Reviews (page 4 of 13)
Favourite Songs: Never Let Me Down Again Behind The Wheel To Have And To Hold Nothing
This was great. Four stars.
I like the overall gothy sound. It's why I like the cure. This has more electronic sounds incorporated but still a good moody listen. I think there's a bit of filler (pimpf) but I'm glad I got to give Depeche Mode a shot
i don’t usually like synth pop because a lot of the time it isn’t done right and just feels like 80s overload but i was pleasantly surprised by this. best track is sacred. would definitely listen again!
I'm coming to enjoy Depeche Mode the more I hear and whilst this didn't hit the heights of _Violator_, I enjoyed the contrast of its accessibility vs its experimentalism. Musically there are moments where you can hear this and the results are something that would have surely influenced a young Trent Reznor writing _Pretty Hate Machine_.Vocally, David Gahan shines as he often does and gives a warmth and humanity to the cold starkness of the music.
Dark yet groovy, very enjoyable. Lyrics are a bit too simple / on the nose for the most part but it's clearly not where the focus is
Well-made album I hadn’t heard before, the songs were congruent (recognisably Depeche Mode) but didn't seem repetitive, the patterns all sounded fresh (drums might have been same-y but didn't grate), some interesting harmonic progressions. Mood was rather melancholy but not forced. No particular song hit me as catchy or obvious hit single - intrigued to learn after listening that this was breakout period for the band. I could listen again without complaint - but not compelling. 7/10
yep, same songs this 4 is veeeery light
I adore Depeche Mode but every time I listen, my hair turns black and falls into my face and I have to put on my black turtleneck and my black trenchcoat and wander the streets of London in the black of night. And airfare to London ain’t cheap! So it’s a rare treat. This album would rate just for “Never Let Me Down”, but there are so many Mode bangers on here.
This album is pretty good. I didn't know what to expect but, once I got into it, it was a nice listening. It's not much of my like, but I've liked it and found really interesting so many aspects on here. The songs have a very surrounding atmosphere, are ethereal, but also pretty consistent and cohesive with so many layers that give them, at some points, a very cinematic flavor.
Energetic, dark, very danceable, cool synth sounds, questionable drum sounds, cool overlapping vocals, great pop hooks. I liked this more than I expected. Favourite tracks: Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove, Behind The Wheel, Nothing
Mooooooooooood
Slow, psychedelic and weird, but I'm there for it actually
8/10
Sure! I had fun here!
Decent album overall. I’m a big fan of the synth wave sound, so this hit just right. Favorite track: Never Let Me Down Again 4
Great album. Just pure Depeche Mode vibes even though I didn't fully recognize any of these tunes. One fun thing I realized, being inspired by their early tunes (Just Can't Get Enough), these guys just love a drum machine. I know they were fairly common on the New Wave side of things but they utilize it so well and just know how to package an album. Depressing, moody, and dare I say fun
Superb album! This reminds me of my life in New York during the 80s, where I would walk briskly through the night returning video tapes and going to gothic night clubs.
Really cool vibes
This album sounds like a lost childhood and broken promises. painfully beautiful, I regret seeing this band as shallow before.
While I wouldn't call myself a Depeche Mode superfan, I've always appreciated their dark take on electronic music and feel like they were pretty big innovators in bridging some club-ready sounds with very non-pop lyrical content (Just Can't Get Enough aside). I don't think this album is quite as good as Violator but still very good. The synths sound great and layered, good melodies, Dave Gahan's voice, a pair of epic orchestral closers just for good measure. It all works for me.
Great start but it steadily declines in quality and gets pretty weird at the end. Still love the highs of this one, Depeche Mode hits slap.
Some classic 80s synth pop! Started to sound a bit all the same but some bangers for sure. Also why does 80s synth pop give Halloween, maybe it’s the minor keys 😹 Overall enjoyed it though! First time listening to Depeche Mode and made we want to listen to more
- I added 4 songs from this album to my '1001 Albums Favs' playlist - I swear 'Route 66' was in the Cars movie or am I tripping - Why was the whole of Moonlight Sonata at the end of this album - For context, I listened to the deluxe edition album
thoroughly enjoyed. its a toothier tears for fears
I liked it! Definitely different to what I’m used to but pretty good overall! Loved the heavy synth use
This is how 80s synth should be done. Great atmospheric album. 4/5
Love me some Depeche Mode. This isn't my favorite album from them, but it's a close second. Stranglelove and Behind the Wheel are my favs on here. 4.
Overall rating by me: 8,5/10 Song added to the playlist: ,,Never Let Me Down Again", ,,Strangelove", ,,Sacred", ,,Little 15", ,,Behind The Wheel", ,,Nothing" Notes: Proof that you really can't miss with Depeche Mode and an absolute beast of an album.
This was a first time listen for me. Of course, I know Depeche Mode and own - or have owned - several albums and singles over the years, but somehow Music For The Masses had passed me by. My first impressions were all very positive and the album feels very much the precursor to Violator, which I adored when it came out a few years later. It’s a powerful, muscular sounding record with songs written and produced for big arenas, which Masses propelled them into. The sacrifice made was the complete loss of froth, the poppy edge that had made them household names in the first place - but it feels a like a natural progression, and anyway, they’d never been convincing popstars after Vince Clarke left. Highlights for me are the bombastic opener Never Let Me Down, the linked I Want You Now and To Have And To Hold and the lush final track, Pimpf, with its choral chants and orchestral ambiance. 9/10
When I was in college I fucking hated Depeche Mode. I was dumb then.
jako jako dobro!
I really liked this album, my favorite songs are strangelove, nothing, agent orange and pleasure little treasure glitter mix. I like the varieties of different genres, and I really love the meaning of some songs, the only thing that I didn't like is that the first songs were well idk how to say it, the songs weren't going anywhere, it started and ended the same way, and most of the songs do that too. Basically a good album indeed.
Very good. ★★★★
I had never put much time into Depeche Mode but I always assumed they were a poppier act. This had some good brooding tone to it and I really enjoyed it. The opener and Behind the Wheel were the standouts for me. 4 stars
Don’t think I’ve heard any of the songs from this album before, but it’s pretty darn good. It’s Depeche Mode but kind of slower and darker, nothing wrong with that
good album, i liked never let me down again, the things you said, nothing. in some parts of the albums it goes to weird direction with sound, but overall, good. 4
Baya iyiydi bu
Memories.
