Music for the Masses

Never Let Me Down Again Strangelove Behind the Wheel

OK, sounds about the same as when it came out.

Liked some of it, but overall not totally my thing.

3.5

Unsure which version was intended due to broken link with Apple Music. Listened to the base version (no bonus tracks, 10 song track list).

Good listen, but might not listen to again. Pretty much classic Depeche Mode

Maybe I’m just not into new wave

Synth gods, but this one fell flat for me

Starts off strong but ends weakly. Which is a shame as I think Depeche Mode are a sweet band.

Interesting, latter half of album was easier to jam to. Beginning half was a little slow. Sounded experimental

The eighties were so heavy. Sometimes I can’t stand the drums.

Früher hatte ich gar keinen Zugang zu Depeche Mode, jetzt finde ich dieses Album ganz ok. Trotzdem, packen tut es mich nicht ***

After like 5 songs you kind of get the point.

Not bad, some decent songs. Not their best

I do rate Depeche Mode above most 80’s bands, they just seem to have an atmospheric sounds to them that outweighs the dates 80’s synth sound.

Not my favorite album of theirs but it's decent.

Alright, Depeche Mode is an ultimate weakness for me. I melt at his vocals and tremble with the synths. Although, I don’t think this is their peak. I anxiously await another album from them in this adventure.

This is what I think of when someone says 80s music.

Depeche Mode is nostalgic for me and although there are some skips for me on this particular album, I enjoyed it overall.

First half of the album is just same old same old, 80s synth stuff as expected. The second half tho goes towards a more new wave sort of direction and I loved it. It has a kinda Vangelis sound that I really enjoyed. Unfortunately half the album being good and half being bad averages out on a mediocre note.

This album is dark and moody and driving. It is very well done and is very good. I’m just not big into this kind of music. Favorites were Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove, and Pimpf.

I’m surprised how much of this album I know. It sounds great. But it’s not really my thing. I wouldn’t put it on again. But I also would not turn it off. I might listen again to study the production.

First concert. Not my go to though. 3/5

Fine, lacked variety for most of the time

3 at best

This sounds like a rock opera made by your local goth high schooler who huffed too much paint for too many years and never really came all the way back...real dayman vs nightman vibes. It's eerie and dark and very, very cool. I don't really love the whole synth era or the sound in general but these guys were masters at it and you have to give them that. I still can't give them any more than a 3 though because I really didn't enjoy listening to it for an entire hour.

Viewed as a soundtrack or a vibe it’s excellent. But individual songs feel lacking. Great world, but sometimes the ideas drag on 3/5

Really enjoyed the first half of this. You can hear the huge influence it has had on bands like LCD Soundsystem. I started to tail off into the second half. should probably listen again.

Never let me down again is the stand out. It’s a good album but not yet at Depeche Mode’s full potential

Never Let Me Down Again 3.3 The Things You Said 3 Strangelove 3.1 Sacred 3 Little 15 3.1 Behind the Wheel 2.9 I Want You Now 2.8 To Have and to Hold 2.7 Nothing 2.8 Pimpf 2.4 Score: 2.91

Meh

Meh didn’t like it

This album surprised me, and not in a good way. Their subsequent album Violator is perfect, 5/5. This one suffers from forgettable songs, uninteresting instrumentals, and an ok vocal performance. I can only really give this a 2.5/5 -> 3/5.

I appreciate the artistry, but not my cup of tea

This is a fantastic representation of 80s synth pop. I just don’t really love 80s synth pop.

Not my thing but a good album nonetheless.

Low energy, but not too bad. First track is the best track.

Enjoyed this more than I thought, especially the instrumentals. 2.78

Should be called 'Music for the Small Portion of the Masses who Enjoy Ambient Operatic Synth Chamber Music'

🤖

Some interesting parts but kinda boring, especially the vocals. Also the album cover isn’t great.

A bit dark and melancholy for my taste, but the production and sound are solid.

Pretto decent album, but not their best album I reckon.

Sounds exactly like the kind of the music a guy with a skull cane would make.

OK but a bit bland?

Depeche Mode 2as a band in the 80’s l didn’t want to like but it’s very listenable. Like "Never Let Me Down Again" heavier beat.

130/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

i don’t really care for early new wave music ngl

быстро надоедает, слишком гламурно

get uhhhh something carelesss

Good atmosphere, a bit too out there for me

I usually really enjoy 80s synthy, brooding stuff, but this one just didn't quite hit the mark. Not terrible though.

another lee classic

With all the synth sounds and gated reverb it’s of its time.

