Violator

I like this more than I remembered/expected, but that’s not really saying much since I thought I would hate it. Feeling generous going to say 2.5 and round to 3 stars.

I was pleasantly surprised by this album, mostly because I had low expectations (I thought I was going to hate it). I would really like to give it more like a 2.5 but a 3 works.

Ehhh. It's alright. Not my taste but I see what it's doing. Personal Jesus is good, but I do wish they'd turn it up to 11.

Not a huge fan of this stuff- the effect he has over his voice has always grinded my gears a bit. Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence (prior to the final minute and a half) were highs on the album, but I knew them prior to listening...New wave just isn't for me 8/10 3/5

Very 80s and gloomy, I like it

I love his voice, and the synthesized sounds were ground-breaking at the time. But still a little too tame for me.

I would give it a 3 because of my fondness for Depeche Mode. Prediction for global rating: 3.3 I do like the songs as a whole but wouldn't re-listen, probably just save the ones I like.

Some classic records on here that really carry it through for me. Nothing else stood out to me and after awhile it started to fade into the background and turned into white noise. So in other words, twas a bit mid.

I think it was pretty cool and at least I knew a few songs from this one so yeah I think it was pretty good. It kinda reminded me of talking heads.

Some good songs, loved the outros. Others were a little boring and uninspired

meh

3.5 stars I’ve never heard a Depeche Mode radio single I disliked - but I’d never listened to one of their albums before. This was about what I expected - great hit singles, pretty good album tracks. The only song I didn’t like was Sweetest Perfection. The lyrics are too on the nose and it sounds lazy, like a cliche version of a Depeche Mode song. I’ve rounded down on my rating because this album didn’t have quite enough highlights. Of note: World in my Eyes - This opening song was the biggest surprise for me. I’d never heard it before and I really liked it. Personal Jesus - This song rules. Probably my favourite DM song. It has a cool distinctive riff and Dave Gahan’s sexy baritone is perfect for it. Enjoy the Silence - I see this as a quintessential 80s song. Didn’t realize it was released in 1990. Policy of Truth - It’s not as good as the other singles but it has some of the cool darkwave-y vibe that is very signature Depeche Mode to me. I wonder if I would have been a goth if I was a teen in the 80s! Depeche Mode, The Cure, Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees… definitely more my vibe than the NIN/Marilyn Manson goths that scared me in middle school. Also anything remotely darkwave makes me think of a super fun movie I saw at TIFF in 2014, The Guest. Blue Dress - The lyrics are pretty creepy, so I’m surprised I don’t hate this song.

It seems weird to say now, but Depeche Mode were very important to me as a budding small-town new-waver in the 80s and this album seemed a disappointing populist turn. "Personal Jesus" was their "Shiny Happy People" to me, except about heroin. If you read "Shiny Happy People" as a heroin song, maybe it's a better song. I don't hear what I used to hear in their early albums so the Depeche Maginot line is less defined. The hits are giant, but airless. They don't have the same gothic romance or musique concrete elements to them as Some Great Reward and Black Celebration, which is probably why people like them.

I didnt really liked it. I mean I can enjoy deppeche mode full lenght albums but theyre a band that i dont really come back to on my free time

Like the hits, the others not my favorite.

That's not my taste in music - But ok

its an alright album, with some bangers like enjoy the silence and personal jesus but it has some terrible songs too like sweetest perfection

Good album.

I am not a particularly big fan of this kind of rock and it didn't really keep my attention. Not bad either, just not something I would listen to again.

song 1: pet shop boys core? song 2: eepy weepy but also fun but idk i feel montty pythoned song 3: nothing exacrtlt like what ive heard, not bad top rn song 4: oops song 5: anal beads, shawn mendes, alien core SONG 6: THIS IS POPULAR, ALL I EVER WANTED ALL I EVER NEEDED IS HEREEEE IN MY ARMS song 7: similar aura as 6, more listens but i dont recog song 8: aliens are beaming me, lyrics are fire new top song 9: ALIENS ARE GROPING ME

It’s Depeche Mode.

I’m not sure I’m a Depeche Mode person. Some songs really land with me, but the stuff that doesn’t really puts me off. I like the three hits off this album (Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth) and the track Halo. I chose Halo and Enjoy the Silence for playlist keeps, though almost chose Policy of Truth because the album version of Enjoy the Silence has like 90 seconds of not as good as the rest of the song at the end. An average album for me with some real high points.

Again, this is a group from the 80s/early 90s that I might enjoy more if they departed from the overly electronic music production. If they were electronica, I might perceive them differently, but there are some interesting things going on here, but the musical package gets in the way for me.

I didn't mind this! I think the album was very cohesive and had an industrial feel. I can see why it's on this list

ok ok i said that i liked Music For the Masses more when i got that album, but this is closer than i remember it being. Enjoy the Silence is an all timer pop song, but i love Policy of Truth and Personal Jesus too. you can also throw in Sweetest Perfection. but otherwise it definitely is a bit uneven and is held back by that deserves to be one of the 1001? for sure

It’s interesting to hear the 80’s synth/electronica shift at the end of the decade. This album showcases all these new wave dorks plugging away at their synthesizers for the better part of the 80’s and finding an edge to their bleep boops. Personal Jesus always gets me pumped, one I always confuse with Nick Cave for some reason. Enjoy the Silence is a great tune, very cool ending that you don’t get to hear on radio play. I just can’t shake the feeling of being in some dark 32 bit Genesis game while listening to this. I appreciate the album but don’t think I’d revisit except the aforementioned.