Ganske bra på da beste. Litt mid ellers
another time not paying enough attention, but this is exactly what I wanted in an 80s album after listening to kate bush’s hounds of love
It’s hard not to compare this to Violator, not just because it’s their big album but also just cause they sound really similar. And this isn’t as good as that (obviously), but it’s still a really solid album I can definitely see myself revisiting it in the future. Favorites: Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove, I Want You Now
This is a very good synthpop album with a dark vibe. Unfortunately, it stops just short of masterpiece status; while I find lots of excellent pop hooks underneath the 80s sound, and I like the sound in general, it lacks that X factor that makes an album truly great. It's almost a 5 star album, but I just can't bring myself to call it one. It's undeniably a good album, but it is by no means the best album of the era.
I love Violator but it’s actually the only Depeche Mode album I’ve listened to. Let’s see how this one holds up. — I love synths. I love that sad goth vibe. Early predecessor to dark wave. Actually, is this dark wave? OK RYM says yes BUT not as the primary genre which yeah makes sense.
0/14 bekannt 7/10 Beste Songs: to have and to hold (Spanish taster), I want you now, pleasure little treasure-glitter mix Genre: Synth-pop
funky
Really strong first half, production and instrumental wasn’t anything I heard from new wave before
If only the masses were that tasteful!
I don't think every track on this album is perfect but I do kind of think it's a perfect album in how the songs flow together, how the pacing works, how the energy shifts
a minha mãe já me tinha mostrado algumas musicas de depeche mode e algumas estão neste album e eu gosto delas. never let me down again- já conhecia gosto bastante (9/10) the things you said - kinda meh (7/10) strangelove - ja conhecia e adoro mas prefiro a single version (10/10) sacred- kinda meh tambem mas definitivamente listenable obviamente (7/10) little 15- crazy title, gosto do instrumental é meio haunting e gosto do buildup, acho que é meio monotono mas até combina com a letra e o instrumental (8/10) behind the wheel- ja conhecia tambem e prefiro a versão single, mas como gosto bastante do instrumental, principalmente daquela flauta? de fundo continua a ser muito boa (9/10) i want you know- meio forgettable (6.5-10) to have and to hold- snooze fest (5/10) nothing- é bom voltar a ouvir algo mexido, gosto bue do instrumental e do refrão (9/10) pimpf- n tem nada a ver com o resto do album, parece musica medieval, é tuff mas n curti (5/10) agent orange- bom instrumental, acho que é um bom final para o album (7/10) acho que o meu "problema" com este album é que é um bocado monotono, gosto de depeche mode quando é mexido e usa muitos sintetizadores e isso mas neste album é um bocado diferente, nao sei se a maioria dos albuns deles sao assim, com algumas musicas mexidas e algumas mais tranquilas, tenho de ouvir outros para descobrir mas acho que os higlights sao as musicas que ja conhecia e faz sentido sendo as mais conhecidas, gostei bastante do nothing e não conhecia então já é um W. quero ouvir o violator, ja ouvi bastantes coisas boas sobre entao estou curioso. Para mim overall é um 7,5/10
- New to me album - Never Let Me Down Again is the highlight - Very Good
This album got better as it went along. The arc of the album seemed to go from light to dark. I much prefer the back half featuring deeper/darker tones. Frankly I think need to spend more time with this album because the more I listen I bet the more i'd like.
Felt like I was watching the build up to a fight or some sort of heist movie listening to this music.
Spannend, ursprünglich nicht mein Ding, aber jetzt über die Jahre...Super! c
Pretty, pretty, pretty good!
Really good! Would listen again! Nostalgic new wave.
Violator is a favourite album and I swore I’ve listened to all DM had to offer. I haven’t. I knew the main single and that was it. This is how I like my DM - moody, synthy, dark. Adding this to the regular rotation!
Du très bon Dépêche Mode!
I'm familiar with a few of the songs off this album. This was enjoyable. Maybe not my favorite collection of Depeche Mode songs, but still good.
Another 80's winner from DM featuring classics like Strangelove, Never Let Me Down Again, & Behind The Wheel. Production by the legendary Dave Bascombe is always an x-factor!
You know, if I had listened to this album when I was in my teens, it'd be a 3 star album. The only knock is the lyrics are... teeny. But the songs are sick AF.
Nomen est omen. Not their best work but nonetheless very good.
5/5 Genial, envolvente, trasporta al futuro.
Classic dad album
Good stuff. 4/5 Highlights: The Things You Said Strangelove Pimpf
I've always liked this band for its dance songs with their rhythmic beats. I remember when I first heard them, I thought their sound was different from what was on the radio at the time.The opening song of this album is pure Depeche Mode. I liked the low key sound to the song, "The Things You Said". I liked really Dave Gahan's voice which helped to make this music easy to listen to for me. Song I liked the least was: "Pimpf" the piano was too repetitious and the song had an ominous sound that I just couldn't connect with. Song I liked the most was, "I Want You Now" but I could have done without all the heavy breathing.
I didn't care for this at the time despite being a DM superfan in high school, but it has grown on me, esp "Never Let Me Down Again." Assuming this is about Dave Gahan's then burgeoning addictions, it's poignant and a little heartbreaking. "The Things You Said" and "Behind the Wheel" lean into Kraftwerk territory to great effect, and "Little 15" brings all the eldergoths to the yard. There's a lot of the experimental-y musique concrete stuff I liked them for, so I'm not sure what my deal was. I think it was that regular people liked "Strangelove" and had to rectify that one of my favorite bands was actually popular. (Cue "To Have And To Hold" as I close my yearbook and put it back on the shelf.)
Depeche Mode had certainly come a long way from the upbeat synthpop of “Just Can’t Get Enough,” released six years earlier. This music is much darker, which I appreciate, and more sophisticated. I also detect a generous measure of theatricality — literally. “Pimpf” sounds made for the stage, with its timpani and multi-part composition, while “Little 15” also brings the drama. These guys played an important role in showing how to create evocative and atmospheric music using the synthesizer.
I bought this record new and saw them on this tour, so I am biased towards loving this record because it came out at the exact perfect time in my life to hear it.
