Playing the Angel
| Playing the Angel | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Studio album by Depeche Mode | ||||
| Released | 17 October 2005 | |||
| Recorded | January–July 2005 | |||
| Studio |
|
|||
| Length | 52:16 | |||
| Label | Mute | |||
| Producer | Ben Hillier | |||
| Depeche Mode chronology | ||||
|
||||
| Singles from Playing the Angel | ||||
|
||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 78/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Entertainment Weekly | B |
| The Guardian |  |
| Los Angeles Times | |
| Mojo | |
| NME | 5/10 |
| Pitchfork | 7.0/10 |
| Q | |
| Rolling Stone | |
| The Times | |
Playing the Angel is the eleventh studio album by English electronic music band Depeche Mode, released in the United Kingdom on 17 October 2005 by Mute Records and in the United States, Mexico and Canada on 18 October by Sire Records and Reprise Records. It was supported by the Touring the Angel tour.
Playing the Angel is Depeche Mode's first album to feature Dave Gahan as co-writer. He wrote the lyrics to "Suffer Well", "I Want It All" and "Nothing's Impossible", while Christian Eigner and Andrew Phillpott wrote the music. Gahan is the lead singer on all songs except for the instrumental "Introspectre", and Martin Gore-sung tracks "Macro" and "Damaged People". Gahan also sings backing vocals on "Macro", which was the first time he had sung backing on one of Gore's songs since Violator's "Sweetest Perfection".
The title Playing the Angel is taken from a lyric in the closing song "The Darkest Star". It is the fourth Depeche Mode album to get its name from a lyric in one of its songs, the other three being Construction Time Again, Some Great Reward and Black Celebration.
The album has been called a more organic record for using more analogue synths than digital ones. In addition, most of the soundscapes presented are harsher and groovier than the more mellow Exciter.
In mid-July 2005, the unfinished video for "Precious" was leaked online. It is believed to have been leaked through the website of the production team that helped make the video.
Tracks recorded during the Playing the Angel sessions that did not make the album include "Martyr", which was originally planned to be the lead single but was eventually deemed too poppy for the album and saved for The Best of Depeche Mode Volume 1. Other songs include "Free", which ended up on the "Precious" single and the Japanese version of Playing the Angel.
...
Wikipedia