, "The Dead of Night," swaggers with a giant, crushing industrial beat like a Nine Inch Nails song dressed in glamorous drag, while the ballads "Shine" and "Freelove" are as beautiful as the classic "Somebody" (but entirely unburdened by saccharine sentimentality). Gore's keen ear for shimmering sonics and bellowing rhythm reinvigorates the Depeche Mode-branded synth-pop that's remained unique for the last 20 years. In all, Exciter is a stunning return to form, and a triumph by every definition. --Beth Massa

Product Description

Limited edition digitally remastered 180gm vinyl LP pressing of the Electronic band's 2001 album. Features the hits 'Dream On', 'Goodnight Lovers' and more. Warner. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fresh new sound from DM!, May 15, 2001

By 

Alvin Tan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exciter (Audio CD)

What is typical of DM music? Old fans will probably say: heavy synth arrangement, catchy rhythm, lyrics that doesn't really make sense but rhymes perfectly. However, this conventional understanding of DM music does not apply to this album...not at all. In 'Exciter', DM abandons its trademark style that has made it so popular during the 80s and 90s to experiment with a more ambient and moodier synth arrangement that has a touch of industrial, rock and even jazz. On the first listening, old fans will probably feel betrayed and disappointed. Gone are the dancy synth rhythms. The whole album is dominated by slower tracks with the exception of the industrial-sounding 'The Dead of Night' (an 'I Feel You' sounding track which almost has a touch of N.I.N) and the only upbeat tune ('I Feel Loved') which actually sounds nothing like their traditional fast tunes. Nonetheless, this album builds slowly upon the listener. The moody arrangement on 'Dream On', 'When the Body Speaks', 'Freelove' and 'Goodnight Lovers' actually works perfectly with Dave's voice. 'Breathe' is also an interesting track featuring Martin on vocals with a jazzy background. On the whole, this album presents a fresh new sound for DM, except it's a 'moodier' Mode rather than an 'exciter'.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, what a grower, June 19, 2007

By 

R O C K E T (The Twin Cities, MN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Exciter (Audio CD)

I don't think any album has ever grown on me quite like Exciter has. And I don't believe that time has simply made it more palatable - I'm pretty sure now in retrospect that the main reason I was initially disappointed was because it followed my favorite DM album, Ultra, so the bar was impossibly high. Also, it's undeniably more subdued than the previous albums. I love mellow stuff, but I wasn't expecting it, so it took me a little by surprise.



Fast forward a half dozen years and now this is one of the DM albums I find myself going back to the most. I absolutely love it, and can't believe there was ever a time I didn't. I love that this album is different from the others in that it's the most low-key and romantic. It's such a beautiful album, and showcases elements of this great band that are not necessarily highlighted in other albums. The only song I still don't love is "Breathe," but even that one I like a lot more than I used to. On the other hand, I think "Comatose" is one of the best Gore-sung tracks in their entire catalog (bizarre as it is). "Dream On," "Shine," "When the Body Speaks," "Dead of Night," "Freelove," "I Feel Loved," "I Am You," and "Goodnight Lovers" are every bit as good as all the classics. The production on this album is superb, and often reminiscent of Bjork's Vespertine.



If you gave up on this album early on and tossed it aside, calling it crap, I suggest popping it in sometime (preferably on a beautiful summer night) and giving it another chance. You may find that with the passage of time, you have changed your mind.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Depeche Mode's Millenial Breakthrough, May 15, 2001

By 

David M. Cebell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exciter (Audio CD)

Finally, Exciter is here in my hands and how lucky I feel to listen. A long time Mode-Fan, I have heard each and every one of their albums. Exciter will stick out among the others partly for it's coming-of-age worth as well as the successfully executed experimentation that differentiates itself from the other albums.

One of the most outstanding differences is that DM have brought in more guitar work incorporated into their songs than ever before. Synth-pop fans may be worried by this point but I would like to assure them that, the guitars have just been added in more so than before and have not taken away from the fresh, clean, dark synth sounds that DM is all too famous for. Another significant difference is that Gahan's voice has never sounded so excellent. Each song feels like Gahan's heart is expressing to us a story.

"Dream On," their first single, is not the best song on the album or even the most catchy, radio-friendly song. It is a great intro with skittering electronic beats, fast acoustic guitar, and light Gahan lyrics. No other Depeche song has screamed NIN as does "Dead of Night" which perhaps may win over some fans. "I Feel Loved" is a very danceable track that will remind fans of the beloved Violator album. Finally, my personal favorite, "Freelove" is a masterpiece of emotion that is truly a fulfilling listen.

Exciter, among other DM albums, does not contain the most catchy radio singles. What makes Exciter a great album is it's beauty that perhaps no other Mode album was able to achieve. This material is an introduction to the true greatness of Depeche Mode that we have yet to see.