Violator

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES BRAIN GO BRRRRRR GOOD ALBUM BEST ALBUM

In a word, stunning. Perhaps an odd word to use given that Violator continued in the general vein of the previous two studio efforts by Depeche Mode: Martin Gore's upfront lyrical emotional extremism and knack for a catchy hook filtered through Alan Wilder's ear for perfect arrangements, ably assisted by top English producer Flood. Yet the idea that this record would both dominate worldwide charts, while song for song being simply the best, most consistent effort yet from the band could only have been the wildest fantasy before its release. The opening two singles from the album, however, signaled something was up. First was "Personal Jesus," at once perversely simplistic, with a stiff, arcane funk/hip-hop beat and basic blues guitar chords, and tremendous, thanks to sharp production touches and David Gahan's echoed, snaky vocals. Then "Enjoy the Silence," a nothing-else-remains-but-us ballad pumped up into a huge, dramatic romance/dance number, commanding in its mock orchestral/choir scope. Follow-up single "Policy of Truth" did just fine as well, a low-key Motown funk number for the modern day with a sharp love/hate lyric to boot. To top it all off, the album itself scored on song after song, from the shuffling beat of "Sweetest Perfection" (well sung by Gore) and the ethereal "Waiting for the Night" to the guilt-ridden-and-loving-it "Halo" building into a string-swept pounder. "Clean" wraps up Violator on an eerie note, all ominous bass notes and odd atmospherics carrying the song. Goth without ever being stupidly hammy, synth without sounding like the clinical stereotype of synth music, rock without ever sounding like a "rock" band, Depeche here reach astounding heights indeed.

Dark, edgy, and moody, with great songwriting and even better atmosphere. But for me, the most astonishing part is how ridiculously clean and well produced the album is through and through. It is spotless. The musical equivalent of a black marble statue in a dramatically lit room.

An odd territory of not being The Cure or Joy Division levels of depressing but also being far from standard pop fare. Great

God I love Depeche Mode. The three-album stretch from Black Celebration is the pinnacle of 80s synth pop. From the haunting vocals to the ominous and yearnful lyrics to the funky dance synths, this album creates an atmosphere that sets a mood you can only find in few other artists like Soft Cell. This album in particular is full of hits. Each could stand on its own as part of a dance or 80s playlist and fit right now. "World In My Eyes" is a great song is remind everyone this is indeed Depeche Mode, setting the mood for the rest of the album. "Personal Jesus" is a classic, and I can't believe my wish came true that it was an extended version of the single. The only track I wasn't crazy about was "Blue Dress." Note I am ignoring the bonus tracks in the remastered version, whose addition would have dropped this album's score to 4 stars.

Dark synth waves lapping at the shore of a beach of black sand. Absolutely peerless and wonderful.

My first full run through, despite hearing a few songs a million times. Really great. Not much else to say. Definitely will revisit.

Evidently my love for this album faded at some point because I was just underwhelmed this time around.

Their oppressive machine rhythms are funkless by design and well-matched by the colourless vocals. But that doesn't make the dour clunk-and-moan any more satisfying.

As my black candles burn in my otherwise pitch black room, illuminating the slow-motion rose petals falling from flowers, leaving only thorns, I purse my lips without smearing my dark purple lipstick, and I almost feel a tear well up on the corner of my heavily shadowed eyes, but I hold back, as I don't want to smear the ankh I drew with eye shadow under it. This captures 80s teen angst perfectly.

классика эз из. Печальный, тягучий, молитвенный синтпоп, облагороженный годнейшими поп-мотивами и цепляющими припевами (причем вышел в один год с Nowhere Райда и весьма напоминает его по синергии мелодий), 9/10

Just a solid album front to back. Despite being in the early nineties, this record sounds ahead of its time, as well as being a culmination of all of the darker synth-pop that had been released up to this point. Real vampire rave music. Plus, the album versions of "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence" are fantastic. Favorite tracks: "Personal Jesus", "Policy of Truth", "Enjoy the Silence"

Previously, I had only heard Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence from this album so it was great to finally listen to the complete album. I really loved this album!

