Sounds Of The Universe : Deluxe Edition (EU) ［CD+DVD］＜初回生産限定盤＞

28年のキャリア、トータル・セールス7000万枚を誇るエレクトロ界の重鎮、デペッシュ・モード。サンタ・バーバラやニュー・ヨークでレコーディングされた待望の新作はエネルギーに満ちたアルバム。アナログ・シンセサイザーやドラム・マシーンといったヴィンテージな楽器を多用し、レトロ・フィーチャーな内容に回帰し、歌詞に関してもバンドの揺るぎなき感情に加え、かつてないブラック・ユーモアが用いられている。2005年の『プレイング・ジ・エンジェル』同様、マーティン・ゴアがメイン・ライターとして活躍、今作もデイヴも作曲クレジットに名が刻まれることに。プロデューサーもブラーやダヴズでの仕事で知られるBen Hillierを再び起用。

Spin - "[C]uts like 'Fragile Tension' and 'Peace' coast along on the kind of catchy synth-pop grooves Depeche Mode specialized in throughout the '80s." Record Collector - 4 stars out of 5 -- "'Wrong' is one of the Mode's most satisfying tracks post-SONGS OF FAITH & DEVOTION and suggests they have many more albums left in them." Pitchfork - "Martin Gore can still be counted on to deliver the goods....Gahan's singing, meanwhile, is as strong as ever, always the perfect vehicle for Gore's lyrics..." Blender - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE kicks off with the spiky, twisted and impossibly gorgeous 'Wrong,' an epic blast of synth-pop bombast on the scale of VIOLATOR or BLACK CELEBRATION." Billboard - "Depeche Mode continues to produce darkly atmospheric tracks about love, lust and death that have the vulnerability and immediacy of a shared secret." Spin (p.78) - "[C]uts like 'Fragile Tension' and 'Peace' coast along on the kind of catchy synth-pop grooves Depeche Mode specialized in throughout the '80s." Pitchfork (Website) - "Martin Gore can still be counted on to deliver the goods....Gahan's singing, meanwhile, is as strong as ever, always the perfect vehicle for Gore's lyrics..." Record Collector (magazine) (p.81) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "'Wrong' is one of the Mode's most satisfying tracks post-SONGS OF FAITH & DEVOTION and suggests they have many more albums left in them."

Twelfth album, following 2005's 'Playing The Angel', from the only credible new romantic survivors, whose constant updating of their dark and seductive sound has won them successive generations of loyal fans. This album, which has been hailed by some critics as their best work to date, has an abrasive, retro analogue synth sound consistent with their recent material. Available in a variety of formats, it again features songwriting contributions from frontman Dave Gahan and includes the single 'Wrong'. This limited edition version features a bonus DVD.|

デペッシュ・モードの4年ぶりとなるニュー・アルバムは、前作と同様にベン・ヒリアーをプロデューサーに招いて制作された。複雑に配置されたアナログ・シンセの音もインパクト大な、レトロ・フューチャリスティックで刺激的なサウンド・デザインが秀逸だ。タイトル通りまるで広大な宇宙を思わせるほどに神秘的で、全編に渡ってトライバルなビートが渦巻く壮大な作品となっている。来日を切望!
bounce (C)冨田明宏