Spirit
by Depeche Mode
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Mar 17, 2017
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 123 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 93 out of 123
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 123
  3. Negative: 12 out of 123
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  1. DavidXBOX
    Mar 18, 2017
    10
    We're going backwards
    Ignoring the realities
    Going backwards
    Are you counting all the casualties?

    We are not there yet
    Where we need to be
    We are still in debt
    To our insanities

    Best Album in years!
  2. VK_dmfan
    Mar 18, 2017
    9
    Great job by Depeche Mode and James Ford (finally we can hear drums). It's new, very different, modern Depeche Mode and i like it. You won’t find big hits here. Because this work is "not about hits".
    This album is conceptual, very special and personal.
    Fav. tracks: Scum, Eternal For me it’s their best album for years and it’s on the same level with “Songs of Faith and Devotion”, “Ultra”    Great job by Depeche Mode and James Ford (finally we can hear drums). It's new, very different, modern Depeche Mode and i like it. You won’t find big hits here. Because this work is "not about hits".
    This album is conceptual, very special and personal.
    Fav. tracks: Scum, Eternal
    For me it’s their best album for years and it’s on the same level with “Songs of Faith and Devotion”, “Ultra” and “Playing the Angel”.    … Expand
  3. fujikochan
    Mar 18, 2017
    9
    Let's put aside any ambiguity. Yes, Spirit is a political album, the most political record of their 37-year career. The songs are angry, gritty, and intense. The atmosphere of this record is the darkest the band has released since Songs of Faith and Devotion.

    There are many songs on Spirit that wouldn't feel out of place at a Billy Bragg concert or at a local picket line. "Going    Let's put aside any ambiguity. Yes, Spirit is a political album, the most political record of their 37-year career. The songs are angry, gritty, and intense. The atmosphere of this record is the darkest the band has released since Songs of Faith and Devotion.

    There are many songs on Spirit that wouldn't feel out of place at a Billy Bragg concert or at a local picket line. "Going Backwards," "Where's the Revolution?" and "Poorman" sound like they should be played on an acoustic guitar, folk style, but are instead cloaked in Depeche Mode's complex (and bleak) atmosphere. And, maybe that's a good thing. This record presents a new approach to protest folk. And I like it.

    And then there's "Fail," the album's epilogue. Martin's lyrics and vocal are at their very best here. (It's futile to even start hoping/That justice will prevail/That truth will tip the scales/Our dignity has sailed/Oh, we've failed.) It wraps up the record very nicely.

    Protest songs not your thing? The Dave Gahan-penned "Cover Me" is perhaps the best song he has contributed to a Depeche Mode record, or at least the best since "Suffer Well." Martin Gore's vocal on "Eternal" could melt the iciest heart. "You Move" is the first song co-written by Gore and Gahan--a partnership that, if continued, could develop into something very interesting.

    If there is a complaint to be had about this album, it is that the atmosphere of some songs feels out of place, as though they should appear on a chill-out techno album rather than this evocative record. And I don't always enjoy the electronic processing of Dave's vocals. However, it works on "Scum," their most aggressive song since "Wrong."

    So, no, this is not the Depeche Mode you're used to, and you probably won't like the record if you disagree with the band's politics. Nonetheless, if you are a fan, I challenge you to give the record a serious listen before disregarding it as a post-Alan Wilder wasteland of sound. It's a grower. With each listen, I like Spirit more and more.    … Expand
  4. KiImister
    Mar 21, 2017
    10
    Depeche Mode have chosen the path of changing. They don't need too much courage in doing so: they have sold thousands of tickets for their forthcoming Global Spirit Tour launched months ago when nobody knew the album. Listening Spirit I have a sensation of something estremely dark and absorbing that I was missing since Ultra and SOFAD. Different sounds although. If Delta Machine was a bitDepeche Mode have chosen the path of changing. They don't need too much courage in doing so: they have sold thousands of tickets for their forthcoming Global Spirit Tour launched months ago when nobody knew the album. Listening Spirit I have a sensation of something estremely dark and absorbing that I was missing since Ultra and SOFAD. Different sounds although. If Delta Machine was a bit over produced in my opinion, in Spirit I found minimal sounds and a good songwriting expecially in the tracks written by Gahan and Gordeno. I enjoyed this album very much.… Expand
  5. outd00rminer
    Mar 19, 2017
    9
    This is Depeche Mode's strongest record since 1993's Songs of Faith and Devotion. On Spirit you will find a frustrated and angry DM with a production to match it. Still, despite all the rage there are moments of absolute beauty as found on "Cover Me", perhaps the album's best track.

