Depeche Mode: Memento Mori - Initial Thoughts

My initial thoughts after hearing Depeche Mode's "Memento Mori" album for the first time.
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[@VaughnGeorge]

My initial thoughts after hearing Depeche Mode's "Memento Mori" album for the first time. What are your feelings on this album?

[@oliverchristian2437]

Looking forward to your thoughts! Been waiting for them! Myself, I really like the album - of course it's not Violator or Black Celebration quality, but it actually can be DM's best album since Ultra. I will now listen to it again, as I await your live session.

[@thirdlantern]

"Never Let Me Go" almost sounds like "Set Me Free (Remotivate Me)"!

[@audiolego]

@@thirdlantern that's my fav song from the new album

[@thirdlantern]

@@audiolego And for good reason! I'm seriously blown away by MM. It has a Black Celebration feel to me, in that it's best listened to ftom start to finish. A most worthwhile trip!

[@craighart783]

Been a fan for 40 odd years and it's better than sofas. People must realise including you Vaughn that Depeche are producing very good music at this stage in their career. Do well to forget A.w!!!

[@antagorithm]

"Always You" was my favorite track from this album. Overall, I was very relieved that this album was pretty solid - I also didn't really care for Spirit, and they seemed to be on a downward trajectory, so my expectations were not high. I was pleasantly surprised.

[@VaughnGeorge]

It is an outstanding song indeed ! VG

[@ChadMichaelSimon]

I have the perspective of a particular fan group. Born in ‘72, aware of DM via Mtv but never bought an album, was blown away on a Goth Night dance floor by “Enjoy the Silence,” and rested on that level of knowledge for twenty years. Somewhere in that time I favorited a live performance of “Enjoy the Silence,” which was my introduction to the band on stage. I met my wife in 2012. She has very few “things.” Depeche Mode is her one thing. Through her I’ve heard every album, watched live shows spanning their career, and saw them on the Delta Machine and Spirit tours. In short, I was a casual fan turned latecomer devotee wannabe. So, Delta Machine and Spirit were my first new Depeche Mode albums I was able to hear upon release. I rather enjoyed them, more so than my wife and other die hard fans. Just an observation there - without the history and levels of expectation, the tracks from recent albums sit beside their catalogue perfectly in my mind. It’s all Depeche Mode. I love the duality of their album presence vs. their stage sound. I’m still learning which album is which and couldn’t name all 16. I appreciate the Clark and then Wilder years but scratch my head when modern fans moan about a 20-year-old split. My wife and I will see them twice this year, maybe three times with their added dates. All of this to say - listening to Memento Mori for the first time and every time since has been a sublime pleasure. I don’t care where it ranks or how it compares. I’m thankful that I’m here to receive it. Remember that we must die and enjoy every lick and phrase the boys are able to produce while we’re all still here.

[@andreterhaar2570]

Haha, I'm lucky, being born in '62, so I've been following (and been a fan of) DM from the beginning, meanwhile more than 40 years. Besides, I'm Dutch and I met my (Polish) wife in Warsaw in '91, where I took her for our first dance on Enjoy The Silence 🎉 So you can imagine the bond we both have with DM and since then we've seen them performing life twice in NL, some 5 and 15 years ago. Luckily I have several DVD/BluRay's of life DM performances of which I especially like the atmosphere of SPiRiTS in the Forest, incl. the documentary part where Anton Corbijn follows 6 superfans of various ages. Very glad with their new MM album and love Before We Drown. DM does and will always remain part of our lives 🔊💪

[@philmarston9078]

Before we drown. First time I heard that track I loved it. For me one of the standout tracks of theirs since Violator for me. In fact the final half of the album is so strong.

[@VaughnGeorge]

Hi Phil! A lot of the fans are commenting on how good the second half of the album is ! It gets stronger at the halfway point ! VG 🎹👍😎

[@andreterhaar2570]

Same for me, love Before We Drown, take it away! 💪

[@mikeBlogic]

That wouldn't even have been a B-side in violator's time

[@andreterhaar2570]

@@mikeBlogic Who cares, really? 😇 I'm a big fan of all albums DM produced in the '90s, but still like Before We Drown, too, because it's a typical DM song. My 2 cents 😋

[@AB-mx9lx]

I love this album...not sure is because of the stage of age and adultness I am at this point in life...but the music voice and lyrics just match...they go along...like dancing with each other...DM did a very good job on this album...I can't stop listening especially Soul with Me...such a powerful song...

[@eter2781]

I love ‘Soul With Me Too’. I don’t understand so much criticism of this one.

[@mikegjennestad2586]

To be honest enjoying it much more than anticipated. Really enjoying it

[@chrismlarge1]

Best album since Ultra. My only gripe is some of the songs are too short ie before we drown should/could have been a 6 minute epic

[@henrymurray4997]

First album since ultra that’s had this intoxicating effect

[@Pufoe67]

I have listened to DM MM about 10 times now, and it's become clear to me that this is now my favourite since Violator . I think you'll be humming and singing along to this, and the tunes and lyrics will stick in your head. MM is a class act.