Bringing electronic to the masses. 3.8* rounded up. First listened to on the RER B after a post-Aussie hike around St-Remy-Les-Chevreux
061022 21:08 4.5
A lot of these songs sound like they could be in Donkey Kong Country and I absolutely mean that as a compliment.
Ironic title as I didn't feel like this was an album packed with obvious hits, which is not to say it doesn't have appeal. Although the synths are not mostly creating catchy and bouncy melodies in the vein of "I Just Can't Get Enough" it's a moody and atmospheric record with some quite mature lyrical themes.
listened to the first half, rly liked it!
Don't think I know any of their stuff but I really enjoyed this. I have a soft spot for 80s synth.
I love this kind of stuff—moody 80s synth pop. Depeche Mode were pretty unapologetically electronic in a way I appreciate, and while the music sounds dated, it’s also GOOD.
Moody and dark and yet it’s a real toe-tapper!
It so hard to be objective. DM was a big part of my upbringing and this was a nostalgic trip down memory lane - so many experiences and firsts in my young life happened in my DM era. Are the songs a little too fabricated and electronic? Sometimes. But that was the time. This is a classic. I think Violator is better but I would put this album on anytime without reservation. Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove, Nothing - so much goodness here. 4/5
It was okay
Hey. Pretty good. I quite like this stuff.
For when I'm feeling goth industrial synthy.
Really impressive production quality. I can sense how albums like this influenced Muse and others.
Very good album. Last few songs make you feel like you're in another universe
adja, would go hard on vinyl
I really enjoy this album, have listened to it several times. The reason why it doesn't get a 5 was because I already love Depeche Mode and unfortunately most of my favourite songs from them are not on this particular album. All the same, it's less about the music and more about the ~experience~ of listening to this - they take you on a journey with each song and transition, and the feeling doesn't go away the more you listen to it, it just amplifies.
Fine. No bangers though. Just Depeche Average.
Finally a Depeche Mode album that I really liked. This is great. I am not sure what they did different on this album compared to others, but it's great! I think it has that dark style, but is still very interesting. Liked Songs: "Never Let Me Down Again" , "StrangeLove" , "Sacred" , "Little 15" , "Behind The Wheel" , "I Want You Now" , "Nothing"
Yes! Everyone's favorite European, S&M enjoying heroin addicts! Who also happen to make music! I really do love Depeche Mode. The singles are always stronger than the album tracks, and this album is no exception. But all of these are fun, even if the deep cuts tend to feel like they came from Dracula's Castle Playlist #1. “Never Let Me Down” is a 100/10. “Strangelove” is a classic. It's gotta be FOUR STARS
This album had a couple of bangers, but I don’t think overall this is their best.
In many ways, Depeche Mode were just as important as New Order in showcasing that transition between gloomy, moody post-punk and dense electronica in the 1980s, however both bands went in the opposite direction of each other as far as emotion is concerned. While New Order got progressively more upbeat and optimistic out of the dark days of Joy Division and Ian Curtis' demise, Depeche Mode started off as a campy, catchy New Wave-inspired outfit [see Just Can't Get Enough] before getting darker and more intense, both sonically and thematically. They'd started to showcase this darker edge on previous record 'Black Celebration' [an album that was a big inspiration on a young up-and-comer by the name of Trent Reznor], but on 'Music for the Masses', Depeche Mode finally found a way to make their deeper sound more accessible and immediate to the mainstream. With powerhouse singles such as 'Never Let Me Down Again', 'Strangelove' and 'Behind the Wheel', the darkly sensual songwriting of Martin Gore comes together with the impassioned vocals of Dave Gahan and the hypnotic production of Alan Wilder to create a grandiose synth-pop record that many consider to be one of the greatest of the 1980s. While it's not quite as outstanding as their next album, 'Violator', the blueprint for Depeche Mode's eventual rise to megastar status is here on 'Music for the Masses'. It's deeply sensual, musically dense and always keeps you on your toes. It's little wonder all the industrial/goth kids rate this band so highly. Best songs: Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove, Sacred, Behind the Wheel, Nothing
Ich liebe Depeche Mode. „Music for the Masses“ ist sehr sehr gut, „Violator“ aber noch besser. Deshalb ganz strenge 4 Sterne, dem Album fehlen noch 1-2 Hits mehr um grandios zu sein. DM übrigens live auch sehr sehr gut.
Mir hat das Album am besten gefallen, wenn sie einfach nur guten Synthpop geschrieben haben. Sobald experimentiert wurde, funktioniert die Platte für mich nicht mehr (ausgenommen das schöne Abschlussinstrumental). Aber irgendwie geht mir das auch bei den meisten DM-Platten so...
Macht Spaß zu hören. Aber warum sind bei allen Alben irgendwelche Mixe angehangen? Ich will doch einfach nur die Reinheit des Albums hören. 4 Sterne
DM getting mean, moody and, errr, sexy! I bought this on vinyl and liked it. Starts really strong with three great tracks, brilliantly sequenced. I love the way 'Never Let Me Down Again' bleeds into 'The Things You Said' which is probably my favourite track. Having said that 'Behind The Wheel' is really cool too. After that it fades a bit, apart from 'Nothing' which is great. Cool & powerful synth-pop. And one of the best album titles so far.
Listening to this directly after Talk Talk (The Colour of Spring) was like night and day - or should I say day and night. I love the dark, brooding ambience that swallows up segments of this album. To Have And To Hold and the intro to Behind The Wheel are great examples. Such moments on this album straddled the middle ground between Talking Heads and The Cure. Strangelove was a highlight track for me, too, but the overall atmosphere is what wins here. Greater than the sum of its parts!
Straight villain music Favorite Track: Nothing
Deliciously entrancing.
Some great songs. It's so interesting to see hear the ways in which DM both escape the New Wave genre trappings as well as shape them. Like a lot of their peers, ODM, Gary Numen, New Order, their brand of music strays away from the uber-pop that New Wave can encapsulate and often create something more sonically interesting and dissonant. Good album here.
Great album. I think I’m slowly becoming a DM fan. 4/5
"I'm not trying to tell you anything You didn't know when you woke up today" Familiar songs and melodies on droning beats.
Classy. Catchy stuff and well produced. How did every english frontman in the 80s sound exactly like this? - excepting morrisey and robert smith i guess.
Very 80s (positive). OG goth girl music.