Sweetest Perfection and Memphisto were the low points for me. I was surprised how much of this I did not care for. The singles are bangers and I would’ve bought this in 1990 just for them, but I don’t see Violator being placed in regular rotation. 🤷‍♂️

Some good some eh

REACH OUT AND TOUCH FAITH

Not my style

This is a good album that is borderline great, but doesn’t have that feeling that would push it over the edge. It’s very very good, and I enjoyed it though.

Found this to pretty boring. Not bad, but not really interesting. Generally not as energetic as New Order.

Uppskattar inte Depeche Mode, typen av sjungande är inte något jag söker mig till att lyssna på Personal Jesus är bra men det är allt

I should love this. One of my favoured albums discovered in the Napster period was a collection of Depeche Mode covers that spanned much of their output. That had more punch than this meandering blur — ironically the result of bringing the synthesiser into that comfy place it holds in new wave: treating the keyboard and drum machine like a guitar to swirl prettily alongside and occasionally in between the purring vocals. “Violator” is so very antiseptic — and perhaps that is why it sits well at the juncture of pop and electronica. That peak of post modern pop that speaks so heavily of the late capitalism to come. Human messiness held in check by electronic precision.

Not great. 5/10

I’ve never liked this style of synth pop from the late 80s and early 90s. Not to mention I absolutely hate “Personal Jesus”. However this album was decent. I liked “World In My Eyes”, “Halo”, “Waiting For The Night”, and “Enjoy The Silence”. The bad was a lot worse than most albums but the good was pretty good.

Not really my cup of tea, but there were some good songs on this one. Slightly above average for me, 3/5.

Some good songs

DM не мій гурт, але не визнати, що тут є просто ХІТЯРИ складно.

Çok güzel bir ilk yarıya sahip olmasına karşın ikinci yarı ilk yarının oluşturduğu beklentileri karşılamıyor

I don’t know, this did not do much for me. Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence are awesome songs but the rest was just a bit boring and bland to me.

Awesome and new to me. Cool electronica

Cool, reminds me of mama

I'd only ever heard "Personal Jesus" from Depeche Mode before, so the radically different stylings on the rest of this album were suprising. I nontheless enjoyed most of it, especially the latter half. The combination of gothic orchestrals with grimy, synthy beats was a fun contrast, and it needed to be in order to make up for the lackluster lyrics and theming on the rest of the project. Overall a fun listen, even if it doesn't sound like it's trying too much new.

I was excited about this initially and the songs I knew already I loved, but the rest kind of fell flat for me

Some of this was incredible. Enjoy the silence is immense. But some of it felt like a gothic human league and I can't decide if that is something I want to hear. But hear it I did.

Packung with absolute bangers. The classics Hit Even harder when listening to the Album instead of just on their own. Great calm music to Feel Like My dad and Like the Girl in a Movie that the Main character watches through her window in an old Movie Set in sicily at the Same time.

The instrumentals/synth were cool, but I had a hard time getting past the vocals (not my style).

first song is killer

Listened in the truck via YouTube music. Enjoy the Silence has had a resurgence over the past year due to a club remix. Gahan’s voice is great and there’s moments of brilliance but it could have been a better shorter album.

Knew and enjoyed the hits. Was meh on the rest of it but not terrible. 6/10

Great 80s album

Enjoy the silence is a banger the rest was pretty ok

Listened on the plane. Not bad.

Ready to listen to. Quite enjoyed some of this.

This album has some atmosphere. I knew the whole thing was moody but this is a teenage break up moody, and the whole albums feels it. I typically don't go for 80's synth pop but this album as some really great songs on it. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It works really well together but there are several songs that stand out that will make a playlist for me.

solid album!

Not a bad album. There are some nice numbers on it. The hits are definitely hits and the rest are okay too.

Opel Mokka, Umgebung HDH, Deutschland. Ganz okay.

Mycket höga toppar, men låga dalar

It just drones on 5.5/10

Thought this one was decent but I wasn't super into it. There were parts where I was boppin about (mainly to the synth lines) but also parts that didn't really hold my attention.

the first album where i could think “hey! i know that song!” a bit samey with the beats at times but some are fun did not know personal jesus was not a johnny cash original i can see why the hits were the hits an interesting and weird experience - didn’t hate it but don’t need to do that again

3/5 Favourite Song: Blue Dress Least Favourite Song: Personal Jesus

Sounds like a big inspiration for NIN. Electronic music and very dramatic. Def a sound of its own. Personal Jesus and Policy Of Truth were standouts on first listen. Memphisto is a pretty intense instrumental. Definitely a solid record that sounds like nothing else.

World In My Eyes is pretty good. Sweetest Perfection is fairly dull. Personal Jesus is fun. Halo is okay. Waiting for the Night - I like the ambient intro and key changes. Enjoy the Silence is a classic for a REASON. Policy of Truth - alright. Blue Dress - I like the way it runs into Clean. Both songs are okay.

Some catchy tunes but no longer my style.

There are more interesting things going on here for me than in a lot of music of this era. 'Personal Jesus' is a standout that I think I've heard before, but wasn't familiar with much else. This leaned more into the new wave approach that I enjoy - a little, just a little less dark, even if the title is 'Violator'.