[@electrikmode9249]

I've heard the album in it's entirety twice, and select songs several times. With DM I've never really had to have multiple listens to know whether or not I like an album. I usually know instantly and this has remained true for decades. My initial reaction: Dave's vocals are back to form in a publicly released album. Having recently heard the delta machine demos it appears that Dave never stopped singing and production had a big influence on the end product ("Secret to the End" as a notable example). I used to wonder why Dave's vocals were so much better on side projects than on DM releases (question has been answered). Clearly, the vocals can make or break an album and Dave's voice unifies every track on the album in the same way it did on Violator, Ultra and Exciter (i.e. with more subtlety than on 80s albums and less grunge/power than SOFAD). Melodically every single track on this album is perfect, more so than even golden era DM albums (yes, I said it--even the greatest DM albums have tracks I can't stand, not the case here). PTA is the only other album where I've felt the same thing. As an album I feel it's cohesive and it flows and feels quintessentially DM. There isn't a "trying too hard" feeling I've felt at times in more recent albums. What I call the "DM quirk" is back, something I've missed greatly. SOTU, Delta, Spirit all had moments of quintessential DM quirks in the melodies/music for example [for example "Wrong" (in it's entirety) and the inexplicably excluded "Ghost"] but every single track on this album has "it" [except (sorry Martin) "Soul With Me" which sounds a bit too generic for my liking and what I would describe as futuristic-late-70s-lounge-music). Like others have said, it's the first album that's given me that "stuck in my subconscious" feeling. The last album to do so was PTA. Melodies just keep flowing in and out of my brain--whether I want them to or not. That didn't happen for the last 3 albums. I feel truly honoured to witness this moment in time because I never experienced BC, MFTM or Violator in real time and never thought I'd hear another album like this from DM again. A wish has been granted and a dream has come true. It's been a long time since I've written about DM. Need to get back to the forums!

[@Gopher86]

Wow. Your feelings reflect mine almost perfectly. Listened to it more than twice, probably more than 10 times in its entirety by now. The melodies and beats are stuck in my brain and subconsciously come back throughout the day at random moments. This "stuck in my subconscious" feeling is something I also never experienced at a time of an album release of DM except around Ultra maybe (I'm 37 yo now) when I was 11yo in 1997. It's always been MFTM, Violator, Black Celebration, SoFaD and Ultra for me. Since Exciter (I hoped it'd be "my own Violator" back in 2001 which it wasn't eventually) the wait was always long and most albums dissapointed me. Sure, some tracks were great on Exciter, PtA, SotU, Delta machine (especially Welcome to my world and All that's mine) and Spirit... I don't know.. just meh. But now Memento Mori? It's killing it for me. The themes, the lyrics, the more focused production and generally a more classic DM-feeling. I'm very pleased.

[@CHESEABUN]

More or less agree with what you have said here. The album is a grower and you do get hooked in. I love the album. Speak to me is Epic! The last three DM albums were so disappointing I actually thought they should call it a day. However this album they are back on form. Yes some of the songs are simple structures but it works. As you say some earlier DM albums there are some tracks I don’t like. But the tracks I do are continue to listen to. Richard

[@electrikmode9249]

@@Gopher86 So glad you feel the same way :) The DM-feeling is what makes us silly fans loyal.

[@electrikmode9249]

@@CHESEABUN Yes, simple doesn't necessarily make a song any less worthy. See you, TSATR, And then, GTBR...could perhaps be labelled simple (melodically). They've stood the test of time. Ghosts Again has elements of that beautiful simplicity, especially in the second verse and interlude. Like you said, the tracks I love, I listen to and love forever, those I hate usually I'll listen to them enough to try and like them, in the process memorizing the tune and lyrics (even though I don't like the song) and that's it. Ahem, a divisive one: Condemnation and another divisive one: Somebody. On the other hand NLMDA, for example, still gives me chills, and I first heard it around '95. I will love "Wrong" forever and sometimes production aside a beautiful melody is a beautiful melody ("Poorman", "Poison heart", "So much love" all have beautiful melodies IMO). So modern DM isn't all bad, it's just something, at times, is missing and a big part of that is Dave's vocals and the production (or overproduction that strips the songs of their beauty).

[@tillhischemoller9582]

Fantastic, I feel the same!

[@Florian-rf8xr]

Isn’t this album less compressed as all previous albums after 2001 Exciter ?

[@abrokenframe1]

Memento Mori is a fuc*** time machine ! its so good! Fresh and new and at same time all those 80's sounds and feelings are back ! Nobody expects that to happens again !

[@murrynathan]

Agreed!

[@DepecheModeFans101]

It's the best album in years. Just say it

[@Kickingit06]

Because it's the only album in the last six years and second in ten years.

[@kennztube]

Hope so as there's not been a worthy album since Ultra.

[@Kickingit06]

@@kennztube I don't say worthy or unworthy. I like a lot of the post Ultra work to some degree. But I also acknowledge that it is an inferior outcome compared to having Alan Wilder in the mix. That makes Memento Mori especially tough for me. Because it is probably the best written and conceive album since Ultra IMO. But the sound is just too damn subdued and lacking in lushness without WIlder.

[@leisiquick5298]

I like the new album as a whole. The playlist is very well conceived. It flows smoothly, it could be easily a soundtrack for a movie. A kind of emotional journey, something you can experience with their most successful albums. Even if this is not their best, I think it s a great work for a band that is still here, after 42 years, re-inventing itself after all what they went through. And also, please stop to compare these days with 80's and 90's. World has changed, they aged, we aged as well, youngness can't come back ❤

[@DepecheModeTimeAgain]

It’s not a question of age, when I listen the music of the groups this age (U2, The Cure…) I feel they’ve lost something…. And DM as you said perfectly where into ´innovation’ each album because it was a time of creativity and we’ve never heard all those incredible sounds (even the synths ones). Now nothing new when I listen to the sounds…. And the mélodies, sorry, but they don’t appeal me that much…. So I maintain : there is a problem. One day Martin said « we could easily make another Speak & Spell but we’re not interested in it ». Yes Martin we understand the meaning but just for one shot : do some DM ‘dancing’ album with catchy melodies…. I dream I know but it’s something I wanted to say Vaughn. Thanks for your great job. ❤

[@natachaalmeida9479]

I agree with you, I think its the best album since PTA and will stand alongside it. My favorites right now are GA, Never let me Go, Soul with Me, Speak to me and my favourite, Before we Drown. People are Good gives me a lot of kraftwerk vibes. The downside is at times I feel the songs dont develop much. Alan gave them that touch that made listening to a song from beginning, middle and end the feeling of being on a journey, storytelling, if thst makes sense, while in this one sometimes I expect it to have some big change or climax but it never comes. But its still a pretty enjoyable album and its great to see them going out of their confort zone and letting more people contribute.

