Reviews (page 14 of 15)
This shat is boring 3 2
Great album, very groovy electronic rocky music.
Never been able to get into this. Obviously very influential but don't think it has aged well at all. Compared to the yesterdays listen of Trans-Europa Express by Kraftwerk, this album is lacking any direction and just feels like they got way too excited on the synths but had no real interesting ideas. Kraftwerk meanwhile created an exciting world with a lot of purpose that has aged excellently and came out 12 years earlier. In reality I probably enjoyed this a 2 but I'll give it a 3 out of respect for it's influence and for Personal Jesus which is head and shoulders above anything else on here.
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.
Seemed dated in 1990:and more so now. Too much production and bombast.
Pretty good
This is a solid Depeche Mode album. Not something I would listen to frequently, but it definitely has its time and place.
One of my least favorite bands ever, but I've got to give credit where credit is due. That credit goes to David Gahan who's the owner of the most bloated, pompous drivel-y sounding person I've ever heard and the real reason that Depeche Mode sucks. I might as well just listen to Sebastian Gorka on Fox News for 47 mins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glK4D7-533I https://www.foxnews.com/video/5984411495001 It's terrible because the music behind this blowhard is actually decent.
I never knew the name of "Enjoy the Silence," or knew to connect it to Depeche Mode. This is probably a line I keep repeating about 80's synth-pop and new wave. But I continue to learn that there are some songs from that era that I really enjoy, and many others that don't work the same for me. The first four minutes of "Enjoy the Silence" are terrific. Then they nearly blow it by stopping the song to ask me to "enjoy the silence" and then not actually deliver silence. It should have just flowed into "Policy of Truth," which is the album's second best song. "Personal Jesus" was a hit, but it's just ok. Beyond those three tracks, the rest is all downhill. "Sweetest Perfection" is groan-worthy, and "Blue Dress" ruins the momentum of "Enjoy the Silence" and "Policy of Truth" before the last three tracks eventually wander off into tangentially related electronica.
The lyrics of this album are awful. The music is meh but the beats are repetitive enough that I found myself unconsciously tapping my toe so I guess that is something.
Today this album sounds primitive. It’s difficult to keep in mind the technology of the time when evaluating this. The music on several tracks holds up fairly well: Personal Jesus - I hear some future Marilyn Manson in there. Waiting For The Night - I can hear the opening to this as the driving layer in a Radiohead song. Enjoy The Silence - I can shimmy my shoulders to this. Clean - I dig the bass part. I can hear why these guys influenced so many bands. In a historical context, this album is likely a 4 or 5. For my listening pleasure, it’s a 3.
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
Nice, good wibes. I like depeche mode, always heard about them being significant in music history but never got why. Not sure I do now but I definitely appreciate their music.
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.
Too robot like
4.4
Not ever listened to a lot of Depeche Mode (and in particular this album), but enjoyed this and will definitely listen to it again.
Good record, waiting for the night in perticular is a great tune.
Well produced with interesting synth sounds.
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.
This was fun. Waiting for the Night is a dark horse banger
Personal Jesus is good, left me cold otherwise. Will maybe revisit in the future.
There's a reason you only hear the singles from this one on 90s radio. All of the good melodic ideas and pacing are expended on these 3-4 tracks, leaving the rest of the LP a plodding mess of half-baked synth ideas. While certain songs shine and maintain a strong foothold in memory, the shambling remainder means the whole album feels wildly inconsistent.
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.
Millones de veces (ok, una estrella) más digerible que el Music For The Masses. Aunque no pierden el sello sexoso y darkillo, no se compara con la calentura puberta que hay en el otro disco. Además, este disco contiene dos sencillos que tooooodo mundo conoce y han sido tocados hasta el cansancio, pero que reconozco como muy buenas rolas. Creo que Depeche es una banda de un nicho muy específico y que ese público los ama, pero estoy seguro que no soy de ese grupo, así que sin ese cariño yo solo me quedo con las rolas que estan quemadas pero probadas.
A bit repetitive. There’s only so much of the Depeche Mode “sound” I can take in one sitting, but this album has some classics like Enjoy the Silence and Personal Jesus.
Depeche mode is always a banger. Personal Jesus and halo are the top tracks
I appreciate depeche mode but their sound isn't something I would listen to regularly.
