Playing The Angel
by Depeche Mode
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Oct 18, 2005
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 246 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 221 out of 246
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 246
  3. Negative: 11 out of 246

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  1. BroderickH
    Oct 29, 2005
    9
    A 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.
  2. MyosotisC
    Nov 17, 2005
    9
    This album is absolutely amazing! It's hard, dirty and synthy. The lyrics are awesome as the vocals and the melodies. The only bad thing is the instrumental Introspectre, why do they keep doing instrumental songs? You notice how good the melodies are in teh other songs. Otherwise from the alarm in A pain that I'm used to to the desperation of The darkest star: Enjoy, because it This album is absolutely amazing! It's hard, dirty and synthy. The lyrics are awesome as the vocals and the melodies. The only bad thing is the instrumental Introspectre, why do they keep doing instrumental songs? You notice how good the melodies are in teh other songs. Otherwise from the alarm in A pain that I'm used to to the desperation of The darkest star: Enjoy, because it doesn't get much better than this!… Expand
  3. jatv1994
    Apr 13, 2013
    9
    An 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?
  4. vesper_wolf
    May 29, 2020
    9
    This 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
  5. GarethL
    Nov 2, 2005
    8
    After the largely disappointing Exciter, this is a great return to form. I have to agree with the critics in saying this is their best effort since Violator. Go buy it!
  6. EricR
    Oct 19, 2005
    8
    Very strong 1st 5 or 6 tracks. I feel it is a little weak in the middle buyt ends very well with tracks 10-13 sealing the deal nicely. Strongly Recommend it.
  7. YossiR
    Oct 25, 2005
    8
    Generally, a good album. It lacks the energy DM lost after "Songs of faith and devotion", but it's not as dead as "Exciter". Some songs there do remind the classic sound of DM ("Lillian" could be a track on Music for the masses and you wouldn't know). Somehow the melodies in this album are not as they were before, and the singing is a little too screamish; but all in all it isa Generally, a good album. It lacks the energy DM lost after "Songs of faith and devotion", but it's not as dead as "Exciter". Some songs there do remind the classic sound of DM ("Lillian" could be a track on Music for the masses and you wouldn't know). Somehow the melodies in this album are not as they were before, and the singing is a little too screamish; but all in all it isa new Depeche Mode album, and it sounds like one as well.… Expand
  8. Vail
    Oct 29, 2005
    8
    Being a fan since 85, I was a worried after listening to Exciter; by far my least favorite Dmode collection. Thank God for this inspired and edgy sounding CD. Since the departure of Wilder, it seems the band is in the midst of rediscovering itself. PTA is a very strong effort. The components that make Dmode great are all here. Precious is probably one of the most personnel pieces Mart has Being a fan since 85, I was a worried after listening to Exciter; by far my least favorite Dmode collection. Thank God for this inspired and edgy sounding CD. Since the departure of Wilder, it seems the band is in the midst of rediscovering itself. PTA is a very strong effort. The components that make Dmode great are all here. Precious is probably one of the most personnel pieces Mart has written in years. The first few listens really grabbed me. I think the lyrics speak for itself. There has been a lot of talk about Suffer Well as being a standout track. I don't know. It comes across somewhat bland to me. Nothing's Impossible is by far the best out of the three tracks from Dave. The Sinner in Me strikes me as a true to form Dmode track; very nicely layered with a superb soundscape. All in all this effort is winning and shows if anything, Dmode is still an exciting and creative force.… Expand
  9. RichS
    Feb 15, 2006
    8
    This is a very good album. After two pretty poor efforts (Ultra and exciter) Playing the Angel is up with the best depeche albums of all time. Tracks are beautifully put together with melody opon melody layered deep within the songs. Standout tracks include the Gahan penned Suffer Well (probably the best thing on the album) and I want it All (probably the second best thing on the album). This is a very good album. After two pretty poor efforts (Ultra and exciter) Playing the Angel is up with the best depeche albums of all time. Tracks are beautifully put together with melody opon melody layered deep within the songs. Standout tracks include the Gahan penned Suffer Well (probably the best thing on the album) and I want it All (probably the second best thing on the album). If you were dissapointed by exciter, get hold of this album, it sort of serves as an apology in the best possible way.… Expand
  10. JOSEG
    May 24, 2006
    8
    Excelent, to the top of Depeche Mode CD's.
  11. WilliamL
    Nov 1, 2005
    8
    I've read a few comments about playing the angel and most lof you are still in "violator" & "ultra" bubbles. I, as a true fan have listened and then listened again at the boys. Iike you I have fell in morbid love with each and every track. My favourate---"ultra" has heped me through countless hours playing resident evil. Try it guys it works!. Anyhoooo stop comparing and bloody I've read a few comments about playing the angel and most lof you are still in "violator" & "ultra" bubbles. I, as a true fan have listened and then listened again at the boys. Iike you I have fell in morbid love with each and every track. My favourate---"ultra" has heped me through countless hours playing resident evil. Try it guys it works!. Anyhoooo stop comparing and bloody listen, it's proper moody and I'm not past 5.… Expand
  12. maxd
    Nov 10, 2005
    8
    What a surprise! Depeche Mode comes out with a very interesting record after the controvesial Exciter. It's probably the darkest stuff they have ever made. Gahan's songs equal the Gore ones in terms of quality. Well done Dave! The general mood - as said above - is dark and gloom with the only exceptions of "PRECIOUS", "LILIAN" and John The revelator" who relate to 90s Depeche What a surprise! Depeche Mode comes out with a very interesting record after the controvesial Exciter. It's probably the darkest stuff they have ever made. Gahan's songs equal the Gore ones in terms of quality. Well done Dave! The general mood - as said above - is dark and gloom with the only exceptions of "PRECIOUS", "LILIAN" and John The revelator" who relate to 90s Depeche Mode. "The darkest star", "a Pain I'm used to", and "nothig is impossible" are my favourite tracks.… Expand
  13. BonV
    Oct 18, 2005
    8
    Much better than the last effort Exciter, almost up there with their classics Violator, Songs Of Faith And Devotion and Black Celebraton!