I was going to give this 4 stars at first but after reflecting, there really are no flaws and it's a very compelling record. I love the juxtaposition of poppy dance beats with dark, megalomaniac lyrics. An absolutely standout record.

I'm guilty of enjoying Depeche Mode through singles and never digging into their full albums. This one is loaded with mega hits but it's all incredible throughout, albeit short. This is another one of those albums that I would think people would describe as "I wish I could listen to it for the first time again" and I'm really enjoying that part of this experience each time that one of those rare gems comes up.

Glad I wasn't a teenager in the 80s

Sure, I know Depeche Mode, but I had never listened to this album. I loved it all. I really dig the sound of the electronic music and vocals of this group. It is also a nostalgic sound for me that I think attracts me the most as I listen to it today. It's a keeper for my library.

The hits are severely overplayed (I can't fucking stand Personal Jesus at this point), but I've never heard the other songs and damn they are great. It has like one weak track but idc, this deserves a 5

Happy Friday to me! Looks like I get to celebrate with some Depeche Mode. I'm maybe partial to Some Great Reward, but perfectly happy with Violator. One of my favorite voices to listen to, sooths my brain. This album evokes a very singular mood; a dark palace built out of synths with catchy irresistible hooks pulling you from room to room. World In My Eyes, Personal Jesus, Enjoy The Silence, Policy Of Truth. Such great songs.

Depeche Mode's masterpiece and synth-pop"s exquisite dying breaths. A more democratic approach to songwriting and recording redefined their sound. Dark hooks abound within a rich, textured atmosphere. I consider this a perfect album.

Pop sounding synths with a dark undertone that takes it to a new level.

Having heard tonnes of Depeche Mode tunes over the years, this is the first time I'd ever listened to an album of theirs in full. No idea why I waited so long.

Classic. Good to listen to it again with a more attentive ear.

Synth-pop, 1990. The greatest synth-pop record of all time with songs like "Personal Jesus", "Enjoy the Silence", "Policy of Truth". It has a perfect tracklist, amazing music and very good lyrics too. It's definitely a 90s masterpiece.

Depeche Mode just doesn't really do much for me. I definitely like this album more than 'Music for the Masses' but really only because of two tracks "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence". These two songs are great and one's that I'd definitely come back to but aside from them I was pretty underwhelmed by this album. I went back and checked my other Depeche Mode review and still feel like this general sentiment resonates for me with this album (aside for the two songs mentioned above): The production choices on this type of synth-pop make it feel shallow. It's not that it isn't decent music, just not what I would ever choose to listen to as I have trouble connecting to the artists at all. Standout Tracks: Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence, Blue Dress

Although this is their 7th album I still don’t think they have mastered putting the “feelz” into their synth pop. For example Kraftwerk is arguably more robotic and mechanical sounding but they’re able to imbue more soul and humanism into their music. Depeche Mode OTOH sound so soulless and hollow to me. Enjoy the silence is a fine song, probably one of their best actually, but the rest of the album is meh to me.

This one really surprised me. I'd heard the hits before and was certain I knew what I was getting into: generic 80s pseudo-political/deep pop. But what I got was a brilliant experiment in early 90s electric rock. I got huge Nine Inch Nails vibes from this, but more "poppy" if that makes sense. This album was a joy to listen to on headphones uninterrupted. I really really liked this album and can't believe I've lived all these years and never listened to it before. If you can, listen to the 2006 Reissue. The instrumental songs added at the end are AMAZING and my favorite part of the album. 4.5/5 but rounding up. It's that good.

Very unique ambient. Also, Kaleid is perfect to code, kind of like a Mr Robot music. The singer makes me think of Dead or Alive

If I would have to name one album that shows Depeche Mode on the peak of their talent, it would probably this one. After two excellent predecessors, this album is DM at the hight of their potential. The mood is gloomy, but embellished by Alan Wilder's intricate arrangements. The songs themselves are chef's kiss as well - on one single album we find legendary songs like Personal Jesus, Waiting for the Night, Enjoy the Silence and Policy of Truth; the rest of the songs, while lesser known, are equally as good. Truly iconic. 5/5

A perfectly crafted album: dark without succumbing to utter despair, synths entwined with full-bodied drums, a vision maintained from first note to last. Depeche Mode enter the 90s at the top of their game and ready to conquer.

