This post is the first of a series in which I explore various albums that are among my most favored and the most influential to my own musical development.
Released in March of 1990, Violator by Depeche Mode was a force of nature. Brimming with pulsing synthesizers, infectious beats, and the near-maniacal vocal stylings of lead singer David Gahan, this album is a titan and a classic in the world of electronic music.
Here is the tracklist:
1. World In My Eyes
2. Sweetest Perfection
3. Personal Jesus
4. Halo
5. Waiting For the Night
6. Enjoy the Silence
7. Policy of Truth
8. Blue Dress
9. Clean
There isn't a dud on this album, and it highlights all of the bands strengths--great songwriting, quality musicianship, a true artistic vision, and an enthralling lead singer.
If you've never heard them before, here is a little taste. This is possibly my favorite track from the album (I say possibly because I tend to switch over to other songs at different times.)
Policy of Truth . . .
Depeche Mode - Policy Of Truth
Uploaded by droogirico. - Watch more music videos, in HD!
I remember being young and hearing Personal Jesus for the first time. It's almost sacreligious overtones hit me first and then the music sealed the deal. I was hooked. It was clear to me that this band was coming from a very vital artistic place--a domain in which electronic synthesizers lost any sense of cold, modern detachment and became a capable carrier of emotional depth, conflicting ideals, and creative expression. Every beat and cadence served to amplify the foreboding and haunting inflections of an enigmatic lead singer. This is pop electronic music at its finest.
Here is another favorite. This song creates a slow movement within the album. It's an understated little love song.
Blue Dress . . .
This album gave me a glimpse of how to make provocative music that is effusive and pleasing to the ear. Violator spawned several international hit songs and as of 2010 has sold 13.5 million copies. This should be no surprise. It's really kind of brilliant.
I leave you now with the song "Personal Jesus", now an anthemic Depeche Mode masterpiece . . .
Wanna get violated by something amazing? Get this album. It's worth every cent.
Comments