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*
4.2 + “Enjoy the Silence” was an international smash when my family first got cable and MTV became a fixture in my life. I’ve been obsessed with that song ever since and have listened to this album countless times. It’s been a few years since I gave this a full listen and admittedly the sonics sound thinner and less impressive than I remembered. A couple tracks like “Sweetest Perfection” are clunkers. But the hits definitely hold up and Dave Gahad’s voice is a real force.
Still just not my type of music. I can see it being good to some people its just not my favorite. Favorite album so far has been Straight Out of Compton and that's not even my genre usually. I hope it gives me better albums soon because I'm not liking most of them so far.
enjoy the silence and perosnal jesus are great. the rest sounded bland to me.
Not for me. Very 80s, with lyrics about nuclear war and drug addiction, and with over the top production that doesn't really benefit the songs. Personal Jesus is pretty good, although I like Johnny Cash's version better, but one of the later tracks sounds like a phone ring tone
Gostei bem mais desse álbum deles, bem anos 80. Melhores músicas: Waiting for the night, Enjoy The silence e Blue Dress.
Mye bra, litt daukjøtt
🟦 93 🥇 Personal Jesus 🥈 Enjoy the Silence 🥉 Clean
Lost my review for this one, but this album is a great touch stone for how far synth music had come by 1990 (when compared to earlier albums like Truth or Dare by Human League). It sounds much more mature than the works of the 80s which is probably a testament to the advance of technology more than anything else. This album is very much worth a listen and features some of Depeche Mode's most famous songs 4/5
Bit too 80s for what was coming out at the same time, seems like it wasn't keeping up with the impending rave styles
A really good album, UT I'm not a huge fan either Depeche Mode nor of 80s electronic music in general. But this is a good one. 3.5 🌟
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.
My first discovery that I've really liked on the generator. Incredibly well-composed synth-pop with passionate vocals and intriguing lyrics, and catchy as hell.
It’s not quite my style but the dramatic synth-y pop certainly stands out and doesn’t sound quite like anything else.
Revisited review: bumping this from 3 to 4.
Deciphered a moot love between rock and electronica , a string album
Classic
3 for nostalgia
Fenomenal!
This was already an album I quite enjoy :) So I’ll go ahead and give it a 4
Must admit I've never explored DP albums. This is great. The 2 "hits" are epic...and there are other great tracks. . It holds together well as a thematic whole. Impressed. Its dark and driving. Ominous melody meets oppressive lyrics. Clear 4.
Really sweet album. Dark and moody and nocturnal while still being lush and full. I love the heavy synthwork and the deep vocals compliment it so well. Also the creativity in terms of electronics used is awesome to hear 8/10
Depeche Mode. Ikkje feil, ikkje favoritt. Men enda bra. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Alltid bra med litt Depeche Mode Ein del av songane (spesielt Kaleid ) minna om Nine Inch Nails , da har eg aldri tenkt øve før
Cool
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.)
Tem duas grandes músicas que funcionam bem demais em outras versões, boas camadas de elementos sintéticos, só não empolga pelos vocais.
DM always seemed about making dance music that wanted to be taken seriously. It’s not a formula that has ever added up for me, save for the very occasional breakthrough exception (e.g. “People Are People”) that proves the rule. “Enjoy the Silence” and “Policy of Truth” are best songs. I’ve always found the unforgettable bounce and hook of “Personal Jesus” more annoying than anything, the lyrics just silly (and likely intentionally provocative). This might be as good a record as this genre can produce, and it’s interesting to me how big and popular DM got, but that just proves another rule: broad popular taste can’t be trusted. Thought I’d like this more after all these years, but, sadly, no.
I never liked Depeche Mode growing up (always chuckled at KMFDM jokingly standing for Kill Mother Fucking Depeche Mode), but I actually enjoyed this album quite a bit.
I like this alright. There's some good singles, but the other songs don't do much for me. I am between a 3 and a 4, so I guess I'll put as 3.5 and round up 3.5/5
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.
I can’t believe I used to think that stuff like Depeche Mode was lame. I guess that’s what the kids call a personal flop level. I’m really trying to be more discerning towards 5 stars though and hoard them like a dragon’s gold. And I do have the same problem with Violator that I do Rumours- it peaks with “Enjoy the Silence” and think that the last third is a step down. Where do you go from “Waiting for the Dark” and EOS? But it’s all still very good and I love the perfect balance between unforgettable synth hooks and terrific musicianship. And Martin Gore’s voice is incomparable. A-
Depeche Mode is one of those bands I fall in love with every time I hear them and then promptly forget they exist. No fault of theirs, this shit is fantastic. 4
So many quality pieces in this...why don't they sound better?
