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Depeche Mode

sizeofanocean [Edit] [Delete] 21 replies 16:58 September 1st, 2012

Fopp have currently got a load of Depeche Mode albums in for £3. Picked up both Violator and Songs Of Faith And Devotion today, as I'm sure they're supposed to be the best ones, but wasn't sure about the others. As I'm enjoying Violator (not got round to the other one yet), which others would you lot recommend? And which ones should I avoid?

Ta!

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I've only got Violator

and tbh I've never really got into it. Sounds like it's aged quite badly.

might give it another go.

japes | 1 Sep '12, 17:06 | X | ^ This | Reply
In this order, get...

Music For the Masses
Black Celebration
Ultra
Some Great Reward
Playing the Angel

...then the rest.

DM's first 2 albums are quite different than the others. They're lightweight synthpop.

deep-blue | 1 Sep '12, 17:17 | X | ^ This | Reply
I'd rearrange that.

Violator | 1 Sep '12, 17:59 | X | ^ This | Reply
I'd rearrange that.

Violator | 1 Sep '12, 17:59 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Black Celebration next.
  
  Songs of Faith & Devotion
  Some Great Reward
  Music for The Masses
  Speak & Spell
  Ultra
  
  Definitely wouldn't dismiss the first album because it's "synth-pop". We're talking about Vince Clarke here who went on to do 'Upstairs at Erics' with Yazoo and then a ton of excellent stuff with Erasure. Many bands do their utmost to try and capture this sound now and most fail. Well worth looking into and as it's aged, it comes across as possibly the most vintage and bouncy collection of music by Depeche Mode in their entire back catalogue - it's got a lot of character to it.
  
  Also, if you do like Depeche Mode, investigate And One, specifically their album 'Body Pop'.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  Violator @Violator | 1 Sep '12, 18:08 | X | ^ This | Reply
  
  silverfoxqpr this'd this
  - Songs of Faith & Devotion was already picked by OP
    
    deep-blue @Violator | 1 Sep '12, 18:32 | X | ^ This | Reply
An alternative

way to get into the pre-Violator period is to pick up both 101 and Singles 81-85.
Sure, they're not studio albums but they are both brilliant and cohesive listens. Singles 81-85 is one of the best singles compilations I've heard and gives you a good overview of their development. 101 is a very good live album with most of the highlights from Black Celebration and Music For The Masses, which are probably my favourite studio albums of theirs.
That's how I did it, anyway. I still go back to those 2 albums now, despite having more DM in my collection.

friday55 | 1 Sep '12, 20:04 | X | ^ This | Reply
- The same could be said about The Singles 86>98
  
  Probably the best compilation ever.
  
  Just look how many great singles it contains: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Singles_86-98
  
  deep-blue @friday55 | 1 Sep '12, 20:08 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - a couple at the most
    
    happypenguin @deep-blue | 2 Sep '12, 17:43 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - !
      
      If you dislike DM, I'm sorry but I'm afraid that you couldn't appreciate this compilation...
      
      deep-blue @happypenguin | 2 Sep '12, 17:48 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - oh shit really?
        
        but wikipedia told me i would the harlot!
        
        happypenguin @deep-blue | 2 Sep '12, 17:52 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        oh shit, you read a random wikipedia page (again)...
        
        Should I give you instructions of how to use wikipedia? It seems you need them...
        
        deep-blue @happypenguin | 2 Sep '12, 17:59 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        nah i'm alright thanks
        
        happypenguin @deep-blue | 2 Sep '12, 18:11 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - WTF?
    
    http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,286084,00.html
    
    AK_47_4_UK @deep-blue | 2 Sep '12, 18:22 | X | ^ This | Reply
I personally prefer Ultra to be honest

But yeah, singles collections are probably the best places to start with a band with such a big discography.

aactv | 2 Sep '12, 13:22 | X | ^ This | Reply
What's with all this "Violator isn't an essential album" talk?

I'm not having revisionism here. That record is a bloody classic.

Damian | 2 Sep '12, 13:36 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Who said it isn't a classic?
  
  That album is fantastic. A solid 9 tracks record that include 4 classic singles: Personal Jesus, World in My Eyes, Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth.
  
  Most bands never have a song as good as ETS in their entire career. DM had 5 just on one album (the 4 already mentioned singles + album track Halo).
  
  deep-blue @Damian | 2 Sep '12, 13:43 | X | ^ This | Reply
fwiw, I reckon Playing the Angel is fucking great album

robluvsnic | 2 Sep '12, 13:45 | X | ^ This | Reply

funkycow this'd this
Thanks everyone for the advice!

Basically I've kind of ignored it and went back to Fopp and bought all the others up to and including Playing The Angel. Doesn't seem like they've released any absolute stinkers from all your replies, so thought I may as well get them all and listen to them in chronological order. Looking forward to it!

Thanks again.

sizeofanocean | 2 Sep '12, 17:11 | X | ^ This | Reply
Music for the Masses is brilliant

Violator is brilliant, if not an album that would fit in well with barbecuing on a summer's evening with Red Stripe in hand.

Speak and Spell is dated and not really my thing but it's great if you like cutesy, early eighties synth-pop.

Can't help you with the others, sorry.

AK_47_4_UK | 2 Sep '12, 18:24 | X | ^ This | Reply
Depeche Mode Special on Saturday in London

I thought a few people on this thread may be interested in this.

We're having a Depeche Mode Special at Scared To Dance in East London on Saturday night. There's more details at https://www.facebook.com/events/132328860294512/

PaulScaredToDance | 22 May '13, 21:20 | X | ^ This | Reply