January 15, 2009- Groundbreaking, chart-topping electro legends Depeche Mode are proud to announce the release of their long-anticipated new studio album, Sounds Of The Universe on April 21, 2009 (Mute Records).
Eclectic and energized, the band's new release is their most dazzling and diverse album in decades. Recorded in Santa Barbara and New York, Depeche Mode returned to using a lot of vintage gear, from analogue synthesizers to drum machines, in order to conjure up the retro-futuristic arrangements featured on the album. Lyrically the release contains many of the group's enduring obsessions plus more overt black humor than any of their previous collections.
Like with their 2005 studio album, Playing The Angel, Sounds Of The Universe features writing credits for both Martin Gore, the group's primary songwriter, and Dave Gahan who after honing his talents on two solo albums, has earned his place as Depeche Mode's second writer. The release also marks a reunion between the band and producer Ben Hillier (Blur, Doves, Elbow), who worked with the band to help give their new album its timeless sound. The first single from the release, "Wrong," grabs the listener's attention from its first stack-heeled, staccato shriek. Over stomping beats, screeching synthesizers, and Dave's overlord chant, "Wrong" already feels like a Depeche Mode classic. Other standout tracks include Martin's velvet-lined Scott Walker croon on the sensual lounge-music ballad "Jezebel," to the sci-fi gospel-blues hymn "In Chains" and "Hole To Feed," which marries modern electronics to a floor-shaking, bone-rattling Bo Diddley beat.
As one of the most influential bands of the post-punk era, with global sales in excess of 100 million, Depeche Mode belongs to a select premiere league of super groups who have survived from the early 1980s with their ideals, creative vision and core members intact. Formed in 1981, Depeche Mode - Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Andy 'Fletch' Fletcher - continue to win critical and commercial acclaim across the world both in the studio and on the road. All of the band's 11 studio albums have reached the Top Ten in not only the UK and USA but 20 plus countries around the world including Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and Belgium. Additionally, since their inception Depeche Mode's live shows continue to be a must-see attraction, with the group playing to 2.8 million people across 31 countries on their last tour alone.
Sounds Of The Universe - The Album
Alongside a standard CD format, Sounds Of The Universe is available as a Special Edition CD+DVD set and a Deluxe Box Set featuring three CDs, a DVD and a host of exclusive extras. The album is also available as a double vinyl LP (including a Sounds Of The Universe CD) and as a download.
The CD+DVD set also includes the album mixed in 5.1 surround sound, the promo video for Wrong, Sounds Of The Universe - A Short Film and remixes of three new songs.
The Deluxe Box Set contains the Sounds Of The Universe album CD, a second disc including brand new bonus tracks and remixes of new songs and a third CD with an exclusive collection of demos, from both the new album and songs from throughout Depeche Mode's career.
The Box Set DVD includes three films, the promo video for first single Wrong (directed by Patrick Daughters), the album and five bonus tracks in 5.1 surround sound, plus four songs filmed live in the studio in December 2008.
The two-piece, custom made box also contains two 84-page hardback books, one featuring the lyrics to all the songs from the Sounds Of The Universe sessions, accompanied by exclusive photography by Anton Corbijn and the second contains exclusive and candid studio photography by Daniel Miller, Ben Hillier, Luke Smith and Ferg Peterkin.
Further extras include two enamel badges, a poster, artcards and a certificate of authenticity.
