Depeche Mode: Violator
When you hear the name ‘Depeche Mode’, it sometimes gives mental images of blokes with mullets, shoulder padded blazers, those bizarre hexagonal electronic drum kits all manner of 80s symbols that we’d rather forget. Well, it used to do that with me, anyway. However, when I started listening to their stuff, I realised that this band had moved way from the cheesy electronic sounds and gone for a more dark, atmospheric vibe, while still keeping catchy, foot-tapping melodies. Violator was written some time after this change occured.
The opening track, World in My Eyes, starts off with a hypnotic bassline, followed by crisp synthesised beats and David Gahan’s rich, haunting vocals. This pattern continues throughout the album: no two songs sound alike, and the whole thing is ambient, soulful and undeniably ‘cool’. By the closing track, Clean, the listener has been transported through a soundscape of soothing electronica, deep lyrics and some of the best British music produced in twenty years. Although one of the most well-known songs on the album, Personal Jesus, (covered by the late and great Johnny Cash and more recently by Marilyn Manson), with its upbeat and dance-inluenced groove, seems somewhat out of place when surrounded by more mellow-sounding material. Overall, though, the tracks flow and blend into each other to give a brilliantly relaxing musical experience. Essential listening.
In Summary
For a record that was recorded fifteen years ago and makes extensive use of synthesisers, Violator has aged remarkably well. In short, an absolute classic.
Tracklisting
- World In My Eyes
- The Sweetest Perfection
- Personal Jesus
- Halo
- Waiting for the Night
- Enjoy the Silence
- Policy of Truth
- Blue Dress
- Clean
Leave a Reply