Exciter

by Depeche Mode

Overview

It's rare to find bands capable of keeping their own best qualities to the fore while trying something new each time out, but Depeche Mode demonstrate that balance in full on the marvelous Exciter. Arguably the first album made by the group as a cohesive unit since Violator (and bearing some resemblance to that record in overall title and song names -- compare "The Sweetest Condition" with "The Sweetest Perfection"), Exciter finds the trio again balancing pop catchiness with experimental depths. As with Ultra, an outside producer helps focus the end results in new, intriguing directions -- in this case, said producer is Mark Bell, known for his work with Bjoerk but also as part of Warp Records' flagship act LFO, which always acknowledged their own debut to Depeche. Bell's ear for minimal, crisp beats and quick, subtle arrangements and changes suit Martin Gore's songs beautifully. If there are few storming arena-shaking numbers this time out, the exquisite delicacy throughout is addicting, with Gore's guitar providing slippery and stinging leads to the smoky, romantic flow of Exciter. "When the Body Speaks" is a particular winner, his gentle work and a backing string section combining just right. David Gahan's voice, already audibly benefiting from lessons on Ultra, is even more supple and passionate than before, ranging from the fuller delivery on the snaky charm of "Shine" to the haunting album-closer, "Goodnight Lovers," a romantic lullaby with perfect counterpoint backing vocals. Gore's own singing remains equally fine, as does his lyrical obsessions on, well, obsession -- "Breathe," which quotes more Bible names per verse than most preachers, makes for a good example on both fronts. When the band fully crank it up, the results work there too -- "The Dead of Night" makes for a far superior nod to Gore's glam roots and Depeche's own industrial dance descendants than Songs of Faith and Devotion's "Rush" did. ~ Ned Raggett

Product Details

Release Date:	05/15/2001
Label:	Reprise
UPC:	0093624796022

Tracks

1. Dream On
2. Shine
3. The Sweetest Condition
4. When the Body Speaks
5. The Dead of Night
6. Lovetheme
7. Freelove
8. Comatose
9. I Feel Loved
10. Breathe
11. Easy Tiger
12. I Am You
13. Goodnight Lovers

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Depeche Mode   Primary Artist
Airto Moreira   Guest Artist,Percussion
Knox Chandler   Cello
Joyce Hammann   Strings
Todd Reynolds   Strings
Andy Fletcher   Keyboards,Guitar (Bass)
Martin Gore   Guitar,Keyboards
Leo Grinhauz   Strings
Christian Eigner   Drums
Dave Gahan   Vocals,Featured Artist
Natalie Cenovia Cummins   Strings

Technical Credits

Lisa Butterworth   Assistant Engineer,Reissue Assistant Engineer
Ron Asheton   Composer
Flood   Remixing,Remix Engineer
Gareth Jones   Engineer,Producer,Pre-Production
Andy Fletcher   Musician
Jonathan Adler   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Mark Bell   Producer,Producer
Mike Marsh   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Martin Gore   Composer,Musician,Group Member
Anton Corbijn   Cover Art,Logo Design,Photography,Art Direction
Steve Fitzmaurice   Mixing,Mixing Engineer
Scott Asheton   Composer
Iggy Pop   Composer
Nick Sevilla   Assistant Engineer
Alissa Myhowich   Assistant Engineer
Paul Freegard   Producer,Pre-Production
Andrew Griffiths   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Mark Blakkat Bell   Producer
Nicholas Sevilla   Assistant
Andrew Davies   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Dave Alexander   Composer
Boris Aldridge   Assistant Engineer
James Chang   Assistant Engineer