    Other Standout Tracks:
    "Scum"
    "So Much Love"
    "No More (This Is The Last Time)"
  6. depechemodefan
    Mar 17, 2017
    10
    Wow! This album is ridiculously good! For me, Poorman is the highlight as to me, it serves as an excellent build up song like Never Let Me Down. Dave and Martin's voices are as beautiful as ever. For me, this is their best album since Ultra because, unlike Exiter, Playing the Angel, Sounds of the Universe and Delta Machine, this album easily absorbs you into its dark and bleak world. WellWow! This album is ridiculously good! For me, Poorman is the highlight as to me, it serves as an excellent build up song like Never Let Me Down. Dave and Martin's voices are as beautiful as ever. For me, this is their best album since Ultra because, unlike Exiter, Playing the Angel, Sounds of the Universe and Delta Machine, this album easily absorbs you into its dark and bleak world. Well done Depeche Mode!… Expand
  7. Stringer360
    Mar 17, 2017
    8
    This is a great dark and gritty style of music, it has bass under tones with a torn style. The mix between rock and Indy is well balanced. I find myself truly enjoying the mix of this music. I strongly recommend it to all rock and Indy music lovers.
  8. KoffieJames
    Mar 17, 2017
    10
    People, what are we thinking?
    It's shameful, our standards are sinking
    We're barely hanging on
    Our spirit has gone...

    I did not expect such excellent, different from the previous releases, new Depeche Mode album. It's nice that the guys before his late fifties still able to surprise fans and not only ... There is music and message, I'm impressed.
  9. jetbrown
    Mar 17, 2017
    9
    This is their best album since Ultra. I'm pleasantly surprised. It's very relevant with its unapologetic political messages. The lyrics are direct in describing what is going on in the world at the moment, particularly with the lurch to the far-right in many countries. You could almost describe it as a protest album. Depeche Mode aren't a stranger to this sort of writing, but it's neverThis is their best album since Ultra. I'm pleasantly surprised. It's very relevant with its unapologetic political messages. The lyrics are direct in describing what is going on in the world at the moment, particularly with the lurch to the far-right in many countries. You could almost describe it as a protest album. Depeche Mode aren't a stranger to this sort of writing, but it's never been so in your face as it is here.

    I'm pretty old school when it comes to this band though. Nothing will probably ever top Songs of Faith and Devotion for me, and Violator after that. I still listen to their newer material and imagine what Alan Wilder would have done with it. That all said, this is a great return to form for the band.    … Expand
  10. davegahan51
    Mar 17, 2017
    9
    Have to agree, the best album since ultra, the opening song Going backwards is awesome,Scum also very powerful , and Fail matches sofad epic Higher love as the album closer, they have gone totally opposite to what everyone was expecting, to deliver a thought provoking epic piece of music.
  11. Skyaim
    Mar 20, 2017
    8
    Spirit is suprisingely good, a great comeback for the english synthpop band, Depeche Mode. A strong message is present throughout the 12 well written tracks. The Message is clear, human, us, create chaos on Earth and we should correct it or at least, changing our society ourselves doing it.
    Musically, the band return to his sources and it's good to see ( or heard) it. A track like «Cover    Spirit is suprisingely good, a great comeback for the english synthpop band, Depeche Mode. A strong message is present throughout the 12 well written tracks. The Message is clear, human, us, create chaos on Earth and we should correct it or at least, changing our society ourselves doing it.
    Musically, the band return to his sources and it's good to see ( or heard) it. A track like «Cover me» is the perfect example of an «more instrumental album», listen it and you will understand my point. Plus, the album's oppenning track « Going backward» is an instant classic with his great melody and vocals. The big difference here, is the drum, played by the new producer James Ford. That's why, you'll Spirit more catchy and entertaining. «Your move», «Where's the revolution» and «Scum» are thoses song wich are more easy to appreciate, but once you listenned the whole album several times, you will to enjoy the the others as well. Finally for the first time, Martin Gore ends the 50 min lenght album with «Fail», and the result is amazing.
    Finally, Spirit is an uncontournable album for every Depche Mode fans and it takes well his place as the second best album since the 2000's just behind the excellent Playing the angel.
    -by a 18 years old guy and hardcore fan    … Expand
  12. Sh0danV3
    Mar 18, 2017
    7
    "Where's the sound? Come on DM, you're letting me down"

