Reviews (page 5 of 14)
Some songs were decent, others sounded a bit too gothic and moody for me…
Really cool vibes
Parts of it were sort of fun and I'd try more by them, but overall a bit meh
Idk, all the songs kind of sound the same, except when they are super different. Some of it reminds me of like the band from Music and Lyrics/80s synth pop, one of the songs kinda sounds like Don’t you Forget About Me. Those are kinda fun, though a little less dancey than those. But then other songs have weird breathing and are just kinda boring. I’d listen to some parts again
Honestly not a fan of this album, first couple of songs weren't bad and reminded me of an album I used to love called Buy Now by Eyeliner, but it slowly devolved into what I would consider a soundtrack for a Seinfeld themed murder mystery. Not really something I'd listen to again
Brooding sort of album that was a fine listen but not amazing
the album felt very dated to me, and as a result I couldn’t really get into it. the only song that i enjoyed was Never Let Me Down Again.
Love "Never let me down again", the rest is a bit dull. Good for a movie tho.
Hauntingly, depressingly boring. A couple of tracks that, on their own, would be decent enough. However, an album full of miserable songs doesn't do it for me.
this album falls off a cliff after the first half, which i was like "ooooh this is some good 80's synth stuff" and then it just gets into that ambient experimental stuff and like sure that's cool for some people but that's not the vibe i wanted esp from the first half.
The dark and moody sound of this album is just not to my taste. While it has character being like this, it just doesn't really go anywhere to make it stand out. The electronic songs don't do anything original, resulting in a bland feeling.
The first song was pretty good, but as a whole the album is quite far from my taste.
I am here once again to say that I was wrong. This one is so good. It’s weird, it’s sinister, and creepy. The Black Album wishes.
Café de Cork fazendo música. Essa banda tem uma vibe muito única, acho massa isso. Nunca vi nada parecido. Gostei muito do começo da Strangelove, me lembra uns beat em ups antigos, tipo double dragou e battletoads. Pimpf parece Castlevania. Álbum bem legalzinho, único, foi gostosinho ouvir, mas nada que me deixou impressionado.
This album sounds like a lost childhood and broken promises. painfully beautiful, I regret seeing this band as shallow before.
I feel bad for not getting this, but i don't get it
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.
This album has some great bangers but it feels like the middle falls apart and drags the corpse of songs along to a boring conclusion. Too long, too similar.
not very memorable but okay
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
Agent Orange is a good track. No singing
Very cool 80s vibes. Liked Never let me down again
- 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
So I love Depeche Mode, but not this album so much. Never Let Me Down and Strange Love are great....after that I got bored really fast.
Kinda interesting but not interesting enough
Interesting. Another band outside my sweet spot, but I enjoyed it.
Solid album. Good for feeling moody and brooding.
I've always found Depeche Mode to be just OK, even though I like a few of their contemporaries. I think I prefer my New Wave to be more punk / post punk influenced.
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
Another huge 80's essential album. This one made them stars in the US as well - it followed the successful 'Some Great Reward' album that introduced them to a wider US audience because of the popular single "People Are People". "Never Let Me Down Again" (130M listens) is a quintessential late 80's track. Add in "Behind The Wheel" (53M, popular but kind boring) and "Strangelove" (40M) plus fan favs like the moody "The Things You Said" (20M) & "Nothing" (11M) and you have a solid album. No song has fewer than 2.8M listens, meaning it's still popular and getting streamed by fans. It holds up well, sound-wise, their production work is really good, but they're a bit theatrical at times for me ("I Want You Now") and the lyrics aren't always in my wheelhouse ("Little 15"). Great music for driving at night, moody and rhythmic. "Pimpf" wasn't a necessary track, it definitely could have been left on the cutting room floor. They still tour and sell out large stadiums, but their mark on the 80's and 90's is indisputable. You can hear them any day of the week on 80/90's, alternative, and pop radio. Longevity, hits, impact- this album checks all those boxes. 3.5 stars.