Like it would listen again

Idk I didn't have the same listening experience as you all. Besides the nostalgia around Personal Jesus being a GTA radio classic, I thought this album was fine. There were definitely songs and instances that I thought were pretty good, but nothing super awesome stuck out. I'm giving a 3 just for the GTA mems. 3

Fun listen. The fact that this album has Personal Jesus almost makes it a 4, but a 3 is more fair.

Classic Depeche Mode album for sure, and as the kids say, its a vibe. I don't know if deserves all the praise it gets, but its a solid record. Blue Dress is the only song that is glaringly bad.

Æradefinerende. Funky. Flere store hits. Litt maskinelt.

Ich versuch mal n neues System: - Personal Jesus, 5 - Enjoy the Silence, 5 - der Rest so im Schnitt 3 macht 2x5 und 7x3 = 31 Gesamtwertung im Schnitt 3,44 Sterne = 3 kaufmännisch gerundet Überzeugte mich nicht wirklich und zeigt das Klassiker oftmals den Eindruck von einem Album verfälschen können

Zeit es zuzugeben: Ich bin kein Fan von Depeche Mode. Enjoy the Silence ist ne Ausnahme natürlich.

Let's get this out of the way - Enjoy the Silence is incredible, and one of my favourite songs ever. The rest of this record doesn't quite live up to the heights of that track for me, but that's not to say that it's in anyway bad. Favourite tracks: World In My Eyes, Personal Jesus, Halo, Waiting for the Night, Enjoy the Silence.

Solid. I like it now better than I did when it came out.

Nice

I was surprised to discover that having the same song play 15 times on an album can be pretty good. I suppose it's a spectrum though. When Mumford and Sons do it, it's bad. When Depeche Mode do it, it's...fine(ish)(?)

Started off worse, then got way better.

It’s fine. A couple great tracks. Not my thing. Sounds like goth sex.

Surprised again. Expected to hate it, it was fine

bastante guapo honestamente, nada q m vuele

Pretty good album, but for me personally I prefer a more fleshed out production

cant lie... most of the songs sound the same

Holder seg greit. Noen gode sanger.

personal jesus

Enjoy the Silence is just superb and would get 5 stars by itself. Overall, a solid album and the only Depeche Mode album I ever enjoyed. A high 3.

The album that propelled D.M. to megastardom. I've always thought they are a very good singles band, but their albums are always littered with too many fillers. Although I've owned all of their 1980's and early 90's back catalogue, I never listened all the way through their albums more than a couple of times except for MFTM. I do believe this is probably the 3rd time I've played this all the way through, and I still stick with my assertion. That said, it is a dark and moody, with some incredible highs. But I shall return to the singles compilations in future.

Idk. So 80s.

A couple of huge hits but not my thing overall.

Well-polished electropop that works as background music, well, almost elevator music I thought for a while. However, the first notes of "Policy of Truth" stood out and made me listen a little more interested.

Turns out ... I only kinda like Depeche Mode. When other people cover them. Out of respect for their many musical contributions, 3 stars

Enjoy the electronic elements of it but just turned off by the voice. A little dramatic and dull and just takes away from the other elements that I value in the production and backing. Enjoyed ‘Enjoy the Silence’ but generally not too enjoyable as a whole package for me, although loved most of the backing

Perfectly acceptable dark wave.

Pretty good album. Couple of popular hits

A deep dark synthetic world of distorted reflections bouncing off shimmering glossy black surfaces. A band I wish I liked more than I actually do. Love the cold metallic vibe and funkless disco rhythms but get a bit bored, the tempos are all too similar and even though there's slow build up and intensification, there's not enough tension in the composition. Favorites: policy of truth, enjoy the silence, world in your eyes

Listenable.

There are some standout tracks on this album which holds through the test of time. It is dark and synthy and beautiful all at once. The lulls bring it down to a 5/10 for me, but a very respectable album all around

World in my eyes - misschien iets te clean, wel atmosferisch Sweetest perfection - een heel goed songfestivalnummer. Niet helemaal bij Personal jesus - banger Halo - meh Waiting for the night - stellaris achtergrondmuziek met vocals, ben ik wel bij Enjoy the silence - banger Policy of truth - ok Blue dress - Krijg hier enorme bo burnham vibes van. Niet slecht though. Clean - vet

Lekkere cohesive vibe en sound, maar niet iets wat ik zelf echt vaak bewust op zou zetten

Grüezi mitenand, bin biz im Zügle und Fiirtig mode gsi. Darum nöd so mega dezuecho. Deppen Mode hani scho immer mal biz welle drischnuppere. und ez halt doch nur dürftig drihgschnupperet. S hed mi doch biz weniger abgholt als erwarted, aber vlt au stress oder dem spezifische Album verschuldet. Aber das jetzt au nöd schlecht oder nervig isch, gids doch na 3 Johnny Depps

This is an okay album. There are just too many songs that are a bit 'nothing happens'. However, 'Enjoy the silence' is a truly beautiful pop song. They should have changed the order of the songs, the first two are slow and boring. That's also part of the deal of making an album...

Great album, but I do prefer their earlier stuff

This is better than the other album we had by this band. Still not great but a nice step up. Last album a 2. The group only has these 2 in the 1,001.

TIL that the Marilyn Manson Personal Jesus is a Cover! Err. This was a bit monotonous for me.

Personal Jesus is a Depeche Mode classic. The album as a whole was a bit lacking, although I did enjoy the instrumental ending to the album.

