Depeche Mode - Black Celebration (CD)

All Music Guide

Whether the band felt it was simply the time to move on from its most explicit industrial pop fusion days, or whether increased success and concurrently larger venues pushed the music into different avenues, Depeche Mode's fifth studio album saw the group embarked on a path that in many ways defined their sound to the present: emotionally extreme lyrics matched with ampedup tunes, as much anthemic rock as they are compelling dance, along with stark, lowkey ballads. The slow, sneaky build of the opening title track, with a strange distorted vocal sample providing a curious opening hook, sets the tone as Gahan sings of making it through "another black day" while powerful drums and echoing metallic pings carry the song. Black Celebration is actually heavier on the ballads throughout, many sung by Gore the most per album he has yet taken lead on with notable dramatic beauties including "Sometimes," with its surprise gospel choir start and rough piano sonics, and the hypernihilistic "Worl...d Full of Nothing." The various singles from the album remain definite highlights, such as "A Question of Time," a brawling, aggressive number with a solid Gahan vocal, and the romantic/physical politics of "Stripped," featuring particularly sharp arrangements from Alan Wilder. However, with such comparatively lesserknown but equally impressive numbers as the quietly intense romance of "Here Is the House" to boast, Black Celebration is solid through and through. Ned Raggett, All Music Guide Read more Less