  14. SeanW
    Oct 28, 2005
    8
    Bam! Bam! Bam! The first three tracks kick ass. Very good album overall.
  15. SteveB
    Oct 29, 2005
    8
    I bought Speak & Spell back in 1981 when I was 11 years old and was immediately hooked on Depeche Mode - although in recent years I don't listen to them as much any more. However, I still look forward to a new release and go out and buy it. SOFAD was, IMHO, the last consistently good album they released. Ultra had some good moments, Exciter was pretty dire with perhaps one or two I bought Speak & Spell back in 1981 when I was 11 years old and was immediately hooked on Depeche Mode - although in recent years I don't listen to them as much any more. However, I still look forward to a new release and go out and buy it. SOFAD was, IMHO, the last consistently good album they released. Ultra had some good moments, Exciter was pretty dire with perhaps one or two good moments. I was a bit apprehensive that this album would spell the end altogether. On first listen I was a bit nonplussed - quite a different sound for them - I don't really know where all the Violator comparisons are coming from; to me this album sounds a lot sparser and harsher than Violator. On repeated listens though, this one has grown on me. I think the strongest track is "The Darkest Star", similar vibe to "Clean" and it's the closing track too. "Suffer Well" is a great track and "Sinner in me", "Nothing's Impossible" and "Precious" make the grade, but I think the rest of the album falls short. Martin's singing just grates on me these days - wish he would come up with some material on par with earlier tracks like "Somebody", for example. The old "pain and suffering" schtick is getting pretty old too, to be honest. DM have said they don't want to repeat themselves, and stylistically they've managed to avoid that for the most part. But how about a little thematic change, fellas? ;-) Anyway, decent album overall, gives hope to a long-time fan that they still have a few tricks up their sleeves... p.s. Ray M, are you sure you hear a Crystal Method sample? I've never known Depeche Mode to sample other people's stuff, so I'm curious as to what track you think it samples...… Expand
  16. GermanC
    Oct 21, 2005
    8
    Muy buen cd.... todavia no pueden superar "musica para las masas" o "violador", pero estan arriba de "sonidos de fe y devocion" y de "ultra." La primera mitad del cd es increible... la segunda mitad baja el ritmo, mucho segun mi gusto, pero en general le doy 8 puntos. todavia siguen vivos y dando guerra.... aun son lo mejores del genero por lejos. Gerdmode
  17. JohnD
    Oct 25, 2005
    8
    Any band that can make the same song for 20 years and still make it sound great deserves at least a 7.
  18. listener
    Nov 13, 2011
    8
    Good 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.
  19. MarkA
    Oct 27, 2005
    7
    Easily the best album since Faith and Devotion (but that's not saying much since there's been only 2 others, not including the "best of's"). The first 5 tracks really stand out. Great album for DM fans though.
  20. VinceC
    Oct 24, 2005
    7
    PTA does not rank among the best DM albums, but it is their best album since the departure of Alan Wilder over ten years ago. That said, there's nothing particularly groundbreaking on it, there's some filler (such as the pointless instrumental Introspectre), and the second half of the album fades a bit after a strong start. On the plus side, Gahan proves he can write a good tune PTA does not rank among the best DM albums, but it is their best album since the departure of Alan Wilder over ten years ago. That said, there's nothing particularly groundbreaking on it, there's some filler (such as the pointless instrumental Introspectre), and the second half of the album fades a bit after a strong start. On the plus side, Gahan proves he can write a good tune (albeit with a couple of co-songwriters), Gore proves he can continue to write good ones, and Fletch is Fletch. This album is NOT a 10, but most long-time DM fans won't be disappointed.… Expand
  21. Matt
    Dec 5, 2005
    7
    Solid, dark lashings of Mode by numbers
  22. joeb
    Oct 19, 2005
    7
    No way near Violator. Not too bad though..the band is missing the unique sound of Alan Wilder. Best since Violator though
  23. Alexgamechanger
    Mar 25, 2023
    7
    Best hits here are Precious, Suffer Well, John the Relevator and A Pain that I'm used to. Very good album. 7.5/10
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Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Most Discussed Album of 2005
57
#57 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. AllMusic
    90
    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.
    Read full review
  2. Billboard
    80
    Revels in dirty guitars and fuzzy distortion while maintaining Depeche Mode's familiar electronic sound. [22 Oct 2005]
  3. Filter
    86
    It'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]
See all critic reviews »