Customer Reviews

Songs of Faith and Devotion Live

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Okay, at first glance, I was a bit doubtful about this album. In fact, despite being a huge DM fan (and despite the fact that the studio version of Songs of Faith and Devotion is still one of my favorite albums of all time), I put off buying this one for a few years. Upon looking at the tracklisting, I saw that the disc is made up of the exact same songs from the studio album arranged in the exact same order. There are no live tracks from other albums here..no bonuses...just a live version of Songs of Faith and Devotion in its entirety, in sequence.

So, anyway, a few years passed, and I found a used version and picked it up. I threw it into my stereo and was treated to an extended buildup to "I Feel You" with crowd noise, and rhythmic loops...and as I got into the buildup and excitement, the pounding live drums came in and kicked my adrenaline into overdrive. Yes, it was one of those rare CD moments where you just step back and say "wow" out loud.

If you have good speakers, you'll be treated to one of the best sounding live CDs ever released. If you have a good subwoofer, the drums and bass will amazingly shake the whole room while maintaining perfect clarity in the mix. The album is slightly rougher than its studio counterpart, maybe a bit more rock-oriented and organic, yet it's still immaculately produced, performed, and mixed. It's also louder and oddly sounds more layered, presenting almost a "wall of sound" effect using delay and reverb as well as additional sampling (for instance, you'll find certain samples being used more than they were on the studio album to add more intensity to parts of various songs). Even weaker songs from the album like the gospel-esque "Get Right With Me" are reworked with enough pavement-cracking drums and rocking guitar to drop your jaw to the floor.

As for the band, they're oddly in top form, despite the many problems they were going through at the time. A long-haired, tattoo-covered Dave, struggling with drug use and barely able to stand on stage at times during the tour (as later admitted) gives a strong, heartfelt performance delivered through a confident rockstar persona (with a little help from some background vocals, including female gospel singers). The rest of the band rock out, as well, with strong guitars, driving drums, and near perfect use of synthesizers and samples. This is the sound of a band on the edge of implosion sounding perhaps more cohesive and skilled than they ever had before or have since.

Overall, this album is a heavier, more powerful, more organic version of its studio counterpart...a live album full of adrenaline pumping emotional buildups and earth shattering intensity that accentuates already-powerful epic songs. If you didn't like the original studio album or are just a mild fan, then a live version with the exact same tracklisting is obviously quite unnecessary. However, if you loved the studio album, don't hesitate to pick this one up. Buy it, crank the volume on a stereo system with good bass, and get ready for an amazing ride.

There is no question about this albumn being superior to the original studio albumn release. The live version of JUDAS as one of the best songs... I used to have the lyrics written on a piece of paper pinned to my bathroom wall. Yes, I really did :)
Buy this albumn, true fans will not be dissappointed.

Despite what others may say, this album is in my opinion one of the best rock albums ever. The lyrics are good, but what makes them great is the way they are song, raw and full of passion. You feel the music...which sounds cliche but far from an overstatement in regards to this album.

I'm not so crazy about most of the electronic sound Depeche Mode is involved in, but the live version of this album reduces that sound and gives them a more raw and natural element to their music. Wickedness.

Songs of Faith and Devotion Live...aaahhh, bliss. The grimey, dirty, unpolished feel of the music and vocals on SoFaDLive seem more appropriate than the sterile versions on the studio release. Now don't get me wrong, I love the studio release, yet I was drawn to the raw honesty and energy presented here on SoFaDLive. From the dark beauty of "Judas" and "One Caress", to the powerful vocals of "Condemnation" and "Get Righ With Me", DM will have you on your knees. Gospel if you will, but Depeche Mode style. A wonderfully dark gem in the annals of DM history...brilliant.

being sound and body I bought this cd expecting a blowing of my mind...and I received it. The live version of "I feel you" is a masterpiece. I must say that is just one of the 6 standouts on this album. the 2nd is "condemnation" which is unlike any other Dm song out there. the crowd really gets into this one. 3rd "mercy in you" where Alan sheds alittle bit more synth in there. it's so cool to hear Martin playing that guitar too. 4th has to be Judas which is a perfect duet between Dave and Martin...pure beauty. 5th is "in your room" where you can almost hear David bleeding...and finally "higher love". I love this song and it's gotta be one of the best DM songs. I didn't get much "wow" from "walking in my shoes" or "get right with me"..."rush" could've been better but you can't hear the darn crowd singing it (did they even know the words?). I like the music quality more on this that "101", but I must say I would've loved to hear "personal Jesus" and "never let me down" on this album...If you want more live songs get the "condemnation single" with "enjoy the silence" and "halo"...

It's funny.

I walked into the store and saw "Songs of Faith and Devotion" and I immediately grabbed it and bought it for the second time...well, so I thought. You see, I wore out my cassette the first time I bought it because I loved it so much. When I opened it up, I realized that I had purchased the live album instead. I was very upset but that lasted for only a few minutes. When I heard that powerful drum backing my favorite song, "I Feel You", I was in love! I definitely was feeling it. The hip hop beats with the synthesized sounds and the live guitars made songs like "Walking in My Shoes" and "The Mercy in You" fun and danceable. "Condemnation" has a deeper gospel sound than the regular album. Also, the precise string melodies in "Just One Caress" make this song sound like a vampire's wedding march - gothically romantic.

Of course, there are a few drawbacks. On the regular album, "In Your Room" and "The Mercy in You" seem to have a much richer and fuller background sound than on the live album. I guess there are some things that can only be done with studio equipment. But on the other hand, I was able to hear more precision melodically and vocally in the live version of "Get Right With Me".

All in all, it's a fantastic album - probably one of the best albums that I never meant to buy.

That is the song which practically made me buy this CD. I never heard the original, but the Live version struck a chord on me. Very emotional.

When I first heard SOFADlive starting from "I feel You" and all the way to "Higher Love" it never let me down.With very emotional versions of "Judas" and "In your Room(one of my favs)"I must say I would've liked to hear some other DM songs on the album like "Personal Jesus" but you've got to take what you can get.If you want to hear a great live album I'd buy this....it is well worth it.And listen to "higher love"..............

I haven't listened to this album since I got out of grad school ten years ago, but now that my iPod needs filling, I burned it onto my hard drive. Funny - the album art called up in Windoz Media player was wrong. Exploring the Web, I found out for the first time that DM released these songs twice, and I just happened to have bought the live version. Since I didn't know any better, I just enjoyed the music, which has the raw power of a live performance. I'd forgotten the sound, but I won't forget again. I sympathize with those who felt ripped off by the two releases, but if you didn't buy the first one, you should get the second one. And turn up the volume.

I first heard the studio version of Songs of Faith and Devotion and I have to say that the live version meets or exceeds the former. My favorite song on the studio version is Rush and the same holds true here. Although this CD may not find a permenant home in your CD changer, its a nice experiance.