Depeche Mode is the latest in my album ranking series, i have bought each one since their 1981 debut, now a total of fifteen releases. They have moved from melodic pop to some much darker electronic albums, and generally each album has its own sound and feel. Here is a ranked list as i consider which ones get the most play or have affection within my collection.
Ultra (1997)
The 9th album, and not quite as highly recognised as the two preceeding it, i just love this one. It is not as menacingly dark as its predecessor, but it has a great moody feel, featuring more guitar and strings than usual. Every track sounds amazing to me, and whilst i do not want to pick and choose, ‘Barrel of a Gun’, ‘Home’, ‘Its No Good’ are among my all time favourites.
Violator (1990)
The 7th album, and the one recognised generally as one of the best electronic records of all time. It is deserved, as every track is amazing with a slightly stripped back feel allowing the melodic synths to shine through. Personal favourites would include ‘World in my Eyes’, ‘Halo’, and ‘Clean’ but everything is quality here.
Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993)
The 8th album, a dark and menacing sound, and with more spiritually focused lyrics. This is such a great album, with some really enjoyable elongated instrumental peices in ‘Judas’ and ‘In Your Room’, and an eastern sound, then the raw ‘I Feel You’ and rhythmical ‘ Walking In My Shoes’ and strings driven ‘One Caress’.
A Broken Frame (1982)
The 2nd album, and the one that for years was my favourite and most played. I rate it much higher than many fans, as i adore its moody feel and rhythmic basslines, especially in ‘My Secret Garden’ and ‘The Sun and the Rainfall’. It has a little splash of the debut pop feel here and there, and featured a great gatefold sleeve.
Memento Mori (2023)
The 15th and latest album and one that sees a return to some of their best form. It starts pretty well, but as the album plays on the songs largely seem to get better and better. There is somewhat of a return to the feel of the darker 90’s era, with songs being rhythmically driven with repeating bass loops, and some great vocals from Gahan.
Exciter (2001)
The 10th album, a real atmospheric melodic vibe, before the occasional track crashes in and disturbs your chill out mood. Whilst i almost wish the whole album had a peeled back softer approach, this is their best for a late evening mood. ‘ Dream On’, ‘Shine’, ‘When the Body Speaks’, ‘Freelove’, ‘I Am You’ are all amazing. This album is not found as high on many fans lists.
Delta Machine (2013)
The 13th album, and one i have fondness for, containing a trio of my favourite Depeche Mode tracks in ‘Angel’, ‘Heaven’ and ‘Should Be Higher’. Whilst there are also a couple of lesser tracks i would leave out on my listening, i felt it was a strong release overall, and where the high moments are really high.
Construction Time Again (1983)
The 3rd album, where sampling effects were a mainstay of the songs. It has an industrial construction theme carried through the cover art, and i always felt the theme gelled well with the overall sound as a cohesive whole. The sum of its parts exceed the individual tracks and I always enjoy listening to this album in one session,
Music for the Masses (1987)
The 6th album, and the predecessor and stepping stone towards the amazing Violator. This is a great album with a really cohesive sound, containing many great tracks. Over the years this one has gradually grown in favour, and i find it a hard one to place overall, sometimes it will be higher depending on my mood.
Black Celebration (1986)
The 5th album and a fan favourite as it was less commercially orientated and more experimental. There is a wider use of new sound samples, and a darker feel than before, with some really great tracks such as ‘Here is the House’, ‘New Dress’ and ‘Fly on the Windscreen’. It is not more highly ranked only because they even improved on this dark sound later on.
Speak and Spell (1981)
The debut album, and a melodic synth pop music explosion. Whilst there is a simplicity to the music here, it remains fun, catchy and enjoyable. ‘New Life’ and ‘Photographic’ remain among their great songs for me. This album may be a little dated now but is still a good listen if you are in an 80’s mood.
Playing the Angel (2005)
The 11th album, feeling slightly quirky and creative at times and is one that has seen quite a lot of play. The first half of the record is strong with ‘Pain That I’m Used To’, ‘John the Revelator’ and the single ‘Precious’. A really good and at times interesting album that i regularly return to as one of my selections.
Some Great Reward (1984)
The 4th album, and one i found hard to take to as i was not a fan of the singles. It still had some of the industrial work sound of its predecessor, but lacks some of it’s overall cohesive style. That said there are four albums tracks that are excellent, ‘Something to Do’, ‘Lie to Me’, ‘Stories of Old’ and ‘If You Want’. A mixed bag and a selective track listen for me.
Spirit (2017)
The 14th album has a more political and world orientation. It has quite a dark theme and the lyrics tend not to hide their message. This album does not really shine significantly for my listening, although ‘So Much Love’ and ‘No More’ are good, this ends up again as more a selected track listen rather than play it all through.
Sounds of the Universe (2009)
The 12th album is one that for this band is disappointing. There are a couple of reasonable songs like ‘Fragile Tension’ and ‘In Sympathy’ but nothing really stands out against older material, and many tracks even border on annoying to me. Apologies to anyone who likes it, but this one seems devoid of the usual greatness.