[@zedfear]

There is only one big problem with the album.... it is too short 🖤

[@loro3799]

Say that again! 😊❤

[@dhalonreverse]

I actually love People are Good. I love the lyrics and I love the music to it. Over all love the album. I was pleasantly surprised with it. In every song I hear glimmers of tones of previous album sounds

[@danielpc897]

Listening this album again and again, it feels like a kind of time machine to me.... Each song seems to be extracted from differents DM albums, from mid-80s till mid-2000. I loved it so much!

[@UPFX]

Yes. My thoughts exactly. I feel moments pulled from various eras of the band meticulously threaded into this modern DM sound.

[@Moody801]

I was at the Vegas show last night and got this same exact impression, especially when you look at the setlist. It was such a good mashup of old and new sounds that it sounded like it all came from one album. Like VG I was disappointed in Spirit and have a hard time listening to it, and when they announced the new album in October I was nervous until I heard the Ghosts Again teaser. At that point I felt the DM we all knew and loved were back, and after listening to Memento Mori repeatedly since release they did not disappoint!

[@anthonysilvestre3715]

To me, Memento Mori is the 2nd best post-AW album, after Ultra. It's really well produced. The songs have melody (sorely lacking on Spirit). It's lyrically good. I was very pleasantly surprised with this album. Looking forward to San Antonio and Dallas this year.

[@manuelulrich663]

Anthony, you are so right. 100 % agree! Have fun in San Antonio and Dallas

[@anthonysilvestre3715]

@D T Day I like Exciter for many of the same reasons I like Memento Mori. Good production and melodic songs. The Exciter tracks are just "weaker" songs, in general, compared to Memento Mori. I'd say Exciter has 2 songs I'd consider standouts; "I Am You" and "Freelove". I couldn't get into Delta Machine at all. I feel it's over-produced. Too much noise. But that's just MHO. 🙂

[@Kickingit06]

Maybe. But I'd say there's a big chasm between Ultra and MM.

[@anthonysilvestre3715]

@@Kickingit06 HUGE chasm. Huge.

[@r26000]

Delta Machine was a full load of melodies, just saying.

[@rogermorrow4746]

A very moving album , initially thought best, since PTA,but now leaning towards best since ultra...daves voice sounds more like the old days, instead of the electro Elvis,of recent years. ,Some really beautiful melodys,and sonic soundscapes,that were so lacking in spirit. Never let me go,is a real old school banger

[@jamesnewman48]

It's growing on me. They'll Never make music like they did in the 80s and 90s. The recording process not the same. Dave loves guitar music and Martin writes songs on modular. My favourite album since ultra. Shocked they aren't playing Before we drown and People are Good. They were made to be played live. Maybe they will.

[@patobantan420]

Saw them last week in Sacramento and again last night in L.A.. Crowd was a lot better last night. They sang Condemnation instead of Waiting for the Night and it was incredible. Dave still dave. Love these guys. Took my 10 year old son for the first time to a DM show. He was amazed. Seeing them again tomorrow in Vegas...Great show BTW😊😢

it is a very special, delicate and direct album, with good songs (too many songs from my point of view, 9-10 would be a perfect number) My cosmos is mine it is deep and boring but interesting in a certain way. Wagging tongue is a copy of Europe Endless by Soft Cell. i would skip it. Ghosts Again, it is poppy it is edm but it is depeche mode. good song, honest, true, beauty, simple. Dont say you love me. Another one that you can skip. My Favourite Stranger reminds me of Ultravox i don’t know why but great potential in this, though they haven’t developed to its best. sounds like a demo. Soul with me. Martin’s time. Not one of my favourites but sounds different. Carolines Monkey is a good song. Sometimes it is 80s George Michael, sometimes the obsession of Gore trying to resonate the word “Sometimes” (counterfeit 1), sometimes pop. Before we drawn, front 242 2000 pop. I love it. People are good. Copy of Kraftwerk’s “Computer World”. I like it. Infectious. Always you. It is growing more and more in me. The rhythm is so groovy. Is it the new Lie to me? I love the lyrics and Daves voice. Secret weapon. Never let me go. First listen, this one is good. More listens, mmmm maybe it isnt as good as i thought. Speak to me. Another level and great end. A forest, a day in the life, cover me, dave. Wall of sound. bright voice, direct

[@deanjones684]

I love the album. Their best since Playing the Angel. Being a fan since black celebration this album isn't the mode of old but is a return to form. I love the Kraftwerky tracks like Wagging tongue and people are good. The stand out ones are wagging tongue, speak to me and before we drown. I might go see them on tour on strength of this album. The Mode are back

[@khanonkhaz2868]

Their best since Ultra IMO

[@BitcoinWillFixEverything]

Thank you for your thoughts on the new album. I believe it's the best album since Ultra. However, it is still somewhat disappointing. I still remember the excitement I felt as a teenager hearing "something to do" coming out of the speakers the first time I heard it, and then Black celebration-the whole album was a masterpiece. I waited for months for music for the masses to be released after the singles "strangelove" was dropped. The same thing happened with violator, I fell asleep listening to that CD for at least 6 months. Obviously personal Jesus and enjoy the silence are incredible tracks. But the beauty of blue dress and sweetest perfection we're such incredible even though they didn't chart, they were so much more than filler. SOFD had at least 5 outstanding tracks, Ultra had about the same. I feel like with this album, I'm trying really hard to enjoy it and I like the sounds of some of the retro sense but it just doesn't leave through the speakers the way their old stuff used to. The last CD I bought of theirs was sounds of the universe. I would have loved to hear just two or three tracks on this album that I could not stop listening to on repeat. I don't know if it's me or the band that is getting old, probably a bit of both. I still maintain that from 1984 to 1996 Depeche mode was as great as the Beatles, led Zeppelin, or any other classic band that you want to put them next to.