This is how 80s synth should be done. Great atmospheric album. 4/5
A classic artist in my household, but have never super dove into one album. This was fun!
Está bueno
Gothic and dramatic - but oddly less compelling than I would have imagined
A couple good songs but majority wasn’t for me.
6/10 - signature Depeche mode sound
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.
It was good but never been a depeche mode fan
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
Sexy as hell
I really love their sound and the 80s pop synth vibe. Big fan of some of their other music. This album didn’t exactly stand out to me with any specific tracks, but started strong! Top Songs: Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove
Top 5 songs: never let me down again; behind the wheel; strangelove; nothing; the things you said.
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.
Rather extra with too much grandiosity. Extraneous orchestral involvement and flourishes that tarnish the otherwise simple and enjoyable electronic music I typically enjoy from Depeche Mode. I honestly think my opinion of this band was better before having heard this album and don't feel that I needed to hear it at all.
Very good. ★★★★
Joyon solo no estoy en el mood
Modo Despecho tienen un estilo muy marcado, no es difícil identificar cuando algo es de ellos, respeto eso Es música de tensión Vibra industrial
Really hated this one! Zero hits on this record? It’s giving Depeche Mode cover band.
Had me moving through much of the album, but nothing really gripped me.
This album feels extremely 1980s. Even though I didn’t hear it in real time, it still gave me a strange sense of nostalgia. That said, I found the second half starting to drag a bit.
I don't think it's Depeche Mode best album but it's still a new wave staple. there's some classic Depeche Mode sounding songs like the things you said and some more unique songs in my opinion like I want you now. The vocals were consistent and so dark, I enjoyed it, and the instrumentals were all so imteresting and dreamy, especially behind the wheel with the long intro.
It was a synth nightmare carnival in a bad way.
couple of good ones and the rest were kinda meh,.,,
Very nice background music but nothing really grabbed me.
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
3/5
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
It sounds pretty dark but cinematic, almost like something you'd hear in dystopian cyberpunk sci-fi movies and stuff. Not really my cup of tea, but it was good overall.
Baya iyiydi bu
Woah...first track and I was convinced. "Never let me down" is honestly one of the best songs I've heard this year. This album was quite an interesting listen because this genre isn't what I'd usually go for but I liked most of the album tbh. Fav tracks: 1. Never Let Me Down 2. Strange love 3. Nothing 7/10
Meh. Depeche mode is overrated.
not really my thing but good
I wanted to give it 4 stars from the jump. It was cool, it was dark, a little emo, sounded like something Kojima would throw onto a Metal Gear Solid OST. But about halfway or 3/4 of the way I felt myself getting tired of the sound. Every song started kind of just feeling the same. I went from having fun to just waiting for the album to end. 3 stars from me.
Better than I expected, more adventurous than the singles indicate: Pimpf!
Excellent record front to back
Dark
It's definitely from the 80s with that distinctive 80s sound. It's epic in its own way though and embraces itself. I enjoy it for just going for what it is.
I think this is a solid example of the principal "eighties" sound. That being said, this is probably not something I'd revisit again, mostly just because I find other records to fill the same niche for me in a better way than this one does. The opening track, "Never Let Me Down Again" is by my favorite and it had me excited for the remainder of the record, but I felt sort of let down as it went on. Is this a bad album? Absolutely not, but I struggle to understand what makes this record better than some of the work by other bands around the same time (Tears for Fears comes to mind, ironic because this album had the same producer as "Songs From the Big Chair"). Anyway, this was fine, not something I'd seek out, but not a bad time by any means.
se me ha pasado volando así que diría que está bien pero no sé si lo revisitaré pronto
Vibes: 5/5 Instruments: 5/5 Production: 5/5 Emotional Value: 4/5 Storytelling: 5/5 AC: +0 Stand Outs: Sacred, Pimpf Overall Rating: 4.8
Memories.