What is there to say about this album that hasn't been said so many times before. This album doesn't have a weak moment, all songs are absolutely right. It's an album with the atmosphere of night. One of my few 5*

🟦 93 🥇 Personal Jesus 🥈 Enjoy the Silence 🥉 Clean

Is this actually random? 200+ albums and the first DM I get is the day after Fletch dies. Reminds me of the problems Apple had with the shuffle facility on the original iPod (summary: peeps refused to believe that random was random, and so an algorithm was introduced into the software to create randomity. If such a word exists. Which probably mirrors the whole process of creating a random sequence. For people with a very fixed idea of what random should mean.)

Yeah this was fantastic, dark, moody and catchy electronic rock. I've only heard the singles from Depeche Mode and always liked them but this far surpassed my expectations.

Just a really, really perfect record. Single-handedly legitimizes electronic music for those hesitant. Sexy and brooding, with every note and sound perfectly placed.

Great album. I know more songs on this than I thought I did.

Absolute classic of the 80's (and one of my wife's favorite albums). Distinctive style

Probably one of the best albums of the 90’s. Every day rack is amazing

Depeche Mode's signature album

Entering the dark Mode here, brilliant, original, grimy classics Just brilliant.

Already knew personal jesus and enjoy the silence, even the grp in general. Very good consistency through the album, love the old video games sounds very nostalgic

Nice Album. I don't like Depeche Mode too much, but this album is full of songs of my liking.

Oh, I did enjoy this album when it came out. One of my last cassette purchases and one of my first iTunes digital album purchases from the iPod era. The opening song, "World in my Eyes" sets a moody synth pop tone which perfectly fit the soundtrack of my early 20s and is a sound that I still love. I may have blared "Personal Jesus" a number of times in the day, singing it loudly with friends, feeling a bit naughty as we were rejecting religious hangups and speculating that it referred to a phone sex hotline (how 1990 is that phrase?). It's still a masterpiece (which was made clear when it was covered by Johnny Cash). (This has become an exercise in nostalgia rather than a review. I apologize.) I never get tired of listening to "Enjoy the Silence" and "Policy of Truth" (which always have to be listened to together, I think, with their weird interlude between). They are constant favorites in my playlists. An all time favorite.

I have loved this album since it was originally released. It’s really great to hear it again. I love everything on the album, but here’s a shout out to my favorites: “World In My Eyes” - yummy Depeche Mode moodiness with their epic swells “Sweetest Perfection” - relentless beat that pulls this song along like the drugs it references “Personal Jesus” - absolutely amazing marching beat and guitars really expanded Depeche Mode’s sound while remaining firmly true to their style “Halo” - I love this lush, warm, bizarro love song “Waiting for the Night” - I’ve always been a night owl and have always felt a connection to this moody track “Enjoy The Silence” is an incredible masterpiece. A perfect song. It’s epic, the synths glorious, the vocals compelling… this could be Depeche Mode’s greatest song. What an opening… ‘Words like violence, Break the silence, Come crashing in, Into my little world.’ Incredible. “Policy of Truth” - Another contender for my favorite Depeche Mode song, this has such great lyrics on the virtues of lying. I love this song so much. All six bonus tracks on the “Bonus Tracks Edition” from 2006 were B-sides appearing on the vinyl singles. I enjoyed these a lot! Glad they were here.

Definitely a top 10 all-timer for me

The rousing final instalment of the Depeche Mode Trilogy, before they went all Extended Universe

Absolutely perfect in terms of consistency of tone, never outstays its welcome.

There's not a track on this album I don't love. 5 stars

How have I never listened to this band before? This is totally my jam.

The sounds, oh, the sounds... This album takes a synth machine, plugs it into your f***ing skull and turns it up to 11. Epic noises and catchy tunes that I'll definitely be revisiting

Immaculate, Dark, Doomy. A Polished Obsidian Mirror with drifting wisps of smoke.

