reviews

i try to keep abreast of new album releases that i may enjoy. david gray's latest album draw the line is a very pleasant surprise. it strikes melancholy and warm chords - a perfect fall record. though having par reviews by most magazines, i find it above average. gray's best since white ladder. nice melodies and lyrics throughout. an early favorite to top my 'best of 2009' list

I have listened to the new depeche mode album (april 21st release date) for a few weeks now, since it was leaked onto the internet.

In general, I like it. There will be those who say it is not classic depeche and those who will. I don't really claim to know which statement is more correct. To me it is a nice mix of electronica, guitar riffs, and catchy lyrics/singing - in essense, depeche mode. And one of the things I like about depeche mode is that there sound is always evolving, changing while keeping a certain core - that, and i guess making dark themes sound fun...if that makes sense

Track by track thoughts:

1. in chains - starts off sounding like the intro to the tv show "lost". nice vocals, riff
2. hole to feed - mediocre track
3. wrong - first single. i do not mind this single as much as i initially did. however, the super repetition of the word "wrong" is still abrasive
4. fragile tension - pop sound (but with a dark edge that is expected of depeche)
5. little soul - spacey track. probably my favorite thing on this track is the little outro riff
6. in sympathy - pop single quality. the closest thing to "precious" on this album
7. peace - a mediocre track
8. come back - dark sounding, but catchy riff and lyrics. a tad monotonous
9. spacewalker - not a fan of this interlude (usually i am). too light and whimsical. sounds 'jezebel' themed to me.
10. perfect - mediocre
11. miles away - one of the stronger tracks on the album
12. jezebel - martin gore ballad. fairly nice sounding
13. corrupt - not a fan

there are strong tracks on this record (in chains, in sympathy, miles away), but also some duds. too inconsistent to be as good as playing the angel or violator.

it is also a little sleepy sounding in spots. still a good disc - one of the best new releases i have heard so far in 2009
6.5/10