7/10 will definitely come back to
While this album may have put Depeche mode on the map it just doesn't hit home for me
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
Synth pop Never let me down again Strangelove Little 15
I LOVE Never Let Me Down Again, and it's a part of what I love about Depeche Mode. I think they have such a cool and unique melancholy synth pop sound, but also kind of chamber rock. The rest of the album lacks hits, but it's not bad at all. I'm probably rating this album lower than I want to. But that's in spite of how much I love the artist and first song.
Kinda up and down but quintessentially Depeche Mode. My 7 year old ran into the room and asked what it was and said that he loved it and danced to the first 4 songs
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.
Tough one to listen too
Eh, I like the Depeche Mode I had recently but this was definitly a step down for me. 4/10
This reminds need of nine inch nails
Pfff.... I mean, never listened to a DM album now I know why, so so so cliché about the eightees, and still this one is a late one so maybe it's even more cliché and poor. I can agréé than the music may bé interested but the voice and way of singing it's a no go for me. Same year, same kind of band, The Cure, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, way better and diverse
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.
Atmospheric and perhaps a little dark for some tastes.
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
Ble lei etter 2 sanger
funky
Really strong first half, production and instrumental wasn’t anything I heard from new wave before
sin mas
No me encantó. Siento que cuando lo escuché no estaba en new wave mood pero todo me sonó demasiado igual.
THIS IS SOME WEIRDY SHIT. I LIIKE IT.
The singer lowkey sounds like Bo Burnham; too many synths and electronic elements for my taste
If only the masses were that tasteful!
Classic. Always love Depeche Mode. Reminds me of the Coffin Club.
Postoji hostel u sevojnu koji se zove little 15
I'll probably like the other Depeche Mode album more than I liked this one. I enjoyed it well enough, it was pleasant to listen to, but nothing really stood out that much.
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
I was definitely disappointed about this album. I’m not the biggest Depeche Mode fan, but I’m very familiar with a bunch of their hits, and I’ve always really liked a lot of those tracks. This album even had a few of those and a few other songs I liked but as a whole I just sorta got my hopes up. I thought there would’ve been more hidden gems on the album or at the very least I was expecting a lot more variety than this album offered. It did have creative instrumentation but just not enough to over look how many of these songs were completely forgettable.
Cool, Depeche Mode. I'm pretty sure I've never listened to these guys before, though I'm familiar with their name. This could either be synthpop or new wave, but given the album name I'm inclined to side with new wave. Synthpop and new wave, huh? These guys are too greedy. I guess I could do with something a little ghastly and morose. With the exception of One World, the records I've been rolling lately have been sucking the foulest of dicks. Anyways, there's a respectable level of variety and ambition on this album, though I must admit that I wasn't really feeling it. The production is pretty dated, which leaves the unusual electronic effects sounding much stiffer than I would have liked. Can't say I'm a fond of those vocals, either. They're pretty drab and uninteresting. "Never Let Me Down" is a cool and a solid opener. I like the heavy sound and gothic vocals. "Strangelove" is alright. The funky electronic sound is pretty indicative of where popular music would go in the 90s. "Little 15" has an interesting, malignant atmosphere. The string-sounding electronic bits are quite unique, and they go well with the vocal style. The heavier aspects of the song are, of course, the highlight. Book time. A pivot from the band's established sound. Influential within the gothic and dance scenes. That's it, really. Wikipedia reveals that this album kicked off their success in the States, charted well in both the album and singles department and was well-received by critics. This seems to be their pivotal album rather their best, but I'm favourable to the pick. I get the impression that two Depeche Mode albums may a little too conservative for this list. I cosign the inclusion.
- 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.
La verdad que disfuto de 3 canciones contadas de este grupo, no es para mi
нормалек, но ремиксы больше понравились...
