Depeche Mode: Memento Mori - Final Verdict And Review

Here is my final verdict and review on Depeche Mode's Momento Mori album.
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[@VaughnGeorge]

Here is my final verdict and review on Depeche Mode's Memento Mori album.

[@lfr230]

Glad to have your opinion about this album.

[@orestis6894]

Get Alan for an interview 🙏. At least it's pretty decent compare to the last 5 albums..

[@zedfear]

Agree with opinion on Caroline's Monkey

[@chrisherrmann3991]

7/10 AGREE great detailed review!

[@alexiscalzada3798]

1- My Cosmos is Mine 2- My Favorite Stranger 3- Caroline's Monkey 4- Wagging Tongue 5- 8/10

[@ashleyvisagie1971]

“Speak to me” just gets me every time. So raw, so emotional … it resonates deep inside me. A beautiful track, haunting, moody, unsettling

[@remastered-00-pl]

Same here

[@vausemike]

Regardless of how brilliant this album is or isn’t it’s the only one of the post Alan albums I’ve listened to more than a handful of times. It’s really growing on me. Some I’d struggle to ever try again.

[@ideationkiki]

You really can see the absence of Alan on the ones he didn't contribute to.

[@genomizer2763]

For me, their best album is Black Celebration, there´s just something that still gets me every time I listen to it. The production is so great and sonically it gives me chills and shivers down my spine. Even though it´s been so long since it was released, BC sounds so timeless, as if it was released today. I keep going back to that album over and over again.

[@Zontar82]

for me it's violator and music for the masses/ultra, nothing else cames after that for me

[@genomizer2763]

@@Zontar82 The thing with DM is that they´ve got songs/albums to fit every mood that you´re in. Their music has such a variety of styles and genres, song by song, album by album. To pick one song at this very moment I´d like to listen to is Tora, Tora, Tora. Funny, don´t you think so?

[@zdenekkrejcir8834]

Same here. Well said

[@skyrocket100]

Totally agree with you!!! After listening to them for the past 35 years I consider BC their best album overall due to sound quality and sheer number of singles (BC, QoL, QoT, S, BnT, ND, FoW, HitH)

[@MrMissingReel]

Me too....I bought my copy on release day and remember it as if it was yesterday.

[@DemiAndHisSyndromes]

People Are Good is great! “Heaven help me/us” line gives me chills!

[@ThomasFerrugia]

People Are Good is the only song on the album that I skip 🙂

[@DemiAndHisSyndromes]

@@ThomasFerrugia you're a blasphemer then

[@cdiz765]

should have been a single

[@remastered-00-pl]

​@@cdiz765 it is a single since few months

[@gregmason3305]

I love Memento Mori absolutely. First DM album in years n years that i love all the songs on the album. Very engaging , very emotionally charged , big minimalistic (which is MM's allure.)

[@vaguesombre7455]

1. Most radical : People are good 2. Skip : My cosmos is mine 3. Instant crush : Before we drown 4. Favorite now : Always you ❤ Most beautiful song they have released in years. I have no more words. 5. Rating : 7

[@1978pq]

I think it's a great album. I was surprised by how much I love it.

[@stormchaserkst4496]

Same. I love this one.

[@roninmode]

agree!

[@MSgt_0699]

Yup. I like eight tracks and like them more and more every time I listen.

[@holgerczukay6928]

Great record. I listened to it over and over for a month, took a two-week break, and am listening to it again with pleasure. There are few artists who are able to record such a decent album after 60. In my opinion, this is their best album since Ultra

[@EtsiJuuret]

Yes, you nail it. But I believe Alan would make this material more best.

[@violator906]

1. Favourite stranger 2. No skippers 3. Always you 4. Before We drown 5. 9/10 ...MM on repeat since the release. Have not listened to a new DM album this much since BC🥰

[@zobry2xxx]

same here

[@ninawildr4207]

Me too❤

[@dizzyupthefool5180]

So MFTM, Violator and SOFAD didn't resonate with you?

[@nashf5925]

1. Don't Say You Love Me (very cinematic and atmospheric) 2. Caroline's Monley (instant skip, sounds like a B-Side and doesn't gel with the album) 3. My Favourite Stranger (getting some Joy Division and goth vibes) 4. Before We Drown (surreal and grows on you) 5. 8/10 (I found it re-listenable and better than PTA

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thanks for your review!! VG :-)

[@blackjack2150]

That bridge in Caroline's Monkey - "Fading's better than failing..." - is my favorite part of this whole album. There's a real melody there, something the rest of the album lacks, I feel.

[@nashf5925]

@Dildo Insaney Scott Walker definitely has cinematic vibes, almost had a James Bond tune.

[@8888prodigy]

Apparently there are still 4 songs from the Memento Mori sessions still unreleased. 2 of them penned by Gore and Butler.

[@olevet75]

great news, would love to hear those, hopefully at least they going to be leaked. dm always and I mean always had outstanding b-sides for released singles, not this time around for some reason, none so far..

[@isaacgalan7699]

I'm completely hooked from ''Before We Drown'' to ''Speak To Me''.

[@roninmode]

as a depeche mode fan for most of my life and being a artist myself who has done lots or DM remixs i would say that its there best album since ultra! in world full of overproduced music some times holding back can be a good thing! DM was always pushing things forward in there past albums! but to strippe things back for this album i would say was a good creative choice! at the end of the day the quality of the composition is what DM is know for! and not the fact that they are a electronic/synthpop group

[@zobry2xxx]

I think this was their best album EVER!

[@roninmode]

@@zobry2xxx that's interesting take! only time will tell you cloud be right!