„Violator“ ist das siebte Studioalbum der britischen Band Depeche Mode. Die Aufnahmen fanden zwischen Mai 1989 und Januar 1990 in mehreren Studios statt, darunter Logic Studios in Mailand, Puk Studios in Dänemark sowie The Church und Master Rock Studios in London. Produziert wurde das Album von der Band selbst in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Produzenten Flood. Musikalisch bewegt sich „Violator“ im Bereich des Synthie-Pop mit Einflüssen aus Alternative Rock und New Wave. Das Album markiert einen Wendepunkt in der Klangästhetik der Band, da erstmals verstärkt Gitarrenklänge in den Vordergrund traten. Ein Beispiel hierfür ist der Song „Personal Jesus“, der durch seinen markanten Gitarrenriff auffällt. Weitere bekannte Titel des Albums sind „Enjoy the Silence“, „Policy of Truth“ und „World in My Eyes“. „Violator“ wurde am 19. März 1990 veröffentlicht und enthält insgesamt neun Titel. Das Album erreichte hohe Chartplatzierungen, darunter Platz zwei in Großbritannien und Platz sieben in den USA. Mit über 15 Millionen verkauften Exemplaren zählt es zu den kommerziell erfolgreichsten Werken der Band. Insgesamt stellt „Violator“ einen bedeutenden Schritt in der musikalischen Entwicklung von Depeche Mode dar. Die Kombination aus elektronischen Elementen und Gitarrenklängen sowie die thematische Tiefe der Texte trugen dazu bei, das Album als einflussreiches Werk im Bereich des Synthie-Pop zu etablieren.

Never got real into DM, but I like them. They made electronic music palatable.

A mostly hypnotic repetition of sound, but there are some signature songs that were big hits and have lasted the test of time.

that was pretty good actually. i liked the opening track a lot but the repeated “pah” (like the sound of someone forcefully exhaling) was irritating me sooo much. a lot of the songs had elements like that and because they were integral to the electronic beats they were kinda hard to ignore :( i was a bit shocked by how good ‘personal jesus’ still is despite the memes…’enjoy the silence’ is just whatever to me though. fav tracks: world in my eyes; personal jesus

idgaf sorry guys. it was fine but nothing interesting and i was expecting more from them

Love the experimental electronic sounds that Depeche Mode produce, while still creating engaging and upbeat tracks. “Enjoy the Silence” is probably my favorite 80s-era song from my least favorite decade of music. Fun one.

I really like the songs that I have already heard on the album (familiarity?). Personal Jesus is undeniably a banger. Although there wasn’t anything else on it that was noteworthy for me.

Depeche Mode I don’t know why I have such an aversion to this style of singing. I think I would like this a bit better with a different singer. Some of the instrumental parts and production are cool and I could definitely hear how this was influential for industrial rock.

I had a friend that was obsessed with Depeche Mode. Until I had met him I had only hear their hits. I mean I get the appeal, but really I would rather listen to something else with the same feel. It could just be my affinity to The Cure.

At “waiting for the night” the album turned around and became more fun and dragged less. Rounding up from a 2.5 star review.

I liked it and I didn’t like it. Reviews can be hard.

Interesting but ultimately not for me. I think I'm a "just the hits" Depeche Mode guy

Gliding on these beats

Your own.. personal.. Depeche Mode. The three big hits are great but the other songs are a bit forgettable. 6/10

Enjoy the Silence, Personal Jesus, World in My Eyes, all fine tunes to these ears, and a not-bad supporting cast. If this is the sort of thing you like, then you'll like this sort of thing.

I can see why people like this album but it's not one for me. I think I'd like it as an instrumental album. I like the palette of sounds they use. There are just too many songs that I've heard too many times in my life like Personal Jesus, Policy of Truth, and Enjoy the Silence. I don't have nostalgic memories of these songs. They were just around. I did like the song Waiting for the Night, which hadn't heard before.

3.7

Kind of a vibe but I don’t get the fuss from some sectors

I need a 3.5. Much more art here than the La's. Enjoyed this, good songs.

Better than I remembered. Should check out more of the back catalog

Complete (Good working music)

Didn't like it on first listen, but tried again and the mood of the album caught me.

Didn't hear the first half. Second half good.

Pretty good. Favorite tracks were World In My Eyes and Halo.

Good Album.

Few good songs. Liked the early stuff better

Solid. That's kinda all I got for this. It's nice and has some hits here. Quite a few I might add but it's just not grabbing me. Give me the smiths for my sad sad days. It's good but idk if it stays in rotation

Pretty decent, not my style

World In My Eyes: that is a horny ahh song, but i like the harmonies of the strings, simplistic 2.5/5 Sweetest Perfection: horny too, yes, but i loved the simplicity at the start and the heavier rhythms in the middle 3.2/5 Personal Jesus: I already loved this as a kid and still love it, guitar eats and the track is such a bop 4/5 Halo: i love what this does to my brain, can’t describe, the harmonies again>>, something misses tho, 3.4/5 Waiting for the Night: i like the sound of their voices, also the background things are doing the thing, storytelling 3.6/5 Enjoy the Silence: the contrast is contrasting, everything is eating, I need to experience this irl 4/5 Policy of Truth: melody goes easily into the head, rhythm is catchy, something‘s missing tho, storytelling 3.3/5 Blue Dress: the brain thing, guitar peaked, idk but I’m feeling it but also not, it isn’t explicable, dunno 3.6/7 Clean: transition, why is his voice so nasal, drums, i like the vibe but not the production 3.4/5

Let's fucking go!!!!!! I already know the song "Enjoy The Silence" so I am excited to give this a listen to.

