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Rating: With "Exciter," Depeche Mode celebrate twenty years of career. Much water has passed under the bridges: we've gone from the dance of their beginnings, to electronics, to a darker style, to approaching rock. All this without forgetting member departures, overdoses, alcoholism, and a suicide attempt that alarmed millions of fans. But in 2001, they were still here, fortunately. However, we notice that the sound has changed once again. The vaguely dark melodies that had made their success for about ten years have been set aside in favor of sunny and light arrangements; the massive use of synthesizers accompanied by guitars used masterfully (we mention, for example, "Personal Jesus") takes a back seat in favor of minimal electronics (with the exception of "Dead of Night").
It's quite amusing to observe how fans were rather baffled by this album, so far from its predecessors, while on the other hand, people who had never been infected by the "Depeche disease" find it quite interesting. I invite you to do a survey with your friends: for example, "Freelove" never convinced me, but I can tell you that a friend of mine doesn't mind it. But let's move on to the actual review.
The album opens with the single "Dream On", a sort of manifesto of the album, and we can then pause on "Shine": a song, perhaps a bit too slow but enjoyable. In "The Sweetest Condition", Dave sings very intensely in contrast to "When The Body Speaks" (a whine based on an annoying little guitar). Fortunately, "Dead Of Night" arrives!: I believe that for many it is one of the best songs on the album, probably because it harks back to the old sounds, so dear to fans. It is followed by an instrumental interlude ("Lovetheme") and then "Freelove", a song not worthy of being the central track of the album. "Comatose", I find it useless while "I Feel Loved", may not be phenomenal, but it constitutes an interesting pause that makes us vibrate in anticipation of "Breathe": I very much appreciate the lyrics, but "why is it sung by Gore?" "Easy Tiger" is another instrumental track that prepares for "I Am You", a song I consider the second-best on the entire album. We have thus observed an album not truly special, but all in all drinkable; unfortunately "Goodnight Lovers" closes it: slowness, repetitiveness, and lack of vitality are its characteristic traits.
In summary, I would be lying if I said it is my favorite album and that I am proud of my boys from Basildon; however, I recommend the CD to enjoy "Dead Of Night", which is definitely worth listening to.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Shine (05:32)
Put on your blindfold
And a dress that's tight
And come with me
On a mystery night
Open your eyes
�
Follow our stars under a painted sky
We'll leave the world behind
We're learning to fly
We used to get by
�
Forget the pictures on your TV screen
We'll steal the visions
That you keep for your dreams
You can turn me on
�
I was blind and I saw the light
My angel coming
In a brilliant white
Shine for me
�
You've been hanging from a rope of mediocrity
Strung up by your insecurities
You can shine for me
Somebody has to
Shine for me
It's difficult not to
Shine for me
�
Follow our stars under a painted sky
We'll leave the world behind
We're learning to fly
We used to get by
�
Forget the pictures on your TV screen
We'll steal the visions
That you keep for your dreams
You can turn me on
�
You've been hanging from a rope of mediocrity
Strung up by your insecurities
You can shine for me
Somebody has to
Shine for me
It's difficult not to
Shine for me
Somebody has to
Shine for me
It's difficult not to
Shine for me
03 The Sweetest Condition (03:42)
Taken in by the delicate noise
Knocked to the ground by the subtle thunder
Shackled and bound by the sound of your voice
Wandering around in silent wonder
�
What chance did I have
With the silver moon
Hanging in the sky
Opening old wounds
�
Taking hold of the hem of your dress
Cleanliness only comes in small doses
Bodily whole but my head's in a mess
Fuelling obsession that borders psychosis
�
It's a sad disease
Creeping through my mind
Causing disabilities
Of the strangest kind
�
Getting lost in the folds of your skirt
There's a price that I pay for my mission
A body in heaven and a mind full of dirt
How I suffer the sweetest condition
�
Taken in by the delicate noise
Knocked to the ground by the subtle thunder
Shackled and bound by the sound of your voice
Wandering around in silent wonder
04 When the Body Speaks (06:01)
To the soul's desires
The body listens
What the flesh requires
Keeps the heart imprisoned
�
What the spirit seeks
The mind will follow
When the body speaks
All else is hollow
�
I'm just an angel
Driving blindly
Through this world
�
I'm just a slave here
