The Singles 1986-1998
Mute Records
1998
Depeche Mode released yet another greatest hits album called ”Best of, Vol. 1” late last year. Yet after I took a close look on the songs listed in the album, it made me more persisted to buy their ‘old’ greatest hits album, “The Singles 86>98”. The first time the album was released back in 1998, I didn’t intend to buy it, as I think it was more of the dark side of Depeche Mode (in particular of Dave Gahan especially in album “Songs of Faith and Devotion”. After all, I like more the early years of DM, when Vince Clarke was still around. I am actually a huge fan of Clarke 😀 But since I have bought the CD of “The Singles 81>85” (which took me about 8 years to finally be able to buy the CD) a month earlier, I finally decided to buy the so-called second part of the greatest hits. And I wasn’t disappointed at all. Despite that I still prefer to listen the 81>85, the 86>98 was still superb. And even more, the album is a double album with 21 tracks, their 21 hits during the span of 12 years. So the songs are very much varied, we can feel the journey of Depeche Mode post-1985, from the album “Black Celebration” to “Ultra”, with all the band’s ups and downs.
The tracks are arranged chronologically, opened with songs from the beginning of the dark side of DM. The sounds used in these tracks are dark, gloomy, cold, and are somehow filled with despair. Dave Gahan seems to be perfect to sing these kinds of songs, though Martin Gore as usual still got his part to sing the ‘ballads’. Anyway, the songs from the half part of the first CD really reminded me of those DM videos where they play live in the States, and Dave Gahan singing in sleeveless shirt – so gorgeous looking! haha 😉 But perhaps, what made me admire Dave Gahan was not because of his gorgeous face, but it was simply of his amazing voice! It was his deep, heavy, dark voice that makes all DM songs somehow sounds so mysterious.
The musical journey continued with the next album, Music for the Masses, a perhaps ‘revolutionary’ to some people. Not for me, though. I prefer the B-side, or maybe the 101 live, rather than the dull hits offered in the album. So let’s skip this album and move on to the next one, Violator.
A very powerful album, I must say. Although I still disagree with Gore’s attempt on guitars. When he was about to form Depeche Mode in the 1980, he sold his guitar to buy a synthesizer. So why should he return to play the guitar? But it was like a guilty pleasure listening four songs included in the 86>98 which taken from Violator, as despite of my dislike on DM going a bit “rock”, I like all the tracks and in fact enjoying my every minute of it. “Enjoy The Silence” was brilliant, gives me the feeling of shiverish, magically transported to other places, persuasive, and inspired (to write) at the same time.
Yet the next album, Songs of Faith and Devotion, is what I recall “the downfall of the synth-pop DM”. And definitely, it’s the downfall of the life of Dave Gahan. Almost died of a suicide attempt under the influence of cocaine and heroin overdose, Gahan was saved but then has to get through a nine-months rehab. So no wonder the theme for Gahan in all the music videos from the album was long-messy-haired, filthy, and so-American.
The most recent album before the 86>98, “Ultra” gives us a clear impression that this band is trying to get their feet back on the ground again after the Gahan incident. For me, the hit “It’s No Good” is marking the music industry that this Essex band has returned to their electronic-new wave roots. Despite the lazy voice of Dave Gahan and the ‘still-heavy’ music by Martin Gore and co., but I can feel again the electronic noises and the pop sounds that is so DM-distinctive.
Then there is also the one and only single from the album “The Singles 86>98” itself, which is “Only When I Lose Myself”. DM is still in their dark, less-upbeat sort of mood, it seems. But it’s OK, that’s the image that they’d created since Black Celebration era. And there also two special tracks, one is Everything Counts, live during the 101 concert. Nicely done.
Overall, this is a definite album for all new wave lovers, thou if you prefer synth-pop, go buy the first one (Singles 81>85). And this album is actually a good soundtrack for your listening pleasure when you are in a dark mood, upset, or planning a sweet revenge. Go out and put on your cynical smile, then. >:)