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Delta Machine
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Delta Machine Image
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 125 Ratings

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Top Track

Broken
If you want control without any pain How long will you suffer? How long will you wait? Is she the friend that I knew? He cannot be banned Replaced by... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. NOW Magazine
    Mar 21, 2013
    100
    Depeche Mode have dropped the best album of their career.
  2. The Telegraph (UK)
    Mar 22, 2013
    80
    In 2013, if rock is going to survive, it surely has to encompass the bleeps and beats of electro veterans who sound like the future is still catching up with them.
  3. Q Magazine
    Apr 9, 2013
    80
    They're still here and they're still very good. [May 2013, p.93]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The A.V. Club
    Mar 26, 2013
    67
    Despite Gore’s lovely choirboy harmonies, ["Heaven"] feels like electro-soul dragged through quicksand. Thankfully, the rest of the album staves off such dullness with a potent combination of moody programming, focused songwriting, and subtle velocity.
  5. Uncut
    Mar 29, 2013
    60
    In spite (or maybe because) of their flaws, there's a vivid presence to tracks like "Heaven" and "My Little Universe" that fans will flock to and onlookers can't help but smile at. [May 2013, p.69]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 8, 2013
    50
    Where this album tries for a harder, more adventurous sound, they’re still stuck with one leg in leather trousers.
  7. Paste Magazine
    Apr 2, 2013
    34
    Depeche Mode has been an easy target for complaints of stagnancy, and, indeed, the band seemed to stop progressing in the mid-’90s like a child with a pot-a-day habit. And, Delta Machine is another example of this.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 3 out of 29
  1. steame
    Apr 6, 2013
    10
    EXCELLENT. As a fan since 1987, I had become rather unimpressed with DM from "Exciter" onwards. The three albums which precede Delta MachineEXCELLENT. As a fan since 1987, I had become rather unimpressed with DM from "Exciter" onwards. The three albums which precede Delta Machine had some interesting moments, but were very inconsistent and rather "by the numbers" Depeche Mode. Delta Machine puts all that to rights.

    It's a record which pushes the boundaries of the band in the way that "Violater" and "Faith & Devotion" did. It doesn't really sound like those records, but the willingness to take chances and genuinely experiment is what makes it comparable. Stand outs for me include "Welcome", "Alone", "Soft Touch" and perhaps surprisingly the Dave Gahan penned "Higher" and "Broken" despite its rather mediocre lyrics.

    A definite classic album which I have no doubt will be widely acknowledged as such in the years to come.    … Expand
  2. depechemodefan
    Jan 7, 2014
    10
    Delta Machine is one magical albums from the kings of the synthesiser... They may be doing this for a staggering 30 years but how they canDelta Machine is one magical albums from the kings of the synthesiser... They may be doing this for a staggering 30 years but how they can seamlessly combine techno bluesy sounds and haunting vocals is just stellar

    Songs to look out for are Heaven, Soothe My Soul, Should Be Higher and Goodbye for they hit me where I live!

    This was the album I was looking forward to the most...I was NOT disappointed!    … Expand
  4. Kid-T
    Mar 30, 2013
    9
    They know what to do and they're doing it well! Despite DM being in their early fifties, DELTA MACHINE is a fresh, modern, mode-y album withThey know what to do and they're doing it well! Despite DM being in their early fifties, DELTA MACHINE is a fresh, modern, mode-y album with 6-7 classics. Dave has produced his best triad of songs so far.… Expand
  5. Benz74
    Mar 27, 2023
    8
    Delta Machine is the best album of what some call the "Ben Hillier trilogy", i.e, the British producer in charged of DM's last 3 albums.Delta Machine is the best album of what some call the "Ben Hillier trilogy", i.e, the British producer in charged of DM's last 3 albums. Playing The Angel and Sounds of the Universe had some good songs, but were uneven records. With Delta Machine, Depeche Mode delivers a more cohesive product. "Should Be Higher", "Alone", "Broken" are some of the highlights.… Expand
  6. costava
    Apr 22, 2013
    8
    I was skeptical when I first heard about Delta Machine. When David Gahan said that it was going to sound similar to Violator and SOFAD, II was skeptical when I first heard about Delta Machine. When David Gahan said that it was going to sound similar to Violator and SOFAD, I thought he was just trying to desperately convince people that it was going to be as good as their best albums. However, Delta Machine feels more like Playing The Angel if DM decided to take more inspiration from their early albums, like Construction Time Again and Black Celebration. It doesn't feel as slow as Sounds of The Universe, and opts for brooding piano pieces instead of acoustic guitars unlike Exciter. Overall, the album sounds great, and Gahan's voice seems to have gotten better with age. I do wish they tried something a bit more daring, but I still think they ended up producing something really nice. My main complaint, though, is the fact that most of the album's standout tracks were from its B Side.… Expand
  7. davidc2k3
    Mar 27, 2013
    7
    A grower album, should be listened a few times to digest its beauty. Stand out tracks: Broken, Should Be Higher, Alone, Soothe My Soul, (BonusA grower album, should be listened a few times to digest its beauty. Stand out tracks: Broken, Should Be Higher, Alone, Soothe My Soul, (Bonus track: All That's Mine).… Expand
  8. newyorkcitymale
    Mar 30, 2013
    1
    Sadly, I couldn't find one song from this album that I wanted to own. It just seemed lifeless. Nothing seemed to propel it forward or upwards.Sadly, I couldn't find one song from this album that I wanted to own. It just seemed lifeless. Nothing seemed to propel it forward or upwards. It's just sort of there... languishing.

    Maybe it's brilliant & I just don't get it. Either way, I'll have to pass on this one.    … Expand

See all 29 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Most Discussed Album of 2013

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