At the mercy
Of a girl
�
Oh I need your tenderness
Oh I need your touch
Oh I dream of one caress
Oh I pray too much
�
To the soul's desires
The body listens
What the flesh requires
Keeps the heart imprisoned
�
What the spirit seeks
The mind will follow
When the body speaks
All else is hollow
�
You keep me waiting
For the promise
That is mine
�
Please stop debating
Please stop wasting
Your time
�
Oh I need your tenderness
Oh I need your touch
Oh I dream of one caress
Oh I pray too much
07 Freelove (06:10)
If you've been hiding from love
If you've been hiding from love
I can understand where you're coming from
I can understand where you're coming from
If you've suffered enough
If you've suffered enough
I can understand what you're thinking of
I can see the pain that you're frightened of
And I'm only here
To bring you free love
Let's make it clear
That this is free love
No hidden catch
No strings attached
Just free love
No hidden catch
No strings attached
Just free love
I've been running like you
I've been running like you
Now you understand why I'm running scared
Now you understand why I'm running scared
I've been searching for truth
I've been searching for truth
And I haven't been getting anywhere
No I haven't been getting anywhere
And I'm only here
To bring you free love
Let's make it clear
That this is free love
No hidden catch
No strings attached
Just free love
No hidden catch
No strings attached
Just free love
Hey girl
You've got to take this moment
Then let it slip away
Let go of complicated feelings
Then there's no price to pay
We've been running from love
We've been running from love
And we don't know what we're doing here
No we don't know what we're doing here
We're only here
Sharing our free love
Let's make it clear
That this is free love
No hidden catch
No strings attached
Just free love
No hidden catch
No strings attached
Just free love
08 Comatose (03:23)
Comatose, almost
You've got me dreaming
Slipping in
And Sliding out
Of conscious feeling
�
Take a light
Start the flame
Play the game
I am lost
In your eyes
Hypnotised
Here I believe
Dreams never deceive
�
Comatose, almost
You've got me dreaming
Slipping in
And sliding out
Life has no meaning
�
Bodies move
Colours change
Girl you're strange
Here inside
I'm at home
I'm alive
�
Don't be afraid
I'm floating away
�
Comatose, almost
You've got me dreaming
Slipping in
And sliding out
Of conscious feeling
�
Comatose, almost
�
Comatose, almost
�
Comatose.
12 I Am You (05:09)
You have bound my heart with subtle chains
So much pleasure that it feels like pain
So entwined now that we can't shake free
I am you and you are me
No escaping from the mess we're in
So much pleasure that it must be sin
I must live with this reality
I am yours eternally
There's no turning back
We're in this trap
No denying the facts
No, no, no
No excuses to give
I'm the one you're with
We've no alternative
No, no, no
Dark obsession in the name of love
This addiction that we're both part of
Leads us deeper into mystery
Keeps us craving endlessly
Strange compulsions that I can't control
Pure possession of my heart and soul
I must live with this reality
I am you and you are me
I am you and you are me
I am you and you are me
I am you and you are me
There's no turning back
We're in this trap
No denying the facts
No, no, no
No excuses to give
I'm the one you're with
We've no alternative
No, no, no
13 Goodnight Lovers (03:49)
Here, somewhere in the heart of me
There is still a part of me
That cares
And I'll, I'll still take the best you've got
Even though I'm sure it's not
The best for me
When you're born a lover
You're born to suffer
Like all soul sisters
And soul brothers
I, I can see the danger signs
They only help to underline
Your beauty
I'm not looking for an easy ride
True happiness cannot be tried
So easily
When you're born a lover
You're born to suffer
Like all soul sisters
And soul brothers
Like all soul sisters
And soul brothers
You can take your time
I'll be waiting in line
You don't even have to give me
The time of day
When you're born a lover
You're born to suffer
Like all soul sisters
And soul brothers
Like all soul sisters
And soul brothers
Like all soul sisters
And soul brothers
Like all soul sisters
And soul brothers
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Other reviews
By Perez12
Exciter is a soft nocturnal fresco of electro-pop elegantly interpreted with class and soul.
Depeche Mode are still a model to follow and are still light years away from clashing into commercial cliché stereotypes.
By Darius
Exciter represents the 'other side of the coin' for the Basildon trio: emotional lightness, serenity and carefreeness.
Although 'Exciter' is often acclaimed as the band’s least successful work, a good rating cannot be denied due to the almost absolute positivity of the general mood.