Ein super song, rest nur ok

Why the bare and thin production makes me feel so uneasy I cannot tell, but something about it makes even the most beautiful pop song here feel a little tonally out of place. Like I'm being judged by the ghost of pop.

Back in the 80ies I hated them. Now I loved them. Why? Don't know, but it just clicks with me. Nonetheless, this one is not their best and nothing really super impressive.

British new wave electro pop, gets boring after a few songs

Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.

album started out really well and then just slowly started to fall off.... 3.2/5

Better at the start. Last half of the album was a bit thin.

Strong start but quickly got bored

first half slapped. second half was pretty dull tho

You have to be in the mood for Depeche Mode, but it's good Deoeche Mode.

I like depeche mode but I’m not familiar with a lot of their stuff. This album is good, I’d put it on for chillin around the house, making dinner, drinks, or while I work, for an upbeat vibe. Pretty great 80’s sound.

Ah, music for the proto-goth/figuring out LGBTQ+ identity set. My college girlfriend loved Depeche Mode, as did my roommate. I was of course up my own classic rock infused ass at the time. Fun to revisit. The first half of the album holds up much better than the second after "Nothing", where you get the weirdness of "Pimpf" and "Agent Orange" and some remixes that sound ridiculously dated. In any case, it's still worth a listen -- some pretty good tracks on here, both the ones you know and the ones you don't. Unexpected bangers: I Want You Now, To Have and To Hold

The first half of the album was very strong, but it was getting pretty droning with five songs to go and I was ready to be done.

Great songwriting, defining sounds of the late 80’s, some of which I find kind of cheesy and grating unfortunately. Still, the song structures, melodies, and lyrics are so moving I can’t help but enjoy it.

80s synths, if that sounds good to you then this is a classic. Otherwise 3*

I started listening to this album on loudspeakers, as the album art suggested, and it wasn't really hitting for me. Then I switched over to my headphones and cranked it. What I once thought seemed a little bit corny, now I hear as a thumping, pumping culture blast. So many classic synth sounds! Plenty of drama, some classical music-ness to it as well. Behind the Wheel - I love the stereo effects as they echo, call and respond. Then when the thick, sexy vocals come in in the center, I become ecstatic, as in full of ecstasy, but not the drug. I see an image of me sway-bopping in a crowd of 60,000 to these intoxicating tunes. I have no idea what the lyrics are, but that's not what I really listen for on a first pass. Or a second pass. And probably not the third either.

Pretty okay. (Didn’t do a full listen)

Dark and poppy, a unique combination. Perhaps a little dated for my taste, but the production value and musicianship are surprisingly great! Overall, not a constant rotation for me.

3.5 stars

#245. In theory I could just copy/paste my review for Violator here. There's some highlights, but most of it is a bit uninteresting. If you like sad boy new wave, then this is surely the one for you. If not, we'll maybe tomorrow will be better? 3/5: it'll do, I guess.

A mix of "pop" and experimental. Overall just good.

pretty solid album but i think it's a little too serious and pretentious for me. i do enjoy this era of synth-driven music, and i greatly enjoyed the sounds on this one, as well as the production, but i found the sounds themselves a bit lacking. still was enjoyable, but not really my favorite.

Die reinen Instrumentalstücke sind novh immer nichts für mich. An den Rest gewöhnt man sich im Alter.

Depeche Mode are one of those bands that I just find a little samey. I like their sound but find they’re constantly circling the same few ideas and that gets a bit boring over the course of an album

Fine but very 80s.

This really does sound like the 80s, and that's mostly a good thing. I was at times, however, flip-flopping between really grooving with the songs and then being kind of underwhelmed.

Sounds like the future…from the 80s

7/10 muy bueno al principio el final un poco aburridor

The electronic sample and sequence melodies are groundbreaking. Musically it’s very enjoyable. Lyrically… well, it’s good that the gay kids have cool music that’s just for them. It’s pretty bold for 1987.

I liked it even if I’m not a Mode fan. 3 stars

It's Depeche Mode. Interesting, but not something I'd choose to listen to.

Background

It's alright stuff. I kinda forget it now but it was good. Will I listen to again: 25%

Possibly even a 3.5? Enjoyed this more than I expected to

Much as I love the 80s, this one is pretty average

An interesting exploration of moods and drama.

