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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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
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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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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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Feb 9, 2013
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Nov 29, 2012
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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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DexStudJul 29, 2009Stellar entry from synth-pop's greatest guys. Covers many genres including: alt rock, dance, and, pop. Once again proves Depeche Mode as one of the greatest bands of all time.
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ianbApr 30, 2009I hated this and wanted to sell it on ebay, but after a lengthy gap, i returned to it and playing the angel is an amazing album, after several listens it hits you. It is a very modern classical album - it's complex and the songs are built with perfect components- it's dm's equal to radioheads in rainbows, keep listening you will get it.
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f_iiJan 30, 2009Just cool, amazing album.
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timeOct 26, 2007
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LouiseSAug 25, 2007I'm really dissapointed. sounds like adults trying to tell what it's like being a teenager, they've simply lost it.
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BrookeO.Aug 14, 2007Overrated! "Precious" is there best track in a long time, but, past that, not much else on here to enjoy. I wish they would either hook back up w Alan or call it quits. DM are no longer relevent to anything or anyone, save themselves and their bank account.
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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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RomascuANov 9, 2006it's very good.
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JuanROct 9, 2006This album is dark and melodic. Best album since Songs of Faith and Devotion
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AlvinAJul 26, 2006
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LiliMJun 27, 2006dm are consistent with producing classic albums one after the other. its music with meaning and is original and inspiring. you can listen to the alibum over and over again and each time you discover another sound, another part which relates to your life in some way. they are just like no other.
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JOSEGMay 24, 2006Excelent, to the top of Depeche Mode CD's.
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MooMantsApr 1, 2006This is a great album. Classic Mode, but still fresh and addictive listening. Some really cool production touches. I bought it out of loyalty to an all time fave band, but now I can't stop listening to it.
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FitterMar 23, 2006First of all, far far better than Exciter. And this is a big surprise. It seems some competition (two songwriters) greatly contributed to the final result. DM at last deliver a number of good songs and although these won't turn out to be particularly remarkable in their career, I belive the band did all they could at the moment. Standouts: Sinner in me and Suffer Well
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jgFeb 21, 2006some of DM's best stuff!!!!!!
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RichSFeb 15, 2006
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FuzikéaKFeb 12, 2006The first listen got me hooked, and I must say that it just gets better the more I listen to it. PTA fully converted me to Depeche Mode. Only flaw: Please, please, please, don't pay attention to "Macro"...
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BjörnLJan 25, 2006Best DM Album since Violator and I wouldnt be suprised if I will rank it as number 1 in a couple of years
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ozumgroupJan 11, 2006it is the best music group...
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KurtAJan 6, 2006Depeche Mode Rules
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preciousJan 4, 2006
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DecepticonPomJan 2, 2006Generation i-Pod has too short an attention span to award this album the patience that rewards such an outstanding album.
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DroneStudiosDec 30, 2005
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NankingYDec 28, 2005I love this album!!! It's the best they have put out since Violator. I can't wait til their next one.
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RobertNDec 28, 2005Great album from a great band.
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erikamDec 14, 2005the best!!!
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MattDec 5, 2005Solid, dark lashings of Mode by numbers
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SteveJDec 2, 2005
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BulkyNov 29, 2005
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SatanicMajestyNov 28, 2005A HUGE, HUGE step forward since their TRULLY ROCKER debut.
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ManuelANov 27, 2005Wow, the return to the 80's!. I feef well with them again.
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jenniferNov 26, 2005doesn't get any better than this....live in san diego was awesome.
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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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Gaurav"Doc"MNov 25, 2005Though I am a long time fan, in honesty, this is some excllent work in production and writing. Depeche I feel has come in STRONG with this "Playing the Angel!" Well worth the wait for a classic DM album!
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LeoMozNov 23, 2005so cool!!!
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SaharM.Nov 21, 2005The greatest album Lilian is the best and also others
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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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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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MyosotisCNov 17, 2005
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RolandoLNov 16, 2005Amazing, back to what they stood for. Singing about life's sad side. The truth about what can and will wrong with many people's lives.
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PeterSNov 15, 2005Mode's new album is nothing short of a masterpiece. Their opening show in Tampa was unbelievable. Tight music with vocals that combine and take you on a journey of sight & sound that is almost unmatched in music today.
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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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maxdNov 10, 2005
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JohnNov 9, 2005DM is inventive once again meshing violator on to form " Playing the Angel."
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BrentTNov 6, 2005As soon as I heard songs from this new album, I knew it would impress. Despite the fact that Depeche Mode hasn't had a fresh new album in some time, they keep the same catchy and mysterious tunes that can be compared to those older ones that made them famous, such as those on Violator. Their new production techniques make the album sound even more unique.
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heinecNov 6, 2005this is just so dm as dm can be. i love the feel and sound. every dm fan will love it, maby even some new listeners here and there..
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JoNov 5, 2005Amazing how they can combine experience with authenticity. Fresh but mature, brand new but drawing on the best DM stuff of the late 80s, it's definitely music for sophisticated masses.
