User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 119 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 86 out of 119
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Mixed: 23 out of 119
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Negative: 10 out of 119
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Apr 11, 2012This is an intelligent, meaningful electronic music experience that will grow on you and leave you completely satisfied, comparable to Aphex Twin's level of production.
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Jun 19, 2011Depeche Mode has made a huge change in sound since exciter. That said Sounds of the Universe is a great disc with some of the best of what they can offer: Great vocals, wonderful lyrics and amazing music with a dark and grim tone.
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Nov 29, 2012A couple of good tracks (Wrong, In Sympathy) with some ok ones (Corrupt, Miles Away/The Truth Is, In Chains) and the rest forgettable. Some say the b-sides are better than the album tracks.
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Sep 11, 2011This one is less darker than PTA, but repeat the same formula (and producer) with some dirty sounds and samplers. After all, with this album Depeche continues alive. Good but not the best so far.
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BitBurnMay 4, 2009Okay so it's not Violator but it's a darn good effort nonetheless. It sounds like the DM we love, lots of synth, great vocals, dark, catchy, modern. My favorite track are "Come Back", "In Sympathy" and "Fragile Tension".
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RobertG.May 6, 2009I'm very happy with this album and prefer it to Playing the Angel, which i felt was too noisy and industrial. Jezebel and the interlude are pretty bad. Everything else is very solid and varied in feel and tone. My favorite album since Ultra which I preferred to SOFAD. Exciter was horrendous.
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BertE.Jul 8, 2009I like the return to the analog synths and the return of melody to the songs. Playing the Angel was a little cold in that respect.
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ChasePApr 21, 2009Its a great album and it deserves a great score. Who cares if they dont have that new sound or that old sound. They are Depeche Mode, and they do something different on every album. And Sounds of the Universe is one of their best.
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DanAApr 21, 2009Always cutting edge and fresh Depeche Mode have done it again. Pushing the envelope, perfectly ok with saying away from commercial trends. Like all DM CD's you need to listen to it several times to take it all in. It will really grow to be a favorite.
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BrandonApr 23, 2009it's a great album. On repeated listens, one will understand the great harmonies and overall great songwriting this album contains.
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ariangApr 23, 2009Very good cd. Defenitely not flawless. Not all the tracks work perfectly but all and all very good. This comes from a person that has been following them since 1982.
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JohnBApr 29, 2009
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JonasY.May 30, 2009WOW! GREAT ALBUM .. BEST PURCHASE EVER.. I agree absolute with the title sounds of the UNIVERSE.. it defines it unfiltered a true crowdpleaser , heavenly... pick this badboy up today.
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NickW.Apr 21, 2009I love the album. I didn't realize the universe sounded like my subwoofer exploding though. I like bass in music, a lot, but there's so much and it's so deep it's hard to hear the songs under it. When I have to turn the sub volume down 2-3 notches compared to every other CD I own, something's messed up. Aside from that, great album ;)
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davideApr 21, 2009SOTU is DM at their best. A sonically lush and expansive album, vocally Dave and Martin have never sounded better, and a perfect balance of soulfull beats, distinct melodies and a few surprise turns. Their best album in 20 years.
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AVApr 25, 2009
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IgorAApr 27, 2009Not better then "playing the angel" but strong and nice album, excellent singing.
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LinoG.May 4, 2009Any Depeche Mode follower would be foolish to pass on this wonderful album. From second one to the the album's close, this is a great listening experience. This is Depeche Mode at their best, and I'm thrilled to have embarked on this, their latest journey.
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DexStudJul 29, 2009Very strong, solid album from a classic band. After listening to singles: Wrong and Peace proves how infinitely creative Depeche Mode can be.
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MattAApr 21, 2009Great Album, marred only by its lack of ambition. There are definitely great tracks to be heard on this album. It is very reminiscent of exciter, however, does evoke some late 80's mode on certain tracks. I can see how it can turn off some hardcore depeche mode fans, but it still holds strong against many other contemporary bands of today.
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FelipePApr 21, 2009Fantastic album, one of the best albums of Depeche Mode, I love it!
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MikeRApr 23, 2009Solid album, each song is fresh and well crafted. DM pushes the envelope and sets a new pace! A+.
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CarlosO.Apr 23, 2009This album is almost perfect, taking count its a 30 year old band, you would never expect something so fresh and full of variety, it`s a bit too long thou , to me if you cut out ` In Sympathy` and `Perfect` out, that lay on the dissonant fillers category , you get a perfect tight Album in the vein of Songs Of Faith and Devotion.
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JosephA.May 16, 2009
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Nov 27, 2013It's a a 'gray masterpiece' from Depeche Mode; "Sounds Of The Universe" it's like see the world trough the mirror, and don't understand whats happens. Not so formidable like "Playing The Angel", but show the other side from the religious mind from Dave, Adan and Martin.
Awards & Rankings
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The result sounds like a time machine back to the Eighties.
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Sounds of the Universe comes on a bit softer, with less industrial guitar clang and more of chief songwriter Martin Gore's dreamy atmospherics.
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A less then stellar return, then, but a welcome one nevertheless.