I adore Depeche Mode. I thought I did. The music is a mood all of itself. I feel somber and disquieted. Tentative and unsettled. Its not necessarily nice feelings. As other reviews have said, there is a tonality that sounds same-ish. There is good variety but there is also same-ish-ness. I feel satisfied with the album, but not blown away which is what I would give for a 5/5. Its not an album that I return to easily, but when a mood is upon me. A mood for late 80's new romantic British sombre dissonance. When do I have such a mood ... not often, but I know where to go now. 3 stars. Not 4, the depth within the album or vocals does not seem to be there.

This was some good Depeche Mode action, but I greatly preferred Violator to this album. There weren't any songs here that really grabbed me, but it was consistently good overall 3/5

That's not my taste in musik. But ok

This is a Depeche Mode record. Less poppy than they would become. It's what they call the sort of thing you'd probably enjoy if you enjoy that sort of thing. Maybe more than most of this sort of thing. This is a Depeche Mode album.

Articulate and intricate electronic music. Big sounds. Bit samey.

6.5/10 Great sound, but not enough great songs. Highlights: Never Let me Down Again Behind the Wheel Strangelove

A pretty good album, I enjoyed Never Let Me Down Again and Strangelove the most.

I was kinda vibing but I Want You Now fully killed the mood lol 3/5

Depeche Mode, yeah ok

The dark electro reminds me a lot of NIN (which debuted only two years later). It’s pretty good. Covers a lot of ground for ostensibly being a pop album. Sounds like this was one album in a string of big hits for them. 3.8

little weird

I was not a fan growing up but do like them better these days. This has some O recognize even so.

Pretty solid new wave. There were plenty of cool, groovy parts, but also a lot of boring sections that got annoying before an actual song kicked back in

This started out so good and then kinda fell off and became such a standard moody 80s album. Good but not great.

sounds like 1990

Pretty good Depeche Mode album that I have never heard before. It's pretty chilled out in some places but also mechanical upbeat in others, very nice.

Another Depech offering pretty good also

Fine for what it is. Not as catchy as the best synthpop should.

The Depeche mode sound is like salt on fries. I don't want a whole bowl of salt, I just want a little salt on my fries.

Ok

These guys are definitely a cut above most of their peers in this style of music. There was a lot of creative ideas on this album and a darker tone than some of their other work.

Not my favourite Depeche Mode album. Well crafted and most of what I'd expect from the band, but just doesn't really get all the way for me.

Obvious here is the high level musicality, smooth, soothing vocals/harmonies and melody sense. If you’re good with all synth arrangements then this might be one for your favorites. Personally I need me some real instruments. For that reason, Personal Jesus is my favorite DM song.

An enjoyable listen

I like Depeche Mode but didn’t really like this album. Not liking the instrumental stuff.

Ok album

cool

Always gonna love some moody 80s synth pop. Some strong tracks like Never Let Me Down & interesting arrangements like agent orange but also some others that feel almost clunky and simplistic?! V atmospheric though

At first I was like…This is a bit more like it!! Would have absolutely blown my head off in 1987. Then after the first track it’s just a bit boring. One song sounds like soundtrack to GoldenEye for N64. Otherwise… nah.

Love some Depeche Mode

Moi qui attendait une occasion de découvrir Depeche Mode... Je ne sais pas si c'est un album représentatif, mais l'ambiance était aussi unique que je me l'imaginais : une espèce d'ésotérisme rock/électro. J'ai moins accroché à la fin de l'album, plus expérimentale et ambient qu'autre chose... Ceci dit, je note un véritable projet artistique.

Not being familiar with Depeche Mode, nor the genre, this album took a couple of listens to really get. I could hear the influence they had on Paradise Lost during their One Second/Host-era and AFI post Art of Drowning, but without the infectious melodies and hooks. Moreover, the slow pace of the songs made it hard to really focus on what was going on. The different layers of instrumentation, etc. It didn't hit me as hard as I hoped, but there were a couple of decent songs. So instead of a new One Second/Sing the Sorrow, I got a Believe in Nothing/Burials instead. Best song: Little 15 Weird sequencing: Pimpf would be much better off opening the album

Yeah this was pretty good. Not sure it really hit me that hard. Track 5 was my favourite.

# Playlist track - Never Let Me Down Again # Notes - Dark and brooding in an interesting way, at least at first. - After tracks 4-5 it loses some of the shine and become repetitive. Might need to listen a few more times to get into it.

Depeche Mode's brooding, dramatic version of pop synth music fit particularly well with the 80s aesthetic. They make dance music with synthesizers and drum machines. The songs are catchy and danceable, but it is hard to notice any particular difference between the songs. The band was quite commercially successful at the time, and have been able to sustain a successful career since. Music for the Masses may have had mass appeal at the time, but for the very dated sound of these songs, that appeal has certainly waned.

