ASNN

21) Violator - Depeche Mode

I'm sure there are better Depeche Mode albums out there (People Are People and Black Celebration come to mind as highly-touted offerings), but this is one that I've loved for years. I bought this after Songs of Faith and Devotion to get in touch with "old" Depeche Mode. (Of course, I used to make fun of people that listened to them when I was in high school; then again, *I* listened to hair metal, so looking back, I guess I didn't really have much room to talk...)

In any case, I chose to buy this album because of "Personal Jesus", "Enjoy the Silence", and "Policy of Truth". And the album is nearly worth it on the basis of those three songs alone. "Policy of Truth", in true 80s fashion (okay, it was published in 1990), explores the allure in pretending to be something one is not, as well as the difficulties that arise in telling the truth.

Things could be so different now
It used to be so civilised
You will always wonder how
It could have been if you'd only lied
.
It's too late to change events
It's time to face the consequence
For delivering the proof
In the policy of truth
[...]
Now you're standing there tongue tied
You'd better learn your lesson well
Hide what you have to hide
And tell what you have to tell
You'll see your problems multiplied
If you continually decide
To faithfully pursue
The policy of truth
-- "Policy of Truth"

Hardly a rulebook for maintaining a good relationship, but it makes for wonderful music. This song, and the whole album, displays the pre-industrial sounds of Depeche Mode, but in a much more mature way. The loops are much more complex and refined, whereas earlier albums simply toyed with drum machines (cf. "Just Can't Get Enough").

The lyrical style of Depeche Mode generally inspires... confusion. And excitement, though because of the confusion one generally doesn't understand why. Violator is a hallmark in that regard, as evidenced by the opening track, "World in My Eyes".

I'll take you to the highest mountain
To the depths of the deepest sea
We won't need a map, believe me
Now let my body do the moving
And let my hands do the soothing
Let me show you the world in my eyes
.
That's all there is
Nothing more than you can feel now
That's all there is
-- "World in My Eyes"

I don't know what it means, but I know it makes me happy in special places.

Aside from the singles, no one part of the album stands out as great. However, the album as a whole works as a cohesive unit and is infinitely listenable... over and over and over.

Posted by pcg at November 19, 2003 9:21 PM