The Good: We get something for all! The Bad: Sometimes the masses don’t know what they want… The Ugly: Hearing this at mass… 540 albums into the journey and I am starting to become very uninspired when it comes to The Good, The Bad and The Ugly… but, like Depeche Mode, I refuse to give up! First time I heard the band was 83, I think… could’ve been 84, with the People Are People song. Checked the Wiki, it was 84. I did not like that song enough to buy the album, which seemed to be what one would do back in those days… It wasn’t till the ‘90s that I really started listening more intently to DM, though still not intently enough to purchase an album… which brings us into the now, where we have spotify, or YouTube, or any other service, where we can listen at hardly a cost to music… Did I like the album… well, yes, but oddly enough, today is the 15th, and I can’t recall a single song that I listened to… which means that I am not going to give it a 4* which would probably be fairer… 3*
A new style of early electric that I’ve never heard, very cool
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
It’s not terrible but it’s not great either. IMO it’s just okay. Maybe I just don’t really like British synth pop
Interesting and weird and very cool
Great band, just not my jam.
Wasn't a fan in the 80s, still not a fan.
9/10 right before their best album, this has a lot of great tracks. If I could inject the synth into my veins... 12-08-2025
This was an interesting listening but not my vibe at all.
Now we're vibing
3.4 Always dismissed Depeche Mode has a generic 80s band but there was some pretty good stuff in here. The first 4 tracks were some good solid 80s shit, then it went a bit off the rails with the terrible little 15 and behind the wheel. The next two though, wow, seemed to set the tone for a bit of industrial unless I've mistaken my timeline. Pretty Hate Machine is just a heavier Depeche Mode it turns out. Last few after that were skippable, but overall positive thoughts about this album.
Pretty, pretty, pretty good!
Really good! Would listen again! Nostalgic new wave.
Kinda boring but liked the last song, know i know a little more abojt 80s style shit u know
101 masses ready.
uhhhh idk
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!
This was my intro to Depeche Mode. Not too shabby, but also not something I’d go out of my way to listen to. Also the breathing bit at the end of I want you now was had me like huhhh ?????? Very weird.
Du très bon Dépêche Mode!
Muss ich nicht haben. Ist mit zu simpel
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.
An interesting album. Definitely a product of its time. And actually very timely because its giving Stranger Things
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!
Depeche Mode is band I always forget how much I like until I hear them again. These songs have a tendency to run together, but I like that in some albums. Feels a little like listening to one song with several different movements.
Slow goth. Not interesting.
Another step in the right direction for Depeche Mode, but this time they come swinging out the gates with a hell of an opener, "Never Let Me Down Again." I really wish this album held the same energy as that one song because it truly is phenomenal and I'm glad to see it getting the attention it deserves. The rest of this album feels very much in the shadows of the opener but decides to play it a lot more cool, I don't think this album is amazing but it's pretty close to reaching it.
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.
Depeche Mode is one those bands that I enjoy the hits of but never felt the need to seek out an album from. Listening to Music for the Masses hasn't made me rethink this approach. This seems to hail from their High Goth period and I don't think that's my favourite Depeche Mode era; I much prefer the early synthpop days and even the later druggy rock material. This kind of feels halfway but missing the good bits of either. It's at the same time quite tinny and lumpen and dreary. By the way, even if you are not into this kind of stuff I highly recommend Jeremy Dellers' artpiece/documentary Our Hobby is Depeche Mode. It's on Youtube.
Not what I'm used to hearing from them, the classical music parts were rather lovely
Nomen est omen. Not their best work but nonetheless very good.
5/5 Genial, envolvente, trasporta al futuro.
I like Depeche mode, but when one of their single comes on while I’m listening to a playlist on shuffle. An hour long album like this just eventually started grating on me. I eventually was crying out for it to just be over lol. 3.25 / 5
I guess because of my upbringing, I can't really rate this any lower than a 3. I did like some of it.
