Violator
Depeche Mode
1990
Album Summary
Violator is the seventh studio album by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was first released on 19 March 1990 by Mute Records internationally, and by Sire and Reprise Records in the United States. Preceded by the singles "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence" (a top-10 entry in both the United Kingdom and the United States), the album propelled the band into international stardom, and also yielded the singles "Policy of Truth" and "World in My Eyes". Violator reached number two on the UK Albums Chart, and was the band's first album to chart inside the top 10 of the Billboard 200, peaking at number seven. The album was supported by the World Violation Tour.
WikipediaIn 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.
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, 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.
Evidently my love for this album faded at some point because I was just underwhelmed this time around.
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"
An odd territory of not being The Cure or Joy Division levels of depressing but also being far from standard pop fare. Great
My first full run through, despite hearing a few songs a million times. Really great. Not much else to say. Definitely will revisit.
They feel very full of themselves and confident in the music they’re producing but I’m not a fan.
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.
Pathetic. Honestly I’ve had this shit, Morrissey and the Smiths nearly in a row. Make you wonder whether it’s worth persisting.
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.
I liked this more than music for the masses. Expanding their instrumentation made it a little more accessible
One of the best electronic pop albums ever made, it has a very clean sound and ambiance. It will definitely make you feel things.
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!
Tätä on tullut joskus silloin aikanaan kuunneltua ei nyt raivolla, mutta useasti kuitenkin. Pääsi kuitenkin yllättämään positiivisesti. Ennalta tutut biisit tempasivat mukaansa ja herkkyyttäkin löytyi sopivassa suhteessa.
Dark synth waves lapping at the shore of a beach of black sand. Absolutely peerless and wonderful.
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.
Ой бля, вроде дохуя культовая классика для сфер, в которых я не особо секу. Не, вроде по кайфу местами прям норм, но шишка не сильно встаёт. Просто дело в том, что если 4 ставить, то это всего на балл выше нигерского попса, что был до этого, Первый трек чёт интерес отбивает, второй уже тащит. Персональному Иисусу должное уже вполне отдаю. Признаю, что Енжоу Тхе Силенце мб ваще один из самых пиздатых треков в истории человечества. Ещё в бонусах там Дагероус маленько раскачала. Тут дело в том, что имхо вокальные партии порой тащат на порядок выше инструментала. Чего прям ваще в охуенных альбомах быть вроде не должно. Но я вроде остановился на том, что со своими взятыми из головы условиями 5 я буду ставить только альбомам, что слышал до этого, а это - полная залупа. Тут хотя бы ощущение, что слушаешь что-то охуенное и эпохальное. Так что пускай будет 5, похуй.
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!
funny cause i listened to this recently after i read that it was an inspiration for pet shop boys' 'behaviour' which was also on the list and i kinda liked. i listened to violator twice and i'm liking it even more on this third listen. the hits are amazing but sweetest perfection is the best song here. honestly there are maybe 2 meh songs but im giving it a 5 cause of the replay value, i like it more with every listen.
If you listen to just the 9 track original this album is really really excellent. Great songs, slick production. The 2006 remaster adds a bunch of filler for no good reason...maybe to add "value"
Still super menacing synth pop; ghostly vocals and production with the cold future forward production... amazing record, aged well
This is definitely my sort of jam! Some excellent earworm tracks on here and peak Depeche Mode.
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.
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.
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.
классический альбом, который до этого я слушал, но не мог расслышать переход с blue dress на clean - находка музыка бам синты во
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
5 and beyond. I'm pretty much over Personal Jesus but there are so many hits on this one. Super super good.
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.
The rousing final instalment of the Depeche Mode Trilogy, before they went all Extended Universe
Another I'd have given 4.5 stars, but happy to round up. Musically strong, brilliantly produced, well presented album. Lyrics seem more a mood thing, but it was a ride I'd take again.
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.
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.
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.
Nice Album. I don't like Depeche Mode too much, but this album is full of songs of my liking.
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
Such beautiful and dark album. I wrongly considered Depeche Mode a fluffy pop band before this and had my eyes/ears opened hearing Personal Jesus when it first came out. Nothing prepared me for Enjoy the Silence, how could it be so slow and so intense at the same time. Happy memories of this album as well. Of getting convinced to go to a Goth club by a workmate and after being scared of entering a room full of living vampires I had the delight of watching those mad kids pounce around so joyously to tracks from this album.
