User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 246 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 221 out of 246
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Mixed: 14 out of 246
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Negative: 11 out of 246
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RAYVOct 21, 2005One Of Depeche Mode s Great Albums Very Good As Always
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EndorphineOct 22, 2005Very vibrant and deeply layered music, that takes hold of your brain. Good to see a varied mix of songs this time, and more upbeat.
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SteveJDec 2, 2005
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JohnDOct 25, 2005Any band that can make the same song for 20 years and still make it sound great deserves at least a 7.
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skyewOct 26, 2005Ive really enjoyed this album and i just cant get enough!
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BryanOct 27, 2005
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BroderickHOct 29, 2005A band who have been recording for 25 years produce an album which is only bettered by their best, the absolute classics "...Masses" and "Violator". Not even Bowie, Ferry or Dylan can hold a candle to this.
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OskarSNov 21, 2006It made me feel emotions that I haven´t felt since 1990. Great collection of addictive songs..
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jgFeb 21, 2006some of DM's best stuff!!!!!!
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TaninoMNov 13, 2005A great album by one of the best and most consistent bands in th world. My favourite tracks are Precious, John The Relevator, Nothing is Impossible and Lilian. A great reurn to form !
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MyosotisCNov 17, 2005
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DavidZNov 18, 2005Very enjoyable. A more industrial electronic sound than in recent albums. Martin's lyrics are thoughtful and interesting. I saw the live concert in Vancouver and it was excellent. It makes you realize how many great songs Depeche have written over the years. Best tracks Precious, Suffer Well (Dave Gahan wrote this - now I want to buy Paper Monsters CD) and the Darkest Star.
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AlexJNov 19, 2005After several listens, I found my enjoyment growing and the emotional depths of DM's electronic layering as rich, unique and beautifully bizzare as any previous work of theirs that has endeared me so much to this group. Playing the Angel is full of fresh new sounds, providing an all too familiar sense of awe. How do they do it?
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LilianWNov 26, 2005...I just cant get enough of Depeche Mode! Im really impressed with their new album...very very Depeche Mode-ish!! Cant express how honoured I felt (and still do -blush blush sigh sigh) seeing they came out with a song called Lilian.....with ONE L, too!! Now thats what I call justice in the world!!!
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jenniferNov 26, 2005doesn't get any better than this....live in san diego was awesome.
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erikamDec 14, 2005the best!!!
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RobertNDec 28, 2005Great album from a great band.
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Nov 13, 2011Good album but overall sound quality is not so great-the sound is unbelievably loud and distorted but also kind of flat,with no natural dynamic range.
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Nov 29, 2012
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Apr 13, 2013An awesome comeback, after a few "meh" albums, Depeche creates kind of a Violator 2; a modern masterpiece, sure, its has flaws; but which album doesnt?
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May 14, 2021
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May 29, 2020This is Depeche mode's welcome return to elegant productions of pre pre "faith and devotion" band. It's very melodic, the production is immediate and sometimes sexy. It sounds very much like (albeit less anthemic) 21st century's Violator
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Mar 25, 2023Best hits here are Precious, Suffer Well, John the Relevator and A Pain that I'm used to. Very good album. 7.5/10
Awards & Rankings
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Like the best Depeche Mode, almost everything on the album will make an initial wowing impact while remaining layered enough in subtle details to surprise and thrill with repeated listens.
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BillboardRevels in dirty guitars and fuzzy distortion while maintaining Depeche Mode's familiar electronic sound. [22 Oct 2005]
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FilterIt's got all the allure of classic D-Mode, but there's that lingering hint of taking oneself a tad too seriously. [#17, p.97]