What can I say? It's Depeche Mode. Formative but there's other things nowadays I'd rather listen to.

Bit dreary

Not bad.

Not really my thing but should listen again

It’s fine

I like new wave more than I am willing to admit more often than not, but a lot of songs sound too similar if you’re not well versed in the genre.

It was good, I wasn’t expecting the ambient-y stuff.

Depressing a bit

This was a good album, I enjoyed listening to it. However I would likely never choose to listen to it.

If one is being forced to listen to electronic synth-pop, I suppose this is better than many options out there.

Listening to this alerted me to the fact that Depeche Mode is not Duran Duran and vice versa. In my mind its all the same, but when you listen, its different. Also appreciated the no-tricks Beethoven at the end.

Meh, too rock pop basic, did only listen to 3 songs or something

Sound exactly like Depeche Mode

Classic depeche mode, not their best but travel away from the greatest hits and enjoy their back catalogue.

good all around album. you know some hits.. really nice. Sonata at end was a special treat

it started really slow, got better as the album continued. feels stereotypical for the 80s, but still nice

The music here is dang near perfect. This is a great, moody, dark electronic-esque album with a lot going for it. Lots of neat effects and synth beats. Where this suffers is in the length and repetition. There are so many repeated lyric lines and the songs just can't seem to cut off at a reasonable point to combat that. It puts a damper on my desire to listen to this again, even if the music is pretty sweet. Fav tracks: Strangelove, Pleasure, Little Treasure, Never Let Me Down Again

First time listening to a Depeche Mode album all the way through, and they really hooked me with the first few songs. The spooky, broody vibes earned it a solid 4 initially but I really lost interest in the back half of the album. Still an enjoyable hour! Standout new to me song: Sacred

This is hitting better than when I listened to it a few years ago. I wonder if this project is opening my ears a bit?

Very 80s

It was fine? It took me like 2 hours to listen to the 1 hour long album because of work stuff and it dragged a bit

This album, without question, has some good songs. It’s classically 80s with its synth and rhythm and yet it has some really unique elements with its pace and dynamics. Quite liked it, got a bit bored.

I like Depeche Mode. Their sound is clearly 80's but somehow isn't dated. That said, I only got into a couple of the tracks here, the better knowns ones: Never Let Me Down Again (which I knew) and Behind The Wheel (which I didn't). So, as a whole it's not as good as their other albums.

Kinda boring

Good sound. 80th sinth and a little futuristic. Definitely worth another listen!

This one falls into the weird Depeche Mode era for me, post- the more bouncy Vince Clarke “Just Can’t Get Enough” era and pre- the more evolved 90’s “Enjoy the Silence” era. As different as those were, I think I prefer both to this one. I either want to be up and dancing or brooding alone in the corner, and this one straddled that line, making me do neither.

'Goedemorgen meneer, wij zijn van de jaren tachtig en we komen wat muziek brengen. Er zit veel keyboard in, lijzige zang, het zet een tijdsbeeld neer en klinkt allemaal hetzelfde. Kan ik het hier neerzetten? Veel plezier ermee en twee keer per week water geven.'

Een album wat mij niet zoveel doet. 3 sterren. Op zich knap, want het baseert zich wel op twee van mijn allergieën. Jaren '80 en zeurende zang.

Ik kan hier weinig interessante verhalen verder bij vinden, maar aangezien Dave Gahan een heroine junk is geweest, zal er ongetwijfeld een prima biografie of documentaire over gemaakt zijn. En dat wil ik dan toch wel weer lezen of zien. Qua muziek is het duistere synthpop met industriele computerbeats en de bezwerende stem van Dave Gahan (of de Talk Talk stem van Martin Gore af en toe). Vrij bombastisch, zoals Depeche Mode wel vaker is, maar wel sfeervol. Het is niet mijn muziek, maar de beklemmende sfeer die neergezet wordt, met name in het eerste deel, is wel goed gedaan. Het album bevat voor mij geen bekende hitjes en toch staat het in deze snoblijst. Als het hele album vol met die sfeervolle nummers had gestaan, dan was het als album nog wel een meerwaarde geweest, maar de intermezzo's van rustige nummers en/of het gebrek aan een of twee bekende hits, doen wat mij betreft toch wel afbreuk aan de albumervaring in dit geval. Hoger dan een 3 kan ik niet komen.

Pretty cool album. Some of the songs are kind of spooky.