[@rvanheukelum]

To be honest, I find it a very monotone album, no ups or downs. Not one exciting track that grabs me. I'm a long time fan and I have great feelings about Constructing Time Again up until Exciter ... and even though the last 4 albums before this one not really were my thing, they all had a couple really good tracks. Up until now. Sorry but no.

[@Nicemice19]

I feel absolutely the same… Heard it a few times, doesn’t grow on me. The only thing I feel is that the production is brilliant..

[@Esperluet]

Boring, always looking for where is the outstanding part

[@basehead617]

Soul With Me live with just Martin singing and Peter playing piano was amazing at the show the other night.. it sounded a lot better than the album

[@nakedvideo10]

I was at the concert last night here in Los Angeles and yes, you are right Christian has pulled back a little and it made a big difference. Dave still dances, a little less and slower but is now finding other ways to entertain the fans by engaging with them a little more. His voice sounded amazing almost like the albums. I dont know if it has to do with this only being the 3rd show so the boys are still fresh. Martin is still rocking. The set list was amazing. Very well thought out. had an amazing pace and great concert vibe. the song selection was very very good.

[@strychnyne3530]

Was Martin on keyboard more than usual? Gonna see them next week..

[@EtsiJuuret]

​@D T Day which 1 is 2nd?

[@jdmoraleswrites2628]

"A Pain That I'm Used To." Same remixed version they've done on previous tours.

[@amerc50]

Thanks for the insight. The drummer does overdo it.

[@schubert3315]

The tour is a rehash of the same old stuff. Boring AF.

[@jeremycasper8686]

My take on the album as a whole. I agree with you, it is very consistent, the theme is constant, it is deep, dark, developed, and to compare it to food or drink, I’d say it’s like a layered decadent dark chocolate cake. Or a very fine aged wine. Honestly, I don’t think we’ll ever get albums again like black celebration, MFTM, or Violator. Those are absolutely cohesive and flawless. We are just blessed to have gotten a few perfect albums. And I love SOFAD, ultra, PTA, SOTU, even Exciter and of course the earlier ones like a broken frame, construction time again, etc. I honestly don’t know how to rank them. Spirit I didn’t like much, and Delta is growing on me. This album MM is certainly a GOOD record. Very solid.

[@frankcavallo]

My 2 cents. This album sadly sounds tired, as if Martin and Dave are both physically and emotionally exhausted. Dave sings undertones and fails to convey the emotions that are usually his strong point. Do you remember "Condemnation" or "Suffer Well"? I refer to this. It's sad but some of Memento Mori's compositions are good but not *THAT* good: it always seems that something is missing in terms of strength of the composition and quality of arrangement that doesn't let the sense penetrate the listener. We are far from the times of "One Caress" in which the fact of being downtempo was compensated by a great emotional charge which here is reduced to mannerism. "People are Good" for me remains the most convincing episode, even if something is still missing and there is the feeling that most of the songs are B-sides of "Music for the Masses" or "Black Celebration". I had great expectations on this record but I'm a bit disappointed at first listens: the dark and gothic graphics remain an external fact for a record that is glossy and fails, in my opinion, to reach the emotional heights of the greatest Depeche records, or at least until "Playing the Angel". I may change my mind and excuse me but from George I learned to be frank. Far better than Spirit but 6/10 to me.

[@Dessi101]

The melodies are back! Really enjoy this album.

[@Cherries683]

It‘s a great album, I think. The best since Ultra. Great synth sounds and really good arranged. I want to listen to it over and over again. Caroline’s Monkey (for example) is a classic grower for me. I liked it not much at first listen, but now one of my favourites. There is so much to discover on this album. It is a return to their classic strengths!!! Brilliant job from DM, James Ford and Marta Salogni (I think she is the key for the beautiful soundscapes). ✌️🤙

[@SOLDATT]

Always you - is absolutely the best track, it's beautiful, subtle and touching... Sends shivers .. !!

[@VaughnGeorge]

Right you are brother! I'm with you on that ! VG :-)

[@scipio8866]

Agree, best song on the album

[@vincentlemineur]

Overwhelming track. I abolutely agree! Instant classic in my DM world too!

[@antoninsebera152]

If this will be last DM work. We could call it briliant ending. They could not do it better. In my opinion. Full concert halls are sure now

[@Darkem-ur5ho]

I was so letdown with Spirit. Try as i might i just didnt like it. Memento mori is excellent..a real return to form. So happy right now

[@DemiAndHisSyndromes]

“People are good” is the best track from the album. “heaven help me” line is so good!!

[@MrChippiechappie]

I totally agree yet it washed over this guy.