на любителя.

While I didn’t finish this album because I’m on vacation, I think there’s a world where I revisit it, which is enough for a three. Overall it was decent and the music was good, but not my normal taste.

Some recognisable hits. All in all fine. Stand out song - Enjoy The Silence

It just ok

Not bad - Enjoy the Silence my favourite track I think

I would have liked this a lot more if I hadn't just binged on New Order for my Rock Hall project. It's... fine. Reminds me of high school.

I enjoyed this more than Music For The Masses - but not much more. Still not my thing Personal Jesus saved this album from a lower rating 3 ⭐️

waiting for the night is very pretty

Album 720 of 1001 Depeche Mode - Violator (1990) Rating : 3 / 5 Pretty good album. A bit of electronica, which I don't really enjoy, but the songs do save it, for me. A few old tracks remembered from 90s radio. Never had an issue with this band but they just never caught on with me.

✔️

Enjoy the silence is a banger the rest is ok 3.5 rounded down

I have tried this album a lot in my life, because I feel like it's an album I SHOULD love. Each time I like it a little more, but not enough to give it more than 3 stars. Just feels kinda dated to me, I dunno

Pretty good!

So synth, so phaser

Good electronic album with some songs i recognize. Not the kind of music I listen to every day since its so slow but not something I dislike either.

Other than the singles, totally unfamiliar with this. I only knew Personal Jesus because of Johnny Cash. I like the gloomy industrial vibes here. More propulsive than The Cure. I definitely hear this as a prototype to NIN. I'm glad to add this to my rotation when I'm in the mood for this type of music

I had heard of the band but was not previously familiar with their music. The music is pretty interesting. It's kind of electronic, new wave, almost industrial in places. I would listen again, but might need to be in the mood to hear it.

Probably wouldn’t circle back but it had some bangers

Very distinct sound. Not my favorite, but incredibly recognizeable

[5/10] I probably would have embraced the melodrama if I enjoyed the songs more. I’m happy for the goths though this must have been a huge win for them. I’ll remember this next time I need a Halloween playlist.

Personal Jesus rips, but the rest isn't really my wheelhouse.

Some really cool tricks and I appreciate the quality…but this sound just isn’t something I would seek out

A classic 80s band. While they have great lyrics, I feel like their sound is a little one dimensional (droopy).

Eh 3/5

Funky beats, seems like a good sci-fi movie soundtrack

1990 is after the songs i know by depeche mode the first song has this vibe of a cool vampire calming you down and telling what is going on. the second song instrumental feels like shipwrecked 64 the third song sounds like something that plays in a 90s movie when the cast just goes towards the camera in slow motion. зачем они звук карандаша поставили я его в рот ебал четвертая песня звучит как чтото из андертейла но с вокалом поверх пятая песня хз не обратил внимание энджой зе сайленс это легенда на седьмой песне я уже задолбался придумывать как что оно звучит альбом такой, успокаювающий, я бы сказал я хз че о нем сказать кроме того что вокалист во всех песнях звучит как те персонажи из аниме которые с улыбкой на лице и вообще полным спокойствием тебе чето рассказывают

Clearly a high-quality body of work but not to my own personal taste.

Stuck in the 90s permanently.

Electronic with rock elements, futuristic techno club music - Clean production with nice synths - Vocals can be a little dull

Sounds like Depeche Mode.

In interesting introduction to a band I know so little about.

This album was entertaining. "Personal Jesus" was the only song off this album that I recognized. The production on this was solid. The vocal style is hard for me to get behind throughout and the album is a little too dark for my taste. Not sure how often I'd return to it. Liked Songs: "Personal Jesus" , "Halo" , "Enjoy the Silence" , "Policy of Truth" , "Dangerous"

Not my thing, but I didn’t hate it and get why so many people like it.

Mid

Started picking up after Personal Jesus but kept hovering around a 3/5

Had the one hit of Enjoy the Silence, but overall steady vibes throughout. Started the 90's off in a good direction

Finding this a bit ponderous apart from the hits. Having to resist the urge to skip tracks like Halo and Waiting for the Night

Couple really interesting songs, lots of cool techno samples. Most of the album wasn't really my jam.

This one is good but lacks some balls. Everything is in right places but album as whole does not rise to the same heights as its few star moments. I would have liked to give more starts but just can't.

I’ve never listened to a full Depeche Mode album before, and now I’m wondering why—I’m really liking this. I’m usually not a huge fan of this kind of electronic music since it’s often too slow and polished for me, but this album actually hooked me in a way. That said, it started to fall off toward the end, which cost it a star or actually two in my ratings.

I remember an old friend and a neighbour, returning from his family's temporary move to Germany, a converted and devoted fan. I was kilometers deep in my fanatic hunt for extreme metal with the most exquisite perversions, so DM's "Violator" and songs about inner turmoil hardly registered. I've since learned to like some of their music, so I'm stepping into this one with cautious hopefulness. Quite underwhelming, while the songs are all beautiful, they lack the power and impact that I was expecting from more than few songs. No need to wonder anymore why Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence were, and are, such outstanding tracks.

