depeche mode > album reviews > 1993...2004
Continued from album reviews 1981...1990.
Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993)
After the chart-topping success of Violator, DM could have went ahead and made Violator 2, but they didn't. SOFAD was the result of the band undergoing its most difficult period, one that saw Dave Gahan shovelling cocaine into his system by the kilogram, Martin Gore taking up daily binge drinking, and Andy Fletcher verging on a nervous breakdown. (Not too coincidentally, SOFAD turned out to be Alan Wilder's last DM album.) The circumstances were a recipe for disaster, but the resulting SOFAD most certainly was not. All growly synths and distorted guitars, its distinctly rock/gospel/blues-infused sound was a slap in the face for those expecting another slinky follow-up to Violator. It opens with the pulsating drive of I Feel You, and lapses into the biggest, most brilliant rolling bassline ever (Walking In My Shoes). At SOFAD's epicentre is In Your Room, a monumental, foreboding six minute opus with S&M undertones; and it ends with Higher Love, a rousing, spine-tingling closer that never fails to make me shiver in awe. Dave Gahan's voice has never been better. This is undoubtedly my favourite DM album, and an absolute stunner at that.
Key tracks: I Feel You, Walking In My Shoes, Condemnation, Judas, In Your Room, One Caress, Higher Love
Rating: 10/10
Songs of Faith and Devotion Live (1993)
Non-die hard fans needn't rush out to purchase this - it contains exactly the same tracks as SOFAD, and in exactly the same order, and there are times when the die hard fan thinks '101 this ain't'. That being said, there is no denying the sheer power of these tracks when performed live - but stick to the Devotional DVD for a truly electrifying performance of songs from the SOFAD era.
Key tracks: Condemnation, Higher Love
Rating: 7.5/10
Ultra (1997)
After a four-year hiatus - and one that wasn't exactly a holiday either (the departure of Alan Wilder, Dave Gahan's repeated episodes of overdosing etc) - Ultra was the album that DM seemed destined never to make. Production shifted from Alan to Tim Simenon, who injected Ultra with a more reflective, layered edge. The beats were grittier - as in the case of the abrasive, dissonant opener - and the synths much more complex. As a consequence, Ultra is a much less immediate album than its predecessors, and opinion is still very divided as to whether it is a 'good' DM album or a poor one. Good or bad, there are two pleasant surprises here - Dave Gahan using his voice as more of an instrument (as opposed to relying on overproduction), and the corrosive single Useless, with its sensual, moaning guitar riff. Fighting off their demons never sounded so lovely for DM as it does here.
Key tracks: Barrel of a Gun, Home, It's No Good, Useless, Sister of Night, Insight
Rating: 8/10
The Singles 86>98 and The Singles 81-85 (1998)
Some might argue that this collection of singles is yet another shameless cash-in on the part of Reprise Records, but it is indeed a worthwhile purchase for casual listeners as well as hardcore Mode fans. It presents all of the band's influential, groundbreaking singles up till 1998 - including a rousing live version of Everything Counts - and introduces no new songs, save one - the organic and very sensual Only When I Lose Myself on Disc 2 of 86>98. For those interested in hearing how DM's sound has evolved from the upbeat synth pop of the early 80s, to the electronica/synth/rock crossovers of the early 90s - and why they are widely considered the trendsetters and pioneers of electronica - these LPs would be a very, very fitting place to start.
Key tracks: All of them
Rating: 8/10
Exciter (2001)
There is probably not a single DM album that divides fans more than this one. Actually, to call it 'Exciter' might be a bit of an overstatement - aside from two shamelessly grinding, dancefloor-worthy tracks, the rest of the album is decidedly more mature, minimalist, organic, and restrained in feel. Earthy guitar riffs and electrified, pulsating synths find themselves sitting side by side here, perhaps the biggest surprise being the electro-acoustic sound that producer Mark Bell has managed to coax out of DM. Rarely has Dave Gahan's voice sounded so rich and expressive, without being overblown - Goodnight Lovers finds him purring over a hush-hush backing of gospel singers in a glorious closing lullaby. The only song that sounds bizarrely out of place is The Dead of Night, a loud, swaggering stomp that could be Nine Inch Nails dressed in drag, complete with glittery eyeliner. That aside, and although Exciter might not be DM's best, not many bands could pull of a feat like this in their 20th year.
Key tracks: Dream On, When the Body Speaks, I Feel Loved, I Am You, Goodnight Lovers
Rating: 8/10
Singles Boxsets 1-6 (2004)
Given that these six nicely-packaged (in black, of course) boxsets typically cost £26.99 each on a bad day at HMV, it somehow goes without saying that they might be suited more for die hard DM completists. All 36 singles (up to Dream On of the Exciter era), complete with remix after remix, and some truly stunning and glorious b-sides, present hours of true aural ecstasy for DM followers. I am a sucker for DM b-sides, and the best can be found here - Route 66, Black Day, My Joy, just to name a few. This is undoubtedly six boxes of pure music history.
Key tracks: Shake the Disease, But Not Tonight, Route 66, Dangerous, Happiest Girl, Sea of Sin, Death's Door, Surrender
Rating: 9/10
Remixes 81...04 (2004)
There is no denying that DM have always been at the vanguard of remix culture, being pioneers of a groundbreaking genre. The band's particularly choosy selection of remixers have been legendary, a reflection of the hottest, best remixers in the world. Remixes 81...04 is no exception, reading like a who's who list of the cream of the crop - Underworld, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Goldfrapp, Air, and Timo Maas, to name a few - all wanting to contribute to a bit of DM history. Not all the remixes are entirely successful, however - Are People People? is particularly scary; DJ Muggs' metal-edged version of Freelove does not sit well with the song's tender, soulful lyrics; and Linkin Park's version of classic Enjoy the Silence sounds a bit too much like Linkin Park for my taste. For those lucky enough to get their hands on the limited three-disc set, the third disc is undoubtedly the best - it showcases some truly exemplary, multidimensional remixes and is a fascinating example of the remix as an emerging art form.
Key tracks: Never Let Me Down Again (Split Mix), I Feel Loved (Chamber's Remix) World In My Eyes (Mode To Joy), Useless (The Kruder & Dorfmeister Session), Enjoy the Silence (Timo Maas Extended Remix), Photographic (Rex the Dog Dubb Mix), Halo (Goldfrapp Remix)
Rating: 8/10
To be continued when the new album is released (not soon enough evidently).
L'Esthete @ 01:14