I've listened to this quite a few times. I'm a big fan, Love Personal Jesus, love Enjoy the silence, and everything else is just solid.

So far I like it! It's very interesting electronic album. I can see why a lot of people love this album. Sweetest Perfection is an amazing track that sounds like the album name. I recommend this track. The beat switches on this album have been astounding so far. Halo is giving me some Daft Punk vibes with that instrumental. The singing is gorgeous. I also really liked "Enjoy The Silence" That dark outro was eerie.

Still super menacing synth pop; ghostly vocals and production with the cold future forward production... amazing record, aged well

This synth-pop album from England at the start of the 90's was great easy-listening music while getting some work done! Every track seemed to be composed perfectly without a single noise out of place. I can see why this is Depeche Mode's most famous album. Would listen to again!

Simply stunning. A perfect pop album. Obviously some standout tracks, Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence are absolute classics among others, but there a no weak tracks on this album.

I liked this more than I expected and there were some songs I would go back and listen to. This is not a genre I typically listen to. It feels like the midpoint between 80’s synth pop and the industrial synthy music of the 90’s and early 00’s. I can hear Chvrches, NIN, and Muse.

"eh"

Heck yeah. This album kicks ass. I was a freshman when People Are People came out. I had a girlfriend that would play it while we were making out. Lots of Depeche Mode and Simple Minds. Huge thanks for the wonderful nostalgia trip, the generator always comes through. All the stars.

It was a five for me back when it came out and still a fantastic listen for me today. (10)

This is without a doubt the best album that Depeche Mode have released in their discography. It is the perfect blend of their one of a kind Alt-Dance Synthpop and the Darkwave elements that make them tied so closely to the Goth scene. It is full of atmospheric and sensual tracks that flow from one well produced track into the next without ever feeling like it's not dull or unfinished. The sound blends typical 80's synthpop production with the dark and sombre New Wave and even a couple of Neoclassical DW ideas. The album is simply a masterpiece and undoubtably stands on top of the entire DM discography. The opening track 'World in My Eyes' starts by sounding much different from something you'd maybe hear someone like Janet Jackson do but it quickly adds the darkness and even a little bit of Post-Industrial Electronica into the Dance mix. The song is grand and epic and builds up more and more the longer it plays without feeling like the tension is released too early. The atmospheric vocals and cold romantic lyrics add to the overall nocturnal feeling that the track envokes. It is without a doubt a perfect song even if it's not even one of the best songs on the entire project. 'Sweetest Perfection' plays with much more of the Goth Rock elements while still being undeniably Synthpop. It is also much more atmospheric and creates a very strong unease with the detailed production that go from something that sounds like an underground atmosphere to something that sounds like shattering glass and so on. When you indulge yourself enough it turns into a very twisted and even scary listen that is released at one point to just go back into it for a short while until the spacey outro ends it perfectly. Did I say enough? This is another perfect track. As legendary as 'Personal Jesus' has become over the time, I do actually prefer the Johnny Cash version similar to Hurt. But that does not mean that this orginal is not to be messed with. In fact, it still is one of the best songs on the album for so many reasons. The production with the repeating cold breaths as a rythmn pattern together with the loud basslines and the Post-Punk and Industrial elements together as one of the most energetic and most danceable songs is something that history won't be to do again. Ever. 'Halo' sounds like the evil twin of Tears for Fears. It very much sounds like something that would be on a Goth version of "Songs from a Big Chair" with the vocal delivery as well as some of the production elements. The song is definitely an epic track and the romantic but still dark elements work really well together with the Neoclassical aspects thrown together but I simply don't love the song as much as I did others. It's still an incredible track but with a bigger tendency towards great than perfect. But that does not take away from the greatness of the entire album too much. The wild synth production is heavily minimised on 'Waiting for the Night' and is used in a much more Ambient style which does work together really well with the still very present Darkness and the atmospheric vocals which are much more present here. All that results in the song itself to be much more atmospheric than usual with very cold and nearly creepy soundscapes that still are hypnotic and lush in what they are doing overall. It closes the albums first half perfectly although I do think that it feels slightly streched towards the end and it would've needed somewhat of a finale of some sort to make this truely perfect because just having a very atmospheric and etheral sound just isn't enough. It is still an absolutely incerdible track overall. The second side starts off with another legendary track. 'Enjoy the Silence' is a perfect blend of the Synthpop with additions of House music and the Darkwave. It's such a beautiful track with incredible lyrics which are performed perfectly. The background vocals on top just help to perfect this even more. But the actual genius is that after the sond ends, there is actual silence broken up by a simple "Enjoy the silence" until it goes right back into the silence before breaking it up again with a whole different "song" which is simply pure Coldwave perfection. It is gloomy, dark and most importantly, feels cold. Perfect song, again. After this weird but incredible interlude, 'Policy of Truth' picks it up again with a really nice Dance song that includes one of the best "common" chrouses on the entire album. Additionally, the production with the trumpet synths is just exquisite. Even my biggest criticism is that the bridge is a little too early but the bridge itself is just incredible again. In terms of Alt-Dance tracks, this is definitely my favourite on the album. It's just so fun to listen too while still keeping the Depeche Mode atomsphere. 'Blue Dress' adds a flamboyant style onto the vocals and very much blends the dark Synthpop with the New Romantic style that pretty much died out at that point. The song feels a lot like an early 80's song in terms of vocal delivery and songwriting and although that hurts the song a little bit, it still is an incredible listen because of the added Neoclassical Darkwave styles throughout that create a dark and hypnotic background for the sensual song. The albums final song 'Clean' is without a doubt the albums darkest and most grotesque song. The song is full of Industrial production choices which are acompanied by the most emotional and rawest vocal performance on the album. The song definitely isn't an easy listen but it is an incredible one. The poetic and twisted drug discussions are simply beautiful in what they do and even if the song isn't the best that the album offers it perfectly finishes it off with a hypnotic and masterful listen that pulls you into itself and does not let you escape. It is a perfect finale for the album. favourites: Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth, Personal Jesus, Clean, Sweetest Perfection, World in My Eyes least favourites: Blue Dress Rating: light 10 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