Just a really, really perfect record. Single-handedly legitimizes electronic music for those hesitant. Sexy and brooding, with every note and sound perfectly placed.
Some very catchy tunes; Enjoy the Silence and Personal Jesus are standouts.
Альбом красивый, похоже, знаковый для группы, но не до конца им проникся, как хотелось бы. Но звучит мощно, ярко.
Meh, I'm like 50/50 on these guys. Wasn't a huge fan, but they do have some good songs and their sound pretty much defined 80s new wave. When I listen I hear almost every 80s movie soundtrack. They get extra marks for that.
Eh.
Absolutely incredible album. Just perfect.
One of the things I’m really loving about going through this list is how I’m starting to see connections between different artists across different time periods. With this album, for example, I immediately heard the influence of Kraftwerk. The cold electronic production and the emotionally detached vocals remind me of the Kraftwerk album we listened to previously, “Trans-Europe Express.” And yet Depeche Mode does it in their own way. This album has a goth club vibe and a lot more pop hooks than that Kraftwerk album. I’m digging it so far. Here’s another connection: On “Personal Jesus,” the heavy breathing and drum beat that happens around 2:15 is almost identical to the bit on Kanye’s “Black Skinhead”! Kanye’s version seems like a deliberate reference to this song but I’m surprised there’s no songwriting credit given to Depeche Mode. It’s really similar!
Personal Jesus is a banger. Legitimate slaps. For me personally it brings back memories of being ~14 year old, playing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, driving around the desert in a convertible, and blaring this song through the car speakers. Enjoy the Silence is also a genuine certified slapper. The ending is very weird. The rest of the album isn't as strong for me and doesn't offer anything in the same level of quality as Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence. Either way, the few tracks that stand out on this album warrant a 3/5 at the least as they are staples in this electronic genre.
OK. Much better than Music for the Masses.
All in a minor key
Some of these songs are ingrained in my brain from the countless times my parents played them throughout my childhood. The songs I didn't know going into this didn't do it for me. While I did enjoy "Waiting for the Night" it felt out of place on the album especially leading into "Enjoy the Silence". All in all I did really enjoy this album and the childhood memories it brought out. However the non-single tracks are a little harder to enjoy and at times are overboard with the synth. Though it is a Synth-Pop album so I should expect that, but I just am not the biggest fans of synths if they aren't used tastefully. With all that being said I am giving it a 4/5 because a 4.5/5 isn't a thing.
Not bad, kind of representative of the genre at the time.
Personal Jesus is great. The rest doesn't come close. All electronic riffs and beats, trying to write another Personal Jesus, but unfortunately, they only managed it once.
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
Day 16: Pretty good album, am always a fan of electronica and I guess that extends to older versions of it as well. Not all songs really stuck out to me but Personal Jesus and the start of Enjoy the Silence were absolutely amazing. Favourite Song: Personal Jesus
Personal Jesus & Enjoy the Silence are bangers, but the rest didn't do much for me at all 2.5
Vibes.
I dont love or hate any of the songs I just wasn’t interested the whole album so a bit meh for me
Not nearly as cool as New Order, but not terrible. I could get down to this if I was a moody 80s teen.
Donkere synth-pop met meezing-momentjes. En toch wat dromerig, maar niet té
Great album. I know more songs on this than I thought I did.
I was familiar with this one already, and it was an enjoyable listen.
Not the best Depechemode album but still solid af
Kinda slaps
Bueno obvio que el disco de Depeche Mode que tiene Personal Jesus y Enjoy the silence va a tener un excelente puntaje. Opinión impopular: Las canciones de DM que más me gustan son New life y Dreaming on me de su primer disco.
A lot of nice melodies, and it flows well together.
Absolute classic of the 80's (and one of my wife's favorite albums). Distinctive style
Not fan of Depeche Mode but if you have to listen to one of their albums this is the one. Has a lot of their hits.
Depeche Mode was an MTV staple back in its heyday, and since I was basically raised on MTV, the band figures prominently in my memory, especially the singles, "Personal Jesus", "Enjoy the Silence", and "Policy of Truth". I'm not actually a big fan of synthpop as a genre, but this album is just brilliant. It's not "dark synthpop", but the atmosphere evoked by the music--and even more by the vocals--is dark, not in the macabre sense but in the sense of it being urban and night.
