Customer Reviews

Exciter (SACD + PAL DVD)

5 star:		(146)
4 star:		(99)
3 star:		(53)
2 star:		(49)
1 star:		(41)

 

 

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'.

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.

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.

I never thought they would top "Some Great Reward","Black Celebration" or "Violator". It is probably too soon to say, but I think this could end up as my favorite Depeche c.d. Three weeks after "Exciter" was released I am even more into it. "Dream On", the first song, is still getting better with each listen. It's kind of a cross between "World In My Eyes" and "Personal Jesus". Also, I've yet to hear a bad remix of this song. "Shine", "The Sweetest Condition" and "When The Body Speaks" are all above average mid-tempo songs. "The Dead Of Night" took me a few listens to decide on. It stops just short of being kind of silly. Also, by this point on the c.d. you'll be wondering why this c.d. was reported as being largely acoustic. This c.d. contains more electronic blips and bleeps than I've ever heard on a Depeche album. "Freelove"-Good song. "Comatose" is the other song I had to listen to several times. Now I look forward to this song. Martin sings this one and the music otherworldly. "I Feel Loved" will make it hard to argue that Depeche is not a dance band if it is the next single. It may be the danciest song they've ever recorded. "Breathe", another Martin vocal, is an excellent song. It does have the feel of a torch song. "I Am You" has a surging bass line going underneath a mellow song. My favorite moments on the whole album are at the end of this song. After the final words are sung majestic strings swell up out of nowhere and then give way to a sound that still makes my dogs run from the room. The final song, "Goodnight Lovers" has a classic D.M. feel. The base of the song is hummed vocals kind of like the intro to "Leave In Silence". After three weeks, I have yet to start skipping any of the songs on this c.d. It is consistently excellent from beginning to end. Dave sings and sounds better than he ever has and the songs are powerful. The power in these songs doesn't come from beats-per-minute, it comes from emotion and excellent performance and production. Please work with Mark Bell again-soon, not four years from now! Thank you for making an album that makes me feel like I did almost seventeen years ago when I listened to "Some Great Reward" for the first of many times. I've always had something to do from that moment on.

Maybe it was because I expected a more danceable, synthpoppy album. I said, what the hell is this and I didn't care to listen to it any more as I had also the CD singles of Dream On, I Feel Loved and the magnificent Freelove. It was not long ago that I took the time to listen again to this album and really have to say now that this is one of DM's best albums. I just can't stop hearing songs like Breathe or Goodnight Lovers. This is DM's at a very special phase that we may not hear again. Those two songs (Breathe or Goodnight Lovers) actually doesnt't sound very DM as one could say but has such emotion, such soul that now I feel like I have found a treasure and plan to enjoy it forever. Martin Gore is such a genius.

First thing first, Depeche Mode exists to me as one of the most influential, powerful and underappreciated bands of all time. Only the faithful seem to understand the subtle expression and sinister meanings to Martin Gore's writings and Dave Gahan's voice. The majority of music fans, those who think N'Sync can even spell the word "TALENT," believe the band should more aptly carry the moniker "Depressed Mode." Good. Those of us who let the music's richness of expression and mood cause us to reflect upon our lost loves, happiest moments and past sexual experiences, are members of an exclusive, more enlightened, club. But back to "Exciter." As DM's 10th effort, it's very difficult to separate it from the history it carries, and to hear it on its own merrits. As the next chapter of a band that has evolved from a campy, synth-pop act (especially when Vince Clark was at the helm) to creating the most powerfully dark songs ever written (just listen to "Stripped"), this album makes perfect sense. As DM moves from its signature multi layered sound approach, to simpler, subtler beats, fans can feel as if they are gleaming into songwriter Martin Gore's ever maturing writing abilities. Here, Dave Gahan's voice is given the duty of carrying much of the music's weight. And he is more than capable. Returning from "ULTRA," where he whispered his way through most of the album, his voice is back as booming, sexual and competent. But even alone, it is a gripping album. Like "Black Celebration" and "Music For The Masses," the songs seemingly flow into on another, providing a beautiful continuity, as if the listener was follwoing a story. The songs are deceptivley simple. You sometimnes wonder where the rest of the music is, but then this simplicity allows you to hear and appreciate the way each individual sound combines with one another to create a full melody. And though many of the songs lack anything resembling a "hook," Dave Gahan's powerful voice easily leads you through this finely woven tapestry. The best on the album include Shine, Dream On, I feel Loved, Sweetest Condition and Goodnight Lovers. Though definitely not DM's best album, like "ULTRA," it will definitely age well over time, and get better with each listening.