[@Kaleiddmode]

Before We Drown ❤❤❤

[@murrynathan]

Violator sounded sparse at first listen, then over time she reviled her secrets. This album does the same. Put on headphones and discover why MM is DM’s Vocal Masterpiece! Martin is in every song and the way he and Dave play off one another is amazing. The more I listen the more I hear. And all the synth stuff is in there as well, not buried, but out of the way of the vocals. I keep hearing comparisons, but this album is its own thing. My Cosmos & Before We Drown are my new favorite songs. Thanks to Never Let Me Go we know what a DM James Bond theme would sound like. Wagging Tongue is strait up Kraftwerk. And People Are Good is as good as Strange Love. I know this because it made a grown man dance in his bedroom.

[@caravanningwithcharlie]

My favourites are Soul with me, Always You and Speak to me.

[@sethmatthews7394]

I think it's the best since PTA, but not better than PTA. But I rate PTA much higher than most fans probably do. Speak to me is probably my favorite track, and their best closing song since insight imo.

[@jeanpaulmichell7243]

The more I listen to this album, the more I like it. Pulls me deeper and deeper in, discovering nuances and layers I missed before. So happy DM have come through with such a lovely release. If this should happen to be the last -not to suggest it is or anything - album they make, it is a worthy close to a fantastic legacy.

[@mariomoodley3391]

Can't wait for Vaughn's interview with Marta 😉 MM is epic!! Best for years.... the guys are back indeed !!

[@gayandrews3587]

I’ve been looking forward to hearing your review! I feel the same about Before We Drown too., instant goosebumps emotion. I really love the album. I only discovered Depeche Mode in 2018 hearing Enjoy the Silence on KZbin 🎶 Now Im a fan girl/devotee from Australia 🇦🇺 I watch your channel regularly and value your opinion 🎶 I love sooo many of their songs from past 40 odd years. I’d love to see them live!! 🎶

[@VaughnGeorge]

Hey there to you my friend "down under". Thank you for your comment and I do hope you get to see them live someday. VG :-)

[@kbrown649]

So, I fully expected to hate it. I really did. Instead, Ghosts Again really got me excited. Which is a perfect word because, this album is very similar in vibe and flow to Ultra/Exciter. Less obvious guitar, more melody, or, actually, less, perhaps, vocally, which all ended up being my favorite album from Mode since Violator. That’s big. To me…standard for me for nearly every DM album…love 80%, ignore 20%.

[@neilsun2521]

'People Are Good' has a very Kraftwerk-esque sound. Reminds me of The Model in parts. (Also, Before We Drown sounds similar to the Enjoy The Silence chorus a little bit, to my ears.)

[@t1callahan]

I have now heard the album probably 20+ times, and I had similar feelings as you after the first listen. But after a second listen, I wanted to listen again, which led to a 3rd, and so on. That's the thing I found with this album that is similar to albums their classic albums (before Ultra). The more I listen to it, the more I can't wait to hear it again. it's been so long since I've had a DM album that made me feel like that, I had forgotten what that felt like. Sonically and technically, I don't compare it to any of the classics, you just cannot compare- those days are gone. But it does grow on you, and listening enjoyment is there for me and it has brought back some of the same feelings that made me love the classic DM albums.

[@yavlennyy]

Wow, what a band. All songs are great, maybe only Wagging Tongue is too simple but it is the best album since Ultra/PTA, naturelly. Voice, experimental melodies, lyrics. Martin's songs are stronger then ever (People Are Good, Always You, Never Let Me Go), Daves songs are tipical DM style, but Speak to Me gave us that epic. Very good, immediately loved this record.

[@orestis6894]

Better album than the previous ones, but no strong, uptempo , vibrating songs. Nice smooth songs, room songs with great lyrics. Also in live shows is very nice to hear Dave's voice without exaggerating anymore, he doesn't need this.. ALAN WE STILL MISS YOU

[@dennishough3709]

One has to wonder if Alan did come back would the magic still be there? I’ve all but given up Hope waiting for Alan to return.

[@xoxox1011]

After hearing the entire album at least 30 times so far (absolutely love all the songs, and so hope this is not the last one they release), track 10 (Always You) is definitely my favourite, as it was after my first listening. It's simply otherworldly, futuristically-atmospherical and unbelievably powerful. Not so complex harmonically like many of their other songs from 40+ year repertoire, but probably the most beautiful they ever made, just superb. I liked that you said it reminded you of Talk Talk (who I still like very much and listen often), because it was exactly who this song reminded me of too as soon as I heard it. And lately Caroline's' Monkey is my 2nd favourite (it wasn't at first), then Before We Drown and Never Let me Go still my next favourites.

[@alexander.roc.]

Agree “Before We Drown” is one of the best songs in years. Actually Dave sometimes outshines Gore as a songwriter, at least the last 20 years. Weird. Gore doesn’t seem to be able to do another It Doesn’t Matter, It Doesn’t Matter Two, World Full of Nothing, Somebody, Sometimes and more.

[@dezb1]

Before we drown is excellent would love to hear a Flood remix - like they did with Freelove years ago.

[@davisanaiz6742]

I haven’t liked a Gore song since Comatosh on Exciter.

[@manicminer1976]

​​@@davisanaiz6742 But do you mean as a singer or as a songwriter? Because if you haven't liked any song by Gore after Comatose, then you haven't liked 90% of DM songs from Exciter...🎉

[@davisanaiz6742]

@@manicminer1976 His Songs that he sings. I like the ambience of Exciter. I think Goodnight lovers is one of their best songs.

[@manicminer1976]

@@davisanaiz6742 Ah ok, understood. Since the initial message was about him as a songwriter, I wasn't sure what you meant. Yes I agree, I haven't liked most songs sung by Gore in the latest records. And The Sweetest Perfection will always be my favourite.

[@waddy707]

It’s their best work since PTA, I’d place it behind Ultra and slightly edge it ahead of PTA. The collab with Richard Butler (Psychedelic Furs) on 4 of the songs is genius.