[@kylereece1979]

Agreed, its their best since Ultra. It begins and ends with beautiful, bleak atmospheres and crushing emotions that really resonate personally with me. You mentioned you do DM remixes. I think some of MM sounds a bit unfinished, and flat in places, with a "thin" production here and there. I like "People are Good" and Wagging Tongue a lot, but I have heard remixes of those songs that, have more "kick" in them. Added beats, extra instrumentation, extra flourishes of sound to flesh and expand them. Some of the remixes are actually even better that the original tracks!

[@roninmode]

@@kylereece1979 100% argreed!

[@paulmapp8306]

were all different lol. Personally I think Playing the Angel is their best album ever.... yes even better than Black Celebration, Violator and SOFDAD..... I really like Momento Mori too though. Similarly to you though - Ive been a DM for decades. Im a guitarist and synth player - and also run desks (mostly live but studio too).

[@franksound6922]

My Favorite Stranger is such a Depeche Mode song. It s also very interesting to me, that they choose to hold the tension throughout the whole song. Not going into a chord that releases the tension and opens up the song, is very confident. That could have been crafted into a hit song and they decided „Nah, we don‘t care. We re good“ lol I love that about Depeche Mode

[@Benz74M]

It's a good album, and an extraordinary one under the right mood and circumstances 🌿. Even the weakest songs imo (Wagging Tongue, Perfect Stranger, Caroline's Monkey) become masterpieces.

[@EtsiJuuret]

“Don't Say You Love Me” IS the weakest song on the album. Reminds Martin's "I heard it from Sarah who heard it from Paul, who heard from someone I don't know at all".

[@Benz74M]

@@EtsiJuuret I'm a former -- now agnostic -- priest. That song Breathe from Exciter (like many of Martin's song) uses biblical imagery; in this case, Genesis (the breath of God/love) the genealogies of the book of Numbers and some chapters in the gospels. But the story seems straightforward: boy hears hears rumor about girlfriend, asks girlfriend whether it is true or not, finds out it is true, asks if she ever loved him to put his heart at ease. Not one of the greatest DM songs by any stretch of imagination, but I find the "arab telephone" thing going in the song amusing. Don't Say You Love Me is one of the weaker songs on the album, but like the others, becomes quite interesting when taking a ride with a best friend.

[@EtsiJuuret]

@@Benz74M Breathe i'm sure is a stepson of The Things You Said. It's a pity you are former priest, now agnostic. It is a tragedy of the west man. But it shows how far away from the Tree of faith Protestants are...

[@danielpc897]

How do you realize is a great album? When you see some fans preefers track 1-5-6 Others tranks 4,1,9 others 6,2,11..... and so on This album is great, because is (almost) full of great DM songs. And them seems to be taken from differents DM periods of their story with a new twist. Just my 2 cts Log life to DM

[@VaughnGeorge]

Well sais Daniel!! VG -)

[@rebeccagouge6055]

I think Speak To Me is a stunning song. Standout track. It’s the one I keep listening to. It just has that atmospheric sound that hits deep in my soul. Also loving My Favourite Stranger. Spiky, modern and different. Looking forward to Twickenham.

[@tomlewis4205]

I was just so relieved that this album wasn't another Spirit which was so boring & uninvolving that it made me empty sad. 😢 There's about 3 songs that I tend to skip but honestly that's pretty good for recent DM albums.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Agree with you Tom!! VG :-)

[@EtsiJuuret]

All their albums after Ultra could be skipped except a few numbers. On the last one 1-2 songs.

[@niklasandersson9084]

For me the best album since Ultra

[@khanonkhaz2868]

Same

[@karenfissell6191]

Ditto. I even liked Martin's solo again

[@cdiz765]

came here to write the same exact thing ❤

[@jprtp8066]

I agree

[@viktorrietveld]

"Always you" is one of their best. Makes buying the album worth it

[@yavlennyy]

I love this album. After lots of repeading stuff I can say that MM sounds like strong title in their gold discography. Considered to time and changes. Never Let Me Go, Always You, Speak To Me & People Are Good - instant classic for me. it's a shame that we don't see them all on life perfomances... but still. Amazing music.

[@swasle]

i don't think its throwing money at an album remember the guys are not getting younger and like me they are slowing down within their world. I really like the album and appreciate all their albums differences and hope they still enjoy their love of creating music to carry on.

[@Crypto-Solo]

By far the best album in 25 years

[@ca77721]

Momento Mori is a masterpiece and one of their best albums since Violator.Almost all the songs are great tracks. And many DM fans agree.Classic DM sound with a modern touch.And they gave a nod to their influences like Kraftwork.The production is very good and the album is a great headphone listening experience.I Dont give a shit about your verdict or any other Wilder fan boy verdicts.Saw them last month and they definitely do not sound like a damn tribute band.🖤⚘️

[@violator906]

Its almost like its cool not to like MM among some guys🤷‍♀️. To me MM is a masterpiece❤

[@ca77721]

@@violator906 It's the Wilder fan boys who will always have a bias against any album released by DM after Alan left the band.No matter how good the production or the album is.Momento Mori case in point.They will always have that preconceived notion.Pay no attention to them.

[@violator906]

​@@ca77721 i do love and respect what Wilder did with DM. The albums he was involved in are some of DMs best albums. Whether its completely beacause of Wilder i cant really say. He definitely did put a lot of work in the studio during the process of making an album. I am just a little tired of the same mantra, bring Alan back etc. He has been gone since - 95 and he Will not return. And DM still makes beautiful and outstanding music to this day❤

[@ca77721]

@violator906 It's was never completely because of Wilder.But yes he was a big part of molding their dark industrial influenced sound in the early days. It was a combination of his musical talent ,Dave's vocals and Martin's great song writing and compositions.Miller and Flood were also a big reason why the production was so damn good in their prime days. It was The perfect storm of talent combined. PS And of course we can't forget the very talented Vince Clarke who started the band and was mostly responsible for the first album Speak and Spell.

