Music for the Masses

I love this album. In spite of the instrumentals that were thrown in to fill time(?). And, while I like Moonlight Sonata (and played it for my first piano recital), I’m not sure why it’s on here. Is it Music for the Masses as in all of the people or is it Music for the Masses as in church? Some of the music on this album seems like it could play played in a church that turns into a nightclub after services are over.

Oye, este disco me gustó mucho. Usualmente escucho DM y me concentro en los grandes éxitos, de los cuales hay algunos aquí, y en el Ultra, que es más mi contemporáneo. Sin embargo, gracias a este proyecto y la voluntad de ir buceando por diferentes épocas, he podido ir descubriendo facetas desconocidas de artistas conocidos. Es así como Music for the Masses es uno de los buenos discos que he escuchado acá. Si bien no es el DM que más me acomoda, es un buen DM.

Depeche Mode definitely belongs on the list. Two albums made it, Violator and this one. This album is good, but I would have included an older album instead. This is a transitional album from the mechanical 80s mode to the more organic 90s mode. It makes more sense to include one of each or the transition. Favorite song: Behind the wheel

I used to feel pretty positive on new wave, in theory; by now, though, the generator's served me up so much mediocrity from this era and made abundantly clear how many of these acts were one-hit wonders. This one was kind of a breath of fresh air, like with Depeche Mode I actually *get* what makes them appeal beyond "Enjoy the Silence"

Really enjoyed this, can tell they were navigating from pop to more experimental territory and it show. Feels like it points in the direction electronic music was set to travel.

Something about this just worked for me. It was the blend of synth, new wave, experimental music, but also very catchy. I loved the experimental vocal stuff. Yeah I overall was super impressed, it filled in the gaps for me! 4/5

Un album ambitieux sans être tapée à l’œil. J’y ai trouvé une certaine maturité et j’ai beaucoup aimé mon écoute

There were some good tracks on here. Would give the album and the band another listen

Ну блё кайф Конечно же Лил 15 дурацкая пестня И вообще иногда мелодии отказывали Еще прикольно что мартин вступил в свою фазу гомоэротических фантазий в текстах, напичкал их междометиями «герл» и чтобы окончательно замести следы, вдохновил всю банду переодеться в бдсм, чтобы тексты типа «дарлинг выеби меня я вся ваша» хоть как-то встраивались в гетеро-контекст

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kinda cool

The album where it all became a bit more experimental, after Black Celebration already made it a bit darker. Not as amazing as the follow-up Violator, but with songs like Behind The Wheel, this is an amazing album and one I like to listen to every now and then.

SATAN vilken start på albumet! "Never Let Me Down Again" får mig att vilja ha varit född 30 år tidigare så jag hade fått uppleva synt-eran i sin sanna form som ung vuxen. Denna känsla av att vara född för sent är inget som försvinner vid låtens slut heller, utan inser att ljudbilden som presenteras rakt igenom hela skivan är något som jag verkligen tilltalas av. Redan vid den tredje låten kommer det en låt som jag känner till, detta trots att jag befinner mig på otroligt grunda vatten när det kommer till kunskaper om Depeche, i formen av låten "Strangelove" . Rätt fin är den! Hela soundet är ju genomgående ganska mörkt, mystiskt och dystert vilket, baserat på min smala kunskap om genren, känns som det alltid är fallet. Vemodet är enligt mig som störst i låten "Little 15" och det skriver jag utan att ha lyssnat på texten, det var helt enkelt bara en känsla som kom med takten och de olika ljuden i den. Helhetsintrycket av albumet är mycket bra, jag känner mig förvånansvärt nöjd. Det kanske gömmer sig en liten syntare i mig? Jag vill minnas att pappa har berättat någon gång att han under 80-talet gick igång rätt hårt på mycket av det som de stora syntgrupperna spottade ur sig. Så även denna gång, som så många andra gånger, talar mina gener sitt tydliga språk. Bäst: "Never Let Me Down Again"

Ah Depeche Mode.... quintessential synth-pop of the 80's. Stoked to see this one come up today and discovered a few deeper cuts I didn't know before 4/5

Pretty good. What the 80s should sound like

not violator

Like it a lot

Good album. Not one of their best but still a decent listen

Probably in the band's top 3 albums. One of those "turning point" records that changed the band's direction, so I see why this one was included in the book. Not as good as Violator, but maybe as good as Speak & Spell?

no lo terminé de escuchar pero no me quiero arrepentir de darle algo más bajo cuando lo termine

More quality stuff from Depeche Mode. Quite a bit more varied and different from Violator which I loved, but still pretty cool! Looking forward to coming back to it. 7/10

Liked this more than I expected too. One of the songs ends with 15 seconds of ASMR breathing which made me deeply uncomfortable.

I know I've heard this album before, but I don't remember having a strong reaction to it. I gotta say, this is pretty great. It scratches a certain late 80s itch for me. It's music from the era that I haven't already worn out. These aren't all winners, necessarily, but this is strong enough to punch through from the background several times. Also love that album art.

First time I've really enjoyed listening to Depeche Mode. They're grown on me.

I'm only familiar with Depeche Mode's "radio hits" but this is awesome! Reminds me of a lot of music that is doubling back to 80s sounds right now. Really, really good!

The album that finally broke Depeche Mode in the US. Hints of the gorgeous darkness that would define Violator and beyond.

Pleasantly surprised by this one! Really enjoyed it. Stays in the library

I guess I never realized that Depeche Mode was so gothy. Sure, it's still blippy-bloopy 80s synthpop. But it had a legit dark edge to it that I didn't hate. Overall, a much better experience than I expected. I guess I was in the mood for some doomcookies.

4.5. Excellent album! Great vocals and futuristic sounding music. Standouts: Never Let Me Down Again, The Things You Said, Strangelove, Behind the Wheel, I Want You Now, To Have and to Hold, Agent Orange.

Surprisingly good. My sister always loved this band whilst I have consistently ignored them! Will listen more.

👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

Love me some dark synth

Big time Holiday Club vibes Love that they just tossed Moonlight Sonata on there Route 66 is a banger of a cover Throbbing Gristle walked so these guys could jog moderately faster Sounds like someone tried to conduct the machines in a factory

I need to listen to more DM. I thought Violator was their greatest (I think I gave it a 4) but this is as good. The tracks merge into each other and it feels good. There is a sense of Joy Division type dread and the synth tones echo in your bones. Dark moody and damn good. Another 4.

Dit was nog wel fijn ... Niet extreem wereldschokkend of vernieuwend maar mss wel om ooit eens op ieiw te luisteren

I liked this one. Less experimental than Violator

solid album!

Fun darksynth album with lots of banger tracks

A longtime favorite and an all around great album. This is quite close to 5 stars, but is diminished a bit in comparison to the albums that bookend it: Black Celebration and Violator, either of which would get the full 5.

I like this dark 80s synth-pop. Black Celebration felt like a slight departure and this develops the sound. Violator fully embraced the goth-synth Depeche Mode that took them through 90s stardom. Just the correct side of “industrial” noise.

YuppaaA. 8/10

Moody, dark, yet somehow still very catchy and weirdly sexy (just me?). I don't think this is their apex, I think they hit that with "Violator", but this is still just a solid record. Love the use of sampling throughout, as well as the atmosphere. Favorite tracks: "Never Let Me Down Again", "To Have and To Hold", "Behind the Wheel"

This was never my fave DM album b BUT it’s got some real gems on it.

EXCELENTR

Love love love the techno synths and mysterious voices

Personal Jesus is a classic. I enjoyed quite a few of the other ones too. Definitely going to listen to more of their stuff now.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I remembered doing.

Just as a feces’ mists humors most, this album is strangely pleasant, dark & mysterious

80s pop, fairly good but some songs not

Love that this album is simultaneously so dark sounding but also so energetic. Some of the instrumental tracks drag on a little but overall the album is mostly bangers.

I have to be honest that Depeche Mode's transition from club band to arena (and stadium) band was something I didn't see coming. This was the release that did it for them. Maybe it was the look back to their first release and incorporating poppy and catchy elements into their moody songs. It worked then and works for me now.

'Never Let Me Down Again' is the best Depeche Mode track ever released, and I am willing to die on this hill. In general, this is peak Depeche Mode - great with a little (a lot!) S&M action on 'Strangelove'. I don't understand closing an album with a small hidden instrumental piece at the end of another instrumental piece.

Music For the Masses is ironically the record where Depeche Mode really embraced the darkness and minimalistic approach... And in this gloomy realm the band truly seems to shine. Gahans vocal is haunting and the compositions are, for the most parts, incredibly subtle yet powerful. Pimpf is not an ending though. Feels like the introduction to an epic album but somehow only leads over in a hidden interlude. Just plain ridiculous. Best: Strangelove / Little 15

Really good album - worth listening to more often.

This is a great album! I grew up on 80's New Wave especially Depeche Mode. I can't say that much about this album other than I love it and have so many good memories of these songs.

unforgettable, near perfect album all across the board—the first time i’ve relistened to this since the passing of fletch. i miss you, man. you were a powerhouse

ah, fond memories of listening to by brothers crappy tape copies through he wall of my bedroom. Must have been formative for me

I've already left my love for Depeche Mode in my Violator review. They're one of my favorite bands. I'm obsessed with their dark gothic synths and creepy expressive vocals. Never repetitive, always full of surprises in each song, it's hard for me to come up with favorite songs. Black Celebration and Violator are my favorite DM records, but this one sounds nearly identical to Black Celebration except more cinematic. I feel like the songs are weaker, but that may just be because I haven't spun it a dozen times and that they'll grow on me, but I admit the synth work here is highly impressive and intriguing in every track. I lost interest in the last 3 tracks, but cool to end off with the Sephiroth boss fight theme.

Dost dobar, melodičan i hladnjikav synthpop album - od dost dobrog benda.

I very much enjoyed some of the instrumental pieces on this album, but Strangelove is an awesome song to soundtrack a purposeful strut. RIP Fletch.

Behind the wheel and other bangers. A more low key affir then some of their stuff.

Really excellent, forgot about their "Route 66" cover.

sicko mode

Great album, these guys were the bomb in the 80s

The challenge is making me realise how much I love Depeche Mode. I have really neglected them in the past but wow what an amazing body of work.

Other than it’s dance-y music I have no clue… The album starts off with never let me down again, it’s got a brilliant rhythm to it but the lyrics aren’t the best and I’am not sure on the autotune on the chorus but it doesn’t effect it much. The things you said is a slightly slower song and it works really well, still not a fan of the vocals though but I guess this kinda music isn’t meant to be analysed that way. Strangelove has a great build up with the sounds working so good together and lyrically it seems the bands best so yeah this is a favourite! Sacred has this much slower “creepy” sound at the start until exploding into this really cool slower dance song with some nice sounds . There’s something really unsettling about little 15 for me. My favourite bit has to be the chorus as those exploding drums alongside the strings works perfectly. It’s also got interesting lyrics and I’am so surprised it was a single. Starting off side two it’s behind the wheel it takes it’s time to really get into it but once it starts it’s cool. The vocal performance in this song it’s much more layered on than the others which makes it the best as it really suits the song. I can appreciate I want you now for trying something new with the instrumentation but to put it lightly it’s not for me I did like the bridge/ refrain bit at the middle of the song. To have and to hold starts with this sample leading intro this menacing, sinister sound. Good song maybe needs a bit of building lyrically. Now the penultimate cut nothing, it sounds a lot more like a single than behind the wheel and little 15 (it’s not better than those two) but the chorus is this songs best part a temporary release of energy. The album closes with pimpf an instrumental track its got this creepy feel to it. It’s probably my least favourite but that’s just cause I feel lyrics really carry a song. And there’s a bonus track…eh. Yeah good album much better in the instrumental department but still works lyrically in most places!