[@RobinPM100]

MM is the best album since Ultra, all the albums from Some Great Reward till Ultra are better of course, you cannot beat those ever again, but this one is the best since Ultra

[@catmall]

Agreed. I know martin gore thnks the thread of mode began wth black c but i always go back to some great reward as wel. In more recent years i think "a broken frame " has some quality to it from that time thats pretty good too. I never could listen to speak & spell or construction time again a whole lot. This new one im liking as well. Its a grower in ways or will be in the PTA catergorey over time. Hard to say but its got the attention of many so thats good.

[@laudec00]

Hi George, it is a pleasure to watch you doing a very honest analysis. I would say it is very long the voices has not been that perfect and intertwined together. “Always you” is currently my favourite, but as you said, you need to let the notes settle inside you. Melody is also globally recovering. And what a musical firework that “Speak to me” final… Thanks

[@VaughnGeorge]

Thanks for that Laurent, I appreciate your support and kind words and glad you enjoyed it! VG :-)

[@Nightsinwhitesatin645]

I enjoy PTA but this album is a much richer, textured album. There are some duds on PTA. There are none on this one. PTA is a feast or famine type album. The songs are either great or bad. In my opinion, MM is the best DM album since Ultra.

[@cjp592]

I saw DM. I was just happy to see them. They looked niiiiice. I was 90% happy with the songs they performed and the rendition or versions of the song they played. Still love them. 💕💕💕💕🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧👍🏼

[@jonathan.lahousse]

Probably one of their best work in the last 20 years. Surely not as good as their peak time but overall sounding good. In some songs Dave's voice sounds finally again as "himself", the Depeche Mode singer we loved but unfortunately not live. The production is good not over saturated, sound are pleasant and there are some good vibes here and there. My favorite track is "Before we drawn". Overall ok but no brilliant. Probably their last work that we must enjoy. I am still stuck in the SOFAD, Violator, Music for the masses, Ultra, Exciter for "when the body speaks", Playing the angel, after I am done.

[@Benz74M]

I had read that when Mark Bell produced Exciter, he's the one that told Dave he could do much more with his voice. Mark Bell had worked with Björk and encouraged Dave to modulate his voice in different ways. IMO, that's when Dave started to change his singing style, incoporating more grunts, rasps, throat growls, and Elvis's crooner style. I love DM, and like all their albums to a certain point, but I blame Mark Bell for the "updated" Dave. 😆 (But I really like Memento Mori, and the textured, layered, melodic sound on the album has a lot to do with it. Before We Drown is my favorite.) Edit: Funny synchronicity moment. As I'm listening to your review of the People Are Good track, it starts playing on my sound system in the background... although the song is part of a 5 CD shuffle rotation. 😄

[@MSgt_0699]

I am pleased with this album. I like eight of these tracks, which is huge considering that I've only liked one or two tracks over the last three albums.

[@peterstachura8595]

Always You is BY FAR the best song on the album next to Ghosts Again & Before We Drown

[@201950201950]

My perfect stranger reminds me of Photographic. I think is the keyboards. I really like it

[@samborn7120]

I think you hit on a very important point Vaughn. It’s the choices made for production. The drums on this album are (again) all these TR 808 derivatives and they can’t seem to get away from that sound for the last thirteen years! The production choices are what nag many of us…

[@spacerx]

It's no Music For the Masses, but it's their best work since Playing the Angel. "Ghosts Again," which we already knew, is the best track on the album, but I feel like the average song quality is higher than most of their recent albums. Not sure if "Ghosts Again" is going to rise to the level of their really iconic top tier songs, though. In all, after many years of disappointment, this was better than I expected. Then again, I wonder if my expectations were even reasonable anymore.

[@jenniferperrin9112]

Thanks for your thoughts, so glad you like, and if you are like me, the more you hear it the more you get from it. Just wanted to say one thing, and that's you'll realise ' People are good ' is not a positive statement, but the info is in the lyrics, and you've not had enough time to hear it in depth. In at least one of DM's interviews they also acknowledge that point . So wishing you a lovely evening and take good care ❤😀

[@ianwilson7637]

This is definitely one of the better albums if you're looking at anything post-Ultra. The only one I prefer in that space is Playing the Angel. There is still a distinct lack of M.E.L.O.D.Y., but nothing like the last few albums because Memento Mori actually has melody - YAY! Some of the songs are a bit irritating, HOWEVER, seeing them live in Las Vegas blew me away. Songs I did not particularly like on Memento Mori, sounded fantastic live, and it actually gave them new life to me. Not a fan of the repeated lyrics, but this is a good album.

[@KenanTekeMusic]

The album has an atmosphere that gets better as you listen. My favorite track is "Don't Say You Love Me". I got a SOFAD vibe on this track.The use of live instruments is very nice.Melancholic and dark. I wish they'd say it live

[@RobertModica]

Playing the Angel was the down turn IMO. Ghost Again is a decent single but the whole MM album left me unimpressed.

[@aleandrei5841]

For me is really one of their greatest album. I love every album the band made. Maybe Spirit is the overproduced but I like It. In Momento Mori I'm listening '70 references with new things that go to a new direction. Even I'm thinking it's exploring something that could inspire new artists and bands. And Dave's voice sounds really great, better than in other albums. Thank you for you accurate review!

[@fatboyslim6272]

DM music has never been the same since Alan Wilder left the band.

[@cliffjumper81]

My only criticism would be that wagging tongue sounds very under produced. I would like to hear a remix. Also it is the most satisfying album since PTA in my opinion.