The first 4 tracks are a great stretch of classic DM songs--Never Let Me Down, The Things You Said, Strangelove, Sacred is a near perfect run. But after that, this lost me a bit. With the exception of Behind the Wheel, the rest of the album is a SLOG to get through, I was sick of it by the end. I guess it kinda balances out to a 7/10, but a light 7.

funky. will not revisit

wel oke

Great at creating a dark brooding atmospheric mood, not so good at writing good songs

It was fine.

Solid product, but Depeche Mode has never really been my favorite band. I don't hate it, but nothing really stands out, either, other than the sometimes over-dramatic tone in Dave Gahan's voice and the over-the-top \"Pimpf\".

As a being with mass, I appreciate this band making music for me and my ilk. When I have further need of feeling robotic and disconnected, I shall request my musical device to summon said music.

osea de una pero medio like we care. 7/10

This was so darn 80s it hurt. Not really my thing but I did like a couple songs. I get the popularity as I'm sure a lot of the sounds were novel at the time!

Interesting parts, but mostly simplistic mood music. Better than Violator - maybe.

I thought it was cool and very “transcending” if you get what I mean. Felt like I was on another planet. BETTER THAN PEARL JAM

Reminds me of my first internet gf who was into 80s pop. Aside from the nostalgia, it's a little meh. Very "just discovered MIDI" vibes.

I did like this quite a bit. But 3 seems fair.

A classic

not my style

First half awesome. Second half terrible. Lol

Very much 80's synth...meh

Depeche Mode was never one of my favorites growing up in the 80's, but no one can deny, that they have that iconic 80's sound that defined that decade's music. I tended to 70's music and the goth rock bands of the 80's (The Damned, Bauhaus, and The Sisters of Mercy). While a little too synthpop to me, I did enjoy some of this record, notably the lyricism and the song "To Have and to Hold".

Never really my thing but pleasant enough.

Interesting, not sure I’ll ever go back to it but worth listening to it once.

Ik word niet heel warm van dit album

Lush but dreary. Production is great. Nothing really stands out though

"Deluxe Edition" - makes me want to cry. I like Depeche Mode, but I've never really *loved* their stuff. I was enjoying listening to the album instead of just the hits. But then I hit the "Deluxe Edition" junk. When exactly? I don't know. I'm just listening to a good album, and the next thing I know I'm listening to not a good album. Way to kill a good vibe.

Not my style but I enjoyed learning about it!

Interesantes sonidos y tal pero se hace demasiado estático, por lo que cansa enseguida.

not bad but not good

Some well known songs from the 80s. In general I guess I find it kind of boring music-wise.

Like a real melodramatic apocalypse, but with fairly static beats. Very obviously influenced by Kraftwrek. Don’t think I’d end up listening to it fully again, but perhaps a few tracks. Nothing is definitely the most creative track to me. Fav tracks: The Things You Said, Strangelove, To Have and To Hold, Nothing

Not a bad album. Not sure about the weird set nosies on I want you now!! Liked never let me down again and strangelove

Definitely a vibe...super cool an innovative is someways, but a bit too much for me all at once

This was a big one for me in high school, but it took me until just now to realize it’s all about drugs.

Meh. Not my cup of synthesizer tea. I think they're good if you like this sort of music, though.

It's fine I guess. Wasn't really impressed though.

i really really liked the first 3 songs of the album it had a genuinely good start and captivated my attention the rest was good too but a good album starts off strong and this definitely did

First 4 tracks are great, then the quality of the albums dips a bit. The next few tracks are still good, just not as good as the ones preceding them. I don't like 'I want you now'. 'To have and to hold' is boring. I like the dramatic shift the album takes at pimpf, it is a good way to close the album. The remixes are mid but I'm going to ignore them

Interesting, not my thing though

Some known songs but all in all it is not my music style I totally like

Very interesting genre. Usually not a fan of 80's synth but they are different and there were some good tracks. More misses than hits though.

Pretty cool

Die perfekte materialisierung von 'its not a phase Mom!' gut gemacht, aber bei Demo nichts überraschendes und hier auch nicht die oberbanger dabei.

I was really happy to see this band's name show up. I've heard about them and people have raved about them online and I was always felt that they had a solid cult following. What a let down to find out they're just new wave boring British pop. The instrumentals are decent but a lot of this ends up being pretty forgettable. Some of the instrumentals were able to draw out emotion but the brooding of the lead singer just doesn't do it for me. Not offensively bad but also nothing that sticks out.

i wanted to like this more than i did, but it was still pleasant!

