Playing the Angel - Depeche Mode

Loyal fans of Depeche Mode will be pleased with Playing the Angel, the latest album by the British synth-pop legends.

The follow-up to 2001's Exciter bears the characteristic sound of Depeche Mode - hi-tech electronic pop music accompanied by the dark, depressing lyrics of guitarist and main songwriter Martin Gore. The catchiness of the first single Precious is continued through the first half of the 12-track album.

But the songs in the second half sound like little more than repeats of the first several tracks. Personal favourites include Suffer Well, which features Dave Gahan's powerful voice, and Macro, sung by Gore. Gahan took the initiative to share the songwriting responsibilities with Gore, but Playing the Angel doesn't rank among Depeche Mode's best - it cannot be compared with Violator or Songs of Faith and Devotion. Yet, for a band of 25 years, they still play music well. It is a pleasant return for themselves and fans.