Depeche Mode
Posted by: Calum F on 03 April 2013
Hello Calum,
It depends what phase you prefer. Music for the Masses is great, if you like that 80's synth-pop music which I do. Anything before Violator is fantastic. The live album 101 (Rosebowl) is enjoyable, since it takes some of the best from albums like Construction Time Again to Black Celebration in a great live event that was the last stop on that tour.
Songs of Faith and Devotion was an interesting album. For me it divides their original sound from the new one. Then Ultra starts the newer sound which wasn't really for me.
BTW, David Gahan, released a solo album that wasn't very good. And I believe he did some collaborations which were okay.
Hope that helps,
Arun
Yes, Music for the Masses is a great album (my favorite DM album, violator is my second favorite) and would be the one I would choose. Songs of Faith and Devotion (third favorite) would be my other choice. Another option is to buy both of the singles collections they put out (the singles 81-85 and the singles 86-98). If you like the singles of one particular album a lot, then you will probably like the rest of the album, too.
The band first emerged in the so called 'New Romantic' period in the UK, approx from 1979-82.
As Arun says their earlier stuff was better...on a different note there are also some interesting covers and remixes of their work. One obvious cover is 'Personal Jesus' by Johny Cash, which is sung much better than the original. In comparison, there is also a remix of 'Useless' by Kruder and Dorfmeister on the KD Sessions album...sort mellow drum n base/house remix, this is also excellent and the track lends itself to the smooth, mellow drum n base groove.
And they were massive in Asia by all accounts, particularly Japan.
Jason
I find myself returning to 1982's 'A Broken Frame'. This was the second album after their debut 'Speak & Spell' and saw Martin Gore writing after the departure of Vince Clarke (Yazoo beckoned).
It lacks the German 'metal' sound of their later stuff but I am touched by its simplicity and innocence.
Well worth a listen IMO.
Neil
Just had a look on my HDX, and i have the following DM music
Walking in my shoes
Ultra
The singles 81-85
The singles 86-98
The best of DM vol 1
Sounds of the universe
Songs of faith and devotion
Some great reward
Remixes 81-04
Playing the angel
Exciter
Condemnation
"Black Celebration" is my favourite DM album. "Stripped" is my favourite track off it. The sound quality of my vinyl copy is excellent. "101" is a good live album apart from Dave Gahan's shouting and whoops between lines which can sound a bit cheesy.
I bought this Remixes 81-04 when it came out but haven't listened to them.
Any good?
my favs album are :
1/ Violator
2/ Songs of Faith and Devotion
3/ Ultra
4/ Exciter
I'll see them in July for the fourth time
I had not really thought much about DM until a year ago when my son
played me some of their music. Of course I had liked Jesus when I
had heard it, but I bought Universe and became a fan. Bought two
of their DVDs...great concerts.
Bought Delta last week...in vinyl. Less melodic than Universe but
growing on me.
California Jim
This was my first taste of Depeche Mode - funnily enough thanks to a recommendation by a German schoolfriend of mine - and it's still a favourite. Tough to choose between this one or Violator.
Two things about DM:
1) I saw them at the Lyceum in The Strand circa 1981 as a four piece, very good too
2) My former next door neighbour is Martin Gore's cousin
Jono
Songs of faith and devotion, Violator and Construction time again are my favourites in that order.
I'm a huge fan of A Broken Frame, Black Celebration, Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion. By the time they got to stuff like Ultra and Exciter I had moved on but there's some good stuff on those records too.
However to get a good feel for Depeche Mode it's probably best to start with the remixes. Most of my favorite DM tracks are remixes and b-sides released on various maxi-singles over the years.