Deluxe Box Set Edition
Deluxe Box Set
SINGLES
Wrong
Peace
Fragile Tension / Hole To Feed
VINYL RELEASE
2 x 12" + CD (STUMM300) EU
LP 1
Side a
01"In Chains" 06:53
02"Hole To Feed" 03:59
03"Wrong" 03:13
Side b
01"Fragile Tension" 04:09
02"Little Soul" 03:31
03"In Sympathy" 04:54
LP 1
Side c
01"Peace" 04:29
02"Come Back" 05:15
03"Spacewalker" 01:53
04"Perfect" 04:33
Side d
01"Miles Away / The Truth Is" 04:14
02"Jezebel" 04:41
03"Corrupt" 05:02
CD
01"In Chains" 06:53
02"Hole To Feed" 03:59
03"Wrong" 03:13
04"Fragile Tension" 04:09
05"Little Soul" 03:31
06"In Sympathy" 04:54
07"Peace" 04:29
08"Come Back" 05:15
09"Spacewalker" 01:53
10"Perfect" 04:33
11"Miles Away / The Truth Is" 04:14
12"Jezebel" 04:41
13"Corrupt" 05:04
● MATRIX: RUNOUT / BARCODE
Label Code:LC05834
Barcode:5099969605512
Other Side a and Side c:Made in the EU
Runout etching side A:B964367 - 01A2
Runout etching side B:B964367 - 01B2 AIR STUDIOS MASTERING
Runout etching side C:B964367 - 02C2
Runout etching side D:B964367 - 02D2 AIR
Barcode LP1:5099969807312
Barcode LP2:5099969807329
Label Code:LC05834
Rights Society:SDRM biem
Barcode:509969807411
Runout:6960552 A963711-01 manufactured by optimal media production
Mastering SID Code:ifpi L573
Mould SID Code:IFPI 9707
Barcode CD:5099969605529
Writers 2,8,11 : Dave Gahan, Christian Eigner, Andrew Phillpott. Writers 5 : Dave Gahan, Martin Gore. Cover: Printed in the EU. 12" Vinyl, Gatefold Sleeve. Sticker black: "DM 100% virgin vinyl 180 gram plus CD". CD-13's total duration is 54:49 and contains "Corrupt" (5:04) and an untitled hidden track (starting at 54:08; an instrumental version of "Wrong") that is not mentioned on the cover or in the booklet (this track also appears on the LP, listed as track D3.3). The 180 gram 100% virgin vinyl edition comes in a gatefold sleeve with inner bags, pressed on heavy vinyl. Also included is a CD of the album (as per the standard CD).
CD RELEASE
CD (CDSTUMM300) EU
01"In Chains" 06:53
02"Hole To Feed" 03:59
03"Wrong" 03:13
04"Fragile Tension" 04:09
05"Little Soul" 03:31
06"In Sympathy" 04:54
07"Peace" 04:29
08"Come Back" 05:15
09"Spacewalker" 01:53
10"Perfect" 04:33
11"Miles Away / The Truth Is" 04:14
12"Jezebel" 04:41
13"Corrupt" 05:04
● MATRIX: RUNOUT / BARCODE
Label Code:LC05834
Barcode:5099969701122
Other Side a and Side c:Made in the EU
Runout:A 6960552 A963711-01 manufactured by optimal media production
Mastering SID Code:ifpi L573
Mould SID Code:IFPI 9705
Rights Society:SDRM biem
Writers 2,8,11 : Dave Gahan, Christian Eigner, Andrew Phillpott. Writers 5 : Dave Gahan, Martin Gore. Cover: Printed in the EU. Track 13 (total length 54:49) contains a hidden track (track 13.c), an untitled instrumental version of Wrong.
Runout CD:6989152 A963669-01 manufactured by optimal media production
Mastering SID Code:IFPI L573
Mould SID Code:IFPI 9727
Rights Society:SDRM biem
Barcode CD:5099969891526
Runout DVD:6967679 D963118-01 manufactured by optimal media production
Mastering SID Code:IFPI L573
Mould SID Code:IFPI 9749
Barcode DVD: 5099969891496
Writers 2,8,11 : Dave Gahan, Christian Eigner, Andrew Phillpott. Writers 5 : Dave Gahan, Martin Gore. Cover: Printed in the EU. Track 13 includes a Hidden Song, which sounds a bit like "wrong". Not mentioned in the cover or booklet.
VIDEO
VIDEO ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM
DEPECHE MODE COMMERCIAL TV
AUDIO | RELEASES
PRODUCTION DETAILS ALBUM
"In Chains" 06:53 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.
"Hole To Feed" 03:59 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.. Original programming by Christian Eigner & Andrew Phillpott. Drums by Christian Eigner.
"Wrong" 03:13 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.
"Fragile Tension" 04:09 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.. Drums by Christian Eigner.
"Little Soul" 03:31 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.
"In Sympathy" 04:54 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.
"Peace" 04:29 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.
"Come Back" 05:15 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.. Original programming by Christian Eigner & Andrew Phillpott.
"Spacewalker" 01:53 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.
"Perfect" 04:33 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.
"Miles Away / The Truth Is" 04:14 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.. Original programming by Christian Eigner & Andrew Phillpott.
"Jezebel" 04:41 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.
"Corrupt" 05:04 • Produced by Ben Hillier for 140dB. Mixed by Tony Hoffer. Engineered by Ferg Peterkin. Programming by Luke Smith. Assistant Engineer: Josh Garcia (Santa Barbara), Jesse Gladstone (New York) & Anthony Palazzole (New York, Mixing). Pre-production assistance by Sie Medway-Smith - Grabbing Hands. Mastered by Stephen Marcussen for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.