Loved it, not as much as I like Violator, but it's another good showing from Depeche Mode.
Probably would have been five, but this album didn’t quite reach out and touch me.
Echt nett. Ein paar richtig gute Songs drauf.
This is the kind of 80s music I like.
Enjoyed the 1st half of album more than 2nd half but still very good
Loved Pimpf sounding like some video game boss song like in Dark Souls or Elden Ring. Strangelove was amazing.
Started off strong then was mid after that.
I like Depeche Mode withe the proviso that they got better over time in the mid 80s to early 90s as their sound and lyrics got darker. This album maybe doesn't mark that turn, and definitely benefits from it. Dave Gahan's voice is like the inverse of Morrisey's, excellent in every way. So, not 5 star material, but close.
On the fence between 3 and 4, but I’m feeling generous and rounding up because the deluxe edition has a second version of the excellent first track.
This album is when Depeche Mode starts getting interesting to me. Minor key galore, dark lyrical themes, and arena ready synthetic textures. Doesn't sound 1987, sounds timeless.
This albums is weird. It feels intentionally spartan at times and it works very well when it does. I'm unfamiliar with this album but on the whole, I've really enjoyed it and would return to it when it's strange mood strikes me
3.5/5 ou 4/5 4/5
Dark 80s pinnacle record.
Its ok like it but nothing mind blowing
Really like the dramatics of this album.
Люблю цей альбом, бо тут strangelove, а це моя улюблена пісня ДМ. Взагалі я не те щоб прям мегафанат цього гурту, проте послухати інколи люблю. Music for the Masses дуже віддає 80ми й в даному конкретному випадку мені це подобається.
Reminds me of MGMT’s Little Dark Age (I guess it’s technically the other way around timing wise).
3.6/overall it's a cool vibe but a little dramatic and goth at times
Maybe my dad was onto something when he wouldn’t stop talking about depeche mode
Big, unfortunate W for the English here. Might come back and bump this up to a 5, but I'm for sure coming back to listen to it in the future
This is goth music and I'm here for it. The last two instrumentals feel very out of place on this album, but I still ended up loving it overall. Best Songs: Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove, Behind The Wheel Worst Songs: Pimpf, Agent Orange
Favorite Depeche Mode album
avantisssimo
Likte i utgangspunktet. Ville høre gjennom men ble litt tynt etter hvert. Med flere karakterer hadde det blitt 3.5, men rundes ned til 3.
Takes me back.
Happy to have some Dépêche Mode! Saw their Playing the Angel Tour in 2005 and consider myself a fan. Just overall really enjoy their style and sound, but can’t say I’ve explored this album all the way through. Never Let Me Down Again was the stand out and song I was familiar with beforehand, but overall a good listen and a band I’d like to explore more.
I like this better than Violator, which I gave three stars. So this one is a four!
Really enjoyed this one. Will listen again
At last… music for the masses to enjoy. Can’t wait to bang this on at the work Christmas do and see my colleagues’ smiling faces.
I never really got Depeche mode, too boring and one note for me. This album really connected with me in a good way and I quite enjoyed it. The dark moody atmosphere with electronic additions to the classic 80s sounds were a lot of fun to listen to
Depeche mode release unreal bangers, but also 'I want you now' which sounds like the inside of a German sex dungeon.
Fuckin rocked my socks off
Depeche Mode is one of the few artists on this list that I own and enjoy an album from (in this case, Violator), so I was definitely looking forward to giving another one of their albums a go! My first impressions of Music for the Masses are pretty positive! It's a nice mix of catchy synthpop and more experimental cuts, with everything somehow managing to fit together in a way that makes sense and doesn't feel too jumbled. I also very much appreciated the gapless transitions between certain tracks – they really made the album feel like a cohesive story in a way that not a lot of other albums on this list have for me. If there's one thing that holds the album back, it's that it sounds exceedingly '80s and lacks a certain timelessness as a result. MFTM is often epic in scope and provocative without being overly edgy, which puts it a notch above comparable albums like NIN's The Downward Spiral for me. I'd even say I like it about as much as Violator (the band's most celebrated LP) based on memory, but I'd have to hear the two albums side-by-side to know for sure and I'll probably wait to do that until the Generator decides to give me the latter, which could be several months from now. Will report my findings when the time comes! Highlights: Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove, Sacred, Behind the Wheel, Nothing, Pimpf
The sound of the last pieces of the puzzle falling into place so that this band could break into the big leagues with the next album. Huge sounding album for just a couple of fellas and some dinky keyboards. 3.5/ 5
This was interesting for sure. Lots of theatrical and grandiose soundwork. Worth a listen for sure. Not something I'd go back to often but it's worth hearing.
I could have sworn we had already done a Depeche Mode album. There is just so much on this list from this genre. That being said this makes sense. Very engaging, interesting compositions.
I enjoyed this. I’m familiar with DM, but not this album. It sounds exactly as i imagined it would, but better
cool album but I enjoyed it slightly less than I expected to. Music is really cool though!
Great album. Will definitely listen again Standout songs Never let me down again Strange love Behind the wheel
Music for them asses. British new wave still hits!
Future from the past. Some excellent tunes and surprising earworms.
I think Depeche Mode more than any other, captured the dark 80's synch emo pop vibe. The vocals and ethereal keyboard/synth style combine into something super unique. I also think they do a great job of keeping things simple. I think with the advent of all this new synth technology at the time, alot of bands followed a maximalist more is more approach which tends to be the music that ages the poorest. I am not surprised they were / are, as popular as they are. I'm not often in the mood for this type of music but when i am, Music for the Masses will be where I turn.
Depeche Mode are a band I’ve overlooked because I always thought they were just another soulless 80s pop group, but I was clearly wrong; wrong about both Depeche Mode and a lot of 80s music in general. I thoroughly enjoyed this album. It’s maybe a bit too brooding for my tastes, but it sounds a bit like an earlier, more pop-y version of Nine Inch Nails. I’m looking forward to checking out some of their other work now.
Loved it
Inte hört mycket Depeche Mode utöver några hits som jag gillar. Nice även som helt album! Kändes som albumet utvecklades låt för låt också.
weird dark 80s sound. like the 80s but evil (positive)
Having never heard of any of these Depeche Mode songs, I wasn’t sure what I’d get going into this album. But man, this just solidifies how much I enjoy the Gothic, dark electronic music of Depeche Mode. Is it up there with Enjoy the Silence or Personal Jesus? No, but it was a good accompaniment to being in a plane for a while.