A good album with a couple bangers.
Probably one of the best albums of the 90’s. Every day rack is amazing
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.
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.
Pretty good
Had a few songs I recognized. Not bad. Not my favorite genre but they do it well.
Thought this was a pretty good album. Very 80s synth electronic feel to it but also had some good rock elements. Some of the songs I’ve heard before. This album is pretty complete as it’s not too long unless you add the bonus tracks. Would listen again. 6.9/10
The 90s trying to shed the last of the 80s.
Policy of truth, personal jesus. Industrial pop, some is kinda techno
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"
Some good classics
Good album. Classic.
Overall an amazing album.
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.
first listen great sound, ultimately a little sleepy
lots to listen to on this with interest.
Boring album. Only enjoy the silence was worth listening.
Not quite what I expected but still good
Let me start off by saying: I do not like Depeche Mode. A comedian once said the lead singer is getting to the point where his skin was almost transluscent. Dude, go outside once in a while. So I was probably prejudiced to this album. The electronic percussion was particularly grating. Having said that... Personal Jesus is just a damn good song. It is undeniable. I have listened to that one song over and over again. It just runs over you like a freight train. The rest is decent, but that one song almost redeems the album for me. Almost.
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).
I liked this album, but I was a *bit* underwhelmed by the end of it. Don't get me wrong: I found quite a bit very enjoyable, but I don't think I enjoyed it AS much as 'Music for the Masses' when all is said and done. While the production was cleaner and the album had a couple of songs I had heard in the past ('Enjoy the Silence' is fantastic, but I am not a fan of 'Personal Jesus'), it just felt lacking in something that I can't quite put my finger on. I personally feel like there were more highs and a greater amount of variety in MftM which kept me interested throughout the entire listen. That album felt like peak 1980's synth pop; maybe this record just didn't grab me as much because it was now the 1990's which has a very different sound for the decade? I'm not entirely sure. While I don't have a ton to say, I did have a good time listening to this one. I wouldn't necessarily come back to it at the moment, but it could be a grower with time. 3/5.
Enjoy the silence was good. The rest of the album wasn't bad, and I can see how people like it. I didn't mind it but also wasn't particularly drawn by this album, I found it a bit boring. I guess it's not really my style.
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.
Excellent Depeche Mode.
There were a few good hits to hear but overall not my favorite style of music.
Some bangers, some droning, some ok
Kolejne Depeche na liscie, ale tym razem bardziej kojarze album, ktory jest siodmym w ich studyjnej dyskografii, wydany w 1990, wiec troche minelo od muzyki dla mass i czuc wyrazna zmiane w stylistyce bandy, nadal popowo, bardziej rokowo i mocno elektronicznie, slychac takze influencje z muzyki muzyki klasycznej, jak kompozycja na traku clean, cos jak pimpf na poprzednim piku od nich, najbardziej jednak zaskoczyly mnie wokale pana Gore, tym razem o wiele bardziej pasujace do tonu krazka, ktory melodycznie celuje w spokojne uptempo, a lirycznie opowiada o hedonistyczym stylu bycia zycia, od dobrych dziewczym, po ladne narkotyki, wiec pasuje do podejscia bandy do nagran w tamtym okresie, work hard and party hard, a jednoczesnie lubic to co sie robi i sprzedac jako komercyjny sukces jest sztuka, ktora sie tutaj udala, hajlajtami jak dla mnie beda traki ktore gdzies juz mialem osluchane, wiec personal jesus czy enjoy the silence, ale na plejce ich nie bylo jeszcze, bo jednak dosc elektroniczne traki jak na moja liste
electronic rock ain't for me still
"Enjoy the silence" deserves its own place on this list. One of those songs that are so recognizable that is tough to forget. Maybe it's overused and that is the reason it is a classic, but listening to it in the context of the album makes much sense. It's an extremely nice song. The rest of the album? Well, it's nice. Sounds fresh even after more than 30 years and this is a nice thing, but it could be better if it had fewer songs. After all songs, it starts to sound repetitive.
Masterful journey. Ranks up with dark side - maybe just below.
Fun stuff but I find with Depeche Mode it really depends on how I am feeling that day and today I wasn't really feeling it. Loved the production on it. 3.5/5
good album, im starting to like them more and more
already loved
Just didn't get into this one at all. Never a fan of Depeche Mode but figured why not. Confirmed my distaste for this band.