After a four year layoff, Depeche Mode have returned with what is easily their most intimate album. Martin Gore seems much more confident in his songwriting and arranging after the mid-90s departure of bandmate and pop-sensibility guru Alan Wilder. Where there last release 'Ultra' bled with insecurity and torment, this album is like a warm embrace of reassurance that, yes, Depeche Mode still comes out with some of the best songs around.

Dave Gahan has never sounded better. He sounds, well, healthy. His newfound interest in vocal training is obviously apparent here, as his voice has taken new ranges and dynamics heretofore unheard on a Depeche Mode record, while still maintaining all the intensity and passion he's always had.

Mark Bell's production adds a clarity and focus to the brilliant yet eclectic instrumentation and arrangements of Gore's songs. Each song, even the harder-edged ones like "The Dead of Night" and "I Feel Loved" are warm and inviting, and the soulful ballads are some of the most stirring DM have committed to record.

'Exciter' is a lush and beautiful whisper of an album. It will be very interesting to see, when presented on tour this summer, how it will play to the masses.

THis album is different from the previous depeche mode albums, but i agree with some of the previous reviewers, if you listen to it and get used to it and realize all the beautiful arrangements of instruments, i thought it was great. I think the lyrics are very good.
All the people who gave this album 1 star are trying to sabotage the real depeche mode fans reviews and ratings. You can't honestly tell me this cd isn't better than 98% of everything other artists put out. These guys have been around for a long time, give them some credit. The concerts are excellent!!
Personal faves are Shine, Comatose, Freelove. Give this CD a listen, you won't be disapointed if you love Depeche Mode or similiar groups like THe Cure, The Smiths, etc...

I can't believe that Mark Bell (as a producer) allowed these songs to be released so unfinished! Exciter now shows the laziness that Martin has when it comes to taking the song writing process into the production aspect of music. It used to be that Alan Wilder would take care of that and now noone is there to make Martin's beautiful songwriting come alive.
I would have to say that Tim Simenon did a fine job on Ultra in Alan's place but Mark Bell just let the name DM carry the album instead of trying to get more out of Martin and Dave. This album has none of the DM emotion we're used to hearing with Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion. It seems to me that Martin wrote these songs even though he didn't feel like writing. It seems forced.
When this album was about to come out, Andrew Fletcher told us that Exciter was going the be the best DM album since Black Celebration. What a lie!!!
If you want to get into Depeche Mode, do not start with this album, it will only discourage you. Go for Black Celebration or Violator first. I'm giving 3 stars just because of the great song Comatose (which the album should of been called) because this record is predictable, self-aware and worst of all, sinfully boring!!!!

Truth be known, I love Depeche Mode and have for very nearly half my life now. I've always preferred older DM but I honestly don't see where all of this nuveau Mode bashing is coming from.

Exciter is brilliant and Depeche Mode is as sexy as they've always been. I've had the album in some form or another for about a month now but still had to buy the official release at midnight, the morning of the fifteenth.

Martin's genius resonates heavily throughout this album, Dave's swarthiness pulsates and seduces. Martin has a way of using Dave as his instrument to relay a particular mood or emotion in his words. If Dave's voice has changed any from his recent struggles, it's only added more character and passion. When Martin sings, you hear nothing but sincerity. The familiar DM themes are still there; love, love gone wrong, lying, cheating, obsession, even more of the biblical.

The latest evolution of Depeche Mode may take a time or two but for the true fan or occasional listener, it is well worth the purchase.