Depeche Mode's Music for the Masses: Remastered and Expanded

Throughout the ‘80s, Depeche Mode was at the forefront of synthesized, alternative music, incorporating elements from many genres, electronic, goth, dance, industrial, that appealed to young misfits and teenage outcasts that populated the cities of Europe and the suburbs of America.  

They were trendsetters, creating the music they wanted, causing Pop music follow their lead.  In 1984, Some Great Reward actually garnered them some as their songs gained more airplay with hits like “People Are People”, “Master and Servant”, and “Blasphemous Rumors.”  Successive albums saw the band’s popularity grow until the critical mass of 1990’s Top Ten smash Violator. 

The album that paved the way for their mainstream breakthrough was 1987’s Music For The Masses, whose title was an inside joke because the band only had a cult following, albeit devoted.  On this album they used a new producer, Dave Bascomb who had worked with Tears for Fears, because previous producer, Daniel Miller, had to devote more time to his record label. 

Dephece Mode is known for their sound, and the music and arrangements do a great job of conveying emotions.  However, I was struck by the stories told. The lyrics of the album detail the intimacy and ecstasy of love as well as the pain that can be attached to it, but love of what?  Most songs are obviously another person, but as all good works of art some songs are open to interpretation.