You know, not as bad as I was expecting. Not loving the sound of the main vocals, but some fun and decent songs mixed in.

not a fan, last techno song were my favourite

Okay, it's an electronic album. Lots of bleeps and bloops. It's apparently a synth pop album according to rym. I'm getting a lot of the synth, but not a lot of pop yet. Track 3 has a nice guitar intro. I'm at track 4 right now, but none of the songs I have heard so far are my vibe. I think I might have already reacted to this album in my 2024 one album a day challenge. The album cover looks familiar to me. Track 5 is boring. Track 6 is actually enjoyable not gonna lie. Track 7 is passable too. For some reasons the ending half of the album is better than the beginning. Track 8 is okay. Track 9, the last track. FINALLY, we're at the end! Overall, this album is not for me, but it's not bad. I didn't cringe or feel weird listening to it. In conclusion, it gets a 3 out of 5 stars for me.

I enjoyed this once again, even though it's not my vibe. I am really glad that I listened to it with my nice headphones on, because I really enjoyed the mono recording bouncing between my ears. Depeche Mode has been one of those artists that I know I should listen to at least once in my life, beyond what I had heard before which is only "Personal Jesus." I really thought that they did a great job deciding to put the song "World in My Eyes" as the opening track. For some reason I picture him being like the classic old showman doing a tongue in cheek intro to the rest of the show he's about to perform. Highlights for me include "Personal Jesus" which sounded SO GOOD on the headphones I have on and I liked "Enjoy the Silence" as well. He gave me big Morrissey vibes on "Blue Dress" for some reason....maybe because Morrissey isn't self-aware this is the kind of song he might sing. I'm not saying the bandmates of Depeche Mode are douchebags or anything, just pointing out something that reminded me of other things I've listened to and enjoyed.

A classic three-star performance. The singles have staying power. The rest remain a little preachy and condescending.

The hit singles are decent, but overall the album is way too synth heavy. If the album had been released this year, I might be convinced that it was completely AI generated.

Although this may not be my kind of music style, I cant say that I did not enjoy listening to this. At the beginning of the first song, world in my eyes, it reminded me of She wants revenge in someway but that doesn’t really matter.

I can recognize that this is good music. However, if this is the best from Depeche Mode, I can also recognize that they might not be for me.

Great production, but repetitive and predictable lyrics, fun listen but I wouldn't do it again.

Aside from Personal Jesus, nothing else really grabbed me. OK.

I now understand heroes nights at Manray. I liked the songs, but I felt the energy got repetitive and I was pretty much done halfway through. If I was dancing, I think I would’ve liked it more. However, just listening on the subway didn’t get me as into it.

I think it is good, especially in the beginning. But the music wears thin at the end. I'll give it 3 stars, although it is a 3.5 but I will listen to this again. Could rise to a 4, especially considering how much I liked it despite it not being one of my favorite genres.

Не мой вайб, слишком величественно, это не в мой плейлист, сори

Great album but definitely a sometimes treat. Makes me feel like a sexy goth robot smoking a cigarette.

I understand the importence of this Album but I think it just doesn‘t sound that good

genre: electronic/techno? i liked it okay. a few good songs i saved

Good album. Not their best. I think it gets high rating for one of the songs.

Dug it

It was great to get another quintessential 80s record. The hits are very strong, but the rest of the record isn’t as tight to me. “Personal Jesus” is so iconic.

Some great standout tracks, also some bland filler.

There are a few all-time classics on here. Enjoy the Silence, being my favorite. But overall it’s a bit too impersonal to be above average.

Good album, standout tracks are personal jesus, enjoy the silence, and sweetest perfection. Low to mid tempo album, dark soundscapes.

Never listened to a Depeche Mode song I don't think... pretty curious... Didn't realize they were so electronic... I probably should have known that. Definitely don't like the vocals, I think I end up feeling that way about a lot of the British new-wavey shit from this era. Overall I don't hate the music, it gets a little one-note, but I don't hate it as much as I do some of the other music from this genre and era.

The singles are good, the rest of the album is pretty meh. 3.5 stars.

I love Pretty Hate Machine so this should be more my sort of thing and even though I like some of the beats and soundscape of Enjoy The Silence I just don’t dig that much of it. The version of Personal Jesus feels a little too plodding and dudes voice always is just a bit too dour.

The more I hear depreche mode the more I'm like "I wouldn't be mad if this was on, but also I'm not putting it on"

Album was not too bad. Definitely hear the 80s/90s rock vibe. I can imagine this playing today in a roller rink or at the mall. Some solemn sounds, but overall chill vibe. Not something I would listen to very often. 3.3/5.

Given my overall dislike of this band, I expected to hate this record. Wasn’t as bad as anticipated but still never need to hear it again

I’m not sure if this is considered rock music but if it is this kind of rock is it for me. Stripped of all blues influences it feel like the human element is missing. I don’t mind technology being used in music at all but here it just sounds kind of sterile.

Wait...what do you mean I can have my own personal Jesus?

Mid

It's an OK album. A bit too clean and clinical for my liking. I'm glad I gave it a listen, but I won't care if I don't hear it again, so three stars is the best I can do.

wow, wie trocken klingt dass denn?! finde den stil aus heutiger sicht eher retro - einige songs sind jedoch toll gemacht und entsprechend zeitlos! andere waren schon damals einfach nur schlecht, sorry.

Pretty good this one

Found a perfect song to shower to

I don't know what to make of Depeche Mode. I can't tell if they are too cynical or antagonistic. Either way, they are certainly gifted artist and they produce an excellent sound. I just don't connect with them philosophically.