I like this album but it is not my favourite
A good album, but not quite a great album. They absolutely hit their peak with Violator. This one has a few too many slow/whiny songs.
the soundtrack for my next depressive episode is about to go so hard
First Depeche Mode album I've listened to. I dig the dark, polished sound. Looking forward to checking out Violator.
Första halvan albumet riktigt bra , 80 tals vibe. Kommer lyssna mer på depeche mode framöver.
(guy you dont wanna be near voice) I loved the neoclassical darkwave tracks Fav song: Strangelove or I Want You Now
good
Nice LP to listen to when you're driving late at night or relaxing at home with the lights low and a glass of beer or wine. Lush sounds cape well engineered and priduced.
I wouldn’t identify myself as an electronic music fan but I definitely liked this. Fun to dance around to. Lord this band worked themselves nearly to death didn’t they? I guess one did die. Lots of fun in this album!
loved it, no notes
Really like the mode
I wasn't much of a Depeche Mode fan when they were making albums. While I very much enjoy the music of the time, including most goth and electronica, they just didn't grab me. Seemed a little arty but without real soul. My wife loves them so I hear it more than I would have on my own and have learned to like some of what they do. Truth is they do make some interesting music and both singers have good voices. This is overall quite a good album. I was only annoyed by one or two songs, Sacred and Little 15. While I might not choose this album for myself, I'm sure I'll be hearing it again soon when driving with my wife. I will give this album a 4 because it is all pretty good. Even if some is not made for me, I appreciate why folks love it.
Strong album, some great songs on this. Shows a band on their way up who would deliver their masterpiece a few years later.
Moody, dark, depressing and just right for your first album spin at 5am.
The masses approve
I've only listened to this once, but it's enough to convince me I like it.
So that's where that song was from.
Sick
Love a bit of new wave - very easy to listen to
I thought this was very good, which makes me think I need to go back and listen to Violator again, because I gave that one a three.
I got into DM right after this album, have a couple other 💿 s from them that I like more, but this still holds up well for me.
I can confirm that this is an album by Depeche Mode. It sounds like them. 4/5
I'm going goblin mode for Depeche mode. fav tracks: Sacred, Little 15, Pimpf, Nothing
I wish I enjoyed the vocals more... I am going to keep trying! Everything else was absolutely phenomenal; great music for getting work done. I love the dark atmosphere of the lyrics and production!
Me gusta Depeche Mode, pero no me vuelve loco como al parecer lo hace con el resto de la humanidad. Music for the Masses es un muy buen disco, ya lo había escuchado antes, y lo mismo. Me gusta, reconozco los hits pero al final termina y tampoco es que me vuelva loco de la emoción. Y me pasa en general con todos los álbumes de DM.
I’m not sure how I never jumped on the Depeche Mode train. Younger me should have loved this. Adult me thinks it’s pretty good and enjoys the nostalgia of Depeche Mode’s sound.
Quite an interesting album i did really enjoy it tho!! Again not my normal kind of genre and def not my time where i usually hear my music from. But it surprised me in a positive sense!!
what does this guy do with all that voice in everyday living?
Much better than I remembered. Pretty close to the sound they perfected on Violator, with the first half being particularly consistent on catchy gothic pop.
I'M TAKING A RIDE WITH MY BEST FRIEND
Super
Luv it
Vraiment cool
Sonically superb - amazing sounding album without any particular bangers of note. Looking forward to listening to this again when the time is right.
Favourites: Never Let Me Down Again, Sacred, Little 15, I Want You Now, Nothing
Awesome and classic. Brings me back to HS.
Surprised I enjoyed this one.
A low four based mostly on my goodwill from these guys. Not my fave Depeche Mode work but still very interesting
Szanuję Depeche Mode, nawet nauczyłam się kochać kilka ich utworów, ale ten album jest męczący. Traktuje siebie zbyt poważnie. Brakuje mu lekkości. Są eksperymenty z muzyką, ale nie ma zabawy z nią. 6.5/10 równane w górę z sentymentu.
swoon...
i liked me gustó esta clase de electrónica
Really enjoyed listening to this album. Outside of their first, I’ve not ever listened to a full LP by them, so this was a pleasant surprise. I could imagine myself growing to like both the band and this album much more if I gave it more attention
Au moins 4/5, possiblement 4,5/5.
84% Best: Never Let Me Down Again; Sacred; Behind the Wheel; Nothing Must-Hear? Sure
Good.
Quite good! Enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to. Should listen to their other albums.
Nice
Loved this!
Back in my teens, Depeche Mode was my first taste of 80s synth pop and new wave, so this one hits a nostalgic chord. It’s hard to get as hyped after hearing these songs so many times, but this album’s a classic that’s rightfully earned its place in music history. Depeche Mode stepped up their game here, moving from the raw, lighter synth-pop of their earlier stuff to a darker vibe with gothic and industrial undertones. The production’s much slicker and more polished than before, and the whole album feels more mature.
A good album, the singles are the strongest tracks here, I do prefer their 90's albums though. 4 stars.
rock rapido y divertido ni tan mal
This was a 3 at first; although in the first half you can clearly hear the influence Depeche Mode has had (especially on Lady Gaga with "Strangelove," but also Muse, the Killers, about a dozen other indie rock bands, the entirety of Techno...), I have to say 80s synth is not my scene. Things got way more interesting in the second half, though, with "Stjarna" and DM's take on "Route 66" being particular favorites of mine. "Pimpf" was also a unique standout, reminiscent of dramatic music soundtrack, although I don't know how I feel about it being heavily inspired by Wagner. Beethoven, of course, gets a 5 for his composition. In the end, 4 stars overall.
Awesome
I think Depeche Mode are growing on me… or possibly staying the same. I always found them difficult to work out. When I first heard of them they were filling stadiums like U2. They were rock n roll drug-addled mega stars but also seemed like… dweebs. Especially if you see their early appearances on Top of the Pops where they look like four Rick Astleys. I didn’t even know Vince Clarke was a member early on until reading Wikipedia just now! Which is funny because singer, Dave Gahan, sounds a bit like Alison Moyet… and Risk Astley. Anyway, when I first put this album on, it reminded me of the cool music of a few years ago… vapour wave… which makes sense given the eighties aesthetic of that stuff. I don’t know as the album goes on, it does feel a bit melodramatic and… dweeby. But after listening to the Violator album recently maybe I am getting used to the sound. It reminds me a bit of Nine Inch Nails too which sits in a similar place but is more metally, where nerds can more easily become rock gods. I might come back to the depecheys in future.