[@violator906]

@@ca77721 yes indeed, the perfect storm❤️

[@fotoburmester5395]

The vocal performances on this album are impressive - even by (the high) DM standards. So shout out to Vaughn for mentioning that.

[@georgesikorski9891]

Amen. Dave's voice aged like wine

[@kylereece1979]

My Dad hasnt been well lately. MM is an album that, will always remind me of these personal times. Walking under gathering stars thinking about life, unsure futures with "My cosmos is Mine"s deep dark alien planet atmospheres perfectly soundtracking my movements. 'Speak to Me" is a masterful mournful monument of emotion. The beautiful break at the Two Minute (warning) mark gives way to a stunning second verse, with that heartbreaking heartbeat counting down life and the album to a cinematic conclusion. Its utterly fantastic.

[@gregmason3305]

My father passed 3 weeks ago

[@kylereece1979]

@@gregmason3305 🙏Very Sorry for your loss, mate. Condolences to you, and I can only hope the best for during this time. Your mates and music are there for ya.

[@ashleyvisagie1971]

@@gregmason3305 So sorry for your loss 💔

[@EtsiJuuret]

​@@gregmason3305 pray for his soul to get him in Heaven.

[@terryah2136]

Caroline's Monkey is my personal favourite on the album. It gives me Nine Inch Nails circa Hesitation Marks vibes. Martin has said that it's about drug addiction, which makes sense to me now. Also the "sometimes" bit reminds me of Clean

[@cdiz765]

about heroine

[@terryah2136]

​@@cdiz765especially when Dave sings about Caroline leaking through holes in her skin

[@HaloViolator]

Good album, not their greatest. Best album since Playing the Angel. Love listening to it. For me Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion are their best albums, just brilliant. I saw many concerts of DM, the Devotional tour was the best concert I've ever seen. Saw them this tour in Amsterdam. I hoped for more tracks from this album being played at this tour... Answering your questions: 1. Soul with me (don't like the Martin songs much, except HOME) 2. People are good 3. My Favorite stranger 4. Never let me go 5. 7/10

[@alexiscalzada3798]

My top: Speak & Spell: 7/10 A Broken Frame: 6/10 Construction Time Again: 8/10 Some Great Reward: 8,5/10 Black Celebration: 9/10 Music For The Masses: 9,2/10 Violator 9,8/10 Songs of Faith and Devotion: 9,5/10 Ultra: 9/10 Exciter: 6/10 Playing the Angel: 8,5/10 Sounds Of The Universe: 6,8/10 Delta Machine: 7,9/10 Spirit: 6,2/10 Memento Mori: 8/10

[@dmitriymode1156]

🔥👍🏼

[@ezioauditore6038]

Found it better than Spirit but that's not saying much...Would give it a 6.5/10

[@marcin27barcikowsky22]

1. No radical tracks on this album, all very cohesive 2. I skip Wagging Tongue, a bit weak, not my cup of tea (I love Caroline's Monkey AND People are Good, AND My Favourite Stranger though) 3. Initially I took to My Cosmos Is Mine -what an introduction! 100% DM 4. Not one favourite track, I enjoy all of them(exception above) - rating 8.5 out of 10, great album!, it really resonates with me, they deserve a lot of praise for it, still to be able to captivate us with their music after all these years:) One can feel they really poured their souls in it and I don't care how large a production team was.

[@Bandit951]

Um... okay. After listening to this "final verdict," (is there such a thing, really?) I am convinced the problem with Depeche Mode is not the band or the music they create, per se. It's us. The fans. We, as fans, want them to be innovative and push the boundaries, and then when they do that, we criticize them for it and hope they go back to basics. And of course, when they do that, we pout and lambast them. Now, the real reason I wrote this: upon hearing you state Dmode can learn something from bands like Mesh... wait, what? Did I hear that correctly? I nearly fell out of my chair. Learn something from Mesh? It came clear to me after seeing a flash of a photo of Mesh, and yes, you in the background behind a keyboard with them on stage. Okay, it's all starting to make sense. I get it. Is this really a Final Verdict on Memento Mori? Or, something else? Something deeper? The criticism(s) of the production of the album... I don't know, comes across as petty. I understand you're a producer. I get and respect that. I do. However, your critiques of the production value gleam with a hue of resentfulness. Almost like, "Look guys, Mesh chose me. They know good production value when they see it. You guys could learn a thing or two from them." Now, like many Dmode fans, I've been listening to these guys since the early eighties. Maybe I'm a little defensive on their behalf. What do you expect? I'm a Depeche Mode fan. We tend to be a little... you know... However, one thing that is consistent with their output is that there are hits... and, oh yes, misses. Lots of them. That is the nature of being an artist. We as fans know this. Every album has songs you pass over. I remember when Songs of Faith and Devotion came out. Most hated it upon the first few listens. "What the hell happened to them?" was the reaction of many. Lo and behold, now it's one of our favorites. So, Vaugh... while I respect your opinion. Leave it strictly to the merits of the work.

