Spirit
by Depeche Mode
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Mar 17, 2017
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 123 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 93 out of 123
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 123
  3. Negative: 12 out of 123
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  1. wiener
    Apr 8, 2017
    6
    As for me, motives of this album are really straight and obvious and lyrics are simple. Nevertheless, it sounds convincing, mostly because of sound production, thanks James Ford for that.
  2. Maetro
    Mar 18, 2017
    6
    If you haven't noticed, this is two albums. One which is depressing, political and preachy written by Gore, the other is brilliant, non-preachy and classic songs written by Dave Gahan. Something about this album just felt disjointed on first listen. It all became clear when I looked up who the songs were written by. I liked every song written by Gahan and none written by depressing Gore.If you haven't noticed, this is two albums. One which is depressing, political and preachy written by Gore, the other is brilliant, non-preachy and classic songs written by Dave Gahan. Something about this album just felt disjointed on first listen. It all became clear when I looked up who the songs were written by. I liked every song written by Gahan and none written by depressing Gore.

    Cheat sheet: Cover Me, Poison Heart and No More are all excellent songs and all happen to be written by Dave Gahan. Gore's self righteous songs Poor Man, Fail, Scum, The Worst Crime and Going Backwards leaves me feeling lousey and hopeless. Not something I want to listen to 50 times. I get it Marty, you are watching the news way, way, way too much.

    Diehard DM fans will defend this album "just because" and liberal critics will praise the album for the lyrics alone. What's funny is I don't necessarily disagree with what he writes, I just don't want to hear it when I am listening to the music I love. I think it's time for Dave to go solo again. Besides "Kingdom" and "Love Will Leave You (Cap10 Kirk Remix) are way up there with any of the DM greats. Hear me Dave?    … Expand
  3. macsumner
    Mar 19, 2017
    4
    With politics, faiths and all sorts of devotions readying the world for hells’ various hand-baskets, surely we need Depeche Mode to once more cattle prod the masses. Except, on their 14th album, they don’t. There are classic Depeche elements which gel beautifully - only Dave Gahan can commit so passionately to Martin Gore’s unsurprisingly scornful lyric sheet, and Cover Me’s transformationWith politics, faiths and all sorts of devotions readying the world for hells’ various hand-baskets, surely we need Depeche Mode to once more cattle prod the masses. Except, on their 14th album, they don’t. There are classic Depeche elements which gel beautifully - only Dave Gahan can commit so passionately to Martin Gore’s unsurprisingly scornful lyric sheet, and Cover Me’s transformation from traditional gothic lament to hypnotic Tron-esque atmospherics is magnificent, but James Ford’s (Simian Mobile Disco) almost totalitarian production mostly reduces Gahan to meekly pealing from a soapbox rather than commanding from a mighty pedestal.… Expand
  4. Enviro3
    Mar 18, 2017
    6
    I have been an extremely devoted Depeche Mode fan for over 30 years and I have to say with a heavy heart that this is my least favorite record. I completely understand that through the years DM have been a little moody, somewhat depressing at times, and occasionally political. This album they ramped it up to an 11. Almost every song is way too preachy, extremely depressing and kind ofI have been an extremely devoted Depeche Mode fan for over 30 years and I have to say with a heavy heart that this is my least favorite record. I completely understand that through the years DM have been a little moody, somewhat depressing at times, and occasionally political. This album they ramped it up to an 11. Almost every song is way too preachy, extremely depressing and kind of uninteresting.

    Here are some of the lyrics. "Our souls are corrupt, our minds our messed up, our consciences bankrupt, oh, we're **** Really Martin? Pretty uplifting. Makes me want to put that on repeat. "You're hollow and shallow, your empty life is done. Pull the trigger." Wow!! What the hell happened to the lyrics and music I could make out to? I'm certainly not putting this music on in the bedroom, nor for a drive in my car on a road trip.

    On the positive, musically, I think James Ford did a fine job, and Dave's vocals are still great after all of these years. The music on going Backwards, Poison Heart and Cover Me are fantastic as well as a couple of the instrumental bonus tracks at the end of the deluxe version.

    I still love these guys! They are my favorite band of all time. I'm hoping that in 4 years when they put out another album it will be more uplifting to balance this one out. The world will always be a rough place and sometimes we need music to boost our spirits, not depress us even more.    … Expand
  5. YT_Guyyy
    Mar 21, 2017
    6
    I just want to say that (contrary to popular belief) a rating lower than 8 doesn't mean I dislike the album. I think it's good, though I don't see all the high praises. It's as pretty much good as the last few Depeche Mode albums. Well some of them are definitely better than this, like Playing the Angel.

    There's not much to say about the music; it's a pretty normal DM album. The music's    I just want to say that (contrary to popular belief) a rating lower than 8 doesn't mean I dislike the album. I think it's good, though I don't see all the high praises. It's as pretty much good as the last few Depeche Mode albums. Well some of them are definitely better than this, like Playing the Angel.

    There's not much to say about the music; it's a pretty normal DM album. The music's pretty good, the lyrics are ehh. The lyrics aren't (compared to other DM stuff) all that good. The ambiguous political messages are confusing as to what the hell they're even saying, and the non-political songs are... well they have pretty much the lyrical quality of a good pop song.    … Expand
  6. Music_Observer
    May 14, 2017
    6
    Continuing down their path of trying to create more intimate and meaningful music, Depeche Mode fail to use their expertise in synthetic texture to enliven the rather apathetic musical layers, with the result being a sedated yet appreciative attempt at realism. My Score: 111/180 (Okay) = 6.2/10

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Most Discussed Album of 2017
42
#42 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. The Wire
    Jun 2, 2017
    70
    Now more than ever, political songs need engagement and direct prescription. In that respect Spirit rarely cuts it. But as with many DM albums, it can still resonate in quieter moments such as “Cover Me”, and the group’s continued existence is one of the great love affairs between man and machine in modern music. [Apr 2017, p.56]
  2. Blurt Magazine
    Apr 24, 2017
    80
    You have to go back to 1993’s Songs of Faith and Devotion to find a more consistently flawless record from the band. Lyrically the trio is in top form.
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  3. musicOMH.com
    Apr 10, 2017
    60
    Spirit is, ironically enough, sometimes lacking in that, with a few too many downbeat, mid-tempo brooding numbers for comfort. For a soundtrack to a revolution, we’re going to need to party more.
    Read full review
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