Very clean sound and lots of variety, without an overwhelming amount of 80s synths :D Favorite track: Strangelove

Gear: Fostex TH610 (Lawton) Mische: fies hallende Drums, schreit nach mehr Lautstärke - unter 100 Hz wohnt aber (meistens) niemand Mugge: trotz meiner Schwäche für 80s-Synths - ganz große Liebe ist dieses Album nicht bei mir Wertung: 3/5 (+1 für "Behind the Wheel")

Sehr gutes Album mit den Klassikern: Never Let me Down und Strangelove Geht mal aber nicht immer:

It's listenable, unmistakably depeche mode, good background music. Don't love it though. 3 flat.

The first DM album I bought at the time of its release. I was so looking forward to it and paid for it out of my 4th ever pay packet from Tesco. After teasing us with 'Strangelove' and the monumentally brilliant 'Never Let Me Down Again', on first listen I was gravely disappointed by it. At 16, I don't think I was ready for the slow pace of most of the album. Being a goth at that time I felt this album would be better than it was, with all its reverb and a darkness to the tone. However I have grown up and fast forward 36 years, I've finally got round to listening to it again. This time round? Better, but still not exciting me as a whole. All the singles are bangers, most of the album tracks are at best good, a couple are just fillers. However 'Pimpf', a track I hated at 16, sounds really good to my old ears now, I wanted it to go on longer. You can hear their sound slowly transforming into what would become 'Violator' three years later. Difficult decision in what to give this, so I'll give it a high 3.

Very good album, some great songs. However Depeche Mode is one those bands I really love about 50% of there stuff and while the rest isn't bad by any means it's just ok. I don't often listen to a whole album of there's often. A 3.5 for me and since there's gotta be at least one more on the list, I keep it at 3.

I’m not much of a DM fan. They have a few songs I like (Strangelove) but I get tired of the sound after a few songs.

I wanted to like this more than I did. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood. I thought it was fine.

I will probably like it more on relisten, but I just kept wanting it to be Violator

Dull by Depeche Mode standards

Some nice surprises but it’s only Depeche Mode with that weird front man.

Enjoyable listen at work. None of the big songs I know of. Ends with Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata?

Blind album, know the artist. Catchy parts of catchy songs but overall not to the higher standards of Depeche when I think of the group. Like chocolate chip cookies, and the chips are way better than the stale crunchy cookie itself. Not Gooey and warm but it makes the cookie good.

Some great theatrical songs, a little slow at times

fav: Nothing

Depeche Mode is one of the more pleasant 80s synth pop groups for me. Still only sorta like it though

this album had some interesting sounds, it took me a few listens to grasp it and they were sim disconnected, I never got it all in one go. never let me down again is good but I found the album kind of blende together as it rolled through, not a bad thing, but difficult to differentiate before you all of a sudden realise that there is some ambient noise and no more lyrics

Staple 80s sound with a lot of reverb. Pop-heavy with fun grooves to ride along to.

Not the strongest offering, with no real standout songs. Overall, a good effort, but j was looking for more.

80s af

Not super impressed. I guess I am not a big Depeche Mode fan.

Only had the chance to skip around. I like the combo of upbeat pop they used in the debut with the ominous and darker mood that creeps in and shows up later on Violator.

A little sleepy but by the third listen I was getting into it.

Noh.. Oli siinä muutama hyväkin kappale, mutta ei tämä nyt ihan vielä riittänyt kääntämään minua faniksi.

Good I liked it. A fun 80s ish listen

some good and bad songs

2.5

Good but monotonous

I can only picture Bo Burnham again when I hear the singer and it is really throwing me off. The first two songs we cool but strange but, Strangelove got the funk going and got me engaged for sure. Unfortunately that was really the peak of the album and it got pretty uneventful for me after that. I really wanted to like this album because it was a type of weird music which I like but this just didn't do it for me. Pimpf at the end sounded like the soundtrack for End of The World in Kingdom Hearts 1

Fun listen

Strangelove a standout. Like the overall vibe but nothing really stands out. A little long as well

I love DM's signature synthy sound but I can rarely be arsed to listen to a whole record of their actual songs 🤷🏻‍♂️

I like it! 3 cuz I’m difficult

I always thought Depeche Mode was a 90's band. It's interesting to learn more about their history and listen through an album. This particular album and bonus tracks were an enjoyable listen, but nothing overwhelming. The irony of the albums title was not lost on me. It's a unique musical space in the 80's that helped steer the band's own direction and many other artists

Stylistic and dark

Even growing up in the 80's I wasn't big into Depeche Mode then, and I'm still not. I appreciate it for what it is, but this is certainly not what I would choose to play.

