Exciter (180 Gram Vinyl) (2 Lp's)

Depeche Mode: Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andrew Fletcher. Additional personnel includes: Knox Chandler (cello); Todd C. Reynolds, Joyce Hammann, Natalie Cenovia Cummins, Ralph H. Farris, Lee Grinhauz (strings); Airto Moreira (percussion). Recorded at RAK, Sarm West, London, England; Sound Design, Santa Barbara, California; Electric Lady, Sony Studios, New York, New York. "I Feel Loved" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording and for Best Remixed Recording. With all its understated vocals, hushed instrumentals, and lyrical declarations of/investigations into love, EXCITER is undoubtedly the warmest and most "adult" Depeche Mode album to date. "When the Body Speaks" is an effectively poignant ballad complete with graceful string section. "Lovetheme" is a gentle ambient instrumental that wouldn't sound out of place next to any German electronicat you care to mention. Later another, slightly more melodic, instrumental ("Easy Tiger") pops up. "Goodnight Lovers" is a bittersweet tune full of open-hearted sentiment and heart-tugging melodicism. While "Breathe" is underlaid with low-key breakbeats, the group largely sticks with the sonic language they helped create in the '80s and early-'90s, leaving the trappings of latter-day electronica to the youngsters. With it's club-worthy beat, "I Feel Loved" is certainly the most danceable track on EXCITER, but its complex lyrical scheme and gnarly synth textures make it unlikely house party fodder. The harsh, bluesy tone of "The Dead of Night" harks back to "Your Own Personal Jesus," and finds David Gahan reveling in the kind of studied decadence that helped make the group's reputation, but the song is an anomaly. EXCITER offers a kinder, gentler, seemingly wiser Depeche Mode that's figured out how to grow up without growing old.