Absolute classic of the 80's (and one of my wife's favorite albums). Distinctive style
El synth pop sublimat a la categoria d'art. No només és una obra mestra, la primera dels '90, sinó que té un mèrit sobrenatural ser capaç de continuar un disc com 'Music for the Masses' i la seva gira posterior amb un àlbum que va més enllà, en tots els sentit i eleva la banda a una nova categoria. Himnes immortals com 'Personal Jesus', 'Enjoy the Silence', 'World in My Eyes' o 'Policy of Truth'. I els que no ho són, continuen sent peces d'orfebreria igual de fina
Just a really, really perfect record. Single-handedly legitimizes electronic music for those hesitant. Sexy and brooding, with every note and sound perfectly placed.
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.
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.)
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*
Generalmente me pasa con los discos que contienen canciones muy famosas que se sienten desbalanceados pero éste no es el caso. Es un trabajo más oscuro que el otro que ha salido en este conteo (Music For The Masses) pero no por eso menos virtuoso. Sube y baja como quiere, letras interesantes, no tiene queja alguna. Además de las obvias, destaca Halo y Blue Dress y Clean cierran muy bien.
Depeche Mode are one of the first bands I ever truly loved so I’ll always tell them. Personally I think Black Celebration edges this out (and it’s CRIMINALLY not on this list) but Violator is a close runner-up.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
10/10 glad i’ve been getting more new-wave recently I can never get enough of this genre
i'm feeling the dark dancey vibes depeche mode brought to the table with this album! nothing's really standing out but i would definitely put this on again to work to. these songs feel like vampire jams.
Very pleasant on the ears. I can see why Chester Bennington says this is one of his favorite bands. Had to listen to it twice. Only complaint would be that a lot of the songs are sort of depressing, but catchy melodies nonetheless.
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.
The voice seems like it's not in tune with the music. Singer has interesting tone but needs to be more in pitch. The synths and the drums are amazing and remind me of 70s, 80s music. Instrumentation rocks but voice needs some getting used to. 1st track is weird. 2nd is much better. 3rd track personal jesus is fire. 4 sounds like some synthwave with funk rock. Really enjoyed this track "Waiting for the night" what a soothing intro. Another good song +1 "Enjoy the Silence" +100 what a classic I never knew this was by depeche mode. Next two songs were very relaxing. "Blue Dress" is a beautiful catchy ballad with a haunting melody and beautiful tremolo guitars that swell. The last track "Clean" is a drums and bass driven rock anthem. Suitable powerful end to the album.
I ran away from this type of music like the plague/COVID when I was kid, but I’m happily in a very new wave friendly place in my life. Love how this record sounds. “Sweetest Perfection” is sooo good. Did KMFDM really stand for “Kill Motherfucking Depeche Mode”? Need to get to the bottom of this.
I bought this album way back in the nineties, I've probably listened to it a dozen or more times. It's not my favorite thing, nor was Speak & Spell, which I also owned on vinyl, in the early eighties. I did actually see DM perform once, in 1988.
Tres bon ! Je me suis surpris a connaitre quelque chpanson de cte album. Probablement parce que c’est des classique. Personnal jesus enjoy the silence. 4.25
Hell yeah. Let’s do this. It was a great listen definitely something that was ahead of his time and I can see the influence of the house on so much music that out today definitely worth a second re-listen once all this is
I already own a copy of Violator, it's an album I have great regard for. There are a couple of longeurs in the pacing I had forgotten about, but overall this crackles with a dark energy and sharp song craft. The production is pretty dated, but I can overlook that. Not a single person at either school or college liked Depeche Mode.
The vibe is strong in this album, and I like that vibe. Dark and brooding. Add some hits into the mix and you have a very good record.
First 6 tracks were banging. Tails off a bit towards the end. Can see how it has influenced a lot of music though
Very solid album, well written and executed. I don't know that I have specific praise, other than that I just really enjoyed it.
Saved Prior: World in My Eyes, Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth Saved Off Rip: Sweetest Perfection Cutting Edge: Halo, Blue Dress, Clean, Dangerous, Kaleid, Happiest Girl, Sea of Sin Overall Thoughts: Very good album, sinister/sexual vibes, 4 all-time bangers, ambient songs towards the end bring it down to a 4 star
Wonderful stuff, sags a tiny bit at points preventing a five for me however worth noting it contains one of my all time favorite songs
I wish there was a 3.5 option. I think this is a really cool vibe. Impressed that they kept the moody vibe interesting for 47 minutes.