80s electro pop with a melancholy edge. Nice beats, it’s fine but wouldn’t put on out of choice. Personal Jesus is a banger

Pretty great, liked ENJOY THE SILENCE best.

Mostly timeless electronic instrumentals, with ethereal, clear atmosphere, purposeful texture. Lyrics not my taste tho. Standout Tracks: Waiting in the Night Enjoy the Silence, Clean

As one half of dynamic UK duo, Houmous & Chutney, I know a thing or two about making records packed with a few moments of brilliance but largely made up of just too much 80s self indulgence. 2.8

Depeche Mode is a cold band, and either you like that or you don’t. To my own shock, even as a former emo kid, I don’t. That said, Violator comes pretty close to winning me over. Maybe it’s because the synths are less dated. Maybe because the choruses are actually catchy and not purposefully averse. Mainly, I think it’s because of Side B, which is just hit after hit after hit after hit – truly an immaculate side of a record. Not that Side A is shabby, but the space, length, and heavy synths speak less to my tastes, even in its brightest moments. Ultimately, it’s the band’s goth synth vibe and aesthetic that hold me back from fully falling in love. Sure, a song like “Blue Dress” is amazing, I’ll admit, but I’m less likely to revisit it because this isn’t a sound I’m normally looking to hear. I think if Violator came with a bit more pop and bit less goth, à la Tears for Fears, I’d be more amenable to it, especially knowing that Songs From the Big Chair is also a side-loaded record. But Depeche Mode are just too goth, and I guess I’m just too basic. Then again, I do really like their early singles when they were essentially a boy band, so maybe I’m the problem.

I like the couple songs I already know. The rest didn’t do much for me

Apart from not having annoying vocals, they sure know how to squeeze out the dreamy capabilities of '80s synth pop. It's surprisingly listenable.

Not bad for what it is, but too synthy for me

Easy to listen to, likeable album

I wanted to dislike the aggressively 90’s pop sound but listening to “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy the Silence” changed my mind. 3.5/5

Interesting sound. Gets a boost from Personal Jesus, the most recognisable and best song on the album. 3

It was cool to finally hear depeeche mode and they have som bangers. I thought the album was good but not something I would choose to put on myself unless its something specific.

Depeche mode is ok in low doses, used to listen to them moderately in high school

Not my favorite genre. Wanted more melody

Some fun songs, some xrt classics, but overall I’m not very excited by this record.

Like most of the new wave bands (in my opinion), Violator’s high are through the roof, but it also has some pretty forgettable lows. Dan Gahan also doesn’t have my favorite singing voice if I’m being honest. It’s an enjoyable enough listen through and through, but not an album that I’m likely to listen to end-to-end again.

80s in such a pure form. reminded me of sad things but also made me hopeful for the future things. 7/10

I’d give this one a 3.5/5. Normally I dislike the dated 80’s synth sound with moaning/whiny vocals, but this album is much more tolerable than most from this era. Personal Jesus and enjoy the silence are classic songs.

I'm pleasantly surprised, not by the album but the duos other works

This album is saved by it’d solid singles

Always been a band I half like. Some of it’s cool and some really not.

I like the last few songs much more than the first few. Overall, I think 3 stars or C+ would be suitable.

This was a new one for me and I have not listened to Depeche Mode in general. A lot of the first half reminded me of music from the Goldeneye video game - I could see where this album had influence. The middle had some songs I recognize and enjoy, specifically, Personal Jesus and Enjoy The Silence. I did not come away with a new favorite Depeche Mode and probably would not listen to this record again, but did not hate it.

Hadn't listened to this album in its entirety and while the hits are hits for a reason and still hold up as true classics, I thought the album was a little slow at times. I still think "I just cant get enough" doesn't fit on this album - the mood is light and fun and the rest of the album is dark and moody. I did really like The Blue Dress and would add that one to a b-side playlist.

enjoyed it, very different and synth. all i ever wanted all i ever needed

It was fine, not great, not really good even, but I didn’t turn it off.

I always thought of DM as more of a singles band than an album band but this one has Policy of Truth and Personal Jesus, so immediately makes it one of their more appealing records to me.

I'm not a fan of their moody groove but I respect it. Personal Jesus is pretty good, Clean is not.

Electronica. Not too bad and a few catchy songs, but I was expecting more. The vocals were too repetitive and the songs dragged on a little.

90s night club vibes. I wasn't in love with this album but I enjoyed it enough.

The electro-pop kills it for me, but I can see there's a little bit of something here that led me to a neutral 3 stars. It was a bit of an effort to endure though, like a talentless copy of Joy Division in parts, mixed with other material "borrowed" from better bands.

I didn't mind this.

I never really got Depeche Mode. Though strangely, I do like when people cover Depeche Mode and 'heavy' the songs up a bit. The songs are good, I guess I just don't really dig the dark synth & beats thing they do.

Drifted past uneventfully.

A couple great songs here. But the rest of the tracks just aren’t for me, and that drags this score down a notch.

Better on te second listen, but still a 3.5.

Funky with instruments

Ciekawe ale nie mój klimat. Personal Jesus wybija się ponad wszystkie utowry. 3/5

Don't know much of them. Not bad.

Okayish, found new songs that were decent but overall it’s the same style for 15 tracks except Enjoy the Silence which is a masterpiece

Eh. I liked parts of the album, but was kind of over it by the end. I hear the influences of other British artists and it’s very synth heavy but I don’t think I’m the audience for this FULL album, more like bits and pieces.

