Depeche Mode - The Singles 86>98
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Free Music Notes for The Singles 86>98
Free Music Review: Hodgepodge Depeche Mode collection
Hit: 5 Stars
I feel a sense of confusion over how they put this collection together. Musically speaking, this double album is a marvelous collection of amazing songs from Depeche Mode's more well-known years with their Goth-pop but even with this being a double album, this collection I think could've been better. This collection I think is somewhat justified by being called "The Singles", and not "The Best of Depeche Mode", it's far from being a "best of" collection and is just a collection of their singles yet it's still relatively incomplete.
The thing though I think kind of brings down the album's credibility in my opinion is that the individual discs' playing time is barely over 40 minutes. It's Some of the tracks off the second disc could've been put on disc one to make it at least 74 minutes long, and put some more `new' songs or extended versions of singles on disc two long and "Vuala!" you have what I think this singles should've been.
However, it's all made up for with some strong edits of some of their hits. The version of "Strangelove" on here has a much catchier, more thundering beat and it makes this version superior to the parent album version, despite being over a minute shorter. The version of "Policy Of Truth" has an eerie 5 second intro before the main song comes in and it kind of give the song more spark. Even the remix version of "Behind the Wheel" is good to listen to despite being significantly inferior the original version with the rolling sewer cover sound effect.
The collection is nonetheless a worthy investment as the redone versions of some of the songs make this double album set one worth buying, and the new song "Only When I Lose Myself" is very good. If only this album had more new (at the time) songs, this collection would've been even better. Oh Well.
Now, with two marvelous singles collections, both this and the 81-85 CD, I'm awaiting for the day when a Depeche Mode remix or B-Sides collection surfaces, now that would be awesome.
Free Music Review: The World in Depeche Mode's Eyes - A Brief History
Hit: 5 Stars
Starting life in Basildon, East London (Essex) in 1980, the band's original line-up (1980) included Vince Clarke, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher. Looking for a front man, they brought on board Dave Gahan in mid-1981.Shortly afterwards, Vince left the band to experiment with a number of duos, which included The Assembly, Yazoo (with Alison Moyet) and finally settling with Andy Bell and Erasure.
In late-1982 the band signed Alan Wilder (who was a classically trained musician) and DM continued to work on their own sound (new wave). Alan, at Dave's request, even learned to play the drums for the album 'Songs of Faith and Devotion', which was Alan's last album with DM. (1982-1995.)
I believe that DM's success shouldn't be only measured in CD/Album sales. They have their own style that has evolved with time, but is still definately DM. This band has released more remixes with more success than any other solo/group artist ever (more than 140 official remixes available.) Source: Mute/Reprise/Guiness..
So what's it all about? For me, I guess, it's the fact that you can always relate (in one way or another) to the lyrics. There's a little something for everyone ~ no matter what you've been through. I find that it goes further than the lyrics though. The composition (depth and variety of sound) in each track is asthetic to the ear. Basically there's always something catchy and musically attractive about each piece.
Essentially, 'The Singles 1986-1998' covers Music for the Masses', '101', 'Violator', 'Songs of Faith and Devotion' and 'Ultra'. This, in my opinion, is DM's best music to date. If your remotely intrigued by DM or whether you've enjoyed some of their releases over the years, then you won't be disappointed. It has everything from dark & moody to cheeky and cheerful!
Enjoy!
Finn
Free Music Review: The Singles 86>98, The come back punch!
Hit: 5 Stars
After the depressing bout with drugs and uncertainty lead singer of Depeche Mode, David Gahan, wows fans with their new song "Only When I Lose Myself". This band, so wrapped in mystery, but so open to the public eye, has continued to hold together and beat the incredible odds stacked against them. In "93 it was uncertain if the band would be able to continue, with Dave in rehab and Alan Wilder no long part of the band, things looked doomed. Martin Gore wrote many of his songs for their next album "Ultra" to help Gahan battel his way back from his heroin addiction. The rocky style of Ultra was a welcome change for many Depeche Mode fans who for a decade we accustomed to the synthesized resampled sounds of their previous works. Gore's songs "Walking in My Shoes" and "Home" seemed to reinact the hardships suffered by the band during this melancholy lull. It is clear that the singles tour was a time of revival and rebirth for the band, songs reminiscent of the old Depeche Mode. This photo album of music takes a intimate look at perhaps the most successful time in the bands career. The only thing that I can say about this album that disappointed me was the fact they had only written 2 new songs. When I heard "Only When I loose Myself" I was hooked, I wanted more. With the band meeting in New York this last week, it makes me wonder if the Singles tour was just a prelude to a kiss...Free Music Review: Policy of the truth
Hit: 5 Stars
The truth is that Depeche Mode is one of the best synth-pop bands around. They certainly outlived most of their '80s peers. Dave Gahan is definitely one of the sexiest man alive and certainly one of the best singers ever. Most of my favorite DM songs are from their classic "Violator" but unfortunately the production on that cd really needs to be remastered. So I thought it would be worth the money to acquire their second compilation of singles beginning from '86 to '98. Disc one has all the Depeche Mode songs that people are familiar with beginning, or at least most people are familiar with. Songs like "Enjoy the Silence" and "Personal Jesus" sounds even better on this compilation than on "Violator". The sound is bigger and fuller. Disc 2 contains songs from the band's more recent albums in the early to mid '90s. I can't say I was really wild about "Ultra" or the bonus song "Only When I Lose Myself". The only song that I truly enjoy is "It's No Good". I don't mind the gospel-influenced "Condemnation" though. I definitely don't care for "Barrel of a Gun". Nevertheless, Depeche Mode did an excellent job of compiling their singles from the past 10-20 years (including their other singles compilation which I enjoy immensely). And if Depeche Mode can outlast grunge and teen pop music, then they can outlast this current (horrid) rock scene. They already proved that they can by outlasting most new wave bands from the '80s.Free Music Review: The Golden Years
Hit: 5 Stars
The tweleve years covered in this second single compilation were easily the most prolific, enjoyable, yet troublesome years of Depeche Mode's twenty-year career so far.This collection kicks off with "Stripped" from their seminal 1986 album "Black Celebration". At this time Depeche Mode were sampling anything from tin cans to car engines. Next follows "A Question Of Lust", a beautiful ballad sung by Martin Gore, the band's songwriter. After "A Question Of Time" is "Strangelove", "Never Let Me Down Again", and "Behind The Wheel" from their hit album, "Music For The Masses". This album and the subsequent tour was to make them big in America. Included in this collection is a live version of their hit "Everything Counts", which was recorded on the "Music For The Masses" tour and featured on their live "101" album and film. Also included is "Little 15" a single from "Music For The Masses" that was released in only France.
"Only When I Lose Myself", a song not included on any other album, shows Dave Gahan's development as a vocalist and demonstrates that despite now being a trio, Depeche mode are still able to push themselves creatively after two decades of recording.
This collection is a perfect introduction to the best years of Depeche Mode's career so far, showing their development from being a geeky synth band to a serious rock group.