Loved it. First half really got me and Enjoy the Silence hit so hard. Just never got close to those heights on the back half.

I was expecting 80's style pop synth going into this, but was surprised by the dark ambience that flows throughout this album. This is like a middle ground between pop and Nine Inch Nails. The production is amazing.

What if Duran Duran were crunchier?

When Depeche Mode are good, they are SO good. That bass sends me right back to an earlier time. That voice is instantly recognizable anywhere. The hits on here and out of this world, pulling up the average for the rest of the album.

First real Depeche Mode album listen. A lot of good popular songs, but the rest are pretty great too.

Sensuous songs with a surprisingly deep soundscape

9/10, Definitive New Wave classic, fantastic songs, all killer no filler

Man, I’m dumb. I wasted an “Enjoy the Silence” joke on my review of Music for the Masses, not realizing that I’d have to review the record that the song is actually on. I think would enjoy Depeche Mode more if they were an instrumental band. They do some great things with synths on this record, but the lachrymose vocals from Dave Gahan really hamper my enjoyment. In fact, you could probably even say, “words are very unnecessary, they can only do harm”…to this record. Fuck yes, I managed to pull off an “Enjoy the Silence” joke after all.

Never listened to a Depeche mode album before but Kinda thought I knew what to expect.... and it lived up to it.... Generally not a fan of that synthy sound from the late 80s. Never liked personal Jesus. Enjoy the silence is better though. Didn't really do anything for me. Forgettable.

Not sure if this should be on a 1001 list. I kind of like a few songs, but the overall value of the album isn't very high. 2 stars.

They feel very full of themselves and confident in the music they’re producing but I’m not a fan.