[@LectroDev]

Caught DM the other night in San Antonio, Tx. Great show overall, but you could tell the attendees hadn’t listened to the any of the new songs. Even Ghosts Again didn’t get the reception I expect. But the rest of the classic were well received - especially Waiting For The Night duet. As far as the new album, I agree with you. It will take a few listens to bond with some of the songs.

[@АнастасияБендикова]

Finally! I have waited for ages)

[@neilsun2521]

I think it's a 'Bitcrusher' kind of sound that gives these last few albums a thinness, percussively. Ever since it was used effectively on the Precious beat it seems to have always been there for better or worse.

[@djzn]

Hi Vaughn. I think you had a very accurate sense in your review. Very quite what I was expecting. Incredibly, I also rated "Before We Drown" and "Always You" as, probably the very best tracks in this album. It's terrifying that the trio Gahan-Gordeno-Eigner came with a song that I thought it came from Martin. I swear to God I believed this was a Martin track. The lyrics is not very Gore... but the melody is. And I also agree when you said that if we are to rate this, and compare, you sounded pretty reasonable - best album since "Playing the Angel" (I also remember that very exact October 2005 on how that album was greatly anticipated) - and yes, we can't go farther like some folks had been saying "best thing since Songs of Faith and Devotion"... that is a little over the top, *and you nailed it* . Great review, my friend! - Just for an itch... *Memento Mori remixed by Alan Wilder* - Erasure did two or three spin-offs on "World Be Gone" (one of their best, by the way) and Erasure did quite a number of spin-offs on "The Neon" album... LP, EPs, Remixes, what have you. So I thought, if I were Daniel Miller... Depeche Mode could have this spinned off as well... 🙂

[@eliashug427]

To me, Memento Mori sounds like Dave and Martin were taking all the strongest elements from the albums after Ultra and compiled it into an overall satisfying record. The sounds from the previous albums are still present, but they don't feel distracting from the core songs, which are very good for the most part. It's just nice to hear a solid late-period album from Depeche, that is sincere and doesn't try to be much else than that. If Memento Mori would end up being their final album, it would be a more than worthy end.

[@ActorsPunk]

Since Ultra 1997 the best album, Bravo 👏👏👏 I am very happy about this fresh well produced album with excellent synths sounds and nice melodies and less blues A perfect album guys really 😃👍😃 Got tears in my eyes during the listening - saw them first time live 1983, a fan since 1982 🇩🇪 Happy an exited to see them live in Düsseldorf 2023. My Ranking after Alan Wilder left the band: 1. Ultra 9/10 2. Momento Mori 8,5/10 3. Delta machine 6/10 4. Spirit 5/10 5. Exiter 5/10 6. Playing the angel 4/10 7. Sound of the universe 3/10

[@remastered-00-pl]

Playing the Angel is my #3

"Always You" is just beautiful.🖤

[@janinebedfordl]

Glad to hear someone say that, a lot of reviewers have it down as a weak spot but I love it Oh VG likes it too 😆 excellent!

[@centralscrutinizer3961]

Vaughn, just got back from seeing them in Las Vegas, when they go over your way, you damn well better go! I almost didn’t make it because I was in a coma last month… My first thought was that I would miss the concert, but through triple time in therapy for a broken leg as well, I was able to attend flying from California to Nevada. It was most definitely worth the trip!

[@ninawildr4207]

Im obsessed with this album❤❤❤

[@Kaysta76]

Hi Vaughn, I think "Don't Say You Love Me" sounds a lot like an old song by the German comedian Otto Waalkes. Even the lyrics "You are..., I am..." are similar. Can that be a coincidence? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGW0mIWDattgqMk

[@horstpeterraeuchle198]

Great video. I could listen hours to your comments 😂 I think it’s a really great one. But I also loved Spirit. But think this one is better than the last one. Especially the lyrics touch me more this time.

[@niallmcdonagh1093]

Call me tribal...but the presence of Gordeeno/Eigner who insert themselves into my DM...but never appear on album covers/posters/merch...and who both look like they would fit into a Barry Manilow ensemble...leaves me cold...DM is a corporate machine these days...won't go to the concerts...too many grabbing hands....enjoy my silence...

[@vicroberts3080]

Honestly for me this, aside from Ghosts again, this was just another “meh” drab Depeche Mode release .. nothing really grabbed me and held on.. mundane, boring, mostly lifeless .. ghosts again is a good song they need to do more of that . They need to stop worrying about innovating .. they’ve aged out of innovating and just need to put all their efforts into good songs with lovely Melodies I liked your 1984 preview clip way more than MM.. I’ll have to check that out

[@astronaut2005drummer]

This album is a nice surprise!! The DM dna is there. I love the Ghost Again, is a &great pop song. I liked your review. As a drummer, I would like to hear an acoustic drum sound in some tracks. But in the studio, they prefer recording electric drum because it's fast and easy in terms of time. Cheers

[@ALTERNATIVEMIXTAPES]

I really like the record but I wish Vaughn could have been in the room with the band making this album.

[@Jarnomusician]

"before we drown" was my first favourite Song too ; ) "people are good" ... heaven help me the second ;) and "always you" , so these are my first top three. Also "never let me go" ! 🖤🖤🖤

[@alfredomoreno9756]

Funny! I got the same Erasure vibe from their second track, sounds like Erasure's 'A Bitter Parting' intro. Really dig this in DM album, the cracks have been filled.

[@neilsun2521]

'Caroline's Monkey' seems to be a song about addiction. Pretty much all the lyrics could be applied to drug dependence ('monkey on my back' etc) and in many ways the song is the reverse/opposite to 'Clean' -- by even using the "...sometimes." catch after the chorus in the same way! Except here he's just said "Fixing's better than healing..." :)

[@TheMontyfire]

I’m really looking forward to your thoughts as I think you analyse the albums perfectly. I have prob listened to it 4 or 5 times and initially I was a bit underwhelmed as I was hearing that it was their best since SOFAD/ultra but it has started to grow more on me as I hear new sounds and it is different to their last few albums in feel. I’m yet to hear it on headphones as it’s only been in my car. I think Daves singing is superb in it. Having said all of that it is my favourite since Ultra.