Dark and ethereal, this album feels like David bowie looks in the Labyrinth. Not a standout for me, but no strong criticisms either. Favorite track was strangelove.

Great start, but loses some steam towards the end of the album.

Way too dramatic 80s stuff for me but loved the synth sounds

Made it thru the first 4-5 songs, didn't hate it but definitely didn't resonate with me as much as Violator

I love Franz Ferdinand and this reminds me of them (backwards in regards they were first).

Manch schönes dabei

80’s dance music for gothic cathedrals. Good stuff but sounds dated at this point. In context with the times it was fresh and exciting. 3/5

I already listen to Never Let Me Down Again and Behind the Wheel regularly. Some of the other songs are a little too 80s for me tbh

Very weird stuff.

2.5-3, Very top heavy album, falls off heavily at the end

Album 205 of 1001 Depeche Mode - Music for the Masses Rating : 3 / 5 Favorite Tracks : Pleasure, Little Treasure / Route 66 Music for the Masses, it is not. This doesn't do a lot for me. I've heard some Depeche Mode that I enjoy. Overall, this is not it. Hard pass but I'll give it props for giving its intended audience what they wanted. The last 4 tracks did grab my attention.

pretty classic stuff isn't it

Good album. Not so much as Violator.

Un gran álbum de new-wave con tintes góticos. Si bien, la propuesta es interesante y es uno de los mejores álbumes de Depeche Mode, la segunda mitad del álbum es bastante más aburrida que la primera. Sin embargo, es innegable que la banda fue una de las más influyentes del género y una inspiración para todos los artistas que se dedican a la electrónica de estética oscura.

Liked it, thought it was interesting how it was a pretty cinematic album but also used synths a lot Did south oc cars and coffee today with keith, andrew, aidan. lowkey almost fucked it sleeping through my alarms but everything turned out good and it was a great time. tired asf now tho

Ive heard a bit of depeche mode but i dont recognize any of these songs. should be a good one. My local radio station has been shilling them for a long time which has gotten annoying. keeping an open mind. its rainy today so this album is hittin different. first song was enjoyable. October+rain makes this album in good timing. Track 1 and track 3 are ones ive heard a handful of times. Album was too long

Some nice 80's synth pop, not the best example but a nice listen.

Went from ecstatic to listen to this lp to fairly underwhelmed. Added 3 of 14 to 1001 Playlist with Never Let Me Down Again a clear number one

Need to be in the mood for it

I enjoyed it. Would listen to again/listen to more of DM's albums.

60/100

It was a little drab for me. Kinda floated by in the background. Upon the third listen though, the album really popped for me. I'm not typically into the gothic vibe, but there are some really good hooks and fun use of instrumentation here. It gets a liiiittle too Danny Elfman at points, but this is a very fun but dark listen. The bass synth in Agent Orange is so wild.

Listened to this while scrolling r/nope which was an interesting time. I like its weird dark angst. I think if I’d grown up in the 80s I would have loved this but alas my past goth self was more interested in Korn 3.5/5

Intensely 80s. But I kinda love that

Classic Depeche Mode in that is sometimes awesome industrial/new wave stuff (Never Let Me Down Again) and sometimes way too goofy vampire rock (Little 15, Pimpf).

highlights: little 15 - dark tone, interesting idea/story behind the wheel - it had something going on, dark tone, but all the little girl stuff is weird, at least she’s old enough to drive? i want you now - somehow pretty good despite the amount of distorted deep breathing going on, if it’s supposed to be sexy it wasn’t, vocals carry nothing - i actually like this one, good mix of catchy and the tone it’s been establishing pimpf - i get it, but like you just had something going pleasure, little treasure - kind of like it unfortunately route 66 - ? overall: really went in on a dark tone but not all that dark a few highlights, mostly when keeping the dark tone but going a little poppier/lighter/less serious some parts sound dated, not in a good way weird ending

It was okay. Sounded like any of the songs could’ve been on Stranger Things.

Love the 80s sound. Like WHAM or Real Life. Just want more excitement. Had it in the first couple of tracks then lost me. 3/5

The genesis of industrial music, but with pop sensibilities and a new wave edge. Dark, but accessible and relatable. If ministry’s psalm 69 is a day when everything goes catastrophically wrong on the factory floor, then this is a relatively good one; but it’s still the same cold and dangerous factory.

I don't love this, but Depeche Mode made some absolute bops back in their day. Agent Orange is a beautifully composed song.