Genre: Synthpop 4/5 Dark, ambient, and emotional, Music for the Masses is one of Depeche Mode's best albums, hitting all of the right buttons, making this one of my favorite pop albums from this decade. Eschewing new wave's more eclectic shortcomings, and opting instead for a brooding, synth-heavy production style that does a great job highlighting the passionate lead vocals from Dave Gahan, as well as forming a great basis for some solid synthpop arrangements, this album is a great example of what the 80s did well, but not something they did this well that often. The entire first side, including tracks like Never Let Me Down Again and Sacred, is tremendously, dark, almost sinister pop music. As the album continues, Depeche Mode continues to attack the senses with harsh synth leads, electronic drum fills, and loud, passionate choruses, a formula that only these guys pulled off as well as they did. Tears for Fears tried their best, but never quite reached this. Shoutout to the entire mid-aught's rock movement, which borrows from this group more than almost any other (I'm looking at you, AFI).

I was uncertain at the start, but the album really picked up with Strange love and I was hooked. I really liked the spooky vibes, a great mix of eerie synth sounds and catchy bops.

I liked this a lot!

All synthpop should sound like a horror movie

What every 80s synth driven band with should've sounded like. Verging on a masterpiece.

Big fan. Been A LONG TIME since I listened to this entire album and I specifically recall a friend in high school who loved Depeche Mode which somehow led me to listening to the Pixies. I think this is an album that I’ll return to soon and play in the background while getting a few things done.

I never thought I liked Depeche Mode and was not looking forward to this...but I gotta say I enjoyed this album.

Depeche Mode klinkt wel lekker. Heerlijke 80s sound. Misschien niet het beste album ter wereld, en ook niet heel veel topnummers, maar het hele album is wel goed te luisteren. ****

This sounds more like Depeche Mode than Depeche Mode does. Appreciated listening to an album so I could appreciate the musical talent, but it's a bit one dimensional

Lo amé, primer disco entero que escucho de DM, a la altura de sus hits aunque por momentos se pone demasiado euro victoriano medieval.

This felt refreshingly different compared to some recent listens, perhaps influencing an upgrade to 4 from what may have been a 3 star rating. But this is really quite relistenable for me.

4/5. Too Nasal, good tunes doe

This is a great album, one of Depeche Mode’s best. It’s probably the most musically cohesive of all the albums they had done to that point, with a dark, sensual and slightly menacing vibe. There are several straight up synth classics on here which make it a must listen, but had they dropped a couple of songs, it would have been a tighter album. Fave Songs: Never Let Me Down Again, Little 15, Behind the Wheel, Nothing, Pimpf, The Things You Said

Heavier sound than their early albums. Will develop even further in their next album, violator.

Stirring.

Surprisingly cool

80s synthy electronic. playfully catchy with a darker center

I had a really good time listening to this record! I already knew some Depeche Mode songs, but I had never heard any of the tracks off of this album before so it was completely fresh. I found this very innovative even for as late as 1987, and I was never bored listening through the entire album even though some songs sounded pretty similar. I know that Depeche Mode was a major influence on one of my favorite modern bands, CHVRCHES, and I can tell that a lot of their stuff is going for a similar tone and vibe that this collection of songs offers. Outside of this connection I made, I was pleasantly surprised to hear some Moody Blues-like lead vocals and slower tracks which is something I am always down for. This was very apparent on the track 'I Want You Now' which I have added to my Starred list. Overall, I definitely liked this one and am interested to dive deeper into this band's catalog. 3.5/5.

80,s synth pop mooi melodieus

Definetly interesting

It's somewhat dark and brooding with just the right amount of oppressiveness and then a bunch of catchy hooks mixed in. I really liked this one and listened to it twice in a row. However, the only song that really stood out was Pimpf for being overly dramatic and not really fitting the rest of the album.

I love the sound of this record. Love those synths. I can hear the influence of the arpeggiated piano chords on The Smashing Pumpkins' "Eye" and the record's broader influence on the Pumpkins' subsequent (to "Eye") Adore LP. I'm thankful for that influence. I think the influence here on another band I love - The Cocteau Twins - can't be understated. It is what made CT more than another guitar-based shoegaze band (see Ride's "Nowhere.") On its own, and forgetting the influence it had, this record is great as well. Within it's relatively narrow scope of sounds, it has a lot of diversity from song to song. I especially like "The Things You Said." Giving this a solid 4. It brings together the great sounds from Kraftwerk, adds a pop sheen, and I like that a lot.

I appreciate Depeche Mode. There's a difference between listening to a song that someone "wrote" and a song that was "composed" - the latter being a much more impressive feat in my mind. Granted, I find the former more entertaining to listen to. This kind of music just always feels like it's missing something (which is a me problem, not the fault of those who record in this genre). It needs a visual element. I always feel like I should also be watching an intense scene in a movie, or a video game cut scene, or a ballet or something. I don't know if that makes sense. At the end of the day, Depeche Mode is really good at something I don't really understand.

7/10

Atmosphärisch, dense und kalt, mir aber nach einer Weile etwas monoton

DM are the peak synth-pop to come out of the 80s/90s. This album is one of their finest - 3.5/4

It’s that modern indie sound. But from the 80s!

This lives up to its title. Typical dark, broody synths, but also melodic and poppy. More catchy and less heavy on the vibe compared to Violater, which this album preceded and is also on this list. I'm coming to the conclusion that Depeche Mode are pretty great. 4/5.

Interesting album, more in depth that I thought.

Fantastic dark synth. A little samey after a while though.

Some good new wave and an evolution for Depeche Mode

Pretty good album, I love the classical twist at the end of it. Lots of fun instrumentals

It's a really solid album

Some weird stuff on here but I can't resist Dave Gahan's voice and those moody, sexy synths!