[@violator906]

You read my mind😎. Its like you are damned if you do and you are damned if you dont, with DM😶. Regarding SOFAD i was in shock when it came out😮. Almost angry and upset🙈. Had a really hard time to appriciate SOFAD initially. And now its one of my favourite albums💜. Had a hard time with Violator as well initially, and now i rank it as their nr 1. MM was instant love❤. That has not happend since BC came out🖤. And the production on MM is top notch👌

[@mattg56]

I still don't listen to SOFAD much. I think Ultra was better. I just think original Mode is hard to improve on. Yes they are artists and they are entitled to do their thing but for me there is a clear dividing line in terms of songwriting quality and production post-Ultra.

[@alijafri2022]

I like MM much more than anything they've done in the past 20 years, so it was a welcomed breath of fresh air. I was really beginning to think they're running on the sheer momentum of SOFAD and Violator - but with MM I think DM have redeemed themselves, albeit with the help of a large production team. Nothing wrong with that. I only have some concerns about the mix. I feel Dave's vocals are way too high - and perhaps that's what gives this album an unpolished/unglued feel. Dave has always been a singer who blends well with a rhythm track and heavy synths/guitars. His voice has a certain layered quality that blends amazingly well with Martin's instrumentation. So when his voice is mixed to ride on top of a mix I think you lose that blending quality. I do agree with not high-passing his vocals or you lose that gorgeous low-end goodness, but we have to keep in mind that this widens the space occupied by his voice, and keeping it so loud just doesn't let it sit well in the mix. Just my humble opinion.

[@escourge323131]

Great work as always VG! I loved Memento Mori at the point that it's my favorite DM album since Ultra. I'm a drummer and I get what you say with the production and the metronomic patterns. But honestly I gotta say, I love all of the drums on the album! and I do love the fact that they follow a concept being similar throughout the songs. My favorite drums are in these songs: -Don't Say you love me (the transition between the first and the second snare on 0:46 - 0:50 it blows my mind every time because it gives the song so much emotional power but I admit that you need to pay a little attention on that to notice) -Ghosts Again (not just that snare but also the stick samples) -My Favourite stranger ( I just love the beat at the point that I'm not interested at all in hearing it performed by an acoustic drum set, and again... that snare!) -Caroline's Monkey it's one of my favorites songs on the album (english it's not my first language so to me, the instrumental it's much more important than the lyrics, and I love that kind of laser gun sample used for the snare) Don't get me wrong I love a wide and natural sound of a good snare, but I also love muffled and tight ones that will let ghosts notes shine and on this case I love the icy and mechanic sound used, to me it fits the mourning mood of MM

[@glennflowers5969]

I couldn't agree more with your comments, Vaughn. Even the rating! I've been there with the band from the very earliest days (Speak & Spell was one of my first "proper" vinyl purchases ever when it was released), and I've had several brushes with the guys over the years - queuing behind Fletch for fish and chips in Billericay is a memorable highlight; the week they released Master and Servant). Violator and SOFAD both personal faves - and proud to day I was at both supporting tours - but I still retain a soft spot for Construction Time again also. But this new album does nothing for me. The Brussels Sprouts analogy is spot on, I've listened to the album in its entirety only 3 times, and I've kept dipping back in to try and see what I've missed, but I just don't get it. If it's a farewell. it's a decent farewell, but to me that's a long way from being anywhere near a "good" DM album. Keep up the good work!

[@Zontar82]

same here, with the exception of 2/3 songs, the rest seems to be "just there" with no rhyme or reason

[@eliashug427]

1. People Are Good (Kind of sounds like a callback to their earlier material, very different from the rest of the album) 2. My Favorite Stranger (Sounds like something from Delta Machine, pretty dull and noisy, not for me) 3. Soul With Me (I instantly loved the dream-like synth at the beginning. I also found the rest of the song to be very beautiful from the very beginning.) 4. Before We Drown (Everything about this song is just amazing! The lyrics, the melody and especially the atmosphere are making this the highlight for me.) 5. 8/10 (Personally, I think it is their best album since Ultra. It sounds like they took only the strongest elements from the last couple of albums and compiled it into a sincere and satisfying album.)

[@joannabarnes3555]

Before we drown❤

[@michaelklit7799]

On point with everything. But Perfect Stranger is one of the best tracks from them in decades :) I like how noisy and the agression in it

[@jensenlegobuilder173]

I've really enjoyed discovering and watching your videos. Just want to say that this is the album I've been waiting for since ultra. I really love it. My favourite stranger is my favourite song. This is like the best of depeche mode for me and ranks as one of my favourite albums. All in my honest opinion of course, but I absolutely love it.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thank you and I'm glad you are enjoying the content !! VG 🎹😎👍

[@stevewebb7126]

Mixed feelings for me . Some tracks are interesting , but none hold a light to the Violator album , they seems to lack the chorus , and the memorability of Violator .But I'm not saying the new album is bad , just not the best from Depeche Mode .

[@SisterofNight101]

Hi Vaughn, like you I was very nervous about this album as I SO wanted it to be good, and I can say that even after listening to it countless times I still think it’s fantastic. In fact, it’s the first album of theirs in many years (probably this century) that I find myself wanting to listen to in its entirety each time (give or take the odd skip of GA) 1) Instant skip - Ghosts Again, but not every time 2) radical - My Cosmos is Mine/My Favourite Stranger (love that it’s just a groove) 3) instant fave - Before We Drown 4) fave now - Before We Drown (goosebumps every time) 5) rating - 9/10. To all you Alan Wilder fanboys - we all loved Alan in the band (and not just his gorgeous good looks), and the Alan-era albums have a special place in our hearts, but he left nearly 30 years ago. Please move on! I think Dave and Martin’s vocals sound fantastic on this album and I love the little reminders of albums past, through sound or lyric (Caroline’s Monkey scores points for the “sometimes” alone)! And best of all, no bluesy stuff! They have been brave in their choices on this album and in allowing more collaborations and have never seemed more relaxed in interviews as they have been this year. I just wish they would be as brave/relaxed with their setlist! Would love to hear more from MM - BWD (a must), AY, NLMG, full-band Soul With Me - and more songs that we haven’t heard for years. It’s not like there are too few to choose from… As a lifelong fan I’m still super excited about seeing them at Twickenham - my goodness there are some amazing electronic artists out there, but none will ever be as special to me as DM. However, I know I will be sighing when I hear Mr Gordeno strike up “doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo...”