Synth electronica is an acquired taste but once you get it it’s golden, Depeche Mode always a fun listen
Depeche Mode basically took the spacy sound profile that dominated a lot of the 80s, marinated it in a Winter Soldier-style steroid chamber, took it out and dressed it up nice with a sort of electronic-techno-futurist base of rhythm and keys, and sent it to war. Pretty awesome and definitely creative and influential. If this is “music for the masses,” then hey man consider me the masses
Im only 1 song in and it’s got me wondering why I don’t listen to these guys more. This is Depeche Mode. Slick grooves that want to get you moving. A darkness surrounding you until the album is done. It’s what you expect from them in their prime. They were a hard band to out do. This rivals Violator and that album is in my top 10 of all time list. So there. Little 15 is weak. Behind the Wheel sounds like I Think We’re Alone Now at first. Who did that first?? Hmmmmm Anywho, good album. Choice cut: Strangelove
yesssssss
Yo I think this album's haunted, these songs are spooky as hell. Ending with Castlevania boss music was a hell of a good choice tho.
Depeche Mode is one of those really, really rare electronic acts whose older songs don't sound outdated or cheesy, even decades after the fact. I know Violator gets a lot of (deserved) love, but this is also a hell of a record.
Again, not my go to, but it was a fun listen. I did think they got a little lazy with their vocals into the back half of the album.
not my favorite, but because its pop for everyone of course its catchy
Perfect little vibe for 4am. 4 stars
Good Depeche Mode Album. Don't have much more to say about it
I’ve never heard a Depeche Mode song I didn’t like and this album is no different.
Their Violator album didn't really click for me at all and I didn't care for it, but this album did and made me a fan. This is the 80s I want. It may be the tropes that pisses some people off, but I'm here for the gated reverbs on snares, the rolling synth basslines and melancholic atmospheres.
I like depeche mode. It was good. Not groundbreaking or something I would remember for a long time.
8/10 Favorite Track: “Strangelove” Despite the name, Music for the Masses is not built for everyone. It is cold, dramatic, and emotionally restrained in a way that either pulls you in or pushes you out. What Depeche Mode delivers here is sleek, moody synthpop designed for isolation rather than connection. Tracks like “Strangelove” showcase their ability to combine lust, guilt, and distance into something that still feels melodic and oddly catchy. The album rarely breaks its own spell. Every sound feels deliberate and controlled, from the cavernous drums to the layered synths that stretch into bleak horizons. There are moments that drag, but overall this is one of Depeche Mode’s sharpest statements. It captures the feeling of staring out a train window with nowhere to go but deeper into your own head. It is not comforting, but it is compelling.
Dark, brooding songs driven by synths and guitar. Very good.
Actually really liked this, a very consistent dark moody sound. I remember two of the singles from the ‘80s and rather liked them then. Just misses out on five stars.
Rating: This is a great start because these songs feel very 80's. The production is fantastic and their voices are great. The layering of the production is great.
I fuck with dark broody 80s new wave
To be honest I wasn'T that familiar with DM outside of their hits so I was pleasantly surprised to see how dark and atmospheric this was. Not all the songs are great but the mood is (mostly) constant. Oh and there's that curveball in the end that I enjoyed a lot.
Bangers! Pimpf was a little weird though.
perfect slasher movie soundtrack
It was fine. Very quintessential nuwave synth. Not my favorite Depeche Mode album.
Is this album full of hits? Not necessarily, but the vibes are right. I always knew I’d like Depeche Mode, was happy to finally give them an honest listen.
I love Depeche Mode! And this was a great album! Very chill vibes and good to vibe to!
7.5
Was instantly apprehensive when I saw it was techno as I live in fear of more kraftwerk but instead I thought it was really enjoyable and interesting music. Some songs went a little too weird or a little too repetitive for me but overall shocked by how much I liked the album. Another one that I never would have listened to without the list but am very happy to have heard. Favourite: Nothing (or Sacred) Least: Pimpf
These guys do no wrong.
Fun and interesting album. Little 15 was a stand out song for me. The music is a real vibe.
I like that the production quality of this album is so high. I also appreciate the influence Depeche Mode had on electronic and moodier music. Definitely worth a listen every once in a while. That said, I have to imagine that being in a relationship with Martin Gore (or anyone that identifies with this music for that matter) must be insufferable after the first argument. I suppose bad mental and relational health is a catalyst for creative song writing, but good God, maybe you need to get some professional help for all those repressed feelings man!
I still think these boys rock much harder live than on vinyl but I still enjoy the beautiful memories this brings back.
beetje moody maar wel een coole vibe
Depeche Mode is one of those electronic bands that utilize the surprisingly uncommon method of not using the same synth kit on every song. So many of these bands, especially in the early days of electronic music, have 7 or 8 drum/organ/effect packs that they just use over an over. Depeche Mode has always managed to stay away from that while holding their own style, and this album is a great example. It helps that the two of them have a distinct set of voices that characterize all their music but each Depeche Mode album I've heard has such a wide range of, well, noises, that it never gets boring. There are a few not so great songs on here, "Little 15" drags on and I don't really understand what it's about. "I Want You Now" is a clever use of voice as instruments but it's very weird. In general the second half lags, but it doesn’t take away from the first.
Première écoute d'un album pop du top 1001 ! Je dirais que je proviens du milieu classique de la musique, alors ce style et cet époque m'échappe. J'ai aimé pimpf et never let me down pour la modernité du son. Sinon je trouvais que ca sonnais anglais des années 80 en général.
Je n'ai pas vécu en temps réel l'engouement pour les groupes de synth/dance/rock. Faut quand même leur accorder une douance pour la mélodie catchy. On ne penserait plus de faire des chansons comme Behind the Wheel mais ils l'ont fait dans les années 80 et c'est correct comme ça.