Classic dad album
Good stuff. 4/5 Highlights: The Things You Said Strangelove Pimpf
I just can't over how that all this sounds nearly same, it's the synths man. I don't think synths are bad, but when its put together with stereotypical 80s production and especially that monotonous drum sound, it really does sap my energy! "Pimpf" is pretty cool and unique, nice album closer with its orchestral-like elements. Highlight Song/s: Sacred and Little 15
Not a fan but it is pretty good
is depeche mode one of the best new wave bands? almost certainly true. does that mean all that much to me? nope
This album was good as far as Depeche Mode albums goes, but it doesn't hold up to other albums in the genre in my opinion.
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.
Best: "Behind the Wheel" Worst: "I Want You Now"
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.
I can respect the sound and how it paved the way for many artists to come, but it was kind of a drag.
I tried. I really did.
*1987. *Opens with Never Let Me Down Again, which I love. *Strangelove is the only other song I know on this album. *Standard Depeche Mode - which I dig - with some odd, not great tracks at the end. RATING 7/10
This is likely going to end up in regular rotation. Catchy and accessible synth pop with a darker edge. I hadn’t heard this album before today, but this might be my favourite thing I’ve come across on here so far.
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
Classic album of the 80s. Depeche Mode´s best album of the 80s, just one step behind to their masterpiece Violator (1990).
One of my faves, so pleased to see younger generations re-discovering Depeche Mode. Never Let Me Down is a classic song
A couple of good tracks, but not enough there to pull me in or convince me that I should be or have been a Depeche Mode fan.
Good. Calming. Bland. 3/5
1980s thriller/horror soundtrack fodder. It’s activates my fight or flight responses. I feel like I did something wrong. But it’s clean, unique and well-produced. Not bad!
Absolutely love this stuff, some stuff reminds me of alphaville and some is wayyy more doom-y and still great, love this album!
Fun but nothing that stuck with me
061022 21:08 4.5
Not my kinda music.
A lot of these songs sound like they could be in Donkey Kong Country and I absolutely mean that as a compliment.
I have never understood the appeal of Depeche Mode, and this album didn’t help any. C’mon, Little 15? Woof
Some dark lyrics here but like the quite hypnotic beats
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!
Good album with very modern sound. None of the songs I knew of DM (and really like) is on the album, but the sound really grew on me while listening.
Knew of Depeche mode but couldn’t name a song. I mean it’s not really for me to be honest but I don’t think it deserves a 2, unique and has a good sound if a little depressing.
They were grand, that is all
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.
Never really got into Depeche Mode, I felt their music was all very same-y and I'm not a huge fan of the lead singer's voice.
Perfect album!!!
Meh
Why are 80s synth pop vocals always so monotone and sung through a megaphone. Even though I get why Depeche Mode is influential and I respect what they did, the whole synth pop thing just never clicks for me. The vocals always feel too tacky. "Never Let Me Down" works for me, but the moment it moves into something like "The Things You Said" I lose all interest. "Strangelove" hits the right spot with that groovy bassline before it shifts into the more synth heavy sound. "Sacred" starts strong and then turns into the same familiar synth pop texture that I just cannot fully get into. They are good songs and the craft is obvious, but nothing really sticks for me. When a genre is mastered this well, the songs can end up feeling too similar. "I Want You Now".... stop moaning in my ear, thanks! You know those very specific sounds that make your whole body cringe; The knife scraping a brick sound in "To Have To Hold" is that exact sound for me. Still, the album is great. They knew exactly what they were doing, and even with my bias against synth pop I cannot go lower than an 8/10.
There were times that I thought I was listening to Tears for Fears. Unfortunately just not as good though. But it wasn't too bad either.
Not normally a fan of this genre of music - but strangely I liked this. Still a little boring to me though.
Spread your good songs around an album. What's the point of leading off with your best tune, then getting worse and worse with each track? Especailly when you're already have a craptastic sounding outfit like DM. Not a fan. OK intro tune, rest is a drag. Mid at best.