[@violator906]

I agree 100% with you, spot on🥰. 9/10, best since SOFAD in my opinion. MM has been on repeat since it came. Still is to this day. And it has nothing to do with the 6 years etc. MM is a mature, honest and beautiful album with a lot of depht ❤. Appriciate the atmosphere, sounds, lyrics vocals. Thank god that it is far away from the white man blues😅. Its fresh with a lot of retro vibe. Would love to hear the entire album on tour, and we all love Alan❤😉

[@SisterofNight101]

Exactly! Fresh with a retro vibe. Would happily hear the whole album live, but it won't happen. They have been swapping Speak To Me with My Favourite Stranger on a couple of dates (as well as Question of Lust for Home, I think, and Waiting for the Night with Condemnation) so we can live in hope for a few more changes...APTIUT (doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo...) Sorry to stray off topic, think setlist comments are on another video! 😊

[@antoniabermudezann4233]

Please Mark All Your Words Sister Of Night!👌🏻💗100% Incredibly well said every single word... I really love your comment and fantastic thoughts maybe because I totally agree with you... Thanks for sharing your thoughts and lovely words...

[@SisterofNight101]

​@@antoniabermudezann4233 Thank you! ❤ All the best to you...

[@ledlogic2]

I hope you stop making Depeche Mode videos because it seems they will always let you down again.

[@mjg1544]

I’ll be watching. But I’m very disappointed in the lack of B-sides, Instrumenals and official remixes. Also disappointed that the singles are lousy….but 6 album cuts are decent especially Before We Drown.

[@zedfear]

It is not brilliant it is very good one, probably best since Ultra/Playing the anglel.

[@thebeardedseeker5633]

Depeche Mode has always been dark ... at least post Vince Clarke. But there's a difference between being dark, and being depressing. Since Alan left, each successive DM album seemed to get more and more depressing. Alan somehow figured out how to keep DM enjoyable while also remaining dark and edgy. As I usually say, with Alan DM was a bag of potato chips, you just couldn't get enough. Post Alan, DM is a box of Kleenex. Of course, that's just my opinion, but it's how I see it, or hear it, apparently.

[@rikimarudonchelie1229]

amen to that.

[@EtsiJuuret]

Kleenex with a flavour of popato chips I would say😆😆😆

[@peterracz8410]

Q1: Never Let Me Go Q2: Never Let Me Go Q3: People Are Good Q4: Don't Say You Love Me Q5: 7/10 The best album since Ultra

[@Anishi.]

but not a pure Depeche Mode album, too many people involved.

[@RaczPeter-jd4kg]

@@Anishi. Since Alan left more or less we can say the same about each album. Just think about the number of musicians involved in the production of Ultra. ;-)

[@Anishi.]

@@RaczPeter-jd4kg I totally agree with you. You could feel the emotions before, just purely with the music.

[@eontkasstil]

The first time that I remember listening to DM was back in 2001 when I was 6 years old, the song was Shine from Exciter , I loved it, to me that album and Playing the Angel were part of my childhood, years later I found out they were legends and listened to their back catalogue… My favorite record is SOFAD and I really don’t like anything that came before Black Celebration, to me Memento Mori is a pretty solid album way better than Spirit, I feel like in your first review you really wanted to like it and in this one you really wanted to hate it, maybe we’ll need a final review in a couple of years

[@nashf5925]

Thx VG for the honest review, as always. If I had to compare DM to James Bond films. This ain't no Goldfinger or Casino Royale. I put MM as Thunderball, Octopussy, Live and Let Die or Tomorrow Never Dies. While not breaking any new ground, I can always revisit this for just a good old fun ride and leave with a smile.

[@ConnectBookings]

Caroline's Monkey is amazing! Once you get over the lyrics the track is superb. The bass is funky, and the chorus is dope. My Favourite Stranger and Never Let Me Go are like Joy Division re-born. People Are Good is so hot. Policy of Truth beat with Strangelove vibes. Wagging Tongue is the weakest song here. Easily top 5 album of their career. 1 - Violator, 2 - SOFAD, 3- Memento Mori, 4 - Ultra, 5 - Spirit

[@igershe]

Best album since Ultra! 8 out of 10

[@jorgwalther4008]

1. My cosmos...... 2. People are good 3. Wagging Tongue 4. Always you 5. 8/10

[@Lady.Luthien]

Hey, I love Brussels sprouts! Especially with butter. 😁

[@DeanWThomas]

I think this album is really good. In my opinion it’s the best since sounds of the universe and it’s the best since Alan has left the band. The album is not very innovative, but I think they went back to doing what they do best. Again, this is just my opinion, but I think this album is a win for them.

