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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jothaxejNov 1, 2005This is why I still love Depeche Mode after all these years.
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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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davedOct 20, 2005a classic electrosoul cd. Never boring, never repetitive, lyrically brilliant. album of 2005.
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AndyEOct 20, 2005great
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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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HenrikAOct 18, 2005One of their absolute best
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JanROct 18, 2005great album! they are back!
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JoeCOct 19, 2005My heart stopped when I first heard that DM was working on a new album. My boyfriend Rubin and I are lifelong fans, and just hearing the new material brings back many happy memories (thanks Rubin!)....
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DavidHOct 22, 2005
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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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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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elo_reyOct 30, 2005DM doing their best again! perfect pop-synth songs, love the sound of these old sinthethizers.
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KurtAJan 6, 2006Depeche Mode Rules
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JuanROct 9, 2006This album is dark and melodic. Best album since Songs of Faith and Devotion
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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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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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BulkyNov 29, 2005
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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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calinvOct 17, 2005PTA is a masterpiece of dark and dirty electronics : half of it is a puncher and the other half is a trip ; Few audio sessions are required and some into-electronica music preferences This album is for the masses who refuse to be shallow...
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DHOct 17, 2005Ace album, takes the best moments from the part 4 albums and combine them into one diverse and hyperactive synth rock album. Pure genius.
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ShaunROct 17, 2005This completely makes up for Exciter. This is Depeche Mode in top form!
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petebOct 17, 2005Maybe their best album. For a 25 year old band that is incredible. Dark, daring and delicious Depechealbum!
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KevinAOct 17, 2005Best album this year by far.
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gianfrancolOct 17, 2005Best one since Violator album!! Great DM!!
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EliaROct 17, 2005excellent album, Nothing's Impossible and Suffer Well stand up as great and obscure tracks, actually the whole album it's genious
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IJekicOct 18, 2005Although DM are my favourite band, I never thought that they would release the masterpiece like this, after all affairs and time they spent together!! Congratulations guys!!
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JaredOct 18, 2005
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sunesOct 19, 2005Excellent! The mode back in shape. Classic feel, but as always totally reinvented them self.
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natsOct 21, 2005Amazing!!! They're back:)
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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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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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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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CubeLukeOct 20, 2005I love DM since 1989 and my three best albums are MFTM, Violator and now also Playing the angel. Thank you Depeche Mode for this amazing album. I'm enjoying it all the time x-times a day and still discover new and new forms of live. DM FOREVER ;)
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BenjitheGreatOct 21, 2005Rolling Stone can kiss my freakin ass, this album is better than sex.
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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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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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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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DaniilKOct 24, 2005The Best.......Rolling Stones are jealous s... some real views at life!!!
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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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ozumgroupJan 11, 2006it is the best music group...
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RomascuANov 9, 2006it's very good.
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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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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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AlvinAJul 26, 2006
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SaharM.Nov 21, 2005The greatest album Lilian is the best and also others
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LeoMozNov 23, 2005so cool!!!
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josemNov 3, 2005muy buen material
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robbOct 17, 2005Best album since Violator...Great work DM!
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NikDOct 17, 2005it is just an amazing piece of work, you need to listen a few times and then you get really addicted to it !! let the electricity flow...
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HapFOct 18, 2005Incredible. DM at purely great form.
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AramisGOct 18, 2005A really solid album. It just pisses me off thinking it is going to take another 5 yrs to get more material out of these guys when this album is so good. Sounds like they have been listening to some of the bands they influenced (Xiu Xiu, etc.).
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GoranMOct 18, 2005it is a beautiful and mesmerising...true DM
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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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skyewOct 26, 2005Ive really enjoyed this album and i just cant get enough!
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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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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 29, 2012
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Feb 9, 2013
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May 14, 2021
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ludovicfOct 18, 2005This is their best work since Music For The Masses !!! I'm not an hysterik fan and i love all kind of music ( rock, electro, pop, trip hop, classic etc...) The futur will be great with Depeche Mode ! Great record !
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f_iiJan 30, 2009Just cool, amazing album.
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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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EleannaDNov 1, 2005a mature evolution of Gore's genius
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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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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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stefanocOct 31, 2005
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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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preciousJan 4, 2006
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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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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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ManuelANov 27, 2005Wow, the return to the 80's!. I feef well with them again.
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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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nickwOct 18, 2005
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BitBurnOct 18, 2005Needless to say, these ol' farts still have a few new tricks under their sleeves! From the first 3 seconds you can tell they're back with a vengeance! The sound is raw, intense but yet underneath all these brand new analog layers of cool dirty licks you still find that goody deep and distinctive DM melodies that never cease to please us! Wonderful!
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mattsOct 18, 2005brilliant-I just dont get these guys -how can a band over two decades of music and performances can actually get better!!.
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RenéLOct 18, 2005Best DM album for many years. The fans have been longing for more pace and edge - and the band delivers. Biggest surprise must be Dave Gahans songwriting, which has improved significantly since Paper Monsters.
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MikaelNOct 18, 2005Is so great!
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EdwardEOct 18, 2005Fanfuckingstastic.
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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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MairacOct 20, 2005Just amazing!
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craigmOct 22, 2005
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BrianEOct 28, 2005
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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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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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KevinHOct 17, 2005Great album - a definite return to form from Dave and the boys! Suffer Well is amazing - I can't stop playing it. I've got tickets for their show in Montreal and can't wait to go! Welcome back guys!
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AlexOct 18, 2005The best album after Violator. New sound challenges and still sounds like Depeche Mode.
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IanOct 19, 2005Shades of Construction Time Again and Speak and Spell - they really went back to their roots for a lot of the sound here.
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omarcOct 19, 2005
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JohnNov 9, 2005DM is inventive once again meshing violator on to form " Playing the Angel."
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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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RAYVOct 21, 2005One Of Depeche Mode s Great Albums Very Good As Always
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BryanOct 27, 2005
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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]