[@huhuruz77]

It`s a good album but to be honest, after 6 years of unforced break I wish it was an outstanding album ! To be there, between MFTM, Violator and Sofad. But it is not. For me Exciter is a much better album than Memento Mori and Memento Mori is better than Spirit. Case closed.

[@eter2781]

Thank you for a great video Vaughn. I agree with you regarding the production sound of the last 5 albums. I personally have never been fully convinced to the sound on their trilogy recorded with Ben Hillier. Most tracks sound too raw and minimal to my taste and there was nothing bonding the bits into more cohesive and finished sound texture that would show the producer’s own style at the same time. And yes there is that unsatisfying hole between high mids and bass which apparently has been a record industry standard since early 2000s allowing to increase the overall loudness of the records. That sonic signature as you call it is still there indeed but I like that on Spirit and Memento that sound is more balanced with ambience, strings and fatter more live sounding and prominent drums which all I missed so much. Thanks to that Memento Mori has got a bit more of that richness and finish here and there that brings it closer to the sound I prefer. So far ‘Before We drown’ and ‘Soul With Me’ are my favourites. ‘Soul with me’ seems to get a lot of criticism but it is now probably my favourite Martin solo since ‘One Caress’. I love a well balanced sound and nice swinging drums on ‘Before We Drown’ . Dave’s vocals on this album are great. There is so much emotion and his voice sounds so young with that alternative guitar on ‘Never Let me Go’ . ‘Ghosts Again’ is probably my least favourite, Although, it is a great tune and piano cover sounds beautiful. Very simple though and predictable, I would dare saying childish (just like the ghost lady in the music video:) compared to the rest. Very much like other lead singles on recent albums. I just kind of accepted it now as little bait track for the album;) Overall Memento Mori is a really nice surprise and it brightens up the start of this year for me. I find it an easy listener in a good way and still the more I listen to it the more I like it and get pulled into it as with their best albums. Definitely the best since PTA. Waiting for more videos from you and curious to check your music too. All the best.

[@rebeccagouge6055]

I think Speak To Me is a stunning song. Lyrically it reminds me of Thirty Three by The Smashing Pumpkins and that’s no bad thing! Hoping to hear Speak To Me live at Twickenham.

[@rogerhuxley4409]

I keep trying and it's sort of nice, but at the same time i'm still a bit "meh!" The desire to keep putting it on is lacking, just like many of the albums now. I really want to not feel like this. Great channel by the way Vaughn, you speak about DM like many of us think.

[@nylavillasis3451]

Always you and never let me go are my two fave tracks so far and closely followed by before we drown and people are good. 👍🏻

[@johnblackmouth]

I think the sounds they choose to use is what’s getting quite boring. They sound the same. Albums sound like each other now. Ghosts Again stands out because it “sounds” different from the rest of the album.

[@zacknaiyer448]

With all the well-deserved love for Momento Mori (every track is godhead for me!), I also want to stick up for their post-Ultra output: DM are a remarkably consistent band and each album only adds a glittering facet to this many sided jewel! I’ve been a fan since’85ish, too, and went to the fabled Masses Rose Bowl and Violator Dodger Stadium shows and have never been disappointed by any of their output. I was saddened when Alan left but very grateful that the Mode were still putting out quality work and tours. I never felt the need to compare one album or era with another and have always appreciated that the Mode march to their own drum. From the fans I’d interact with, the critical reactions to the latest albums (btw, all of their post-Wilder output gets generally favorable reviews; I’d definitely encourage people to read the All Music and Ned Ragget reviews: that guy knows his Mode!), and the celebratory feel around each tour, I always thought fans just had a “Mode have new material and I can see them live again? Hell yeah!”-attitude. Prior to maybe Delta Machine, I never read online forums (probably a good thing given some of the ridicule-worthy knobs that leave their comments and make me want to physically harm them for being such disrespectful, snarky, unappreciative lame asses-sorry, someone has to say it), so I was unaware that there were even fans that were operating from such a hypercritical place (and as previously alluded to, no, IMO, that does not make you a true fan; it makes you myopic and obnoxious). Some DM fans seem to place such unreasonable expectation on new material and have to get so annoyingly nerdy about every musical decision, they don’t just let the music breathe and work its magic. Also, I feel like certain electronic fans tend to be very close-minded regarding what an artist does in studio or live and, for me, DM have never been a traditional electronic band like say Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, or OMD. Some of these electronic nerds seem to have trouble reconciling that. But whatever. I’m glad I enjoy everything the band has done and look forward to where they go next. I also love all the side projects, whether it be Soulsavers, Recoil, or VCMG. Thank you for all the great work and sharing your heart and soul and putting your bodies on the line for us, DM! It is appreciated

[@ddewittfulton]

I used to be such a chart watcher, Billboard-geek. I couldn't care less anymore but I find I am very anxious about how DM fare on the Top 200 albums next week. I'd love to see them get another #1 album in the US!

[@SunilP2]

Speak to Me definitely has a similar sound to David Julyan's soundtrack to the movie Memento directed by Chris Nolan. And then I remember the movie is based on a short story by his brother Jonathan called... Memento Mori!

[@ericlavallee]

Ohhhh baby. Can't wait! Merci Vaughn!

[@jimspace]

Yes, sonicly close to last 4 albums but spiritually closer to the 80’s