Tag Archives: Depeche Mode
Seven albums that changed my life
My PC is on the blink this week so I’m having to run it in safe mode just to get the main programs to work. Which doesn’t leave me with much I’m able to do…fortunately most of my music collection is on both CD and my hard drive so I won’t be going completely insane from boredom just yet (although I suspect it’s only a matter of time).
In terms of my guitar geekiness, it’s originally this bloke’s fault. Cheers for that, Nick
Since I want to write *something* to take my mind off the obvious annoyances but can’t watch fansubs or DVDs to write about, I figured I’d do a variant on the ‘favourite albums’ thing. Lists like those are self indulgent and meaningless so I’m outlining albums that have left a big impression on me and have marked important moments in my life as a musician/music fan. Still self-indulgent I guess, but at least somewhat meaningful – I also recommend you listen to them if you get the chance.
Depeche Mode: Some Great Reward
To date, Depeche Mode’s high water mark has always been 1990′s Violator LP but their 1984 effort, Some Great Reward, can also be considered a milestone in their career. The fact that it was recorded in partly in Berlin may have heightened the influence of electronic trendsetters Kraftwerk but the main reason why this record is, for me at least, a turning point in their back catalogue is where it hones the dark yet catchy signature sound that they are known for today. Much of the lyrical content turns away from the politics and social commentary (such as Construction Time Again‘s Everything Counts) towards a stance that is more personal and introspective; this increased emotion is juxtaposed with a crisp, almost industrial synthesised sound that is very much a product of its time but somehow still feels fresh nearly a quarter of a century later.
