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Hourglass
by
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Hourglass Image
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the second solo album for the Depeche Mode singer.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. musicOMH.com
    90
    These songs show him in a newly redemptive prime, and will satisfy both short and long term devotees.
  2. Hot Press
    75
    Gahan hasn’t arrived at the palace of wisdom yet, but it sounds like he’s enjoying travelling this new route there.
  3. Billboard
    70
    Dave Gahan wisely returns to the highly synthesized electronica of his main band Depeche Mode.
  4. PopMatters
    60
    Hourglass isn't a perfect album by any means, but it's got enough really good stuff on it to make your overlook the not-so-good.
  5. Rolling Stone
    60
    On Hourglass, he makes a very Depeche-sounding album indeed.
  6. Uncut
    60
    Gahan is a way off from being a David Sylvian–-but not as far as you might think.
  7. NOW Magazine
    40
    Some songs start out peppy and intriguing, but his moaning over top sucks all the life out of the groove.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. commentspae
    May 14, 2021
    10
    A wise album flowing with peppy senior wisdom that sounds very much like the year it was created in, and rather self-contained for that year,A wise album flowing with peppy senior wisdom that sounds very much like the year it was created in, and rather self-contained for that year, as listening to it in the late future can give any memory from the relative era. Since it proceeds Playing the Angel, there is obvious inspiration from the writing and production from that album, as well as Ultra what with Eigner being hired to play drums for the second time on a studio album.

    The instrumentation is persistent and unique to the album, and by possessing fully electronic elements, it contains some analog-dominant songs like Deeper and Deeper and Endless. There are acoustic elements too, that then get manipulated to become more electronic. Being produced between Playing the Angel and Sounds of the Universe, the album catches the raw electronic-orchestral elements from both, using sharp tones that sound similar to that of Depeche Mode's main discography once the late 1990s rolled around for them.

    As for Dave's gravelly, raspy voice, the messages given are raw and relentless. The messages are the inspiration for the central manner of producing the whole album, of course, and are all the reason why the album exists in the first place. Dave wrote the lyrics, and the other two produced them with the assistance of John Frusciante for Saw Something and a whole assortment of other people.    … Expand
  2. [Anonymous]
    Nov 2, 2007
    10
    Amazing album!
  4. ChantalM.
    Jan 21, 2008
    10
    Great album Dave!! You have always had a great voice. I am from South Africa and will always listen to you and Depeche Mode!
  5. VANA1976
    Oct 30, 2007
    9
    Very, very good. Not in commercial common sense. Just listen in & enjoy !
  6. jiltd
    Jan 29, 2008
    9
    Best of two so far. Some pieces (Saw Something, Use You, Endless) are on par with Martin's best songs. I must admit i was skeptical Best of two so far. Some pieces (Saw Something, Use You, Endless) are on par with Martin's best songs. I must admit i was skeptical about Dave could pull out something big like Hourglasses, especially after rather weak Paper Monsters.… Expand
  7. Fonik
    Dec 26, 2010
    8
    This album is better enjoyed in an entire sitting, rather than picking out individual tracks. It certainly slopes downward in tempo afterThis album is better enjoyed in an entire sitting, rather than picking out individual tracks. It certainly slopes downward in tempo after Deeper And Deeper, which is painfully beautiful but could be somewhat misleading to the listener. A very dark album, which gives us an insight to a breakaway solo artist's emotions. Standout Tracks: Saw Something, Kingdom, Deeper And Deeper, Endless.… Expand
  8. MarioO.
    Nov 1, 2007
    5
    I expected much more from his second album.

See all 17 User Reviews

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