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.
I mean, Personal Jesus deserves 5 stars itself and Enjoy the Silence is one of the greatest songs ever recorded but, the rest of the record is a bit boring.
not vibing butttt alright
Die Singles sind geil, der Rest geht so bis ok. DM fand ich ja damals gar nicht so gut, weiß sie erst mit zeitlichem Abstand mehr zu schätzen.
Didn’t love it but respected the direction
Very smooth baby yea, moderate 3
Yeah it was ok, Personal Jesus rocks it, But the rest is meh 4/10
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.
Great memories. Really solid album. Forgot how long all the songs are
A few great songs on here but Depeche Mode never really did anything for me. This album is the same. Mostly forgettable with a few gems thrown in for good measure.
Ilu depeche mode
Exactly what I expect from Depeche Mode tbh. Only a 3.5 for me though.
It's good pop. I'd heard the hits, hadn't heard the filler tracks; really awkwardly written lyrics but they get the point across. I want to listen a bit more, I think. It didn't do much for me.
Шедевр, пиздец!!
Un peu surcôté mais propre Prefs: World In My Eyes, Personal Jesus, Enjoy The Silence, Blue Dress Moins pref: Halo
Depeche Mode's signature album
Evidently my love for this album faded at some point because I was just underwhelmed this time around.
The instrumental wizardry on this project would make the 80s club movement proud. However, my ears weren’t entirely satisfied. It seems Depeche spent so long fine tuning violator for electronic ears that it lost touch with its pop potential in such a way that makes it not quite worth revisiting.
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.
Initial thoughts: this album is what seeing neon colors at midnight sounds like Fav from album: enjoy the silence or personal jesus 3
Pathetic. Honestly I’ve had this shit, Morrissey and the Smiths nearly in a row. Make you wonder whether it’s worth persisting.
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.
I don't like Depeche Mode. A generous 2 as some of the instrumental bits were interesting
Moody funk
Show!!!!
Tikje overschat. Twee geniale nummers, de rest is mediocre.
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
Beter als verwacht, was opzich wel chill
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.
Vibey Edge Lorde vibes To electronic for me 7/10
much darker and weirder and deeper than I remembered it being - some great sounds and hooks and songs, but it fades towards the end
Rather boring, other than the 2 hit songs. It was only when Songs of Faith and Devotion came out that I started genuinely gravitating towards Depeche Mode.
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.
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
Nice Album. I don't like Depeche Mode too much, but this album is full of songs of my liking.
It's good, there's no doubt about that, it's just not my jam
I am not a big Depeche Mode fan. There were known songs on this album. The album has some of the snythesizer sound of the 80s but I just don't find it entertaining. Thankfully it was not that long of an album.
Excellent
Great Álbum 8/10
I remember when this album by was new and when "Personal Jesus" was causing a fuss. (And the American entertainment television reporter, did she still think Depeche Mode were "America's favourite rock 'n' roll band?") This is exactly the kind of goth rock the world needed to ease the way from the 80s into the 90s. Time to say goodbye to the rough and into the smooth disguised as the rough. There's also the irony of Dave Gahan singing about being "clean" but maybe he meant it in a spiritual rather than chemical way.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Personal Jesus was the best song in the album
Definitely a top 10 all-timer for me
Varmasti ko. orkesterin ainoa levy jonka jaksaa kuunnella mielenkiinnolla alusta loppuun asti. Ei silti mikään mestariteos ja voisin kuolla kuulematta tätä(kin) levyä.
Jäi kesken kuuntelu eikä mikään oikeen innosta kuunnella loppuun valitettavasti. Depechen tyyli lähinnä ärsyttää mua, mut ei se silkkaa paskaa ole
More proggy than I expected especially with the singles on it too.
Came into this without having listened to much Depeche Mode before. I'm generally not into 80s synth music. I think the only Depeche Mode connection I have is the Johnny Cash cover of Personal Jesus for this record. In general I enjoyed listening to this. I liked the first half better than the second half. Enjoy the Silence in particular was tough to get through for me for some reason. But the first few songs were pretty good. Probably not something I'll revisit too much if ever but interesting and enjoyable generally.
killerrr. personal jesus a personal best yes
Weak start, but strong finish. Two major hits. Surprised I enjoyed it so much?
No soy fan de Depeche Mode, los he escuchado a menudo, reconozco su valía pero nunca compré sus discos ni fui a un concierto suyo. Este disco creo que es su mayor éxito comercial: Personal Jesus, Enjoy the silence y Policy of Truth. Se merece estar en esta lista.