Grupo inglés de electrónica, considerados los amos y señores del rock electrónico. Discazo con temas archiconocidos como 'Personal Jesus' o 'Enjoy The Silence'.
psicodélico, moody, cohesivo, excelente producción, buen ambientación, la mezcla de los vocals y la música te transportan, lo mejor es la instrumentación, los instrumentos se van y regresan en el momento correcto, y siempre añaden capaz a la musica que tre producen chills. Tracks favoritos: Personal Jesus, Waiting For Tonight, Enjoy The Silence, Personal of Truth
A bit too electronic overall, but after full listen can see lots of merits. Personal Jesus is fantastic. Has quite a few worthwhile tracks.
This album starts out amazing. The first 3/4 of the album is killer with some filler added to the rest. End of the album was nothing too exciting though not terrible. 4.5
The marriage of the driving electronic beats which, developed to their logical extreme, make synthwave, with more organic instruments and vocals is nostalgic but never dated or cheesy. In the repetitive sections are echoes of more dance-floor-focused music, which I'm bearish on here. There's a great deal of thematic consistency which would benefit from longer-form working-out. Religious language gives the text some weight, while it sticks pretty close to the music-corrupting-teens narrative suggested by the title. But it's an order of magnitude more subtle than Soft Cell, which I utterly enjoyed as well.
Wonderful stuff, sags a bit at points preventing a five for me however worth noting it contains one of my all time favorite songs
Lite ovanligt för mig men bra intro till new wave / synth pop. Efter jag vande mig var den najs.
I didn’t like them back in the day but this album is definitely better than I expected.
Two Depeche Mode records in two weeks?? My 20-yr old guitar-hero-worshiping self would be apoplectic. I really like it though; it's a great *sounding* album - great stereo spread - even if most of it is so painfully synthy. If there's any criticism, none of it *swings* at all; it's so on-the-grid and I'm sure at one point I would have hated that but that's the point. The songs are nothing overly complex, but they all sound so coldly clean that it makes them easy to digest and I've found it gets better upon repeated listens. Great moody and sorrowfully melodic album - I'll come back to this one. I love the obvious nod to Pink Floyd on the intro to "Clean" too! 7/10 4 stars
One of the best synthpop albums ever. 8/10 1. Policy of Truth 2. Enjoy the Silence 3. Waiting for the Night
Un discazo, empieza con tonos de notas oscuros y se desarrolla super bien, cada tema encaja con el anterior. Vale la pena escucharlo.
Some cracking tunes on this album, some of which were new to me. Not a massive fan of the "industrial" sound, but this is definitely worth repeat listens
Je partais avec un mauvais appriori, connaissant juste "Just can't get enough" qui m'agace. J'avais tort. Premiere musique ecoutée : Enjoy the silence. Franchement j'ai adoré. Le reste alterne entre le tres plaisant, le transcendant et le lassant. Je pense mettre 4/5, mais je le reecouterai pour fixer mon avis.
Moody electronic pop, and it’s great. Basically like if The Cure and Nine Inch Nails joined up, you’d get Depeche Mode. Really enjoyed the whole album, and it’s one of those where even if you didn’t know it, you’re going to recognize some of the tunes.
Violator was a major turning point: two guitar tracks like Enjoy The Silence (atmospheric riff over a pensive disco beat) and Personal Jesus (an energetic boogie that will remain their most aggressive track ever), Depeche Mode set themselves apart from the old synthpop. (7/10) Favourite Tracks: Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth
Had this CD a few times growing up from the library. Definitely feels like a greatest hits album at times as some of the best Mode songs are here. The quality drops a little outside of the singles but the instrumentation and Martin Gore’s incredible vocals keep it interesting enough Fave tracks: “Enjoy the Silence” “Personal Jesus” “Policy Of Truth”
I was enjoying this, then Enjoy the Silence came on. What a great song. It resonates with me so much and made the whole album more meaningful to me. Very Depeche Mode. Very 80s mode for the 90s. Very new wave new romantic.
Personal Jesus alone is enough to give this album at least a 3 but the rest of the tracks were pretty enjoyable as well. I think it's only the second 90s electronica album I've gotten that I actually fully enjoyed. Quintessential 80s sound. Fav songs: PERSONAL JESUS, halo, enjoy the silence
I've never been very into Depeche Mode and hadn't listened to Violator prior to today. It's good! It's really good and gets better each time I listen to it and I want to keep listening to it. In addition to the great Personal Jesus, I do enjoy Enjoy the Silence, Halo, Policy of Truth, and the very fine Clean. I'm not done with this one yet.