Some really great songs, some not so much 3.5

world in my eyes- 6 sweetest perfection- 6 personal jesus- 6 or 7 halo- 6 or 7 waiting for the night- 4 enjoy the silence- 8 or 9 policy of truth- 5 blue dress- 5 clean- 7 i have a terrible confession and that is ive always found depeche mode a tad bit boring

I was not expecting to like this Then bam, first track, great. Second track, poor Third track great And so on, liked some of it, hated other bits but was certainly better than I expected from a genre I don't embrace.

I wasn’t a fan of Depeche Mode back in the day, but I can’t understand why not! This is an awesome album. Great beats and atmosphere. Loved it

I like this album better than the last Depeche Mode that generated

2nd time listening was a 7/10 is still a 7/10 *favorite songs: Enjoy the Silence, Halo, Personal Jesus Enjoy the Silence is an amazing song, but the rest of the album is a little too dry for me. Still pretty good though.

Needed to be in the right mindset for this. Even then it was just okay. Not really into new wave, I guess.

I always underestimate the power of British techno. I was absolutely shocked to see Enjoy the Silence had 700 million listens on Spotify. That’s outrageous. No one should be listening to this that many times. I mean there’s times where I enjoyed certain sounds and melodies but as a cohesive entity I just still can’t get behind it. Just that electronic 90s experimental techno sound is just so cheesy to me.

My biggest critique is that some of the songs are longer than they need to be. I don’t know if Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence would be such hits if they never made single edits. I would also say the album is too long, but the 2006 rerelease adds an extra 30 minutes and I was upset I found this out after listening to all of it. Overall, not bad at all, but I’m only coming back for the hits.

Personal Jesus - ahead of it’s time in the sound department, never that good in the lyrics/writing department Enjoy The Silence - timeless, beautiful, that little plucked guitar melody with the chords they run under it is precious. Good album, worth your time, great sense of aesthetics and presentation. Strong 3, maybe a 4 if you catch me on the right day

I wasn't a fan in its time, when Depeche Mode was rather ubiquitous, but when this popped up this morning, I was quite happy to see it as I didn't exactly mind it back then. Well, by the time Personal Jesus was playing I had to already realise that I'm still not a fan. I get that this was excellent synth-pop musicianship 34 years ago and when I play it loud and put my appreciation-hat on, there's thing to like, but it's all so aloof(?). Mopey. Dry. I expected to have fun with "Violator", I did not.

correct

Maybe it’s an issue with me, but my favorite tracks were the bonus B sides on the deluxe edition. The main album was just ok, but those B sides were something out of a Dracula movie and I was here for it.

A couple of catchy songs like Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence. I'm sure they are a very influential band, so it definitely has a place on the list and I'm glad I listened. But I probably won't listen much more.

Lead singer sounds like Bo Burnham

Many songs were samey and it's not my genre. That said, Enjoy the Silence is a classic and Policy of Truth was fun.

Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Well crafted. Very listenable. Personal Jesus is a 5 star song. I suspect I'd like this more with a few more listens, but as it is here we are.

The singles are great, I didn’t care much for the rest.

Electronic pop, recognized several songs

Personal Jesus is a good song. We thought the album overall was OK (we did skip a song because it was lulling us to sleep).

Worthwile to listen to Alternative Rock Album which apart from the most well known songs "Personal Jesus" and "Policy of Truth" sometimes just annoyed me woth whiny lyrics.

Some classics on here.

I liked it. Didnt realize they were the artist behind one of the more popular songs. I'm going to check out their other music and see how i like it.

Have heard this before. Solid album with some good songs but a little inconsistent. Clean has a nice callback to "One of These Days" by Pink Floyd.

I like it but it wasn't all that good

I liked a lot of the songs. Part of the middle of the album fell flat, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one.

A good album.

I knew Enjoy the Silence and Personal Jesus. Both stand out, the rest blend in. Nice to work to.

Good songs on here but didn't like it as much overall as Id thought I wouls

Decent and catchy, but a bit too long and lacks real substance for me

I would put this album on to test out some hi-fi speakers, but ultimately it's not really my cup of tea. Two very good songs though: Enjoy the Silence and Policy of Truth.

Ah the dramatic 80s. Amazong synths but maybe not as good as music for the masses. Idk

Cool songs, decent number of skips. Love the two hits though.

Liked it much more than I thought I would. Loved the track ‘enjoy the silence’ personal Jesus and halo. Enjoy the silence was my fav.

Pretty good album, middling 3.

Better than expected

Overall, a good album. I knew more songs on this album than I thought I did.

Maybe a little too electronic for my taste, but a decent album nonetheless. It's almost like if you gave The Cure or Joy Division or maybe The Smiths a lot of 80s synths. Not really too much more to say aobut this one, admittedly I listened to it while I was sort of focused on something else and it sort of just flowed over me. I'll listen again but I'm confident in giving it a 3/5.

Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, they all kind of sound the same. It was a time period that had a definitive sound.

Great riffs and beats with electronic and synth backing. Really enjoyed the listen, though some of the tracks dragged on a bit.

Some classics for Lee

I have listened to this album before. It is still interesting. And still not worth more than 3 stars. But... REACH OUT AND TOUCH FAITH ✊🤟🙏 Enjoy the silence is still a banger too. Goodbye violator, for what I hope is the last time.

Personal Jesus is a banger but the rest was not hitting for me.

id give it 3.5 if i could, but hey, you gotta round down

Not bad at all.