Casual Depeche Mode fans—the radio listeners who pushed the band from huge cult to massive mainstream success—won't find what they crave on Playing The Angel (Sire), an overly serious, virtually hookless new album that's been mysteriously touted as a return to Violator-era form. But there's no "Policy Of Truth" here, or even a "World In My Eyes," just a pack of moody songs that sound like Depeche Mode but don't cling like Depeche Mode…
Those willing (and eager) to succumb to Dirty Three's guitar-violin-drums minimalism love to talk about getting lost in the Australian band's gliding instrumentals, but there's a limit to the formula, and most ears probably couldn't discern one D3 disc from the next. Cinder (Touch And Go), the group's seventh, throws a bone, grabbing Chan "Cat Power" Marshall to sing on one track. (Sally Timms of Mekons also provides vocals, but not in word form, on a song.) But it's mostly more of the same—solid, engaging, and familiar…
Oh, tribute albums: They're all a bunch of teases, and they can't please any listener from start to finish. Even those that pack promise via great source material and terrific lineups, like This Bird Has Flown: A 40th Anniversary Tribute To The Beatles' Rubber Soul (Razor & Tie), never provide pleasing, album-like experiences. Some bands are too afraid to mess with the original (The Donnas' "Drive My Car"); some are too willing (The Fiery Furnaces' "Norwegian Wood"); and lots just deliver slightly tweaked readings (Dar Williams' "You Won't See Me," Mindy Smith's "The Word"). Of course, there are a couple of highlights, too—Sufjan Stevens' earthy "What Goes On" is pretty great—but only enough to justify some quickie downloads, not a bigger emotional or financial investment…
Perpetually down-on-himself bedroom electronic ace Marc Bianchi must have some self-confidence: He keeps releasing albums as Her Space Holiday, baring his soul via a whispery voice, beats, and bloops. The latest, The Past Presents The Future (Wichita), doesn't capture his danceable gloom as well as 2003's The Young Machines, but it should be perfect for breakups and make-ups alike. For those who like The Postal Service but find its music a little too cheery, this could be medicinal.