Noob

De/Vision | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 27, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Metropolis Records
• ASIN: B001N7LM88
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,296 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Playing it safe (and that's not a bad thing), September 8, 2007

By 

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

This review is from: Noob (Audio CD)

Yes, on Noob the guys play it pretty safe...but they clearly prove that that's not always a bad thing. With the previous handful of albums, the band seemed eager to mix new ideas and sounds with their signature synthpop sound (with mostly successful results). Now they have opted to abandon their experimental itch in favor of the tried-and-true. Although it's classic in structure and mood, the sounds and production are modern enough that it doesn't sound retro. This album will unite fans old and new.

There are thirteen tracks. No stinkers, no filler. My absolute favorites are "Deep Blue," "The Far Side of the Moon," and the DM-esque "What You Deserve." Not far behind are "Nine Lives," "Obsolete," "Death of Me," and the new version of "Love Will Find a Way," which I think might surpass the original version that appeared on last year's "Best of" album. My least favorites are "Living Fast Dying Young" and "The Enemy Inside," which are good musically, but weaker than the others lyrically.

The overall atmosphere of Noob isn't as dark or gloomy as albums like Void, Two, or 6 Feet Underground, but not quite as light as Devolution or Subkutan. "Flavour of the Week" is possibly their happiest song ever and "Life Is Suffering" has a surprisingly positive chorus. On the other hand, "What It Feels Like" may be one of the most aggressive tracks they've ever done, while "See What I See" sounds like a brooding Martin Gore track circa the late eighties. Basically, there's something for every mood.

At the moment, I'd say Noob sits right alongside 6 Feet Underground as De/Vision's best, followed by Subkutan and Two. If you're totally new to De/Vision, Noob is a great place to start, as it's the band doing what they've been doing so well for so long.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WoW! for De/Vision, April 11, 2008

By 

ebmAddikt (Portland Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Noob (Audio CD)

Never been a De/Vision fan of any degree, and I own most of their previous material. But NOOB, on the other hand, is quite good! And am I the only one who references World of Warcraft with the name "noob"?

Anyway, where do I begin? NOOB seems to follow more closely in the tracks of DM than previous attempts. Okay, maybe I'm assuming they want to sound like Depeche Mode...but it's true. Maybe I should say: "you can definitely hear heavy influences of Depeche Mode in NOOB". I guess the question is, who's not influenced by Depeche Mode?!

Now that that's out of the way, De/Vision has made vast improvements: the production of NOOB is excellent, every track addictive and is not your run-of-the-mill elektro CD. The synth programming/playing is very creative and vocals aren't at all annoying as they, well, could have been in previous albums (and for any De/Vision fans, please don't take offense). Not unlike Depeche Mode, that classic hollow-body surf sound is weaved in and out of the music, most notibally on the first track "What You Deserve". The songwriting is well written as they are not too predictable and are diverse from themselves in tempo. Holistically, the album is laid-back and mellow as there's not much dance beat with the exception of "Life is Suffering" and "Love Will Find a Way".... and there are a couple of other up-beat songs.

One of my synthpop favorites! I will highly recommended NOOB to any nub or veteran to elektropop.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See what I see, January 30, 2008

By 

E. Anderson - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Noob (Audio CD)

I cannot pretend to say that I am an expert on De/vision's music. I have only heard a few of their songs here and there over the years and always liked their brand of synthpop. With the group coming into town next month, I knew it was time for me to start checking out their music seriously. I decided on NOOB. For me, I thought NOOB was an excellent introduction to De/vision. It is pretty impossible to not hear the Depeche Mode comparisons through out the entire album. I enjoy the gentle, lush synth beats and the warm vocals of Steffen Keth and Thomas Adam. Every song on the album is wonderful however I must say that I am particularly fond of the ballad "Deep Blue" and "Love Will Find a Way" which sounds like you could have heard it on a recent Depeche Mode album. There isnt a single song on the album that I did not like. NOOB may not be everyone's idea of a good De/vision cd to start off with for new fans but for me I think it was an excellent introduction to the band.