Music for the Masses is obviously ironically named. Depeche Mode would not have been classified as mainstream in any sense of the word. It is moody and dark, but also decidedly 80s in feel. Overall a great listen and one I'd venture back into. Best: Never Let Me Down Again; Little 15 Worst: Pimpf

A solid album. One of the problems I have with Depeche Mode is not that it’s good, but that it makes me feel depressed. I guess good music makes you feel so that’s a win? But anyways, the songwriting is here, dark and mysterious- Nothing seems like it would be the only “radio hit” off the album. Nevertheless, it’s good- in all it’s spooky ambience- it kinda trails off tho from time to time. Otherwise, it’s really good. Solid 4

Spook synth with lots of non-commercial stuff on purpose according to the Wikipedia article. Plus 1 star for naming it music for the masses when the intent was the opposite

I honestly kinda like it. It's so clearly 80s, but I don't consider that a bad thing. This is sitting in your room after school, curtains closed, music up, and trying to work up the urge to kiss the cute goth girl you managed to convince to come over.

Compliqué de me consacrer aux reviews en ce moment, étant donné que je suis de retour au bureau, et que je me vois mal rédiger de somptueuses reviews au milieu de l'open space pour les lecteurs ingrats que vous êtes (1 semaine après notre appel, toujours aucune review sur l'album de MC Solaar mentionnant le code secret!).

Good

Right of the bat - pretty fucking good. Fuck I love the 80s I like the darker turn it takes, reminds me of the dark synth era of retrosynthwave, and I like that alot. I didn't really love any of the tracks, but I love the atmosphere and style that I'll almost give it a five. It's up there. 4.5 But damn what an ugly album cover, it reminds me of Massive Attack - Blue Lines, and damn that light brown color is so sad to look at - Maybe I'll learn to love it

Really good, probably a 4.75. Very introspective, not commercial

8/10. I quite liked a few tracks from this, but as an album it has some boring stretches. The intro to "I Want You Now" just sounds like an overdramatic person inflating a paddleboard. And "Pleasure, Little Treasure" is a bonus track, but it was a lot more fun than most of the album. I can't quite decide if I like the Route 66 cover, but the occasional panting in the background does not help it out.

There are some interesting sounds on here, pretty similar to the The Cure album we had earlier. My main gripes are that it's slow and that the song I Want You Now exists. 7

the breathing at the beginning of 'i want you now' is one of the worst things i've ever heard. everything else has been marvelous so far. i loved Pimpf especially. the following track was instrumental too i think? i kinda zoned out from that point onwards, didn't even realize when it ended lol. but i enjoyed myself a lot.

I have always had trouble getting into Depeche Mode, but I’m glad I gave this a shot. It had some r really strong moments

Great Album!

There seems to be a heavy Kraftwerk influence which I like. The front half of the album is filled with bangers, and the back half is filled with a whole lot of nothing. Highlights: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

I love Depeche mode and loved this album

Great album. Love Depeche mode

Not my favourite Depeche Mode album but still excellent. Strangelove is too good

A true classic. Depeche Mode own their sound not unlike how the Beatles or Queen own theirs. Being Depeche Mode though, this album is weird, and though I may love it for it, there are albums that are more well-rounded. Still loved it though.

I already liked Depeche Mode so I was quite excited to listen to this all the way through! the album was a really good and very synthy album and the songs had decent variety in overall mood

Ich muss zugeben, dass ich Depeche in diesem Kontext anders wahrnehme als bisher. Da habe ich was gutzumachen

Nice

¡No sabía que podía esperar esto de Depeche Mode! Un disco de decadencia en un momento oscuro y de entregarse a otras personas (o a la droga) como evasión ante una amenaza permanente. Me ha gustado mucho. Mucho. La canción, "Behind the Wheel"

Not as dark as Violator but still an epic album.

- Very good sounds and experimental techniques. The album is surreal and sounds melanchoholic and sad, but at the same time, gives a creepy atmosphere of progresive rock.

Clàssic, gutazo

Depeche Mode are masters of their instruments, crafting synth lines and electronic beats that are meant for each other, as if they were destined to come together in perfect darkness. The songs here are just so incredibly well-composed, it's difficult to not enjoy them. The atmosphere built into these songs are also strong and compelling. Overall great album.

I am a big fan of Depeche Mode, and this album was quite good.

Depeche Mode innit

Great

Always love Depeche Mode

That voice, that mood

Que nostalgia, algunos temas épicos pero otros nada, en todo caso agradable de escuchar

Some tracks stronger than others (not a fan of the instrumentals) but overall a really enjoyable listen

I had both the CD and the cassette. Definitely listened to this every week. Now?

3.7* some good songs but not my style. very 80s sounding but i guess that makes sense for an album that came out in 1987

its depeche mode

Nice

Great music

Hah hah, yes! Moody, gothy synthy not-pop. Enjoyed this a lot. Fave track - "Behind the Wheel", maybe? "Never Let Me Down Again" was great, and I enjoyed the weirdness of "Pimpf", too...

Stylistically/conceptually/artistically wonderful. Not easy listening.

Este disco es menos sombrío que el otro que ha aparecido en esta lista (Violator) y es más fácil de consumir. Este fue el primero que oí completo y creo que sin haber pasado por aquí el otro me hubiera costado más trabajo. Strangelove y I Want You Now son mis favoritas. Ninguna canción suena a relleno aunque tampoco me voló la cabeza. Sólido 4.

Great

Incredible

It’s great but a bit sad.

Always good

Depeche Mode when they started to get REALLY big. Personally I prefer Violator, but this is a solid listen. Dark synth-pop that filled stadiums all around the world. I could come back to this one. Favorite song: Sacred Least favorite song: Behind The Wheel

7,6

Wasn't looking forward to it, but was surprisingly good. Lots of catchy stuff.

Classic. solid listening if you are in the mood.

Tja, äh - ich finde das gut, worüber ich ein ganz klein wenig überrascht bin! DM gehörten in den 80ern und 90ern nicht unbedingt zu meinen Favoriten, obwohl ich Personal Jesus und Enjoy the Silence von der Violator auch immer schon ganz groß fand. Vorher nie ein Album von denen durchgehört.