    Very good album that has too poor production, a feel of laziness in general and sounds like DM is trying out where to go with their sound. Doesn't sound too bad, right? And boy did I write "sound" a lot. Well... I'm one of those fans who are not "religious". I love DM, but I'm also aware about their flaws. Album like Spirit is    "Where's the sound? Come on DM, you're letting me down"

    Very good album that has too poor production, a feel of laziness in general and sounds like DM is trying out where to go with their sound. Doesn't sound too bad, right? And boy did I write "sound" a lot. Well... I'm one of those fans who are not "religious". I love DM, but I'm also aware about their flaws. Album like Spirit is great if you are a new band looking for your place under the Sun and Spirit just proves that they are lost regarding who they want to be. Even their live show yesterday was a mix of rock/guitar presence which they can't and should not try to "pull of".
    To put it into perspective, listen to any album until 1997 and then Spirit. Hear what I mean? Yea times change, but DM doesn't know how and where to.

    Ok, so the songs:

    1. Going Backwards - a great opener, should have louder, more brave synths 9/10

    2. Where's the Revolution - generic single which sounds like Delta Machine "B" track. Playing it safe here 6.5/10

    3. The Worst Crime - a bit melancholic and full of potential, but lack of good samples or dark synths to back it up 5/10

    4. Scum - once again beat does not follow rest of the song as it should (frequent issue in post-Wilder era),
    otherwise great melodies and a good "single" material even tho it has a bit too much vocal effects 7.5/10

    5. You Move - starts very industrial in terms of music and has a great tone to it. Shame it feels "muffled" by production 7/10

    6. Cover Me - great progression through the song, they hit most of the switches right with this one. Love it. 9.5/10

    7. Eternal - Martin's ballad and sadly a very average one. Boring music, but a "grover" 4/10

    8. Poison Heart - Dave sounds "muffled" once again, music feels like from "Construction time again" which is great. And again, this songs feels lazy and under-produced. A potential 7.5/10

    9. So Much Love - So Much Potential once again!! DM, come on, why? Such a good song ruined by 5-year old background beat "doom, doom, doom, doom, doom, doom" 7/10

    10. Poorman - very good and critical lyrics, feels like "Everything Counts" with empathy towards workers. Lyrics sadly won't save it, music is average at best, saved by the last 40 seconds or so. 6.5/10

    11. No More (This Is the Last Time) - has a feel of "new retro wave" such as Mitch Murder, Perturbator etc. Gloomy in a good DM way, kind of depressing. Lyrics would fit on "Black Celebration". Synths amaze in this one 9.5/10

    12. Fail(ed) opportunity as an album which is so full of potential - Fail as a track has, THANK GOD, some proper music right from the start and Martin's little soul is opening up in this one. Drums just don't fit in this tone, and yet here they are. 8/10

    As an album in general, in a world full of mainstream crap, this is a very solid 8/10, but as a Depeche Mode album? Oh boy. They really need to put more effort, love and money into studio work since they are releasing an album every 4 years. I'm not one of those "Where is Alan Wilder" crybabies, but dear lord, do they need someone like him to steer demos Martin makes into proper songs. This album sounds like full of polished demos with 3 or 4 songs that I'd say are great. It's a "so close, yet so far" 7 out of 10 in total from me.    … Expand
  13. SilasBodnick99
    Mar 17, 2017
    9
    Solid album. I think they're doing some great things all these years later, which is so rare for bands. The vocals are still very much where they need to be.
  14. Benz74
    Mar 27, 2023
    7
    Going Backwards is a good opener. Starts a bit minimalistic (although not as much as Welcome to My World did), but the electronic sound really picks up nicely as the song progresses.

