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| Walhello -> Knowledge Base -> CDs -> D -> Depeche Mode Singles 81 85 |
| Depeche Mode - Singles 81-85 Band: Depeche Mode Tracks: - Dreaming Of Me - New Life - Just Can't Get Enough - See You - The Meaning Of Love - Leave In Silence - Get The Balance Right - Everything Counts - Love In Itself - People Are People - Master And Servant - Blasphemous Romours - Somebody - Shake The Disease - It's Called A Heart - Photographic (Some Bizarre Version) - Just Can't Get Enough (Schizo Mix) Good history lesson -- and some fine music as well. Depeche Mode is one of My Favorite bands; I don't think I've even gone a full week without listening to VIOLATOR or SONGS OF FAITH AND DEVOTION since acquiring them. They're interesting, creative, philosophical and experimental -- everything I look for in worthwhile music. Yes, of course, the technology of 81>85 was primitive and today sounds rather cheesy, but other bands (Duran Duran comes to mind) managed to combine synth sounds with excellent songwriting that enhanced the range of New Wave, instead of displaying their synthesizers' limitations. However, as far as I'm concerned, the DM that began to emerge with SOME GREAT REWARD bears little or no resemblance to the DM of "Just Can't Get Enough", or (God forbid!) "Dreaming of Me". Vince Clarke definitely could write a catchy pop song, but nothing is more annoying than a "catchy pop song". Clarke's departure after SPEAK & SPELL cleared the way for Martin Gore to emerge as one of the premier composers of our times -- it took him a few years to develop, and even SGR is evidence of a work-in-progress. By the time MUSIC FOR THE MASSES came out, the band's transformation was complete. On the other hand, this album takes you through a whirlwind tour of tremendous growth of talent and message by Martin, Dave, Andy and Alan. The album's beginning, the annoying teenybop/pop of "Dreaming of Me", "New Life", "Just Can't Get Enough" and "See You" (it's hard to believe it's Dave Gahan's voice on these tracks!) only makes the album's closing tracks that much better. "Shake the Disease" and "It's Called a Heart" (neither of which were released on albums) are Truly fine songs that I hadn't had the privilege to experience until I bought this CD. In particular, I'd recommend purchase of this CD just for "Shake the Disease" alone if it weren't also available as a CD-single. I rate this album only three stars because it pales in comparison to their later work; but for those interested in history of their favorite bands, it represents a special treat. Also: I strongly recommend Dave Thompson's book DEPECHE MODE: SOME GREAT REWARD (which I bought here at Amazon.com). Truly enhances the musical experience. Just can't get enough Being a product of the '80s, I grew up on new wave music. Depeche Mode was one of the many new wave bands that I just adored then and still do to this very day. I have just never gotten around to getting their studio albums other than "Violator" and "Exciter". The other two DM cds I own is their singles compilation. Recently I have been listening to a lot of Depeche Mode music. As I just popped in "Singles '81-85" compilation, I can hear such a contrast in the band's sound. Their current music has a darker, more goth-influence to their Traditional synth-pop sound while their '80s music is very synthesized and if albeit cheesy (in a good way). Although I do prefer DM's more recent work from the past decade, I do enjoy their music from the '80s immensely especially songs like "Love In Itself" and "The Meaning of Love". And of course I Love "People Are People", one of my personal favorite Depeche Mode songs of all time. I think "Singles 81-85" is a really solid compilation of DM's earlier material. I do hope that someday they will put out a box set like New Order did recently. I think their is room for improvement when it comes to compiling the band's best material and I also would Love to hear remixes of My Favorite DM songs. Some Great Review Reading all those reviews brought back the memories of my first time experiencing Depeche Mode, back in 1986. In the local discotheques the deejays were playing pop & wave, just as it was hip at that time. Yet they always came back for more of Depeche Mode. It was then, that I've heard my first Depeche Mode song and became an admirer. And the first copy of an DM album was The Singles 81-85, though I could catch it For Real for the next four years (living behind the Iron Curtain all I got was a tape containing the songs). Now, after all these years, hearing these songs doesn't just bring back some old memories, but a sense of wonder, how they used the early digital technology to create a music, that's astonishingly war, up-to-date, with wonderful lyrics, deep emotions, and great songwriting skills. And how they always stayed state-of-the-art in use of the technology, without losing the soul of good music, which they themselves declared "...has nothing to do with technology, but a lot with performance." This album, released in 1985 (that apparently never made its way to America prior the release of The Singles 86-97), presents the developement of that great British Band from the earliest days to the time of their first international break-through. And they even published some fascinating reviews. For all those remembering the Eighties as a nightmare of fashion, the very name of Depeche Mode stated the fast changes in fashion, but it seems, naming themselves "Fast Fashion" took them out of the consequences of the statement... Buy Depeche Mode Singles 81 85 at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.comJamster - the latest ringtones for your phone! |