Man, Depeche Mode. IMO, one of the most under-appreciated bands of the millennial/x generation. It has all of the sound that you'd expect us 'youngins' to like. It's my goal to listen to more of them. I love this album. Great to work to.

Their sound is very... sexual, for lack of a better term.

Deler er sgu god elektro-pop. Fede hits og lækre rytmer. Har dog et par meget lange rene instrumentelle numre som er lidt ligegyldige. Men starter rigtigt godt

I need to give this a second listen. I really liked a lot of it, feels very ahead of its time imo, but definitely some filler songs that I think could have been cut to keep the runtime down. Like, you don’t need the instrumentals or the moonlight sonata on there. Very harrowing, unique vocals, great synths, very atmospheric.

What does Depeche Mode mean? Cool album tho, one of those bands where I should listen to more but I never do

Pretty good. Interesting atmosphere on a lot of the songs, and I really like the use of synths/ electronics.

Jokingly I have always called them “depressed mode”

Feels a little bit monotonous, but I liked the instrumentals.

Somehow, I just can't seem to warm up to Depeche Mode, even though a few individual songs on this album are actually really good."

A bit slow and orchestral for my taste, as I tend to prefer the more upbeat Depeche Mode songs. However, there is some really cool synth work and interesting arrangements that I wasn't expecting. Hoping there is some more Depeche Mode on this list! Favorite tracks: Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove

7.5

1 ***** Well, we're in the 80s. I'm an absolute sucker for synth (black metal fan). Ethereal/sinister vibes. Yes! The choral keyboard sound! This is a keeper. 2.** Mellow vibes. Kinda spacey. 3. ** Chill... 4. *** Bass high in the mix, intro is atmospheric. 5. *** Sinister twinkles 6. *** Energy shift, pan pipes. 7. Sex noises. Nah. Skip. 8. *** Feels like a comedown. 9. **** Slow to get going, builds nicely. Synth organ? Let's go! 10. ***** Sinister piano. Final fantasy boss music. I really, really like the dark aesthetic the gothic cathedral gloominess of it all. I definitely listen to bands inspired by this sound. I will likely return to this album again. 3/5.

I liked this one overall. Strangelove was very good and nearly every song had an interesting component within it. It is a very moody album, but not one that actively bums you out. Depending on my mood, I could go up to a 4 or maybe even a 5. In general I found it is very listenable and inoffensive.

I liked this album but not as much as Violator.

fave song: Sacred really did not like the breathing in I Want You Now... went on forever and now i'm scared

6.5/10

A fun listen. Favorite track: Little 15.

Appreciate it but probably wouldn't listen it again. Solid 3 star.

Well this sure is dark, moody, brooding. Take your pick. Been pretty dismissive of DM over the years, but this is a good record. Got to be in the mood though as the mood does get a little bit much on this sunny Saturday morning. Very atmospheric, great vocals,but the driving electronica beat doesn’t mean it wallows in its own moodiness. Glad actually got to hear one of their albums start to finish as it helped appreciate. 3.5 star,

Apart from Never let me down again and strangelove the rest seems like experimental for them

I've never heard Depeche Mode, but I was aware it was electronic music. Some of it sounds like typical '80s synth-y music, but then it gets turned on its head with chanting and very dark undertones. It was almost creepy at times. I don't quite know what to think of it. May require more listens.

Dark and melancholic. This give me a gloomy feeling. I'd never listen to this as whole, I can enjoy this more now, but nothing is better than Violator. Ps: I found myself liking more of individual songs than the whole thing.

its every Depeche Mode album we've had. Its fine. Synth and depressing.

Sounds exactly like all the British gothy synth pop we’ve gotten on this list

Me he guardado Never let me down, Strangelove y Behind the wheel, y me ha parecido bastante interesante, mejor que otros discos más famosos de ellos.

++: Strangelove, I Want You Now, To Have and to Hold, Nothing, Pimpf/Interlude #1 (Mission Impossible) +: Never Let Me Down Again +-: The Things You Said, Sacred, Little 15, Behind the Wheel 6,7/10

Pretty Meh about this one, it was listenable, New Wave just isn’t my thing, only highlight was Strangelove, as I recognised the opening from The Fast & The Furious

First half of album solid 80s vibe Terrible second half of album - not a cohesive album.

nice birthday a bit samey

I thought I would like this but it kinda drags on

Listening session: june 14th, while getting ready in the morning Listened to before: no Thoughts: if I’m in the right mood then Depeche Mode is nice, but this album didn’t stand out to me Favourite tracks: Never Let Me Down Again, Behind The Wheel & Nothing

I've never been terribly entranced by the stereotypical 1980s synthwave bleep-bloop aesthetic that suffocated pop culture when I was in middle / high school (Stranger Things, Ready Player One, The Goldbergs, any F.Y.E. / Hot Topic store,) so imagine my surprise when I put on this album and got absolutely hypnotized. It's oversexed but not silly (except for maybe all the breathing,) gothic but not overly drab, broad in scope and sound. It goes for a lot and it reaches most of the stars it lunges for. I don't know about the last leg though, maybe they lunged a bit too hard and pulled something.

Music for the masses from Depeche mode. First time heard about this band, and it was my first impression, gotta say the album has a misterious ambient that makes it really interesting. But for me, thr album is very boring. I wouldn't say i didin't like it, but it wasn't much of my taste. 5/10

i know everything is a product of the time, but this feels like it was written by a pedophile. too many mentions of little girls. other than that, this could be the labyrinth soundtrack b side. very cinematic, dark fantasy throughout. not my favorite depeche mode stuff, but not bad.

