{"id":89865,"date":"2012-06-01T14:09:15","date_gmt":"2012-06-01T18:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/friendburst.com\/blog-new\/89865\/depeche-mode\/"},"modified":"2012-06-01T14:09:15","modified_gmt":"2012-06-01T18:09:15","slug":"depeche-mode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/friendburst.com\/blog-new\/89865\/depeche-mode\/","title":{"rendered":"DEPECHE MODE"},"content":{"rendered":"

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).\u00a0 There were much greater things to come, though.\u00a0 In a career spanning more than thirty years (and counting), Depeche Mode released twelve albums and almost fifty singles.\u00a0 There have been hundreds of live performances, and many awards.\u00a0 Countless musicians worldwide have cited Depeche Mode, as a strong influence.<\/font><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SFD_lp_qUu4<\/p>\n

Throughout the eighties, Depeche Mode was prolific – and unpredictable.\u00a0 With each album, the band improved (and gained more and more fans).\u00a0 The departure of Vince Clarke, after the first album, is merely a footnote in the band’s history.\u00a0 A Broken Frame amply demonstrated the remaining trio’s ability to adapt.\u00a0 From the third album (Construction Time Again) to Songs Of Faith And Devotion, Alan Wilder was part of the band.\u00a0 The music became darker, with each successive album.\u00a0 Having released four albums in as many years (Some Great Reward being the fourth), the band took slightly longer to produce Black Celebration.\u00a0 The Singles 81 – 85 was released, in the interim.\u00a0 There were two new songs (Shake The Disease and It’s Called A Heart).<\/font><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1WLWVICpP9I&feature=related<\/p>\n

Music For The Masses proved to be an apt title.\u00a0 It was very popular.\u00a0 It propelled Depeche Mode to even greater heights.\u00a0 Firstly, there was the world tour (over a hundred performances; one of which can be heard on 101).\u00a0 Then, after an absence of a couple of years, the band’s masterpiece appeared.\u00a0 I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Violator is the ultimate gothic-pop album.\u00a0 It raised the standard for everyone.\u00a0 It still sounds great; more than two decades later.\u00a0 Having reached the zenith of synth-pop, Depeche Mode decided to change direction.\u00a0 Songs Of Faith And Devotion was even darker than anything else Depeche Mode had done (there were a lot of drugs involved).\u00a0 There were also guitars and real drums!\u00a0 The band had already started using guitars on Violator, but they were kept to a minimum.\u00a0 Songs Of Faith And Devotion was Depeche Mode’s attempt to become a ‘proper’ rock band.\u00a0 It didn’t quite hit the target.<\/font><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hlQFb8wZgZw<\/p>\n

It took almost four years for the next album to materialise.\u00a0 During that time, Dave Gahan almost died (he developed an addiction to heroin, which spiralled out of control).\u00a0 Both Dave Gahan and Andy Fletcher went for rehabilitation (Andy was suffering from depression).\u00a0 The band almost disintegrated.\u00a0 However, with the able assistance of Tim Simenon, Depeche Mode bounced back.\u00a0 Ultra is one of my favourite Depeche Mode albums.\u00a0 It is not quite as dark as Songs Of Faith And Devotion.\u00a0 It is more focused.\u00a0 The following year, The Singles 86 > 98 was released.\u00a0 It contains just one exclusive song (Only When I Lose Myself).\u00a0 The Singles 81 > 85 was re-released, in the same year (with a few bonus tracks).\u00a0 There was another long gap, between albums.<\/font><\/p>\n