Probably one of the coolest depeche mode albums if not the coolest and it will make you cooler for enjoying it
This is really good. The production is superb, everything sounds clear and big
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
Not a fan
Very good album from a terrific band.
Literally OBSESSED with DM.
Absolutely loved this. It's more understated and less... flamboyant? than Violator, but equally good, I really love both.
It starts incredibly strongly, but then it, well, fizzles out by the end. This is one of the albums I definitely need to listen to later, because I feel that one day was not enough to appreciate it.
I actually can't stand Depeche Mode. While I appreciate that having a unique sound makes you stand out from other bands, sometimes you have such an affected and distinctive sound that everything just sounds the same. This is that.
I like a few Depech Mode songs quite a lot so I was excited for this. MEH! Whole album sounded so similar that it started over and I didn't notice that 3 songs had fully replayed.
It was okay
Hey. Pretty good. I quite like this stuff.
This is an awesome album. Great songs and the overall vibe is weirdly foreboding. Depeche Mode at their best.
For when I'm feeling goth industrial synthy.
First synth-poppy album I’ve actually enjoyed
Ok
Not a huge fan of the genre but I can understand the appeal.
Not really for me. A couple songs were good, but got bored as the album progressed.
Really impressive production quality. I can sense how albums like this influenced Muse and others.
Nothing special hear but didn’t hate it.
I've never listened to Depeche Mode before... It was just okay. They've done a great job of claiming a particular vibe and sound - broody synth music - and they do it well. It's not up my alley, but I respect that it's someone's thing. It was perfectly fine as far as I'm concerned, but a little hard to get through.
The only band I’ve ever known who genuinely makes music for the masses is Houmous & Chutney. 2.0 6/11 Behind The Wheel
Now THAT'S how you use synthesizers in the 80s (glares at Knopfler, again). Gore explained his early objectives for Depeche Mode, saying, "My dream was to combine the emotion of Neil Young or John Lennon transmitted by Kraftwerk's synthesizers. Soul music played by electronic instruments." Their next album would be a five star classic.
Not really my favorite music, but I remember how DM gave 80s music a dark edge that would influence the rise of grunge and then Nine inch Nails.
Not bad.
Excellent
Very good album. Last few songs make you feel like you're in another universe
80’s Electronic pop with a sad soul.
adja, would go hard on vinyl
igazan jo volt, nem tudtam, hogy szeretem a mufajt es azt sem, hogy ez ennyire regi
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.
The remixes at the album end were more interesting than the main body.
80s, 80s, 80s.... Jesus Christ, the amount of synth.
What I would expect from 80s music
Little that was notable to me.
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"
Nothing is the best song on this album and it's not close, but the rest of them are fantastic. 4.5
More introspective and moody than they were earlier in the 80s. And as a result, a lot less fun. Fewer highs to punctuate the lows.
Pretty good, not a personal favorite though
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
I'm not much of an 80's music fan but this was pretty enjoyable.
Music for insomniacs
If you take out the singles, this is what I imagine they'd play in a dystopian sci-fi sweatshop to set the mood and keep the worker bees in line
This album had a couple of bangers, but I don’t think overall this is their best.
More melancholic than what I’m familiar with, so overall not my favorite.
kinda of sad pop, sleepy
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.
Eigentlich eine 2.5, aber leichte Tendenz zur 3. An einigen Stellen einfach bisschen drüber, wirkt nach zu viel gewollt.
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
Nach den ersten Tönen ist man gedanklich wieder direkt in den 80ern. Tolle Musik, ohne Frage, und auch innovativ im damaligen Zeitkontext. Das ganze Album am Stück ist für mich aber anstrengend, dafür wird es dann doch schnell zu erwartbar (bis auf wenige Ausnahmen zum Ende hin).
