FriendBurst Blog

Considering the fact that the band members were just out of their teens, and the debut album (Speak And Spell) reached the top ten in the UK chart, it was not a bad start for Depeche Mode (it’s just a pity the artwork on the cover of the album resembles a dead swan in a plastic bag).  There were much greater things to come, though.  In a career spanning more than thirty years (and counting), Depeche Mode released twelve albums and almost fifty singles.  There have been hundreds of live performances, and many awards.  Countless musicians worldwide have cited Depeche Mode, as a strong influence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFD_lp_qUu4

Throughout the eighties, Depeche Mode was prolific – and unpredictable.  With each album, the band improved (and gained more and more fans).  The departure of Vince Clarke, after the first album, is merely a footnote in the band’s history.  A Broken Frame amply demonstrated the remaining trio’s ability to adapt.  From the third album (Construction Time Again) to Songs Of Faith And Devotion, Alan Wilder was part of the band.  The music became darker, with each successive album.  Having released four albums in as many years (Some Great Reward being the fourth), the band took slightly longer to produce Black Celebration.  The Singles 81 – 85 was released, in the interim.  There were two new songs (Shake The Disease and It’s Called A Heart).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WLWVICpP9I&feature=related

Music For The Masses proved to be an apt title.  It was very popular.  It propelled Depeche Mode to even greater heights.  Firstly, there was the world tour (over a hundred performances; one of which can be heard on 101).  Then, after an absence of a couple of years, the band’s masterpiece appeared.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Violator is the ultimate gothic-pop album.  It raised the standard for everyone.  It still sounds great; more than two decades later.  Having reached the zenith of synth-pop, Depeche Mode decided to change direction.  Songs Of Faith And Devotion was even darker than anything else Depeche Mode had done (there were a lot of drugs involved).  There were also guitars and real drums!  The band had already started using guitars on Violator, but they were kept to a minimum.  Songs Of Faith And Devotion was Depeche Mode’s attempt to become a ‘proper’ rock band.  It didn’t quite hit the target.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlQFb8wZgZw

It took almost four years for the next album to materialise.  During that time, Dave Gahan almost died (he developed an addiction to heroin, which spiralled out of control).  Both Dave Gahan and Andy Fletcher went for rehabilitation (Andy was suffering from depression).  The band almost disintegrated.  However, with the able assistance of Tim Simenon, Depeche Mode bounced back.  Ultra is one of my favourite Depeche Mode albums.  It is not quite as dark as Songs Of Faith And Devotion.  It is more focused.  The following year, The Singles 86 > 98 was released.  It contains just one exclusive song (Only When I Lose Myself).  The Singles 81 > 85 was re-released, in the same year (with a few bonus tracks).  There was another long gap, between albums.

Exciter was anything but exciting.  Martin Gore has admitted he had writer’s block.  He tried a different approach; writing gentle songs.  Exciter is laid-back, to a large extent.  However, the songs are simply not very good.  Mark Bell (from LFO) was unable to transform them.  Fortunately, the next album (Playing The Angel) was much better.  The band was evidently revitalised, under the adept direction of producer Ben Hillier.  Another singles collection followed, in 2006.  The Best Of Volume 1 is an odd sequence of old and new songs; spanning a quarter of a decade.  It includes one exclusive song (Martyr).  A loaded DVD comes with the limited edition (it contains videos, plus a documentary featuring interesting interviews with all members of Depeche Mode and people who were involved with the band).  I expect Mute is planning to release volume two, after the next Depeche Mode album.  I am also hoping there will be another three box sets of singles.

In 1991, Mute re-released Depeche Mode’s first eighteen singles in three tidy box sets (each containing six singles).  Depeche Mode is one of those bands, which has attracted the very best remixers.  In the early days, Daniel Miller and Gareth Jones would normally do the remixes (with the band).  However, since the mid-eighties, a whole host of top remixers have been involved (there are so many names, it would be easier to list the ones who HAVEN’T had a go).  A remix collection was released, in 2004.  It is available as a single, double or triple compilation (I recommend finding the triple, as it contains some unreleased and exclusive mixes).  In the same year, Mute released another three singles box sets (containing the next eighteen singles).  Only five more singles are required, for another three box sets.  If there are four singles from the next album, and one new track on The Best Of Volume 2, that would do it.

Over the past two decades, a definite pattern has become apparent: Every ALTERNATE album is good.  The last album (Sounds Of The Universe) was mostly disappointing.  In accordance with the pattern, the next album should be good.  I predict Depeche Mode will then finish up, with the last singles collection – and hopefully another three box sets.  Thirteen albums, fifty four singles and seven compilations constitutes a pretty good career.  Depeche Mode is one of the most important bands, in the history of music.

Five more essential Depeche Mode songs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC0zxfDzXO8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z-fyNdnOKE

Five fantastic remixes

Three thrilling b-sides

There are a number of Depeche Mode tribute albums.  I recommend For The Masses (contributors include The Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, Meat Beat Manifesto, Deftones and Rammstein).