Meh, bored

Meh.

maybe brexit was right. i'm clearly not european enough to appreciate Depeche Mode. its all part of the tories plan to destroy the EU. British people aren't allowed to live in europe and europe are making it a cunt for british bands to tour. what those 'unelected beurocrats' have failed to see is that by effectively banning Depeche Mode from playing in europe all of the EU will implode. thats my understanding of how big Depeche Mode are in the EU. Two massive singles on here surrounded by some utter garbage. those europeans don't know shit.

eh

Meh

Depeche Nope

Pathetic. Honestly I’ve had this shit, Morrissey and the Smiths nearly in a row. Make you wonder whether it’s worth persisting.

Shite

No notes. Violator totally rules!

This is one of the best records that has ever been put on tape. The hype surrounding its release is notorious, but well-deserved. This album made Depeche Mode into legends, for better or worse. I think better in the long term, even if the aftermath of this record had long-lasting negative effects. It perfectly encapsulates the cultural shift that happened from the 80s into the 90s. There is a moodiness and weight to the music of this era, from pop to alternative and beyond. The whole album is perfect, but my standouts are “Personal Jesus”, “Waiting For The Night”, “Enjoy The Silence”, and “Policy of Truth.

World in My Eyes - 5/5 Sweetest Perfection - 4/5 Personal Jesus - 5/5 Halo - 4/5 Waiting for the Night - 3/5 Enjoy the Silence - 5/5 Policy of Truth - 5/5 Blue Dress - 4/5 Clean - 4/5 Average score: 4.3/5 (rounding up)

It's probably been 20 years since I listened to this album and I hosestly can't say why. Sometimes we just move on and forget, I guess. As someone who is always seeking out new music, this project is making me realize that sometime the old can be new, when listened from a different time and space. As I listened, I had distinct memory of when I first heard this album after it was released and being completely blown away. It still had enough of the electronica to be distinctively Depeche Mode, but more dissonent and complex, in a good way. This was especially after smoking up, which was my state when listening to any new music at the time. Listening to it today, I'm stuck by how well the album holds up. It really is an amazing piece of work that is solid from start to finish that perfectly bridges the sounds of the 80s and 90s. Don't get me started on the production value, such depth, especially for the time it was released. It is an album that screams for a great set of headphones or HiFi system. This makes it a great album to get for new subwoofer day, which is due to be delivered any minute. I'll give it another listen once I get everything dialed in and calibrated. When the album popped up, I thought to myself that it would be fun nostalgia. I wasn't expecting a 5* that will now be in regulare rotation, especially for the much more rare occasions when I just want to smoke up and travel into a sonically dissonant landscape.

This might be my lack a synthpop listening, but this sounds like a mix of so many excellent things that all somehow work so well together. Masterpiece.

Great album

Úllllltimo día de junio con éste disco emblemático de Depeche Mode. Lo oscuro e introspectivo como lugar no sólo de ensoñación sino de baile y de intimidad siempre fue el espacio privilegiado de ésta banda y éste álbum es un ejemplo más. Sin más para agregar de éste discazo, me despido hasta mañana.

One of my very favorite albums, love it cover to cover.

5/5

Great album from start to finish

A nostalgic kick ass early ‘90s Depexhe Mode

Dark and moody and definitely 80s but also timeless. Enjoyable but need to be in the right mood.

If "on to something" was an album. Felt like half of the songs gave me a hint of some extremely popular song that came like a decade or more later.

While "Music for the Masses" is my favorite of Depeche Mode's albums, "Violator" is their absolute peak. They are in TOP FORM. No skips (unlike MftM). Favorite songs (in no particular order): Halo (ok, that's my favorite), Personal Jesus, Clean, Policy of Truth.

Muy ochentero Muchos temazos 10/10

Moooooy bueno, esta personal Jesús, movidito, dark, recomendaría

Amazing album. Depeche Mode's best record.

Lots of feels in this album. Sure, there’s the big boppers—I somehow forget a lot that “Personal Jesus” is there—but this album is atmospheric for me. “World in my eyes” starts things off well then “Sweetest Perfection.” “Enjoy the Silence” and “Policy of Truth” are pop perfection back-to-back with “Blue Dress” being a great palate cleanser.

Classic

Saw a Tiktoker call this kind of music “sad noises.” I agree, but as a compliment.