[@patjlinnane]

My thoughts exactly

[@freyjulundr]

the memento mori tour gig was amazing just amazing live show in stockholm, and on a side not i think we can agree that from 1983-1993 there isnt a single song you would skip on the alan wilder albums no way just every song just has to be played all the extended and official mixes and b sides from the alan era is a must play all in its entirety but i feel like since songs of faith it just doesnt have that PLAY ALL songs on an album factor anymore but live they still rock hard best show since i have to say the SOFAD tour 93 there was a vibe on this tour i havent felt in decades

[@ryanbusby7120]

Instantly drawn to before we drown, and in fact it mesmerizes me to the point where I believe it's one of the best songs they have ever done! Honestly for me there's no skips on this album I listen to it from start to finish when I work out, and I love it! Before we drown Always you People are good Never let Me go Soul with me These are all amazingly standout tracks.

[@chirpywiggins5796]

Agree on Before we Drown. Keyboards are amazing especially after the 2nd chorus. Goosebumps

[@joannabarnes3555]

❤i agree.

[@Nikki-ku3nl]

Yeah it's beautiful. Gosh I love every track. In wagging tongue that middle bridge synthesised part is amazing. I wonder if anyone else hears the genius in it too. Just before "another sun is rising" part.

[@jeffreymosher6334]

Vaughn, been watching your channel for years now. Another solid reaction for the album. It is true music does get viewed by the filters of each of our own perceptions. Your going from an 8 to a rating of 7 is fair. I've probably gone from an 8.5 to an 8 now. By the time I saw your earlier reaction, I was on my 4th or 5th listen to the whole album. I got up to about 10 listens and did a similar thing of putting this aside for a little while. I am now heading into listen-15 since you released this video 2 days ago - Don't think I've given Spirit, Delta, or Universe 15 listens. Best DM album, no but it's my #5 or #6 of their discography, 'Momento Mori - Death Is Everywhere (The most since there were flies on the windscreen)' 'Momento Mori - Songs of Drugs and Death' Your Five Questions: 1) "My Cosmos..." 2) "My Cosmos..." 3) Of Album cuts "Wagging Tongue" outside of "Ghosts Again" which was the single release. 4) * this week and the 4 most recent listens to the album "My Favourite Stranger" and "People Are Good" -- but as usual my favorite DM song is usually whatever DM I am listening to at that instant. 5) 8.2 So, here's the thing with "Caroline's Monkey" with the initial listen I had many of the feelings and reactions you have shared in the two videos. However, quickly I discovered the boys are being very clever. Would you prefer that they blatantly called the song "Caroline's Vices" or "Caroline's Addictions"? This is a metaphorically savvy written song to allude to drug addictions and the challenges of functioning in society and your own mind when you have the Monkey on your back of drugs drugs drugs. I am grateful I haven't had to battle such things, but I've lost friends to the monkey, and I've had to shield myself from that monkey, so I empathize and just get lost in the song as a cautionary tale. It also lifts the best DM things in bite-size from the 80s 90s and 00s all in one song. "Always You" should be a World Wide #1 song, enough said The last thing "People Are Good" is the Epitome of singing the opposite of what you are saying or the Ultimate Sarcasm song. This is my current Anthem. I am an introvert, and I dislike large gatherings, but I just worked a three-day conference with 1,500 people attending, where there were probably 30 friends, 100 business associates, 200 business acquaintances, and 1200 + business, education, and policy people attending. I had a great time, but it was all about my personal attitude, and being able to think about "People Are Good" helped me cope. I don't know if it's a pandemic or post-pandemic attitude, but I am rather jaded and the lyrics of this speak to me. I shield myself from humans, and hurting people hurt people. My faith teaches me to be kind and empathetic, and this song says Heaven help me,... but this song Speaks To Me SOOOOO Much, plus it's got a great beat, and some sonically lifted bits from 90s DM. Love It. Try the Brussel Sprouts with a cheese sauce, they're just like miniature cabbage, and an acquired taste ;-)

[@VaughnGeorge]

Bless you Jeffrey !! I enjoyed reading your well written and very thoughtful post!! Glad to have you here!! Thank you!! VG :-)

[@cosmothorpe2506]

Very very good album

[@rubaidaallen2764]

It’s a really good album. Is it as good as what they released between 1986 and 1993? No. I appreciate the record because it’s the best thing since 1993. I saw them live a few weeks ago and a few cuts from the record were played. I’m happy I was able to hear Ghosts Again as it’s such a fave. Like I said before, 9 out of 10 👏👏👏

[@EtsiJuuret]

You don't like their post alco/narco disease Ultra?)))

[@rubaidaallen2764]

@@EtsiJuuretAbsolutely love Ultra! ❤❤

[@pablohrrg8677]

In the making of the album there are many artistic decisions that are basically a question of taste. In a Depeche Mode album few things are random. Ghosts again sounds thin? They said that there are songs they'd rather leave underdeveloped in favour of the melody or lyric (another example is Heaven)

[@abrokenframe1]

You are absolutely right. Its boring to read or watch every time the Alan wilder bla bla bla thing when people dont like a song or an album

[@EtsiJuuret]

​@@abrokenframe1 everything is discovering in comparison. It could be some Johnson or Smithson. Not Wilder. But when you listen to their golden 86-93 era albums and 00-10s albums, you don't notice the difference in quality? They had been moving to the top from album to album as by the stairway. But after 01.05.95 it became a zigzagging from left to right and back but almost never to the top. And the last 1 somehow reminds those good old times. In melodies, harmonies, arrangements, mood, vibes, groove. Nice try but it still not a Posh Mode.