J’allais donner 3 étoiles après la première écoute, mais finalement j’ai appris à plus l’apprécier. Never let me down again: wow, gros hit pour commencer. Suivi de The things you said, un beau contraste plus tranquille tout de suite après. Malheureusement les tounes moins bonnes sont assez décevantes. Parfois je trouve que le son Depeche Mode vieillit très mal, pas exemple sur Strangelove, Little 15 et Behind the wheel… les 3 autres singles de l’album en plus. Autres highlights: To have and to Hold, Nothing, Pleasure little Treasure. Bref, je m’imagine vraiment être un ado dans les années 80 et me reconnaître dans cette musique. 4 étoiles même si tout ne vieillit par parfaitement. (N’en déplaise à Félix: Pimpf semble s’être trompé d’album! Fit pas) Ah oui: j’adore la voix de Dave Gahan, personnellement.
Decent
Have been listening to more Depeche Mode lately, so was happy to see this album come up. While no Violator, a great collection of synth-New Wave songs. Standouts: Behind the Wheel, Strangelove, Never Let Me Down Again
Surprised by how much I enjoyed this one.
This album is a fantastic journey through the electronic soundscape that Depeche Mode does best. With catchy hooks and moody vibes it’s an album that keeps you grooving from start to finish.
In the peak D Mode era
Pretty good imo
Little 15, Behind the wheel, and I want you NOW!!! SO GORG. PLUS THEY GOR MOON LIGHT SONATA ON THE DELUXE
I actually REALLY dug this album. Depeche Mode's brand of new wave music is just SO good, and it's due at least in part to how well they integrate it with other genres. This album, for instance, is laden with synth-pop, industrial, and electropop sounds that work in outstanding harmony with the new wave sound to just elevate the overall album vibes. Don't get me wrong, this album is not "Violator", but it definitely served as a huge stepping stone to getting the band to that point.
It's a great Depeche Mode album. That deserves a 4
J'ai aimé çâ.
Never Let Me Down Again - 5/5 The Things You Said - 4/5 Strangelove - 5/5 Sacred - 4/5 Little 15 - 4/5 Behind The Wheel - 5/5 I Want You Now - 3/5 To Have And To Hold - 3/5 (much too short!) Nothing - 5/5 Pimpf - 3/5 Agent Orange - 3/5 Average score: 4/5 was never much of a Depeche Mode listener prior to this, aside from a couple of their popular tracks (Enjoy the Silence and the like). idk how this group was off my radar for so long but this album's a nice introduction Never Let Me Down Again instantly hooked me in, definitely the best track on here as well. some other tracks that stood out to me were Strangelove, Behind The Wheel, and Nothing. i wasn't crazy about the last 5 songs like i was for the first 6, hence why it's a 4-star rating in my book rather than a 5. however, i wouldn't say there's any "bad" tracks here, and it's a pleasant listen from start to finish
Good stuff
Nydlig album
First things first, "Never Let Me Down Again" is just damn awesome. The rest of the album pales in comparison. I prefer "Violator" over "Music for the Masses". There's still a lot of fun stuff on "MftM". I had a great week on this website. 4 stars for "Music for the Masses".
Mjög þétt og góð plata, tilraunakennd að hluta. Flöt og nær ekki hæðum meistaraverka þeirra kumpána. Sollid fjarki í mínum huga.
Mjög góð plata en vantaði samt eitthvað smá extra til að lyfta henni upp í fimm. Tilraunalögin mjög skemmtileg.
Good solid tunes, great atmosphere throughout, looking forward to listening to more from them
a lot of great tracks on this, was worth the listen, took a lot from it
09/05/2025 Didn't really want to give it a 4, but it's better than most of the 3 star albums i have rated.
I really like the dark and moody production. I think his singing suits the music well too. Overall very good album, pretty much what I'd expect from Depeche Mode. Favorites: Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove, Nothing
Альбом хорош.
Excellent pre-90s archaic beats, with CLASSIC sounds, vocals you either like or you can easily look past.
Not nearly as compelling as Violator, but still a really good time. The deluxe edition tracks really threw me for a loop. A cover of Route 66? Moonlight Sonata?
Kinda sick. Low tone, dark ish, mysterious aura with some very 80s electric shit twisted in there. Captivating, dramatic sound as far as pop goes. I Want You Now is awesome.
Been meaning to listen to more depeche mode since hearing their most popular album ‘violator’ recently. Whilst this isn’t quite as good as that, it has a similar fusion of goth and synthpop.
Kinda enjoyed this Its Morrisey + daft punk
Enjoyable
A Violator sokkalsokkal jobban tetszett tőlük, de egy négyest ez is megérdemel.
I gotta tell you something. I think I love Depeche Mode. I got absolutely lost in this album for an entire day, and while it’s not entirely all bangers, it’s a great trip from top to bottom, and the highlights of this album are some of the catchiest, vibiest (not a real word) songs I’ve ever heard. Those tracks are “Never Let Me Down Again”, “Strangelove”, and “Sacred”. One of my biggest complaints with this album is that the listed 3 songs are SO good, the rest of the album just does not compare. If those songs are a 5/5, the rest of the album is a solid 3/5, sans the last 3 mix songs, which are like a 4.5/5. We’re going to average it out to a very, veeeeeeery high 4, approaching 5 status. I may even change it to a 5 later when I’ve ultimately listened to more albums for this project. More Depeche Mode please!!!!
