Depeche Mode
Exciter

THE REVIEW

Already the "naturalistic" cover aims to provide the listener with a faint hint of frivolity and positivity. Exciter, in fact, represents the "other side of the coin" for the Basildon trio: definitely relegating the disastrous and catastrophic vicissitudes of the '90s, Gahan & Company conceive a work oriented towards emotional lightness, which can even be classified as serenity and carefreeness. Temporarily sacrificing that aura of darkness and mystery, "travel companion" since 1986 (Black Celebration), the Mode inaugurate the third (?) period of their glorious career, characterized by the all-encompassing recovery of pure electronics and sophisticated synths. A new and unmissable shift that will also involve the first real solo albums by Gahan and Gore (published during the necessary Exciter - Playing The Angel break), Paper Monsters and Counterfeit².

There was a previous mention of Depeche Mode's return to more distinctive electronic sounds and the abandonment of rock & derivatives, the counterpart to "Songs Of Faith And Devotion" and "Ultra", even "softening" the classic vigor of the synths in the direction of sonic vibes flirting with ambient and atmospheric lounge. The latest considerations can easily describe the first extract Dream On, a sunny and summery track in which the slight electronic direction is interspersed with a pseudo-country guitar, a mix that gives the single a more poppish imprint compared to past less "commercial" hits like Barrel Of A Gun, I Feel You, Never Let Me Down Again, Stripped, and Walking In My Shoes. The subsequent Shine and Freelove, calm, carefree, melancholic, devoid of distortions and heavy synths in favor of a singular electro-ambient combination, faithfully follow the same discourse.

With I Feel Loved you plunge into a delightful electro-house mix, absolutely danceable and engaging, perfect for clubs, while the bizarre (and exceptionally rocking) The Dead Of Night introduces psychedelic synths and "robotic" aberrations among the most pulsating and dynamic of the album, simultaneously the scratching and rough voice of Gahan collaborates passionately to hyperbolize the track in unison. Comatose and Breathe intend, as per tradition, to marry refined and sophisticated electronic sounds with Gore's high-pitched vocal tones, in the first case arranged to repudiate percussion; even the "Gahan-oriented" I Am You and When The Body Speaks pursue the lightness and tranquility of the previously mentioned counterparts. Goodnight Lovers, "lullaby" à la Depeche Mode, lyrically and even more quietly closes the album: sweet bleeps and a gospel choir are the perfect background to a less "angry" Gahan than usual.

Although "Exciter" is often acclaimed as the band's least successful work, a good rating cannot be denied, more than anything due to the almost absolute positivity of the general mood, unheard of for those Depeche Mode, for years in the grip of "artistic" darkness. A mini-revolution in favor of a band repeatedly on the brink of collapse, necessarily to be reinvigorated and put back on track without further derailments.

Depeche Mode, Exciter (2001)

Dream On

Shine

The Sweetest Condition

When The Body Speaks

The Dead Of Night

Lovetheme

Freelove

Comatose

I Feel Loved

Breathe

Easy Tiger

I Am You

Goodnight Lovers