[@abrokenframe1]

Never got into the Alan wilder sickness. Im a fan since 1990. To me is much better than SOFAD. TOP 5 dM Album. My 2 absolutely favourites 10/10 are Black Celebration and ULTRA . Violator gets closer. Music for the masses number 4 and MM number 5. FIVE QUESTIONS: 1. My cosmos is mine 2. No skippers, i really love the album 3. Ghosts Again 4. Dont Say You Love me 5. Rate: 8,5/10

[@artowen7183]

Mine similar. A big fan since 96. 1. Black Celebration 2. Ultra 3. Exciter 4. MM 5. Delta Machine

[@basehead617]

the best song live was Soul With Me, i think Martin did an absolutely gorgeous rendition.. better than the album

[@VaughnGeorge]

Absolutely!! VG 😎🎹👍

[@digitalriots]

1. Never Let Me Go (Love that dark cuts kind of JD She lost control with the wacky guitar and those sleazy lyrics) 2. Carolines Monkey 3. Ghosts Again ( I know it's a pop commercial single but it 's dm at it best, sonically and lyrical it hits you) 4. My Favorite Stranger (I like those dark goth winks and the influence of the great bands from the 70s & 80s) 5. 8.5 / 10 I really love the order of the songs, I think it tells you the story in a perfect way, can't stop listen to it at least one time a day. Best Album of this century for the lads.

[@marekstarosta3310]

1. My Cosmos is mine 2. Never let me go 3. Wagging Tongue 4. Always You 5. 9/10 and not because of the 6 years of waiting but i'm really surprised and love it (and i agree spirit is the weakest album)

[@storiedworlds6261]

1. I tend to skip the first three tracks of the album so you could drop any of those. 2. My Favorite Stranger is the most radical. 3. Most listened to tracks at first: Before We Drown and People are Good 4. Before We Drown and People are Good are still my favorite but Always You moved up there as well. 5. I give it an A tier, like Playing the Angel and Ultra. Not as good as S tier like SOFAD, Violator, Black Celebration and Music for the Masses.

[@videoVK]

1. My Cosmos Is Mine 2. My Cosmos Is Mine 3. Before We Drown 4. Speak To Me 5. 9/10

[@jamesbiggs9936]

Agree pretty much with all you say VG. Standout track for me is Before We Drown. Everything else is pretty average. I'll place the album above Spirit and SOTU. Doesn't match any of their other albums IMHO.

[@CityTunes]

Don't like their new stuff, too boring and political! Been a fan since 1982. Bring back Alan and make it fun again, like Violator!! Come on Marin, I know you like techno!! 🙂

[@winduberry]

My issue with Depeche Mode is that they were such an in electronic band….but they have become an incredibly mediocre rock band. And I’m. A huge fan. I’ve gone to every tour since Black Celebration and will be going again on Halloween in October. But cmon please ditch the drummer, get back to a thumping drum machine….and how about some melodies again?? I was so excited when Ghosts Again came out….I was like finally this album is going to be banging. Just to be very disappointed.

[@ViliamGajdos]

Memento Mori is just another nail into DM coffin. Fans are trying hard to find a good track on this album. I sometimes hate how Gahan and Gore gain success from playing Wilder`s production on tours. They live from the past and cannot deliver in the present time. Alan knows and will never join them again. Recoil was his ceiling in non-commercial segment (he was tired of pop back then) and I only wish he would produce the very last let`s say 36 songs or even instrumental tracks for us true believers. Alan come back please...just for once.

[@edu2076]

1. My Cosmos is Mine 2. Soul With Me 3. Ghosts Again 4. My Favourite Stranger 5. Not good with scores, but I'd place it in the lower half of their 15 studio albums

[@rswpt]

i personally rank it 4/10 In my humble rank its slightly below Exciter. And nowhere near Ultra like i read some people comparing it to, but then again opinions vary, there are people who said, back then, that Spirit was the best album ever....

[@majesticfloors]

Anything DM is going to do will be brilliant. DM can only be compared to itself, since no one comes close to them. Great music often takes time to fully appreciate.

[@dancristiana2874]

My ratings are (after different listening takes and settling for one track as my new default ringtone): 1. My Cosmos Is Mine (strong Third Chimpanzee vibes) 2. Soul with Me (just didn't click with me so far) 3. Never Let Me Go (that's the ringtone!) 4. Speak to me (reminds me a bit of Cover Me, my favorite track from Spirit) 5. 8/10

[@PeterMBracke]

Tried listening to this album twice and just not getting anything different than their last few post-Alan and Ultra releases. Production is just as bad as Spirit and most of the Ben Hillier era. The Richard Butler / Martin Gore collaborations do bring some freshness to those songs at least. Dave remains a terrible songwriter. Is there a bit of herd mentality going on with the reaction to this record?

[@RodLevitonMusic]

After listening to the Album, various times now. I really like how the band has brought the "synth sound" back again. "Sonically", I think it's one of their best. I completely agree with most of your review too. Great work as usual!

[@robmancuso964]

I think Memento Mori is a very good album, no bad songs and it's certainly a lot better than Spirit which I feel is their worst album in my opinion. My least favourite songs on MM are Soul With Me and Caroline's Monkey. I was skipping SWM initially but now I'm listening to it and it has grown on me a bit but it's still my least favourite. My absolute favourite song is Before We Drown, followed by Wagging Tongue, My Perfect Stranger, Never Let Me Go, People Are Good, Always You, Ghosts Again etc. Score is 9/10

[@schubert3315]

If I recall a Fletch thought every new album was just as good as Black Celebration.

