Track Listing

1. Dreaming Of Me
2. New Life
3. Just Can't Get Enough
4. See You
5. Meaning Of Love
6. Leave In Silence
7. Get The Balance Right
8. Everything Counts
9. Love In Itself
10. People Are People
11. Master And Servant
12. Blasphemous Rumours
13. Somebody
14. Shake The Disease
15. It's Called A Heart
16. Photographic
17. Just Can't Get Enough (2)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4459 in Music
• Released on: 1998-10-26
• Number of discs: 1

From Amazon.com
The question we have to ask is "Why?" Depeche Mode released The Singles, 86-98 because there was no comprehensive singles collection representing 1986 through 1998. But why release a singles compilation covering 1981 through 1985 when Catching Up with Depeche Mode already covers this turf? For one thing, the singles "Leave in Silence," "Everything Counts," and "People Are People," which were absent from Catching Up, are included here. All the songs are digitally remastered, but how much does digital enhancement really do to improve the sound of early-'80s synth-pop, which is so dated? Not much. However, it's natural to release a comprehensive singles collection that nicely coincides with 86-98. Both compilations are great for first-timers. And the two remixes on 81-85 ("Photographic [Some Bizarre Version]" and "Just Can't Get Enough [Schizo Mix]") will snag collectors. But maybe the answer has nothing to do with marketable packaging. DM have always fancied themselves as notorious. The liner notes for 81-85 include one negative review and one positive for each song. Perhaps as an attempt to fend off the specter of "where are they now?" Depeche Mode feel the need to remind us how controversial they are by reminding us how controversial they were. --Beth Bessmer

Customer Reviews

Depeche Mode - where it all started, and what a great start at that!
Barcode: 5016025682201

Depeche Mode are one of my favourite bands and although i think many would argue that their finest material would be to come after this compilation, however true that is, their early material stills holds a certain charm for me.

New Life is the perfect 80s anthem, insanely catchy and with an impeccable synth-melody as the outro kicks in you just fall back into a tune that is just as fun now as it was back then. Just Can't Get Enough is an equally classic tune and it's popularity is still evident in the fact the band still play it live.

Everything Counts is yet another highlight, illustrating the band's move toward a more industrial, darker sound - the layers of sound become more intricate, Martin's lyrics holding so much emotion and feeling in them delivered perfectly by Dave who i seriously believe ranks among the greatest male singers of all time.

Master and Servant and People Are People mark the height of their industrial sound and although they sound spectacularly dated, i love them - the way that whip sound is sampled in the former is just genius - the lyrics full of black humour also evident in the brilliant Blasphemous Rumours.

So, in conclusion, this serves as a perfect compilation of Depeche Mode's early years. Newcomers wishing for an introduction to the band are probably best getting 'The Best Of Depeche Mode, Volume 1' but for those wishing to see their beginnings as a brilliantly talented early 80s synth-pop band will find all their answers in this excellent compilation.

Good old fashioned downbeat pop!
Didn't really like them at the time as it was all a bit gloomy for my pop sensibilities at the time, after all, this compilation covers the era I was aged 7-11. Anyway, re-evaluating it all in my more mature 30s, there's some storming stuff here. As a fan of Nine Inch Nail's "Pretty Hate Machine", you can hear some influences on that here, especially from the Depeche Mode period '83-'85.

Dark, industrial pop, but still really good melodies, hooks, etc. Worth a look if you're a fan of pop music.

An under-rated album that set the tone for synths!
Its such a delight to listen to this album in any given time of year, situation, or mood, as Mode clearly demonstrate the foundations of their sought after synth sounds, and their love for experimenting with different sounds. Simple keyboard synths, nice bright beats, and a collection of powerful and mellow songs makes this an album definately worth owning if you become fed up of todays market. This album will surely send you back to the good old days!