Good song after good song.- this album is fresh as ever and grooves madly. It’s also themed with what I think is David’s struggle with newfound sobriety - which gives it a layer of depth beyond the dark synth pop that makes this album
Very good album and an interesting listen with its layered Synth and Keyboard sound. The vocals had a nice range and accompanied the bands dark music style really well. Only heard Personal Jesus and Enjoy The Silence before but it was great to hear their extended versions. World In My Eyes, Halo and Policy of Truth were the newbies I enjoyed a lot. The last two songs I didn't like as much as the rest, but apart from that great listen.
Best Song: World in My Eyes. Groovy, bombastic intro that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Worst Song: Blue Dress. Weird and overly long outro. Overall: Better than I expected. Feels like an odd combination of dance music and Buffalo Bill style murder monologues.
Probably their best effort. It's certainly their most consistent. The three "hits" (the songs I knew before I heard this album) are unabashed classics, and a lot of this sounds like a healthy mix of The Smiths and Pink Floyd. Always a good sign: I kept listening after the album ended, and Spotify thrilled me with an epic live version of "Personal Jesus" that sounded like a fucking party.
Yes, this was great - it could have been a bit gothier for my taste, but it still hit the spot. I'm vaguely curious what fetish-wear "Blue Dress" was really about, but, uh, not enough to go digging. Fave track - "Enjoy the Silence" by a mile - that's a tune.
Un peu surcôté mais propre Prefs: World In My Eyes, Personal Jesus, Enjoy The Silence, Blue Dress Moins pref: Halo
Never a mix of Synth-pop, gothic rock and dance music worked so well. This is Depeche Mode's best album and has a lot of great songs. "World in My Eyes", "Personal Jesus" and "Policy of Truth" are all amazingly creative song, great efforts by Martin Gore. But "Enjoy the Silence" is at another level (but curiously, the single version is better - which is rare). An amazing listening, nonetheless.
Always enjoy throwing this one on from time to time. Very dark and very deep, this one touches on a lot of topics from drug addiction to religion. The precursor for a lot of moody shit you hear today.
This album already deserves 5 stars just for Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence (what a song!), which are the tracks I recognize (and love). The rest of the album does not reach those same highs, but is enjoyable nonetheless. Ultimately more enjoyable than all of the middle of the road "inoffensive to my ears" albums on this list, so a 4 it is.
This is what that Eurythmics album was missing. Super cool synth beats. They basically took what had been their style and tried to fuse it with something a little more rock. It works well. And sure, David Gahan is no Annie Lennox, but he's still got a silky voice. It's man sexy. And the lyrics are typical Depeche Mode - really f'n good. They make you think...a lot. I mean, the 3 big singles from this album (Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth, Personal Jesus) are just so biting and memorable. They're everyday life quotable - my wife was telling me a story the other day about someone screwing up (again) and I said "never again is what you swore the time before". And she doesn't know Depeche Mode but gave me an affirmative "right?" Their lyrics are sharp. "Reach out and touch faith", "pick up the receiver I'll make you a believer", "feelings are intense, words are trivial", "the delivery of proof in the policy of truth". Even just the titles are sublime! I'm not going to give it 5 stars because a few songs were just ok. But of songs I didn't really know before I quite liked World in My Eyes, Halo, and Blue Dress (it's Every Breath You Take creepy/addictive).
Je suis extrêmement fan du groupe Depeche Mode, et suis donc très satisfait que mon appel à l'aide publié dans la critique de l'album des ignobles Spacemen 3 hier ait touché le coeur de Robert. En espérant que cet album symbolise le début d'une nouvelle ère générateurienne, basée sur une augmentation du pouvoir d'achat et de la qualité de vie de toute la population générateurienne.
Un album à l'image de Depeche Mode dans le sens où il met en scène un défilé très agréable visuellement mais extrêmement rapide, la faute à un manque de temps caractéristique du groupe. Les mannequins présentent de ce fait les créations en marche rapide (pour ne pas dire en courant) et finissent par suer dans leurs tenues tant le rythme est soutenu. Tant pis pour les photographes qui repartiront chez eux l'appareil rempli de clichés flous.