Happy to have heard it, fun experience. Don't feel compelled to revisit as it lacks that bitta something special and is a bit too long. Fav track: Strangelove

Pretty camp and groovy, I had a good time! Enjoyed the cinematic flourishes and almost wish it had gone further with them. As an album it won't be something I'll be coming back to but I reckon they've got some tracks in the catalogue I'd really enjoy. Fave track: Strangelove

A lot of things to like on this record for me - an eeriness and unsettling tone that almost felt like out of a camp horror soundtrack at times, and some interesting vocals. I felt maybe some songs were a bit too one note, and that bled across quite a few of the tracks. Maybe on another day could find myself more invested in this, but kind of felt something was holding me back. Two and a half. Fave track: Nothing

3.5

different sound but still enjoyed it

Pretty good. Decent listen if you're in the mood for it.

meh

some great singles and others.

Good tunes, none of them bad. Good voice is the same over and over which feels a bit repetitive by the end, but they close with a sonata, so no complaints.

not bad by any means but i think violator was definitely better

Standard depeche mode. I quite like it, but it's nothing special.

dark music still doesn't appeal to me too much, but 3 tracks here were pretty good: "never let me down again", "strangelove", and "pimpf". rest ranged from good to fine enough, but those 3 were pretty nice. i think violator is in 1001 too so maybe i'll like that one more.

Yeah, music for the masses was an appropriate title. It was good music, but came off a bit shallow and overall didn’t wow me. Enjoyable though.

Kyllä tällä bändillä on ihan oma tunnelma. Ei mitään mestariteoksia sävellyksinä ja sanoituksina (kaikki) biisit, mutta äänimaailma on hämmästyttävän yhtenäinen olematta varsinaisesti tylsä. A-puoli on kovin hyvä! B-puoli lässähtää, mutta yritys kuuluu. En silti ymmärrä, miksi pitää olla kaksi instrumentaalia perätysten.

Atmospheric though somewhat too repetitive and dark.

Fiquei na expectativa de reconhecer alguma música, hit dos anos 80. Mesmo não rolando, o disco flui bem.

Bland. Completely average. I've become less of a fan of Depeche Mode since I last got them 550 albums ago. It's just meh.

Solid album, Strangelove is probably the best track. The synths kind of wear on me sometimes, honestly. Behind the Wheel works well! I Want You Now also interesting. Effective on headphones. Still thinking a 3. Solid album, but not their best. Doesn't age terribly well.

Depeche were of my era, and as a spotty faced teen, I narrowly missed out on going to one of their early gigs that they played near my home town. Loved the Depeche sound, it was 80s synth done well, but the achilles heel for Depeche through all their years playing, is for every brilliant track they have, there's a dozen meaninglessly meandering nothingness tracks that become more increasingly irritating as they go on and on and on, in fact the track Pimpf on this album is a classic example of this type of meaningless track. Given that Depeche are of my era, i should be loving this, but I'm not. Best track for me on this album is Strangelove, but I wouldn't rate this as one of Depeches good/best albums.

Agent Orage Sample is DOPE!!!! Sonata 14 Moonlight Sonata

me gusta el disco y depeche mode, pero muchas veces se me torna un poco repetitivo. la voz del flaco que canta es muy parecida a la de cerati.

Um pouco longo demais, mas um moodzinho 80s gostoso em geral

Very Depeche mode

I think I've never quite been a Depeche Mode album fan and this is a good example why - it's got some good singles then kind of drifts around a bit going nowhere.

Pretty fun listen. A lot of unique sounds. One of the older albums I've heard that uses the synth this heavily.

It's ok but not amazing

Depeche mode has found a unique and amazing dark sound and mood but on this album they dont manage to keep it interesting enough for me to be blown away by it

decent, feels like less polished tears for fears

Maybe it’s the laconic hedonism or the all-encompassing seriousness of the music - but once again DP fails to fully reach me. Never let me down slaps though. But so many songs feels at least a minute to long - building up to nothing.

Will be good ambience when I finally open up that haunted house.

Not bad, some fun beats and good to listen to while working.

A bit samey

sounds aren't bad but they aren't particularly captivating either. a few interesting songs here but nothing particularly memorable either. overall just average

This was a pretty classic Depeche Mode album and it was great to revisit. Stjarna was the low point, but there's not too much to dislike in the frantic and dark synth waves of the 80's bouncing over you. Somehow, the very 80's synth sounds still sound pretty fresh to me.

Another NIN ish techno/goth mix.

👍

Helt på det jevne for meg, men ikke noe jeg kommer til å sette på igjen. Stilig avslutnings-sang, nesten litt "spooky".