In Brief

During the ‘80s, Depeche Mode sounded flat and soulless, even within the frigid parameters of the New Romantic school. In the ‘90s, the British group embraced a pseudo-metaphysical darkness, and its soundscapes became lush and cinematic. All along, one thing was sure: This was a band not meant to be taken too seriously.

Still, Depeche had one asset that should not be underestimated: songwriter Martin Gore’s ability to churn out captivating hooks that made such songs as “Everything Counts” and “Enjoy the Silence” guilty pop pleasures. Depeche Mode was, above all, a great singles group.

The pretty melodies and campy fun have been tossed out the window on the band’s 10th full-length release (in stores Tuesday), which finds the trio in a decidedly abstract mood. From the achingly vulnerable vocals of the semi-acoustic “Dream On” to the meditative guitar lines of “Breathe,” “Exciter” is all about texture, contemplation and maturity.

Hard-core Depeche fans will probably embrace this new state of affairs, considering the album’s polished, atmospheric feel. Others will look nostalgically to the cheap thrills of the past, when Depeche Mode was content just making disposable pop.

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