Bin leider nie ein großer Depeche Mode fan gewesen und dies Album macht mich auch nicht zu einem

Fine

Long weird album lol. Definitely some good songs in there

Didn’t really do anything good or bad for me

Po hitrem pregledu sm bla zihr, da ne poznam nobenega komada s tega albuma, ampak evo prvi mi je znan - "Never Let Me Down Again". And it's great. (U, sampli od Carmine Burane in "When the Levee Breaks"! Pomojem sicer ne bi dojela, če ne bi prebrala na wiki. Hud začetek za "The Things You Said". Najs prelivanja med komadi. "I Want You Now" je zanimiv, čeprav so te background zvoki že na meji z nadležnostjo. "Pimpf" je zelo grandiose sounding, čeprav ma butast naslov. Honestly, sm upala na nek amazing album za moj 200. album. This was fine.

I’m pretty eh on new wave. It all just sounds so similar. That said, definitely bopped along to Behind the Wheel

It straddles a line between fun synth pop and a little too weird. It kind of feels like a Flaming Lips show I went to where they were playing out a rock opera on stage but everyone was too confused/high to understand

First time listening to a complete Depeche mode album. I dig it

A little pretentious sounding

está bueno pero el estilo no me gusta tanto y tiene como unos temas tipo re conceptuales que no me gustaron tanto

Technically impressive, maybe just not for me though

A classic band that I have heard many times but mostly their biggest hits. This album has the same feeling as what I have heard before but the songs doesn't catch me as much. Not bad but just ok. Something the radio would play at work and I wouldn't pay it any mind.

Hyvää kasarisynailua, miellyttävää kuunnella. Ne hitaammat biisit olivat vähä liian ambienttia. Ihan okei.

Listened

Loved the instrumentals tracks towards the end, "never let me down again" is amazing.

It's kind of strange to think about how a band as big as Depeche Mode has pretty much been faint background noise to my entire adult life. Listening to this album has been my most sustained exposure to their music. It was okay, but I can't say it's going to bring them out of the background noise zone for me.

me putting this on the aux trying to impress vampire trade fave track: sacred

Sounds like the soundtrack of an 80’s suspense movie. I kinda dig it!

Fine.

I do like Depeche Mode and this was goth-y in a way that they made their own. This album just doesn’t have standout highlights though and whilst I enjoyed it, is not one of theirs that I’d revisit in a hurry. Songs often got into a good groove but missed a killer hook or lyric as they do one some other songs.

Kind of torn between a three and a for this one. I really do enjoy the old midi soundscape. Reminds me of the Doom soundscape in a way, and I kind of like it.

Creative and interesting. Lead singer is weak, suffers from 80s over-syntehsised sound.

Basic electronic sound, more polish than most 80s electronic bands, but nothing stand out.

These guys have a whole thing going on that's all their own, and sometimes I feel it and sometimes I just don't. This feels like an album to listen to late on a winter's evening with a small lamp in the corner and Dad thoughts on your mind.

I haven't spent all that much time with Depeche Mode outside of Violator, and it's possible this was the first time I've heard this. I appreciated the restraint they showed throughout and their efforts to mix up the song structures and dynamics. It almost lost me when it moved into a pair of chamber music songs, but then they reopened the aperture on "Behind the Wheel," and I got pulled back into the second half. Lots of Christian imagery, but it feels like they're not just aiming for cheap taboo. I could see myself growing to like this if I had encountered it when I was much younger. However, the first time through, nothing grabbed me the way Violator does. Chalk it up to this not being accessible, which doesn't mean bad. It feels worthy of a deeper listen, but not sure I'll come back for it.

Haven't listened to much Depeche Mode other than the pop hits but I quite liked it

Liker soundet, noen kule låter, kubbe hørt på noen ganger men ikke noe som enkeltvis helt fester seg ved gjennomlytting

Not a bad album, juts very samey. I'm not the biggest Depeche Mode fan, but I can appreciate them for being different and interesting. However, this album had some good stuff, and lots of crap in my opinion.

Didn’t enjoy this as much as the previous album from them but it wasn’t bad by any means. Did just sort of blend into the background on a long driving day 3

What makes this different than any other Depeche Mode album? This is not a rhetorical question. I just assume Depeche Mode all sounds the same.

Neat production and I like the dark feel of it. The runtime is long...and the appeal wears thin long before the hour is up. I don't think I'm quite sad enough. Really cool record but ultimately kind of one-note and melancholy.

Surprised how much this album didn't connect with me. I had high expectations since I love Violator, but there's an edge that's absent from this album preventing it from being as great. It was a perfectly fine listen, but didn't have nearly as much staying power or gripping melodic lines. Decent but inferior. Top tracks: Never Let Me Down Again, Behind the Wheel, Nothing

not a genre I gravitate toward but I love a goth club vibe, I’m never mad at it. Found myself not paying attention to the lyrics and more just enjoying the atmosphere the sound created. Gonna go read them to see what I missed🫡

Classico classique encore hein mais pas hyper mon style

I don't think I'll ever understand the love for this band. I have a couple of their releases on my shelves (not this one), but despite trying, they never really leave a lasting impact. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ ★★★☆☆ (5/10) Total reviewed : 315 Already owned : 70 Purchased : 15 To buy : 4 Nope : 226

Another decent

Few weird ones but overall decent

I came into my Depeche fandom via the live album that covered this tour, 101. I of course knew about Personal Jesus at the time, but still didn’t have Violator, which would be my next (along with Some Great Reward and Black Celebration). It’s amazing how cavernous Never Let Me Down sounds next to the material from all 3 of those studio albums, the whole thing sounds like it was recorded in a reverb chamber. It sounds mammoth! What’s odd listening to this in retrospect, but trying to put myself in the shoes of a 1987 listener, is how slight some of the side b material is compared with Violator and SOFAD. Behind the Wheel and Nothing are classics, I Want You Now is a bit of a Gore misfire, and then there are 2 near instrumentals. For such an important record in their trajectory, it’s very much 3 singles and 2 solid album cuts and then...shrugs.

like most of the old, well-known albums - inconsistent is the key 6.5/10 Will I add this album to my library? no

the thinga you said isch megaaa depeche mode wauw little 15 hetmer leider nödso gfalle pimpf isch en riiiese titel de "song" ah sich wär eig cool als interlude aber eso echli lang? agent orange isch megaa schön hmm weiss nöd, es isch halt mega depeche mode und drum cool aber s isch villes ah mier verbii

Ah yes, more Depeche Mode. Do the masses like whiny synth music? I guess they do, since this was a wildly popular album. "Violator" justified itself with "Personal Jesus," but this record doesn't have any standout tracks like that for me. The music is pretty consistently uninteresting to me, it just doesn't have any force behind it. It's not completely unpleasant, though. 3 stars

Good, fun

Ive worn my Violater CD though, and I haven't listen to much more depeche mode. Much like Violator, this is very good dark synth-pop, but it shows it's age much more. Hard to beat violater though. 7/10

Interesting listen. Haven't heard this record in decades and it sounds so dated. I still enjoy it, but man, it hasn't matured well.

