Depeche Mode’s style has never been music for the masses, but somehow through the years their music continues to be cutting edge and a growing inspiration for many artists who are looking to break new boundaries in music. Exciter marks another magnum opus for Depeche Mode to add their stunning twenty-year career. After a four-year absence, the band maintains its musical integrity by restoring their trademark dark synthesizer sound with ambience and premium acoustic layers. More importantly on this record compared to past efforts is the overwhelming dominant vocal presence of a rejuvenated Dave Gahan. With Exciter’s mellow melodious vibe, it’s the type of record that you want to put on before you go to bed (I mean that in a good way) or listen to as a thunderstorm approaches from the horizon. Exciter represents a new era of Depeche Mode and a new direction.
This is probably one of the best down-tempo records since Massive Attack’s Mezzanine. The beautiful moments of Exciter are predominantly the soft beat tracks such as the melancholy “When the Body Speaks”, the electronically smooth “I Am You”, and a gospel lullaby entitled “Goodnight Lovers”. With the guidance of producer extraordinaire Mark Bell (produced Bjork’s Homogenic), we see Gahan’s voice get turned into a powerful instrument stronger than any hoop or synthesizer riff. On “Goodnight Lovers”, Gahan sings at a whisper but the overall effect with the chorus creates warm spiritual harmony.
“Dream On” and “I Feel Loved” are the two tracks that will probably make this album a commercial success. The first single, “Dream On”, is a good representation of the new Depeche Mode era as they push towards an electronic-based sound with down tempo beats blended with acoustic layering. You will not find any rock-induced Ultra tracks; what you will find is a balanced record. Exciter differs because it offers diversity from track to track with the songs stemming from “Goodnight Lovers” to the pop-dance “I Feel Loved” to the haunting techno sounds of “The Dead of Night”.
Exciter represents a new era of Depeche Mode and a new direction.
+l.sarzyniak
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