A fave from my teen years. Their best work.
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.
The rousing final instalment of the Depeche Mode Trilogy, before they went all Extended Universe
Two good songs, the rest of the album not for me.
Super bloody awesomezorz
Absolutely perfect in terms of consistency of tone, never outstays its welcome.
Very classic Depeche Mode. A very modern and polished sound, the quality of the production is excellent. I know many of the songs very well, and a few I know I've heard before but seemed new to me. Overall, I definitely enjoyed revisiting this one. 3/5
Killer album! Love the sounds Depeche uses.
Some good songs on here
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 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.
There's not a track on this album I don't love. 5 stars
The sweetest perfection To some listeners The slightest correction Not really my bag But some nice stuff going on
owo
Prefer the earlier albums when they weren’t so po-faced and pretentious
Electronic ain't really my bag, so doesn't really do it for me. Don't feel very well qualified to critique it. Personal Jesus is one cut I'm familiar with and I can get into.
Just perfect
Li will need to listen to this again. Only personal Jesus and clean caught my ear.
Still prefer their earlier stuff!
It’s Depeche Mode. I took some time while listening to look into where and what this album meant in the grand scheme of things for the band and it states that is a “more stripped down” sound/production for the band but I do t hear it. It is solid, entertaining, rhythmic yet frightful at times yet at the end of the day it is what I expected it to be.
Hits sind nice. Meistens aber zu experimentell
Well, it's definitely a Depeche Mode album. Nice 80s vibe there. Very listenable. Personal Jesus noteworthy track.
I have a British mate who lists DM as his fav band of all time. I completely appreciate the high production standard of this album, but it's not for me. I just can't plug into it. Even fan favourite 'Personal Jesus' doesn't do a lot for me. Can hear where Trent Reznor got a lot of his inspiration from though.
First half is classic, but a little same-y. Second half falls off a bit.
Decent album. Personal Jesus is the obvious standout, though there is a similar vibe to several of the songs.
Often, based on the band name I have avoided listening to them because I have a preconceived idea what the music will sound like. Depeche Mode, a perfect example! They sound just as I imagined, end of review...actually, I understand why they are popular. The music is infectious and quite dance-able and I don't hate the music, but I will probably avoid it in the future.
A bit dark but great. Highlights: Enjoy the Silence and Policy of Truth
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.
5 and beyond. I'm pretty much over Personal Jesus but there are so many hits on this one. Super super good.
How have I never listened to this band before? This is totally my jam.
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”
Great album. Very moody and good lyrically.
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
Aside from the 2 lead singles it’s all a big droning and monotonous. Nearly tempted to push it to a 4 on the strength of Enjoy the Silence.
Great, but got a bit slow at the end
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.
Awesome!
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.
280921 10:34 5
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.
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
Потрясающий альбом. Классика.
Great sound great memories!
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
классический альбом, который до этого я слушал, но не мог расслышать переход с blue dress на clean - находка музыка бам синты во
Un discazo, empieza con tonos de notas oscuros y se desarrolla super bien, cada tema encaja con el anterior. Vale la pena escucharlo.
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.
Immaculate, Dark, Doomy. A Polished Obsidian Mirror with drifting wisps of smoke.
One of the best synthpop albums ever. 8/10 1. Policy of Truth 2. Enjoy the Silence 3. Waiting for the Night
i think a lot of the songs were very repetitive and annoying. it just wasn’t really my vibe and i wouldn’t listen to it again.
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
I didn’t like them back in the day but this album is definitely better than I expected.
Lite ovanligt för mig men bra intro till new wave / synth pop. Efter jag vande mig var den najs.
The singles on this album are absolutely brilliant.
Cool vibe but fairly dull for a sizeable chunk of it.
Really good
Wonderful stuff, sags a bit at points preventing a five for me however worth noting it contains one of my all time favorite songs
If you like that moody 80s electronic sound similar to bands like Tears for Fears then I think you will like this album.
really good, some classics on here
Strong atmosphere, very catchy songs.
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.
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.
Really didn’t feel like listening to an hour of this. It sounded alright, but really not my style.
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
Great DM album with more weird electronics than you think.
Listenable. Not a favourite
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.