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PalPNov 4, 2005It is a great CD. Of course the times of Violator or Songs of Faith and the 80's will never be back, but this is a great return. It is far superior than Ultra and that the dissapointing Exciter. With songs like Nothing's Impossible or Suffer Well they took me fifteen years ago to the good times of techno-goth heaven.
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josemNov 3, 2005muy buen material
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GarethLNov 2, 2005After 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!
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WilliamLNov 1, 2005
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jothaxejNov 1, 2005This is why I still love Depeche Mode after all these years.
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EleannaDNov 1, 2005a mature evolution of Gore's genius
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stefanocOct 31, 2005
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slawekkOct 30, 2005rather a dissapointment - yes there are a few great songs, but still we could have expected a much better album. after a great "exciter" this one is simply uneven...
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elo_reyOct 30, 2005DM doing their best again! perfect pop-synth songs, love the sound of these old sinthethizers.
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VailOct 29, 2005
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alexisdOct 29, 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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SteveBOct 29, 2005
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SeanWOct 28, 2005Bam! Bam! Bam! The first three tracks kick ass. Very good album overall.
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BrianEOct 28, 2005
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RayMOct 28, 2005The first half of this CD works for me but after track 5 I just lose interest. Not great, but not bad either. My one pet peeve with this record is that my favorite track, the sinner in me, is based totally on a Crystal Method sample.....oh well maybe I'm just getting old and expected something a little closer to Violator....
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mikeTOct 27, 2005I think that this album is a lot more akin to their older stuff than exciter was. Both were great albums, but this album kicks major ass! Precious, john the revelator, suffer well, lilian, a pain that i'm used to all kick major booty! Better than all of this saturated rap crap currently playing everywhere.....enough already! Buy this album!
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MarkAOct 27, 2005Easily 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.
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BryanOct 27, 2005
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NicolaiPOct 27, 2005Only 3 quality tracks, and the mastering is HARSH. Louder and harsher doesn't mean edgier!
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AshleeSOct 26, 2005First two singles are amazing. Sure the songs sound dated compared to the nasal banter of what the disney channel force feeds to young kids! Hats off to DM for keeping the faith. Reward Ashlee Simpson with endless media play and dump DM to the back of that rag of a magazine. I won't mind not hearing or seeing DM anywhere but my ipod.
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skyewOct 26, 2005Ive really enjoyed this album and i just cant get enough!
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MarkCOct 26, 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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YossiROct 25, 2005
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VinceCOct 24, 2005
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DaniilKOct 24, 2005The Best.......Rolling Stones are jealous s... some real views at life!!!
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JemmaOct 24, 2005It isn't my favorite Depeche Mode album, but it really refreshed my memory as to why I fell in love with this band in the first place. I can't wait to attend their concert!
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BrianKOct 23, 2005The first half of the cd is spectacular. Truly the best DM since Violator. Then, it goes awry in a wash of down-tempo pretentiousness. Bad down-tempo pretentiousness. Thank god for Moenia, who have released the best 'Depeche Mode-style' albums of the last 8 years and in Spanish, no less!
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craigmOct 22, 2005
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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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CalvinWOct 22, 2005
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RicardoCOct 22, 2005Almost 25 years have passed since Depeche Mode recorded their first album, Speak and Spell. They became the best and most influential band in the electronic scene, and also one of the biggest and most important acts in the world. Obviously, all of these achievements force them to give their best in every new album they release. And this is what we find in Playing the Angel. The album starts with
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DavidHOct 22, 2005
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KarenOct 22, 2005As a fan of Depeche Mode's since I was 13, I have never faltered from them being the best out there. Their music ages well. Now with this album, they aren't slowing down. I would say it ranks up there with Music for the Masses, Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion.
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coryhOct 22, 2005rolling stone is such a bunch of want to be emo kids its a embarresment, stick to my chemical romance, this is a powerful cd, and it has some great songs that make you remember why there truly standing the test of time, 25 years .. wow
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RAYVOct 21, 2005One Of Depeche Mode s Great Albums Very Good As Always
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igorOct 21, 2005well ... first impession was ... disturbed, crushed and fooled around again. After several rounds of listening - it's %^@#&^ great! I love it.
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StephenIOct 21, 2005As usual, Depeche Mode manage to come out with an album that surprises, yet satisfies. At first listen I would have rated it a 7 1/2. But given a chance, the songs grow like a spark to a flame. Could have maybe tweaked a few things, but overall the album scores!
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DavidC.Oct 21, 2005Freakin' A!!!! I love everything about this album; the music, the lyrics, Dave's voice... It'll stick in my heavy song rotation for a long while. Depeche Mode have just proven their staying power and that they're not done yet.
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GermanCOct 21, 2005Muy 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
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natsOct 21, 2005Amazing!!! They're back:)
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BenjitheGreatOct 21, 2005Rolling Stone can kiss my freakin ass, this album is better than sex.
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richardhOct 21, 2005We have stepped back to the outstanding anthems of Violator and SoFaD. Truly outstanding. Manchester 30th March cannot come soon enough!!
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ADAMBOct 21, 2005Up there with violator + music for the masses - April can't come around quick enough!!
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AndyEOct 20, 2005great
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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]