[@fuserproducer]

1.Caroline's monkey 2. Soul with me. 3.Ghost Again. 4.Before we drown. 5. 7/10

[@karmakazi3836]

You were almost spot on with my feelings about MM. I had a hard time listening to it and forced myself to let it loop while I worked. A few songs grew on me and i added it to my DM playlist. I have 2-3 songs from each album on my playlist since Alan left. Music for the Masses is my favorite album. I still remember buying the cassette and enjoying every song the very first time i heard them. Black Celebration is a close 2nd, Devotion and Violator rounding out my top 4. Ultra is the best non Wilder album, IMO. The big question is, who the hell is Caroline and why do we care about her Monkey!

[@VaughnGeorge]

Cheers my friend!! VG 🙂

[@MisAnnThorpe]

I think you need to address this question to Richard Butler. He first made mention of Caroline on The Psychedelic Furs' "Pretty in pink".

[@EtsiJuuret]

​@@MisAnnThorpe Who the hell is David Butler and has anyone something to hide except me and my monkey??? 😅😅

[@ilsebrauckhoff7689]

As a child I didn't like brussel spouts either. Now I love them. And I love Memento Mori, yes, each and every song. And I love each and every song of Spirit.

[@cpearson7372]

Hey there, Vaughn :) I appreciate your dedication to the band, and your honest opinion on this album, Momento Mori. I give it a slightly higher grade than you, but I am sure my pain over Andrew Fletcher's death, and how that must be affecting Martin, and even David, to a lesser degree, has caused me to latch onto the grief within it, and the mood this album allows me to slide into. 8.5/10 Listening to Momento Mori, as I drive along the highway, with the night stars and the cool air, I feel love, sorrow, lost, joy. I feel in my 20's.

[@ninawildr4207]

Oh my I so love your comment😀

[@neilgregory6237]

For me, best album since ultra maybe sofad

[@bedz_tec712]

1. Don’t Say You Love Me 2. Caroline's Monkey 3. My Favourite Stranger 4. My Favourite Stranger 5. 8/10

[@Mr17Strangelove]

I was really pleasantly surprised to hear that ‘Always you’ is your favourite track. I totally agree, I feel it touches me almost as much as ‘Walking in my shoes’. And I do skip ‘Caroline’s Monkey’ as well.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Well you what they say : "Great minds think alike!!" VG :-)

[@gregwilliams2011]

30 quid to see Gareth doing a lecture??? Cmon! I'd go for 20 but 30 is taking the piss. Agree about lyrics for Caroline's monkey but think I'd give it a solid 8. Agree also best since playing the angel but that album had so many classics - the darkest star especially. Anyway - enjoy your vids. Don't akways Agree but hey Would be interested to know the bands who you say are doing electric music better nowadays. Cheers

[@Tails7212]

A beautiful album in my opinion

[@paulb3517]

Great album, best in a long while....

[@NoodleaDoodle]

I have been known to listen to Always You on repeat for weeks at a time

[@KarlHamilton]

Depeche are finished

[@alexgalaktionov9952]

Now we’re talking! “Always you” must be third single from this album and yes it is the strongest song and most popular among my dm fan friends. It stood out as top track on the album. The rest songs on the album sound b-sides compared to this one.

[@EtsiJuuret]

Yes, bro!

[@legionnairegonk4425]

Best album since Ultra, and it's not even close. It has a sonic AND songwriting cohesion not heard since that album, something that has been sorely missing on everything post Ultra up until MM.

[@Substance242]

I'm not sure about the 5 questions yet, but what do you mean, "since Playing the Angel" - Delta Machine is better than that! :-)

[@LuizOliver777]

Which other bands are doing the genre better than DM? I'm genuinely curious!

[@thegiftedone]

I’m ordering one of your albums! I love how honest you are I agree with all your frustrations with DM…..they set that bar so high, I’m not sure if it was a good thing (probably) or a bad thing for them….. but looking forward to your album especially that you went to that “dark place”. Beautiful things grow in darkness…..so… Lead me into your darkness When this world is trying its hardest To leave me unimpressed Just one caress From you and I'm blessed Peace.

[@sethmatthews7394]

I still think this is the best one since playing the angel. I quite like it, but it is being overrated by critics to a degree in my opinion.

[@DerekAng-l8h]

"People Are Good" crept into my head and i am obsessed with that song now.

[@fuserproducer]

Of course, Violator is the best album in the entire DM history, thanks to Alan Wilder and Flood hard work🤔

[@Dieter1971]

You lost me at "Depeche Mode could learn from Mesh". I enjoy listening to Mesh, but in my opinion, Mesh started up as a DM clone.

[@VaughnGeorge]

I get what you're saying. The truth is that when you are an electronic artist, for some reason you almost always will get compared to DM, its just hard to shake it!! VG :-)

[@Dieter1971]

You're right. I think Mesh has done incredibly well given that, as you say, the comparison to Depeche Mode is inevitable. I remember the first time I heard Mesh (Not Prepared) I thought it Was DM. Anyways, I enjoy watching your reviews and assessments, whether I am in agreement with you or not. Best, psf

[@VaughnGeorge]

@@Dieter1971 thank you and no worries my friend. It's impossible for everyone to agree on everything so now worries at all!! VG 😎👍🎹

[@stjarna72]

Agree with much of what you said ‘Always you’ is my absolute favourite and my only skip is ‘Caroline’s Monkey’ I have to disagree on ‘My Favourite Stranger’ & ‘People are good’ both strong and should be on the live setlist as well as the Wonderful ‘Before we drown’ so overall 8/10 best since PTA 🖤

[@paulgidley1858]

Again, I fully agree with a lot of your comments VG - the album is too simplistic and under developed, and Always You is by far the stand out track. Alan would have indeed injected some magic and variation - but we all know that won't happen

[@VaughnGeorge]

I think you and I agree on a lot my friend! VG :-)