Not really a fan of this guy's voice and the whole angsty electronica from the 80's genre. Album got a lot better in the middle when it was just instrumentals, however and I probably would have enjoyed it more as an instrumental soundtrack to a bad 80s scifi action movie.
They feel very full of themselves and confident in the music they’re producing but I’m not a fan.
In what is one of their most impactful works, Depeche Mode helps innovate a darker side of Electronic Music. The lyrics are haunting while the melodies push the genre into new areas, but the length of several tracks and grooves leave something to be desired though.
beep boop before beep boops were cool
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.
Приятный саунд, но песни максимально затянуты, а от некоторых только спать.
A bit too electronic overall, but after full listen can see lots of merits. Personal Jesus is fantastic. Has quite a few worthwhile tracks.
I understand why people enjoy Depeche Mode, and I am one of those people. Not my favorite album though
Meh, bored
Very 80s, but in a good way. Had some tracks I’ll definitely listen to again
I liked the hit songs that I recognized, the rest didn’t really do too much for me
Cool synth sounds and an iconic voice. I didn't realize this record didn't release in the 80s. Definitely, some tracks that are part of my musical consciousness, but I doubt I would get super into the rest of the catalog.
I enjoyed this album. My favorite songs were mostly ones I already knew, but I enjoyed a few others as well. I added Blue Dress to my current playlist.
This is definitely my sort of jam! Some excellent earworm tracks on here and peak Depeche Mode.
Some great songs, along with some duds that make the album a lot less enjoyable.
"eh"
Very retro vibe with video like synths and instrumentation. Vocals deeper and songs slow.
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: World in my eyes, Personal Jesus, Enjoy the silence
Still super menacing synth pop; ghostly vocals and production with the cold future forward production... amazing record, aged well
Meh.
I want to like it. But it’s like new order without any of the urgency or excitement. Had some ok songs (Enjoy the Silence) but the rest are largely forgettable.
A decent, clean, and consistent piece of synth pop, although a bit too breathy and gothic for my taste. When Depeche Mode uses more creative instrumentals, a slightly funkier sound such as on Personal Jesus and a stronger disco sound such as on Enjoy the Silence, they are excellent. The rest of the record sounds mostly the same, with lyrics that are unengaging to me personally and sometimes repetitive. A 3/5 is a good score.
Good fun, sets a mood and sticks to it. Would listen again
Already love this album. Mix of industrial and new wave.
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"
Great album! From World in my Eyes to Clean. Great track after great track
classic
Alle klassikerne, ret fedt, men lidt for langt.
Shite
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.
Not much to write home about. A kinda boring synth-pop kinda thing. Not my style, never been a fan of Depeche Mode, but this hasn’t converted me
I've never heard this album as a whole before, but I've heard a few of the tracks many times. This album was so big when it came out, it was hard to avoid. Violator is a darker version of Depeche Mode than their earliest work. Their debut album "Speak & Spell" almost has a pop music sound compared to the somber and sometimes creepy tones of "Violator". The opening track, "World in My Eyes", is dark musically and lyrically. This song gives me the creeps. There are some tracks that I would listen to again (4 stars). "Enjoy the Silence" is my favorite track on the album. "Personal Jesus", and "Policy of Truth" round out a trio of tracks that I would repeat. On a side note, Johnny Cash's cover of "Personal Jesus" is worth checking out. His cover carries a portion of the same somber mood as this album. Even if I didn't find "World in My Eyes" so creepy (2 stars), this album would get the same score from me overall (3 stars, but solidly in the 3s).
Meh, it's ok, it's not reallllly my thing.
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!
Funky beats. 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
Grupo inglés de electrónica, considerados los amos y señores del rock electrónico. Discazo con temas archiconocidos como 'Personal Jesus' o 'Enjoy The Silence'.
5/5
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
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 is not really my kind of music, but there are melody's and sounds I do kind of vibe to. I like the funky degree the album has. The music also gives of some spooky vibes
V enjoyable actually. Particularly liked Kaleid.
Interesting
Ok. Very 80’s.
Not much to say other than great album and great band. Much more my kind of thing than a few of the previous albums. Enjoy the Silence and Personal Jesus the obvious standouts but even the album tracks make me want to dance around the kitchen annoying the shit out of Kajsa.
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.
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.
If the members of Kraftwerk went through a goth phase they would make this album. Very unique sound.
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.
Its unique enough, but across the album it all sounds pretty much the same.
Dark synth waves lapping at the shore of a beach of black sand. Absolutely peerless and wonderful.