Overall Rating - 2.89/5 (5.79/10). Not really my style of music. These guys are good at it, but I'm just not a fan.

England during the 80s synth pop was huge. Erasure and Pet Shop Boys were huge. But they were also cheerful and filled with escapism. But Depeche Mode was the one to really use synth pop to capture the darkness of the Thatcher's era. Pensive and not always danceable, but deep and contemplative. Music for the Masses is excellent but it is not even close to their best.

Most songs give off the same vibes but each one has its own unique little instrumental flourish so you kinda just have to decide which flourish you like best when trying to come up with a favourite song.

good. felt the 80s.

Definitely sounds like it came out in 1987. I get it though. Some solid bangerz on this one.

Standard eighties sound. Nothing exciting.

Not the first of their broody style. Not their best album. Not their biggest hits. That said, its decent enough for a 1,001 list; not sure it makes the top 500.

I was a bit disappointed in the album as a whole. I put on their greatest hits after and really enjoyed it.

If I were about ten years older, Depeche Mode might have become one of ny favorite bands. There’s a lot I like about them and this album. They have a distinct sound - which works against them in some ways as some tracks sound similar. Still a solid album, though.

Depeche is a good music to listen to when you're wanting interesting and dark background music. It can be monotonous and droning, but not in a bad way. More like a brooding, pensive way. I liked the album and might go back to it again, but not quickly. I'm not necessarily drawn heavily to it, but I enjoyed the experience.

Depeche Mode lite. It’s an ok album, but low energy. Pimpf is an over the top master class but I’m not sure in what.

I don't think Depeche Mode is as influential and important as the writer of this list seems to think. It's fine, but I think I could've died just fine without this one.

Muy atmosférico

There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with Depeche Mode , they just aren’t for me. And all the elements that aren’t for me are the heart of this. Dave Gahans voice is perfect for this but I find it a bit one note, and the production is dark and brooding but lacks light and shade. However, where the band tries different things like the spy movie organ on sacred or the weird layered vocals on pimpf they are far more interesting

Pretty good album. Electro/New Wave ish. Some of it is not to my taste, but overall I liked it. The first three tracks are the best.

Сколько ни пытаюсь, но заставить себя полюбить музыку Depeche Mode не могу. Хотя музыка качественная. Но меня она не задевает

Yeah, alright

As I started to listen to this for the first time in almost 40 years, I was thinking….y’know, maybe I’ve been too hard on Depeche Mode. I mean, It’s irony and repetitive and the like, and I really shouldn’t like any of it, but…a lot of this sounds better in 2026 than it did then. But there’s some clunkers in here, too, especially “I Want You Now” (laughably ridiculous, awkward), “Pimpf” (pointless rhythmic exercise) and “Sacred” (portentous).

Their sixth album. New Wave / Synth Pop. I am a huge fan of other Depeche Mode albums. Violator being an example. This one is a bit too brooding for me and falls flat. It's good bit that's all.

Not in fact music for the masses, this felt very eerie and ominous and I quite like that and how it kind of contrasts with the title.

Enjoyed but I feel they have better

Love the 80s vibe.

Está muy oscuro para mí pero sí me gustó. Aprecio que hayan tenido tanta avanzada y por eso después se volvieran referentes.

Me parece disco muy bueno, no lo escucharía siempre. Como muy de mambo. Destacó mucho los teclados de la banda, timbres que usan que jamás se ocurriría usar. Capas que si entendiera las letras sería otra la cuestión.

Que temon never let me down again, entra en el panteon de grandes inicios de discos. Tiene picos altos y bajos. Particularmente no es un disco que disfrute escuchandolo pero lo aprecio como obra. Tiene momentos que me dan ganas de sacarlo directamente y un poco me aburre tanta oscuridad que quiere transmitir el disco, pero también tiene puntos excelentes con Nothing, never let me down y Strangelove. No es de los que guardo. P.d. que onda con Pimpf, flasharon ahi

It's Synth and it's British. It was alright but no songs in this album particularly stood out to me.

Aight

Nooit grote fan geweest 2,5

Not bad

muy vampiresco pero ñe

3/5

Enjoyed the other Depeche Mode album a bit better, but still some interesting stuff going on with Music for the Masses.

Depeche Mode is pretty good on its own but I feel like you really have to buy into "Depeche Mode: The Band" to love Depeche Mode. Maybe with a little more time I will but for now, all I'll say is that these guys really knew their way around the synthesizer.

Don’t love or hate it so 3 it’s getting

Νομίζω πως το συγκεκριμένο άλμπουμ προκάλεσε συναισθήματα μελαγχολίας και νοσταλγίας. Είχε μια πιο αργή ροή αλλα συγχρόνος σε μερικά σημεία ήταν αρκετά ξεχωριστό διότι ανακάτευε χωροδίες και εκκλησιαστικούς ήχους. Επιπλέον μου άρεσε ιδιαίτερα η φωνή του τραγουδιστή Never Let Me Down Again

Me gusta la banda, tiene temazos. Este no es su mejor álbum aunque también tiene buenos temas.

nice enough

Depeche Mode as their meant to sound. Somewhat industrial danceable pop music. A Kraftwerk influence seems tangible.

