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''Playing the Angel'', released on 17 October 2005, is the eleventh full-length album by Depeche Mode. It was supported by the ''Touring the Angel'' tour. - Wikipedia

Dont come at us with gold record plaques and concert sales figuresthe last Depeche Mode album anybody really cared about was 1990s megahit-heavy Violator ("World in My Eyes," "Personal Jesus," "Enjoy the Silence," "Policy of Truth"). Still, their influence persists in all manners of electro-rock today, be it sleazy (the Faint), investigative (Autolux) or bombastic (Deftones). Following 2001s tepid Exciter and a ribald, mic-swinging Dave Gahan solo tour, the dour Brits rekindled the flame and latched onto Doves and Blur super-producer Ben Hillier to give Angel its wings. Like the Modes finest hits, lead single "Precious" is equal parts menace and exultation, and heavier, more urgent synth and guitar permeate Angel. Longtime principal songwriter Martin Gore even let Gahan take the reins on three tracks. Working more than anything in the veterans favor: theres always a market for self-flagellationespecially if you can dance to it.