    At least three songs on Spirit make you think you are listening to Angels & Ghosts part 2 (Dave Gahan & The Soulsavers). Even for someone like me that likes that album, the songs seemed at first out of    Going Backwards is a good opener. Starts a bit minimalistic (although not as much as Welcome to My World did), but the electronic sound really picks up nicely as the song progresses.

    At least three songs on Spirit make you think you are listening to Angels & Ghosts part 2 (Dave Gahan & The Soulsavers). Even for someone like me that likes that album, the songs seemed at first out of place on a DM album, especially the (strangely enough) Gore-written song The Worst Crime. But after a few listens, I kinda warmed up to them.

    The second song that reminded me of the Soulsavers is Cover Me, which has a very cool instrumental "outro" of 2 minutes reminiscent of Flood-produced DM, or even Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. It's a very good song (especially now that I've heard it in its high quality splendor). It has definitely grown on me and is one of my favorites now.

    Finally, the third "Soulsavers"-alike song is Gahan-penned Poison Heart. I really love that one, and although it has the bluesy feel of some Delta Machine songs (which some of the fans really enjoy), I really dig the SOFAD-like back vocals of Martin going "woooohhh, ooooohhh..." (part of the snippets heard at the Spirit tour press conference). I'm quick to sing along with those and it will be great in concert.

    You Move is a great sounding tune with good rhythm and sexy (read: sex-hungry) lyrics. For me, the song has an "Ultra" vibe, and I really enjoy it.

    Martin Gore-sung Eternal reminds me of To Have and To Hold in its brief simplicity and would fit well (mood-wise) on Black Celebration. I really like it.

    I don't have as much love for So Much Love as do many reviewers. It has a "Question of Time" beat and urgency, but not quite that song's catchy melody. On par with Soothe My Soul. An okay song, for sure, but verse-refrain-verse-refrain songs without a bridge (like the aforementioned song from Delta Machine) don't appeal to me as much.

    Poorman reminds me of a lost SOTU tune because of the choice of synth sound they used for the melody. I wished they would have used a fresher (more original sound), like they did for the excellent, highly distorted Scum.

    The album ends with Fail. As a Muse fan, I think the gloomy message and "feel" of Fail echoes Exogenesis on their The Resistance album. My favorite Martin Gore track since Home, and it's interesting that Martin finishes off the album for once.

    Overall, I really like the album, but with one slight disappointment. For Spirit, I had secretly wished Dave would ease up on the throaty Elvis voice he'd been using more and more since Playing the Angel (and on his solo projects) and that the sound mixers would ease up-- for their part-- on the distorted vocals. It appears they haven't heard my telepathic request. However, the distorted vocals do work for Scum, like they did for Barrel of a Gun.    … Expand
  15. TheEternalStar
    Mar 13, 2018
    9
    "Where's the Revolution" is no doubt a great lead single to this record, it's angry, it's the song that shows you it's time to stand up and fight for your rights. When the whole album came out, I was amazed. Lyrically, this album shows a angry, political, and even a familiar side of the band. Musically, sounds very similar to the recent DM albums, but I still think it has an appropriate"Where's the Revolution" is no doubt a great lead single to this record, it's angry, it's the song that shows you it's time to stand up and fight for your rights. When the whole album came out, I was amazed. Lyrically, this album shows a angry, political, and even a familiar side of the band. Musically, sounds very similar to the recent DM albums, but I still think it has an appropriate sound for an album like this one.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Most Discussed Album of 2017
42
#42 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. The Wire
    Jun 2, 2017
    70
    Now more than ever, political songs need engagement and direct prescription. In that respect Spirit rarely cuts it. But as with many DM albums, it can still resonate in quieter moments such as “Cover Me”, and the group’s continued existence is one of the great love affairs between man and machine in modern music. [Apr 2017, p.56]
  2. Blurt Magazine
    Apr 24, 2017
    80
    You have to go back to 1993’s Songs of Faith and Devotion to find a more consistently flawless record from the band. Lyrically the trio is in top form.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    Apr 10, 2017
    60
    Spirit is, ironically enough, sometimes lacking in that, with a few too many downbeat, mid-tempo brooding numbers for comfort. For a soundtrack to a revolution, we’re going to need to party more.
    Read full review
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