Solid album! Lots of deep cuts, great electronic music of the late 80's!

Aldrig fastnat för Depech mode. Inte helt fan av rösten. Inte dåligt dock. En rak trea blir det. Annie är med och lyssnar idag! Hon tyckte inledningsvis 4a pga ljudbild och variationen, men ändrade sig till 3a mot slutet ändå.

det är lökigt men det är också lite najs

Återigen! Detta är inte ett av deras topfem-album ens. De sitter emellan de fantastiska syntpopskivorna från det tidiga 80-talet och deras helt fantastiska nittiotal, utan att riktigt höra till någon av epokerna. Inga jättebangers, men en kompetent synthskiva. En stark trea.

Under appreciated album, but not their best by any stretch.

Solid album. I’m not a fan of heavy synths but can appreciate the artistry and sound this has.

No sabría decir bien si me gustó o no. Es interesante, tienen un sonido ciertamente particular. Varias canciones me gustaron, no lo pondría entre mis favoritos, pero sí fue disfrutable.

Never let me down is one of the best DM tracks, the rest is ok but a bit repetitive

Music for the Masses was somewhat disappointing. After listening to Violator, I expected the album to be more like Violator. There are some songs I really enjoyed, but the rest of the album didnt standout to me.

Not my favourite. Good album, but Depeche Mode were never my thing.

De beste sporene her er creme de la creme 80s synthpop – særdeles Never Let Me Down & Behind the Wheel. Størsteparten av de gjenværende sporene holder trått, men så har skiva tre skikkelig irriterende drittlåter som surner lytteopplevelsen. Jeg skipper sjeldent låter, men Little 15, I Want You Now, og Pimpf går meg faktisk på mentalhelsa løs – som er synd når resten av skiva er såpass god.

På sitt beste er dette Kraftwerk i datidas moderne lyddrakt. På sitt verste er låtene helt ok synthpop.

Overraskende tullete greier

Imam neko dugotrajno iracionalno nevoljenje (neću baš reći mržnju) Depeche Mode pa sve čekam Violator da iskoči i da dam šansu. Kad evo nešto drugo. I potvrđuju mi definitivno da nisu ništa više od osrednjih muzičara. Nema ničeg posebnog, sve je tu negdje, zvuči nalik svemu ostalom što su ikad radili. Nikad nisam slušala njihovu pjesmu i pomislila jao kako je ovo zanimljivo. Ali eto, još čekam Violator.

makeeta musaa, hienoja saundeja, tykkään laulajasta

Very good, enjoyed, not a band I have a great affinity for but would listen again.

Decent enough - not really my kind of thing, but enjoyed, quite mournful sounding

Sounds EXACTLY like Depeche Mode...

Cool and atmospheric. Slightly passed me by in parts partly just because it feels quite long. I think I prefer the other Depeche mode I heard. Interesting and good though

I like Depeche Mode and gave this a few listens in hopes that I would really get into it. I never got there, but it was cool enough music. I was familiar with Strangelove, and the rest was new to me. The only other song that grabbed me was Never Let Me Down Again.

3 stars, not bad

I like the dark synthpop, but there's a few choices on here that make me scratch my head. I don't understand the use of moaning on I Want You Now. I don't have anything against Pimpf or Agent Orange, and really like the latter, but I wish they wouldn't have put them back to back. Strong 7/10

6/10

A transitional album. There's some classic tracks here -- "Never Let Me Down Again" being the most obvious, but also "Behind the Wheel" and "The Things You Said" -- and some favorites like "Nothing," too. These showed the direction they'd be heading with Violator. Having not heard this album in over 20 years, I had forgotten that "Never Let Me Down" again was here and not on Violator. Those tracks feel relatively timeless. "Strangelove," "Sacred," and "Little 15" though, feel dated to me now, and haven't aged so well. 3.5 stars. I go back and forth on rounding up or down.

Legal mas achei meio creepy

Pimpf??

-tragend, sehr entspannt -nicht dieser Depeche Mode stil den ich kenne -5/10

I'm enjoying this, I am. makes me want to explore more Depeche Mode. don't know if this is the cream of the crop of Depeche Mode, but it was a nice little intro. saved a few songs.

Same as The Smiths really.

I like Depeche Mode pretty good. I’d say I’m easily more of a Violator fan (can’t imagine there are too many dissenting opinions there), but Music for the Masses is pretty decent. The thing is, I totally would understand why this record wouldn’t turn anyone into this band. It’s pretty decent, but it doesn’t ever switch gears and the songs all sound pretty similar and sloggy. And I’d normally gripe about the rich tapestry of shitty 80’s synths, but it’s Depeche Mode, and that’s kind of been their whole shtick from the beginning. Honestly, they’re one of the only bands that I feel like can really pull that off. I guess all that is to say that I like this record, but I understand why it could bore someone to tears. 7/10

I’m not sure I like Depeche Mode, but I respect that they’ve created a sound for themselves that is certainly of its era but distinct from other 80s pop.

3.2 Not the biggest Depeche Mode fan but like this more than others. That brooding droning on can get tiresome after a while

I heard it from my friends about the things you said I heard it from my friends about the things you said But they know me better than that They know me better than that They know my weaknesses (I never tried to hide them) They know my weaknesses (I never denied them) I heard it from my friends about the things you said I heard it from my friends about the things you said How can a view become so twisted? How can a view become so twisted? They know my weaknesses (I never tried to hide them) They know my weaknesses (you tried them) I get so carried away You brought me down to earth I thought we had something precious Now I know what it's worth I heard it from my friends about the things you said I heard it from my friends about the things you said I've never felt so disappointed Never felt so disappointed They know my weaknesses (I never tried to hide them) They know my weaknesses (thought that you liked them) They know me better than that

Has to catch me in the right mood but is fun when it hits. Kind of a slog when it doesn't. A little creepy and haunting at times. Surprised this of the albums is the one on here.