DEPECHE MODE
Exciter (Mute/Reprise)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

---

Depeche Mode have always been about theft. And frankly, they've always been rather good at it. The Commodore 64 bleeps that open the new record are lifted straight from Kraftwerk, Computer World era, and though they quickly cover the deed with some plucky acoustic guitar and David Gahan's melancholic drawl, the fix is in. Not that theft is bad mind you, it is after all the basis of all rockinroll. And yes, Depeche Mode are a rockinroll band. That just don't sound right, but it's true. After blinding their devout legions with the mesmerizing power of the synth, the Mode entered the nineties with guitars and managed not to alienate, but expand their following. Exciter plays both to the new and old, alternating the various Mode styles of years past, cleverly giving us a skewed take on a greatest hits package under the guise of new music. And as usual it's a hit and miss proposition. The standard dreamy yet boorish dregs offset the uptempo pieces nicely, and there's no denying the inevitable chart action of "Dream On" and "I Feel Loved". Amazing how they manage to loose chief song writers, and incorporate new blood without ever missing a beat. This time around it's Bjork producer Mark Bell that defines the rich sound. Depeche Mode remains a whack entity with a life all of it's own.

© 2001 - John Sekerka