Stärker Anfang, aber gegen Ende nimmt es etwas ab
First 3 songs
4/10
This album is a mixed bag, different genres (alternative Rock, Synth-Pop, New Wave, Electropop), which sometimes were enjoyable and at times let me wish the album would end sooner rather than later.
Not horrible to the ears, but could have just listened to the same song 12 times.
A whole bunch of meh 80s music
It was fine, a couple of hits in there. overall good, but nothing too standout.
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!
Thought I would enjoy this more than I did. Started off pretty good but quickly got dull. Trying to be too grand and synthy for its own good.
I <3 depeche mode
Straight villain music Favorite Track: Nothing
Deliciously entrancing.
By the summer of 1988 I was taking acid once or twice a week and this album is woven into the fabric of that time period.
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
Very enjoyable.
"I'm not trying to tell you anything You didn't know when you woke up today" Familiar songs and melodies on droning beats.
A classic full of classics.
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.
3 out of 5. Another enjoyable album today and a first time listen, but not for this band as a whole. Now I know where some of their singles come from.
Loved it, not as much as I like Violator, but it's another good showing from Depeche Mode.
𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 finds Depeche Mode refining their dark, synth-driven sound into something grander and more cinematic. The production is immaculate — icy electronics and heavy atmosphere dominate — but at times it feels a bit too polished, losing some of the raw charm of their earlier records. Tracks like 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘔𝘦 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 and 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 still shine, yet the album as a whole can feel distant and calculated. A solid listen, but not quite as emotionally gripping as it wants to be.
Probably would have been five, but this album didn’t quite reach out and touch me.
Nice 80s sounds but a little dark sonically
Echt nett. Ein paar richtig gute Songs drauf.
I don't like Depeche Mode
This is the kind of 80s music I like.
Too moody and somber to be fun Boring pop 2/5
Pretty solid, moody.
Enjoyed the 1st half of album more than 2nd half but still very good
Started strong then ended up just kind of sounding spooky like the depeche mode I imagine. Pretty average.
Simply amazing
Loved Pimpf sounding like some video game boss song like in Dark Souls or Elden Ring. Strangelove was amazing.
I like Depeche Mode and this was another one of thier albums. 3.5/5
Kinda forgettable
Started off strong then was mid after that.
Struggled to get through this, very dull.
This started off great but then i found it just kept going (and its not even that long). So my heart says 3* as I dont think I'll listen again.
Meh, Depeche Mode. I could take 'em or leave 'em. They are skilled at writing earworms that won't leave you alone, I'll give them 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.
3/5 - My ceiling for Depeche Mode is about a 3, so there it is. This band never surprises me, and I find them to be the most over-serious, joyless act of the 80s, but I still understand why people like their music. The production is good, and they know how to create the mood with the synths, but I find their songs something to endure rather than enjoy.
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.
Hmmmm it’s okay. I know never let me down again via a smashing pumpkins cover.
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
It is not the best DM, but it is still DM.
gfallt mer aber denka isch sicher ned ds stärksta album vo ihna
3.5/5 ou 4/5 4/5
Não é muito minha vibe não. Muito eletrônica "arrastada" pra mim
Unexceptional New Romantic Synth garbage
Dark 80s pinnacle record.
Its ok like it but nothing mind blowing
I don't have a lot to say. It was alright.
Really like the dramatics of this album.
Beautiful album
Depeche Mode are a band I like for their hits, particularly Enjoy The Silence and Personal Jesus, so I was interested to dive in here. The production is very 80s, lots of synths and feels rather cavernous, which is what I like about this album. However, this may be a controversial artist for me because my enjoyment of this album increasingly deteriorated the longer I listened. *I Want You Now* really made me want to skip it but I’m sticking to my quest of listening to each album in full. It’s easy to see how this fits in, I could the influence on NIN, particularly Pretty Hate Machine, but this seems to lack the hooks and perhaps it was all a bit too downbeat and lacking the heavy riffs that makes PHM more interesting.