Religious tropes, shorn of their unifying context, creating a bleak and otherwise unholy dimension; themes of longing, melancholy and tortured sadomasochism; total, spectacular, irredeemable horniness. Clive Barker’s The Hellbound Heart was first published around the time that Depeche Mode would have been in the studio recording “Music for the Masses” – coincidence? Well, yeah. Probably. In the early-mid 80s, it feels like there might have been something in the air. And that something might have had to do with an ongoing moral panic around sex, fuelled by (but far from limited to) the AIDS epidemic. Is it any surprise we get a glut of stuff coming out from the shadows? If it’s the case that the perpetrators go where you go, do what you do, love who you love … then you’d be forgiven for wanting to check-in with your inner monster over your outer Dr Frankenstein. Thankfully, what we have here – and see so much across the cultural artefacts of the time – is far less a return of the repressed than a refusal to ever repress it. Defiance went hard in the 80s, be grateful it did. While I wouldn’t go so far as to suggest that either Barker’s novella or “Music for the Masses” is a direct response to the AIDS epidemic – there’s no denying they’re both wonderful examples of a very specific, time-bound gothic impulse. A double, as it were – split aspects of a tendency that starts with the Marquis De Sade, moves via Crowley, Bataille and becomes … well, I’m not sure to be honest. (We do still do goth here in 2025, but sometime after Buffy it all, as with a lot about culture, feels to have become a lot less horny.) And so my celebration of “Music for the Masses” is also, sort of, a celebration of the libidinal charge of the dark side; the freedom it implies, the diversity of love it allows. Darkwave floor fillers like “Never let me down”, “Nothing” – Killing Joke via Duran Duran – and “Strangelove” – surely the first track on Lady Gaga’s moodboard for The Fame Monster – bop along majestically, unapologetically, fucking huge. “Sacred”, “Pimpf” and “Agent Orange” (a bonus track originally) help embed the atmosphere, rehearsing the theme while elevating the record. “Music for the Masses” is far from a Frankenstein – the record’s creative vision is far too expertly executed for that. But it is, like the eponymous monster, a whole that’s so much greater than the sum of its parts. And, like LeMarchand’s Box in The Hellbound Heart, it’s a record that has a transportive power – to a place that’s dark, sure, but that’s all the more prepossessing for it.
Blasting this at Sunday Mass till they all strange love
I like it. It's oddly gloomy and bright. I think it's the most I've liked synthpop so far.
Один із найкращих їхніх альбомів
Back in my teens, Depeche Mode was my first taste of 80s synth pop and new wave, so this one hits a nostalgic chord. It’s hard to get as hyped after hearing these songs so many times, but this album’s a classic that’s rightfully earned its place in music history. Depeche Mode stepped up their game here, moving from the raw, lighter synth-pop of their earlier stuff to a darker vibe with gothic and industrial undertones. The production’s much slicker and more polished than before, and the whole album feels more mature.
This isn’t their best but it’s their breakout album and holy shit does the first side hit like a bomb. Dance music meant to be played on the loudest possible speakers, with the band reaching for the height of their mix of samples, industrial and straight up synth pop. Still a classic album and worthy of being on this list.
Brooding goth electronica. Hit and miss.
These guys made so much music. Just another album by great musicians.
Music for the Masses is peak '80s in the best way. Synth-heavy, moody, and dramatic without feeling overdone. Depeche Mode really found their groove here—way more compelling than that a-ha album I suffered through last month. Standouts like “Strangelove” and “Never Let Me Down Again” still hold up today. It’s dark, danceable, and deserves the praise. Favorite Song: "Behind The Wheel"
This was a great combination of beats and ambient music. The lyrics seem secondary and don't take away from the music. Both are good for zoning out and listening fully.
Not my favorite Depeche Mode record, but still good to have around.
Legalzinho
I've long been a fan of New Wave music. I don't like much pop music from the 80s but this is one popular genre that's always hit me just right. This is a really good album from a really good band.
Epic, Little 15 is my favorite
Initially I thought to myself, ugh, this is the prototypical sound of the 80’s I hate. But to be fair, I never really gave this sound a through chance. By the third track I found myself appreciating the theatrical feel. While I’d say I’m neutral, at best, on the sound, and lyrically lacking, the story arch of the sound, and the cohesiveness of the album really made this enjoyable for me.
This is so right up my street that it's pretty much outside the front door Excellent album. The piano sounds so good. Great melodies. Easy to listen to. Perfect length. Couple of stone cold classics. Strangelove is so good. Honestly one of the best songs I've heard doing this
Depeche mode is a special band. They managed to build themselves a sound that is unique. Characterized by Dave Gahan's incredible lead vocals, martin gore's specific songwriting and vocal contribution and the dark yet groovy kind of rock and roll electronic production style. It's all in this great record. I absolutely love this period in the bands discography. It's not a 5, because their 10/10 album will be the next one, but it is indeed a super quality record, of an experienced group with a signature sound and tons of cool and personality.
This album continued the maturing of Depeche Mode’s writing toward darker themes and a maturing of their synth driven sounds compared to Speak and Spell. Good record.
Wonderful album, totally matched the angsty teenage energy of my day.
Quite the moody album. The way the lead singer sings just feels like a sad teenager moping in their room, and I’m not seeing this is a bad thing. They capture a vibe. The music is good and I could see myself listening to many of these songs. Not necessarily profound or anything though
This is honestly quite good. I enjoy this a lot. I can’t quite touch on why but it’s vibes just feel right. It’s dark and it’s angsty and it’s contentious and I think I like that. The beginning of the album was certainly the highlight but it honestly didn’t fall off too much for me. The instrumental outro was great.
4/9/2025: Original version of Never Let Me Down Again.
one of the top reviews is complaining about 80s synth music and i want to ask that guy why he has problems with things that rock
Obscure
Depeche Mode continues to hit the right synthpop notes for me. Music for the Masses is front-loaded with strong, melodic tracks—“Strangelove,” “Sacred,” and “Behind the Wheel” all stood out. Side A is nearly flawless for my taste. Side B loses me here and there, but I still appreciate the atmosphere and mood it carries throughout. “Pimpf” was an intriguing closer. Overall, a light 4 and another win in my growing Depeche Mode rotation.
Honestly when it got to the last song and it sounded like I was on a treacherous voyage with Leif Erickson, then it turned into a sad circus at a rundown dive bar, I was sold. I love silly music and wish I was clubbing to this music in the 80s
Got better as it went along, or maybe I just started to get into it more after a while.
I love their sound. And although, all the songs were unfamiliar to me, I still liked this album.
Si perde un po’ verso la metà ed è inferiore a Violator, ma comunque grande album e viva gli anni ‘80
Amazing
I've been meaning to listen to more Depeche Mode since they were unexpectedly one of my highlights at a festival a couple of years ago - it made me realise how many of their singles I like. Over a whole album it gets a little same-y, but I did enjoy it.
Much of the record is so much more epic than it has any right to be. Dark, chunky, and cinematic. This is great anti-hero music. “I Want You Now” makes for a thoroughly uncomfortable listening experience. Standout tracks are “Don’t Let Me Down Again” and “Nothing”. The latter is truly amazing.
Depeche Mode feels undeniable. These guys fuck.